The 14th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on 1983 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1982. The show was held in Nashville, Tennessee.
For Every Heart is the sixth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris, released in 1988 by Star Song Records. The album debuted and peaked at number six on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart. Paris was nominated in two categories at the 20th GMA Dove Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. The track "For the Glory of the Lord" has become a modern day hymn and is now sung in churches and congregations. Fellow Christian singer Steve Green has covered the song on his 1988 album Find Us Faithful.
More Than Wonderful is a live album by Gospel singer Sandi Patti issued in 1983 on Impact Records. The album reached No. 2 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. The track "More Than Wonderful" would win many accolades including a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group at the 26th Grammy Awards, winning both Patti and Larnelle Harris their first Grammys together and a Dove Award for Song of the Year for its writer Lanny Wolfe and the album would win Inspirational Album of the Year and Patti won both Female Vocalist and Artist of the Year at the 15th GMA Dove Awards in 1984. In 1985, the track "Upon This Rock" wins Song of the Year, given to its writers Gloria Gaither and Dony McGuire at the 16th GMA Dove Awards. The album was certified Gold in 1985 and Platinum in 1990 by the Recording Industry Association of America. In 1990, More Than Wonderful was re-issued on Word Records.
The Warrior Is a Child is the third studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris. Released in 1984, it would be her final album on Benson Records's Milk & Honey label. The album climbed to number eight on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart. The title song was a hit at Christian radio topping the Christian AC chart for 18 weeks. Paris was nominated in three categories at the 16th GMA Dove Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year for the title song and Inspirational Album of the Year. The track "We Bow Down" has become one of Paris' praise and worship standards. The title song was ranked at number 48 from CCM Magazine's The 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music.
Christmas: The Gift Goes On is the first Christmas album by gospel singer Sandi Patti originally issued in 1983 by Impact Records, then re-issued in 1987 by Word Records with a new album cover. The album consists of some traditional Christmas tunes and hymns along with original Christmas songs. The album reached No. 9 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. The album was nominated for Best Gospel Performance, Female at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards and was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1988.
Songs from the Heart is the seventh studio album by Christian gospel singer Sandi Patti, released in 1984 on Impact Records. The album was nominated for Best Gospel Performance, Female at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards and won Inspirational Album at the 16th GMA Dove Awards in 1985. The track "Via Dolorosa" won Song of the Year at the Dove Awards the following year, going to its writers Billy Sprague and Niles Borop. The album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. The album has been certified Gold by the RIAA in 1987. In 1990, Songs from the Heart was re-issued on Word Records.
Hymns Just for You is the eighth album by Christian/Gospel singer Sandi Patti. Released in 1985, it would be her final album on the Benson label. It is an album of hymns with five of the track done in medleys covering a selection of songs that people have sung in churches. The album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. Patti was nominated for Best Gospel Performance, Female at the 28th Annual Grammy Awards in 1986. The album was certified Gold in 1986 and Platinum in 1989 by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over one million copies. In 1990, Hymns Just for You was re-issued on Word Records.
Morning Like This is the ninth studio album by Christian/inspirational singer Sandi Patti and her first album on Word Records released in 1986. Morning Like This was considered a successful album and a turning point in her career. It was released in March 1986 and a few months after its release, Patti had reached national acclaim after her rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was included during the ABC Statue of Liberty re-dedication broadcast on July 6, 1986. This exposure led to multiple mainstream television appearances including The Tonight Show and Christmas in Washington. The album was listed at No. 87 from CCM Magazine in their 2001 book CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. In 1987, Patti won 2 Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Performance, Female and Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group with R&B singer Deniece Williams for the track "They Say" from Williams' Gospel album So Glad I Know at the 29th Grammy Awards and later would win 3 GMA Dove Awards for Female Vocalist, Artist of the Year and Inspirational Album of the Year. The track "In The Name Of The Lord" would win a GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year in 1988 given to Patti and her co-writers Gloria Gaither and Phil McHugh. Morning Like This topped the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, finishing in the Top 3 for three years on their Inspirational Albums year-end charts, including taking the number 1 album of 1987 and was certified Gold in 1987 and Platinum in 1993 by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Love Overflowing is the third studio album by Christian singer Sandi Patti, released in 1981 on Impact Records. It would be the beginning of her reign at the GMA Dove Awards as Female Vocalist of the Year as a title she would win for the next 11 years until 1992. The track "We Shall Behold Him" written by Dottie Rambo would be her signature song and a concert favorite as Patti has performed this at everyone of her concerts until her retirement from touring in 2016 and would win 2 Dove Awards for Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, both given to Rambo. In 1984, Love Overflowing climbed to No. 26 on the Top Christian Albums chart.Benson Records re-issued Love Overflowing on CD in 1987 with a new cover featuring a portrait painting of Patti. Word Records would use the same cover for their re-issue in 1990.
Make His Praise Glorious is the tenth studio album by Christian singer Sandi Patti, released in 1988 on Word Records. The track "Almighty God" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance, Female and would win Patti three GMA Dove Awards for Female Vocalist, Inspirational Album and Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year at the 20th GMA Dove Awards in 1989. Make His Praise Glorious topped the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The Finest Moments is a compilation album by Christian singer Sandi Patti, released in 1989 on Word Records. Although not your typical "best of" album, this collection of songs consists of some live highlights from her 1983 live album More Than Wonderful, some choice songs from the first ten years of her recording career from 1979's Sandi's Song to 1986's Morning Like This and one brand new track "Exalt The Name" recorded specifically for this collection co-written by CCM singer-songwriter Margaret Becker. The album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA in October 1993.
Another Time...Another Place is the twelfth studio album by Christian singer Sandi Patti, released in 1990 on Word Records. Like her 1986 best seller and award winning album Morning Like This, Another Time...Another Place was another definitive album with in addition to her inspirational anthems, there are also some pop elements and uptempo songs. The title song features a duet with fellow Christian singer and songwriter Wayne Watson. It became a successful hit climbing to No. 1 on the Christian AC chart and would win them a GMA Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year and it also won Song of the Year, given to its writer Gary Driskell. The album also features popular CCM recording artist Amy Grant providing guest vocals on the song "Unexpected Friends". In 1991, Patti would win her fifth and final Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album at the 33rd Grammy Awards and wins Female Vocalist of the Year and Inspirational Album of the Year at the 22nd GMA Dove Awards. Its music video won Short Form Music Video of the Year in 1992. The album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and was certified Gold in 1992 by the Recording Industry Association of America. The CD version contains a bonus track "Rejoice", originally recorded by Christian pop group NewSong.
Sandi Patti and the Friendship Company is the eleventh studio and first Children's music album by Christian singer Sandi Patti, released in 1989 on Word Records. The theme on this album is about friendship and how special children are to God. The album features a children's choir and Gerbert, a popular children's character based on the late 1980s television series of the same name that teaches children about kindness and friendship, making good choices, the importance of loving your neighbor and learning a valuable lesson in life, which is pretty much what this album is about. Sandi Patti and the Friendship Company went to No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and would win her a GMA Dove Award for Children's Music Album of the Year at the 21st GMA Dove Awards.
The Friendship Company: Open for Business is the thirteenth studio and second Children's music album by Christian singer Sandi Patti, released in 1991 on Everland, a Word Records label that specializes in children's music. A sequel to 1989's Sandi Patti and the Friendship Company, this album continues the theme of friendship and with some new animal friends joining Patti at a clubhouse. It also features dialog in between songs telling the story. The Friendship Company: Open for Business peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and in 1992, Patti won for Children's Music Album of the Year and her 11th and final Female Vocalist title at the 23rd GMA Dove Awards.
Le Voyage is the fourteenth studio album by Christian singer Sandi Patti, released in 1993 on Word Records. It's a concept album and it tells the story, done in a musical setting, featuring Patti as a character named Traveler, and she comes from a long line of Sojouners. It has been described as a modern retelling of Pilgrim's Progress featuring songs about traveling on a journey of faith. Le Voyage continues her inspirational sound but also adds some upbeat pop and adult contemporary sounds as well. Patti re-records a new version of "Unexpected Friends," originally from her 1990 album Another Time...Another Place and also features a duet with fellow Christian singer/songwriter and former Kansas lead singer John Elefante called "Home Will Find You." This would be the last album using her last name "Patti." Patti also released a companion book to go with the album. The album would top the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. In 1994, her music video for the first single "Hand On My Shoulder" won Short Form Music Video of the Year at the 25th GMA Dove Awards.
Medals is the second studio album by Christian singer-songerwriter Russ Taff, released in 1985 on Myrrh Records. Medals would prove to be his breakthrough album. Taff once again co-wrote with his wife Tori, along with his guitarist and songwriter James Hollihan, Jr. and contributions from other CCM artists and songwriters like Pam Mark Hall, Roby Duke and Chris Eaton.
Priority is the 27th studio album by the Christian music group The Imperials, released in late 1980 on DaySpring Records. It is the second album that the group has collaborated with well-known musician/producer Michael Omartian, their first being their previous album One More Song for You (1979). In 1982, the Imperials won their fourth and, to date, final Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational at the 24th Grammy Awards and at the 13th GMA Dove Awards, they were named Group of the Year and Priority was named Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. Lead singer Russ Taff won his second Dove Award for Male Vocalist of the Year, winning back-to-back. Prior to the award ceremonies, Taff had left the group in 1981 to begin his solo career and started work on his debut album Walls of Glass (1983) before being replaced by Paul Smith as the new lead singer. Priority gave the Imperials their second number-one album on Billboard magazine's Top Inspirational Albums chart.
Artist of My Soul is the eighteenth studio album by Christian singer Sandi Patty, released in 1997 on Word Records. It was produced by Robbie Buchanan, whose production, arrangement and keyboardist credits include artists like Amy Grant, Whitney Houston, Rascal Flatts and Neil Diamond. The album peaked at number 3 on the Heatseekers Albums, number 7 on the Top Christian Albums and number 155 on the Top 200 Albums charts in Billboard magazine. Artist of My Soul won Inspirational Album of the Year at the 29th GMA Dove Awards.
Love & Mercy is the seventh studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Kathy Troccoli. It was released on April 29, 1997 on Reunion Records. The lead single "Love One Another" features Troccoli and 40 plus Christian artists like Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, Michael W. Smith and Carman. The song was released commercially as a CD single on March 18, 1997 to Christian retail stores in advance of the album's release and the single's proceeds went to His Touch Ministries in Houston, Texas, which is a non-profit organization that was established to educate the church, provide support groups for HIV victims, create teams to visit AIDS patients and provide housing for men, women and children suffering from the illness. The album's third single "A Baby's Prayer" is a pro-life song that Troccoli and Scott Brasher wrote that explores the abortion issue from the perspective of an unborn child. "A Baby's Prayer" would give Troccoli her first two Dove Award wins for Inspirational Song of the Year at the 29th GMA Dove Awards. Love & Mercy reached number 7 on the Top Christian Albums, number 6 on the Heatseekers Albums and number 170 on the Top 200 Albums charts in Billboard magazine, giving Troccoli her first crossover chart appearance on the latter.
Farrell and Farrell was a Christian music husband and wife duo formed in 1977 by Bob and Jayne Farrell. They have released seven studio albums and one live album between 1977 and 1989 and have amassed many Christian radio hits during those times. Bob Farrell is the principal songwriter of the duo and outside of Farrell and Farrell has written songs for many CCM and mainstream artists like Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, Eric Clapton, Anne Murray, Laura Branigan and DeGarmo and Key.
