by Kristy Ensor

Known as the “The Voice of Gospel Music,” Sandi Patty will host a weekend to remember at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort February 5-7, 2010. The “Sandi Patty & Friends” event will also feature Patty’s longtime friend, Larnelle Harris, legendary Wayne Watson, Pastor Jim Lyons and the Cincinnati Bengals’ Ben Utecht. This will definitely be a special time filled with fellowship, worship, concerts and more.

Limited tickets are available for “Sandi Patty and Friends.” Reservations can be made by calling 1-888-OPRY-872. For additional information, please visit www.sandipatty.com.

I was recently honored with a chance to talk with Sandi Patty about this upcoming special event and about her music. She was very sweet and graciously answered my questions.

Are you excited about the event next weekend?

I am. I’m very excited! It’s going to be a nice, little intimate time with some very special people. It’s going to be a lot of fun and very meaningful…a one-of-a kind. It’s a rare performance with myself and Larnelle Harris, Wayne Watson and one of my favorite speakers – Jim Lyons, who was my pastor for many, many years, and Ben Utecht who played in the Super Bowl two years ago when the Colts won.

Was it your idea to have this event and bring all these folks together?

Yeah…Community is something that’s just very important these days. It’s good to get together with people that you share so much in common with and to just be together and encourage one another. We’ve never done anything quite like this before, and so the Opryland Hotel said “Why don’t you do it here?” And we thought – “Let’s just give it a shot!” So that’s what we’re doing.

Your music seems so personal and powerful. Do you write your own songs Sandi?

I actually don’t. So I just really have to rely on other people to help me say what I want to say. Sometimes I just spend time and talk with the writer and say here’s kind of what I’m looking for, and then they’ll help me say it really well.

Did you study music or take voice lessons?

I studied in college. I studied voice and graduated with a degree in music. So I always thought that would lead me to teaching, but I started performing along the way and haven’t ever stopped.

To what do you credit your successful career in the music industry?

That’s definitely the Lord opening doors…most definitely, and you know my faith. Along those same lines I also feel like that my parents making me learn music and study music has been so valuable.

Did you start taking piano lessons as a young child?

I did when I was about 5.

Who inspires you aside from God?

That definitely goes back to my parents, and having grown up in the church. I think church music is something that has been huge in my life. But probably one of my favorite singers is Natalie Grant. I think she’s just amazing. And my family…my family is just pretty important to me.

Who are some of your musical influences?

Well I grew up loving Karen Carpenter and Barbara Streisand who definitely remain some of my biggest influences.

What’s in your future?

I’m traveling again this year with WOMEN OF FAITH which I’m very excited about. I’m gonna be working on a new record this year, and I’m gonna be finishing up a new book…just kind of doing those professional things. And I have a senior who will be graduating from high school this year and another senior who’ll be graduating from college this year. So…family life continues to evolve and be busy and wonderful.

With a blended family with 8 children, how do you balance your life?

You know what – some days it’s just not very easy. Just at the end of the day if you ask yourself the question, not did I do everything right, but did I spend the time and make those moments with my child special? And you know what – everything else can wait.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

One of my favorites is Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Of all your songs, do you have a favorite?

I don’t know why right now but I really love the song His Eye is on the Sparrow. I just love what it has to say. I think it speaks so personally so I recorded it a few years ago.

What advice would you give to aspiring Contemporary Christian singers?

The business is really interesting right now, and really I think where the artists are coming from is the church. Just really be involved in your church. Be just the best where you are now. Be that person who knows your part in the choir, and stay after it. I think that’s really what we’re seeing now is that a lot of these artists are really coming from the worship teams from the church.

Sandi Patty is one of the most highly acclaimed performers of our time. She’s won 39 Dove Awards, 5 Grammy Awards, 4 Billboard Music Awards, and is a Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee. She’s the most awarded female vocalist in Contemporary Christian music history. Her albums have sold more than 11 million units, including three platinum and five gold recordings. Her rendition of The Star Spangled Banner during the rededication of the Statue of Liberty, broadcast across America on ABC’s special “Liberty Weekend”, introduced Sandi to the nation. Virtually overnight she became one of the country’s best-loved performers, and for the first time in her career Sandi will grace the stage of the Grand Old Opry during her visit to Nashville next weekend. So look out country music fans, a new kid’s coming to town, and she’s dynamite. She’ll blow you away…so you better hold on to your cowboy hats!