Biography of Mandisa

Mandisa Lynn Hundley was born on October 2, 1976 in Citrus Heights, California, professionally known as Mandisa, is an American gospel singer and was the ninth-place finalist in the “fifth season” of “American Idol” in 2006.

She auditioned for the United States reality/talent show “American Idol” in Chicago. She referred to herself as "just Mandisa," and was billed simply as Mandisa, without a last name. She was a backup singer for Christian author and speaker Beth Moore. Years Active: 2006 – present
Genres: R&B, CCM, Gospel
Label:  Sparrow and  EMI

Mandisa's first full-length album “True Beauty” was released in July 2007. She released her first single, "Only the World," in May 2007. The song had a successful debut on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart, which tracks commercial single sales, debuting at #2 and reaching #1 the following week. It is also getting major airplay on Christian radio stations. Her second single "God Speaking" was released to Christian radio in October 2007. A third single, "Voice of a Savior," was issued in mid-2008. “True Beauty” debuted at #1 on the Top Christian Albums chart, making it the first time a new female artist has debuted at #1 in the chart’s 27 year history. It also debuted at #43 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. She also garnered a Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album Grammy Award nomination for “True Beauty” in December of the same year.

In November 2007, Mandisa released a holiday EP, “Christmas Joy EP,” which features the song "Christmas Makes Me Cry," a duet with frequent collaborator Matthew West. Earlier that year, Mandisa also recorded "Christmas Day," a duet with Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith. "Christmas Makes Me Cry" peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot Christian AC chart, stopped from reaching #1 by her duet with Smith, "Christmas Day." It was the first time in the history of the Christian Singles chart that a solo female artist was featured on the top two singles at the same time.

In October 2008, Mandisa released a full-length Christmas album, “It's Christmas.” Three of the songs from the “Christmas Joy EP” were featured on “It's Christmas,” including “Christmas Makes Me Cry,” as well as several new tracks

Her second album, “Freedom” was released in March 2009. The album debuted at #83 on the Billboard 200 and reached #4 on the Christian Albums chart. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year.

Her third album, “What If We Were Real,” was released in April 2011. It debuted at #66 on the Billboard 200 and at #2 on the Christian Albums chart.

Quote From Mandisa:

"My faith certainly went through some tests of fire, but it’s stronger because of that and it’s also made me want to know more about it and how to articulate it. I think I came out of that whole experience (American Idol) understanding Jesus better. I’d been a little sheltered in Christian circles for a while and it helped me realize the kind of impact that Christians can make when they actually step out of their boxes and get involved in the world around them."

From her official Sparrow Records bio

Mandisa Before American Idol:

Born and raised in Citrus Heights, California, Mandisa grew up singing in the church. After graduating from high school, she studied Vocal Jazz at American River College before heading east to Fisk University in Tennessee, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in music with a concentration in vocal performance.

She did session work as a backup singer for a wide variety of artists including Christian author and speaker Beth Moore, Sandi Patty, Shania Twain, Take 6 and Trisha Yearwood. The audition for American Idol's fifth season in Chicago took her from being backup to up front..

Mandisa After American Idol:

Mandisa's Idol days came to an end after she was eliminated on April 5, 2006, in the Top 9. After the Idol tour, she was signed by Sparrow Records in early 2007. Her book IdolEyes (with Angela Elwell Hunt) was published by Tyndale House in May 2007 and her debut CD, True Beauty released two months later.

Album

Ø  Overcomer, August 27, 2013

Ø  It's Christmas (Christmas Angel Edition), 2012

Ø  What If We Were Real, 2011

Ø  Freedom, 2009

Ø  It's Christmas, 2008

Ø  True Beauty, 2007

Ø  Christmas Joy (EP), 2007

Mandisa Starter Songs:

• "Free" - 2011
• "Just Cry" - 2011
• "Shackles (Praise You)" - 2007
• "The Right Thing" - 2007