Cheri Keaggy

Cheri Keaggy, niece-in-law to gospel legend Phil Keaggy, rose to prominence in Christian music entirely on her own terms. She first served as a worship leader at her church before accepting a contract from Sparrow Records in mid-1993 that launched her recording career. The 1994 debut Child of the Father quickly gained favor on Christian charts, resulting in a Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year in 1995. Her singles “Open My Heart,” “Make My Life an Altar,” and “You, Oh Lord, Are My Refuge” each found favor on Christian radio, and she toured alongside Point of Grace and Phillips, Craig & Dean while making appearances on The 700 Club and Music City Tonight. My Faith Will Stay followed in 1995, and What Matters Most arrived two years later. The 2001 album Let's Fly adopted a noticeably edgier sound.