Cheri Keaggy

The niece-in-law of gospel legend Phil Keaggy, Cheri Keaggy has become a major artist in the Christian music field without using her famous relative as a crutch. She started her career as a worship leader at her church, then in mid-1993 decided to turn recording artist when Sparrow Records offered her a contract. Her debut album, 1994's Child of the Father, became quite popular on the Christian charts, leading to Keaggy's nomination for a Dove award as New Artist of the Year in 1995. Her singles "Open My Heart," "Make My Life an Altar" and "You, Oh Lord, Are My Refuge" have all done well on Christian radio, and she has toured with Point of Grace and Phillips, Craig & Dean, as well as appearing on TV shows like The 700 Club and Music City Tonight. Her second album, My Faith Will Stay, was released in 1995, and third album What Matters Most appeared two years later. Let's Fly, which was released in 2001, featured more of an edgier sound. ~ John Bush