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music – producer

Phillip Sandifer will perform over 60 concerts this year.  He has eight albums to his credit and has ministered in 49 of our 50 states (hey, if you're from Alaska invite him to come to your Church- that's the only state he hasn't played in) in eighteen years of traveling. Over the years Phillip has performed concerts with Twila Paris, Clay Crosse, The Imperials, Whiteheart, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mylon Lefevre & Broken Heart, Pat Boone, Bob Bennett, Billy Crockett and many others.  A regular, normal working guy, he is also a husband, father, Christian musician, worship leader, songwriter / producer and record company executive.  Excited about the Church's desire to incorporate contemporary worship into it's services Phillip has sought to become a useful tool in molding a balance between the traditional and contemporary styles.   "I believe both can work together (even in the same service) to glorify God".  

Despite his lack of pretense, Sandifer is a highly respected writer and producer in the Christian music field today.  Songs he has written have been recorded by Glen Campbell, Fernando Ortega, Bob Bennett, Rob Frazier, Dawn Smith Jordan, Joseph Mills, The Lyons, Linda Dove and others. 

Phillip's most recognizable songs are available for listening and include:
 "WHEN IT'S ALL BEEN SAID AND DONE", "JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE",
"THE LESS TRAVELED ROAD", "WHAT YOU MEAN TO ME",   "MAN OF COMPASSION".  and "CHRISTMAS WITHOUT JESUS". Also, the songs "WIDER SKY" AND "LOVE'S SPEAKS LOUDER", which Phillip penned have received broad based airplay (both went top 10 nationally) via the duo SANTA FE which is comprised of Phillip and his brother Michael. 

NOTE: Listening to these songs requires a player capable of playing Real Media Sound Files!

His last project "Arizona Highway"  produced 3 top ten singles and the previous project, "The Other Side Of Salvation", yielded three chart-topping singles. "Sensible Enigmas" is Phillip's newest project and ships in October 2002.  Recently Phillip was a guest lead vocalist on Disney's "A Bug's Life" audio project which was nominated for a Grammy Award.  He sang the song "Walking Stick".

Being "real" is something the A & R director of  Urgent Records and the Worship Leader and Director of Creative Arts at his Church fights to maintain. His life is not dictated by the industry but by common sense and God's leadership. Sometimes that means going against industry standards. For example, Sandifer chose to live in Austin, TX , near family, friends and his Church accountability, instead of Nashville or Los Angeles, the centers of the Christian music industry.

"While Nashville is a great place, full of great people and wonderful musicians, my feeling is that you really don't have to be there" he says. Especially with the ability technology gives us to stay in touch.  "I feel that the need is to go out where people are." " The whole purpose of his ministry, he says, is reaching and encouraging people for Christ". While he is part of the "system," Sandifer tries not to get caught up in it. 

For Sandifer, the son of a minister, the key to ministry is accessibility. It bothers him that some are turned away from concerts because they can't afford tickets. And "often the people who are turned away are the very ones who need to hear the message of God's love".

The struggles of young adults touch a familiar note in Sandifer's heart. His music is an expression of what he has learned and in sharing it, he finds fulfillment. He relates stories and lessons from his 18 year marriage to Rene and his parenting of his four children.

Sandifer maintains an easygoing, upbeat style that appeals to a multi-generational audience. He gives his audience credit for thinking intelligently and Christians and  non-Christians appreciate his approach.  His concerts range in size from intimate group settings of 100 people or so to large promoted events.

Sandifer taught himself to play guitar in high school. After entering college (Auburn University then U. Of Texas at Austin) to study psychology and law, he began to perform around campus.  Seeing the results, he recognized the potential for changing lives through music, and what began as a hobby turned into a career direction.

In college, Phillip cut a record, "Never Steal the Show", and then signed with Urgent Records through whom he has been releasing projects ever since (20 years).  Phillip and his wife Rene were on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ for two years then remained on associate staff with Campus Crusade for a number of years thereafter. 

With his new project "Sensible Enigmas", Sandifer explores the fact that being a Christian does not make life trouble free, but there is joy in Christ beyond the pain and struggles of everyday life.  The key is learning to see things through Gods eyes.