Sandi PattyIf you go
› What: Sandi Patty’s Forever Grateful — The Farewell Tour with special guest Veritas.› When: 7 p.m. Friday, April 22.› Where: Abba’s House, 5208 Hixson Pike.› Admission: $25 general admission, $45 premium, $100 platinum, $18.50 for seniors 60-plus and groups of 10 or more.› Phone: 423-643-3085.› Website: abbas house.com/sandipatty.› Note: Premium tickets include best seats, Q&A with the artist, early entry and latest CD. Platinum tickets add a preshow photo opportunity.
When she turns in her microphone, figuratively speaking, in a year or so, Sandi Patty will have done about everything she'd ever hoped to as a singer.
During her almost 40 years in the spotlight, she's won Grammy and Dove awards, appeared on TV, including "The Tonight Show," sang on Broadway and with symphonies from New York to London, was part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and pretty much owned "The Star Spangled Banner" after singing it on ABC as part of the Statue of Liberty rededication in 1986.
She's had a great career, she says, and now believes it's time to do one more tour and ride off into the sunset while she is still sitting high in the saddle.
"My husband and I have raised eight kids, between us, and they are all grown now," she said in a telephone interview, "and it just seemed like a good time to look ahead and see what that might look like. We have one grandson and two [more] on the way, so it just seems like it's time."
Patty, who turns 60 in July, is in the midst of an 18-month farewell tour that will stop here at Abba's House on Friday, April 22. She said spending more time with her family is just one factor in her decision.
"I want to respect the art form," she says. "A woman's vocal prime is between the ages of 45 and 60, according to Metropolitan Opera World, so I just want to be respectful of the art form, and I don't want to be like one of those sports figures where people say, 'Man, they should have retired a long time ago.'"
She also points out that while it is a farewell tour, it is also a chance for her to revisit old fans and friends and places to say, "Thank you."
"That's why we've called it Forever Grateful - The Farewell Tour."
Patty is primarily known as a Christian music singer, but her strong, powerful voice and range has allowed her to sing just about any style of music. She's watched as new styles found their way into the Christian music she loves, and she believes the genre has matured because of it.
"What I have really loved is seeing the style really grow. From rap to Southern gospel to black gospel, Christian music is the only music that when you say it, it isn't defined by the musical style, it's defined by the lyrical content."
Patty says she doesn't have a firm final date or a time or place in mind for her final farewell show. And she doesn't rule out coming out of retirement for an engagement, but it would have to be something big.
"I kind of feel like if the Super Bowl were to call to come sing the national anthem, I wouldn't say no."
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.