Kathy Troccoli
Encyclopedia
Kathleen Colleen "Kathy" Troccoli (born June 24, 1958) is a contemporary Christian
singer, author
, and speaker.
, graduating from East Islip High School. At 15, she lost her father to colon cancer. She also lost her mother to breast cancer
in 1991, shortly before the release of her album Pure Attraction and its mainstream chart selection, "Everything Changes". Before recording and releasing the album, Troccoli had taken a five-year break from the music world.
in Boston
for a year, studying jazz and Opera, before returning home to attend college in the Long Island
region. While working to pay her college bill, she committed herself to Christ (1978), and her alto
voice gained prominence when she opened for Ed Nalle's group GLAD
in 1980 during a concert in the area.
Nalle assisted Troccoli in her career, helping the young artist record demos which would be given to Michael Blanton and Dan Harrell (Amy Grant
's brother-in-law), who formed the Reunion label to start her career in 1982 with Stubborn Love, A second album, Heart and Soul, was released in 1984 and gave her first Grammy nomination a year later, followed by Images in 1986. Troccoli also provided backing vocal for Taylor Dayne
's song "I'll Be Your Shelter
" in 1989/1990.
After her mother's death, she paired with Reunion again in 1991 with Pure Attraction, which launched her on the national charts with the single "Everything Changes," which peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100
. "Help Myself To You" became her first #1 hit in her ten-year career, and began a string of GMA Music Awards
nominations, including numerous attempts at Female Vocalist.
Numerous hit songs came afterwards, including 1994's "My Life is in Your Hands", jointly written and composed with Bill Montvilo, which defined her career and inspired the devotional book of the same title, written in 1997, and 1995's "Go Light Your World", which began the rise of writer Chris Rice
and was used for charity efforts that year.
In 1996, Troccoli was featured on the Beach Boys's now out-of-print album Stars and Stripes Vol. 1
, singing lead vocals on a cover of their 1969 song "I Can Hear Music", itself a cover of a Phil Spector
song. The Beach Boys sing on the track as well, providing harmonies and backing vocals.
She had no success at the GMA Music Awards from 1992 until 1997. The release of Love & Mercy in 1997 changed her career. One song, "A Baby's Prayer", written and composed after she and collaborator Scott Brasher had observed the abortion
issue and Brasher's viewing of Holocaust documentaries, made her a well-sought speaker in 1998, and with the "Inspirational Song" award, she finally won her first GMA Music Award
.
Her 1998 release Corner of Eden resulted in an "Inspirational Album" award at the GMA Music Award
in 1999, her second GMA Music Award.
Her second Grammy nomination came in 2003 with her album The Heart of Me.
Troccoli was voted the fourth most influential Christan woman in America by Today's Christian Woman magazine.
National Championship as well as the 1999 National Day of Prayer
. Also, Kathy assisted Chuck Colson and Prison Fellowship in numerous outreaches to prisoners.
, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, The 700 Club
, Entertainment Tonight
, among others. She also appeared on Focus on the Family
's video for teens, Sex, Lies, & The Truth, speaking out on the importance of sexual purity. She has also been a regular co-host of the TV show "Red Letter Christians" with Tony Campolo
.
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
singer, author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, and speaker.
Personal
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 24, 1958, Troccoli moved at age three and was raised in Islip Terrace, Long Island, New YorkIslip Terrace, New York
Islip Terrace is a hamlet and census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 5,641 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, graduating from East Islip High School. At 15, she lost her father to colon cancer. She also lost her mother to breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
in 1991, shortly before the release of her album Pure Attraction and its mainstream chart selection, "Everything Changes". Before recording and releasing the album, Troccoli had taken a five-year break from the music world.
Musical career
After graduation, she attended the Berklee College of MusicBerklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
for a year, studying jazz and Opera, before returning home to attend college in the Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
region. While working to pay her college bill, she committed herself to Christ (1978), and her alto
Alto
Alto is a musical term, derived from the Latin word altus, meaning "high" in Italian, that has several possible interpretations.When designating instruments, "alto" frequently refers to a member of an instrumental family that has the second highest range, below that of the treble or soprano. Hence,...
voice gained prominence when she opened for Ed Nalle's group GLAD
Glad (band)
GLAD is one of the pioneers of Christian pop/rock and a cappella music, having formed as a progressive rock group in 1972 and discovered a large audience for their a cappella music in 1988. Today, with over 1.5 million albums sold, they continue to perform concerts and release occasional recordings...
in 1980 during a concert in the area.
Nalle assisted Troccoli in her career, helping the young artist record demos which would be given to Michael Blanton and Dan Harrell (Amy Grant
Amy Grant
Amy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
's brother-in-law), who formed the Reunion label to start her career in 1982 with Stubborn Love, A second album, Heart and Soul, was released in 1984 and gave her first Grammy nomination a year later, followed by Images in 1986. Troccoli also provided backing vocal for Taylor Dayne
Taylor Dayne
Taylor Dayne was born Leslie Wunderman on March 7, 1962 before later adopting her current stage name. She is an American pop vocalist, songwriter, and dance artist. Overall, she has had eighteen individual hit songs reach the top ten in Billboard magazine...
's song "I'll Be Your Shelter
I'll Be Your Shelter
"I'll Be Your Shelter" is a song performed by Taylor Dayne. Released as the third single from Dayne's second album, Can't Fight Fate, the song was a departure from her dance roots, displaying more of a mid-tempo pop/rock quality, yet maintaining the intense vocals for which she had become known.The...
" in 1989/1990.
After her mother's death, she paired with Reunion again in 1991 with Pure Attraction, which launched her on the national charts with the single "Everything Changes," which peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. "Help Myself To You" became her first #1 hit in her ten-year career, and began a string of GMA Music Awards
GMA Music Awards
The Gospel Music Association Dove Awards are presented annually by the Gospel Music Association for outstanding achievements in the Christian music industry. The awards are usually presented during a ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee, that features performances by a number of the industry's newest...
nominations, including numerous attempts at Female Vocalist.
Numerous hit songs came afterwards, including 1994's "My Life is in Your Hands", jointly written and composed with Bill Montvilo, which defined her career and inspired the devotional book of the same title, written in 1997, and 1995's "Go Light Your World", which began the rise of writer Chris Rice
Chris Rice
Chris Rice is an American songwriter who works in the contemporary Christian music, contemporary folk, and adult contemporary genres with a style similar to David Wilcox and James Taylor. He became a recording artist as well in 1996 after signing a contract with Michael W...
and was used for charity efforts that year.
In 1996, Troccoli was featured on the Beach Boys's now out-of-print album Stars and Stripes Vol. 1
Stars and Stripes Vol. 1
Stars and Stripes Vol. 1 is an album by The Beach Boys. Released in 1996, it is, despite its 'Volume 1' sub-title, their only venture into the genre of country pop music....
, singing lead vocals on a cover of their 1969 song "I Can Hear Music", itself a cover of a Phil Spector
Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
song. The Beach Boys sing on the track as well, providing harmonies and backing vocals.
She had no success at the GMA Music Awards from 1992 until 1997. The release of Love & Mercy in 1997 changed her career. One song, "A Baby's Prayer", written and composed after she and collaborator Scott Brasher had observed the abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
issue and Brasher's viewing of Holocaust documentaries, made her a well-sought speaker in 1998, and with the "Inspirational Song" award, she finally won her first GMA Music Award
GMA Music Awards
The Gospel Music Association Dove Awards are presented annually by the Gospel Music Association for outstanding achievements in the Christian music industry. The awards are usually presented during a ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee, that features performances by a number of the industry's newest...
.
Her 1998 release Corner of Eden resulted in an "Inspirational Album" award at the GMA Music Award
GMA Music Awards
The Gospel Music Association Dove Awards are presented annually by the Gospel Music Association for outstanding achievements in the Christian music industry. The awards are usually presented during a ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee, that features performances by a number of the industry's newest...
in 1999, her second GMA Music Award.
Her second Grammy nomination came in 2003 with her album The Heart of Me.
Troccoli was voted the fourth most influential Christan woman in America by Today's Christian Woman magazine.
Writing and speaking activities
In addition to her musical activities, Kathy wrote several Christian books in collaboration with Dee Brestin, and also wrote some of her own as well. These books included Hope for a Woman's Heart, Falling in Love With Jesus (with Brestin), Living in Love with Jesus (with Brestin), Forever in Love with Jesus (with Brestin), Am I Not Still God?, My Life Is in Your Hands, and Seven Celebrations for the Soul. She likewise became a frequent popular speaker, and musician, for Christian organizations and at well-known Christian events such as "Women of Faith," "Spaghetti for the Soul" with Ellie Lofaro, "Heritage Keepers," and "Time Out for Women Only", as well as several cruises that are known to take place annually in February. Kathy performed at the 1999 Fiesta BowlFiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl, now sponsored by Frito-Lay and named with their Tostitos brand, is a United States college football bowl game played annually at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Between its origination in 1971 and 2006, the game was hosted in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil...
National Championship as well as the 1999 National Day of Prayer
National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked "to turn to God in prayer and meditation". Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day...
. Also, Kathy assisted Chuck Colson and Prison Fellowship in numerous outreaches to prisoners.
Media appearances
Over the years, Kathy has appeared on The Tonight ShowThe Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, The 700 Club
The 700 Club
The 700 Club is the flagship news talk show of the Christian Broadcasting Network, airing in syndication throughout the United States and Canada. In production since 1966, it is currently hosted by Pat Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen, Kristi Watts, and Gordon P. Robertson, two of whom will host on any...
, Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight is a daily tabloid television entertainment television news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. Linda Bell Blue is currently the program's executive producer...
, among others. She also appeared on Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family is an American evangelical Christian tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1977 by psychologist James Dobson, and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s...
's video for teens, Sex, Lies, & The Truth, speaking out on the importance of sexual purity. She has also been a regular co-host of the TV show "Red Letter Christians" with Tony Campolo
Tony Campolo
Dr. Anthony "Tony" Campolo is an American pastor, author, sociologist, and public speaker known for challenging evangelical Christians by illustrating how their faith can offer solutions in a world of complexity. With his liberal political and social attitudes, he has been a major proponent for...
.
Songs
- Everything Changes (1992)
- You've Got A Way (1992)
- Tell Me Where It Hurts (1994)
- If I'm Not In Love (1994)
- Mission Of Love (1994)
- My Life Is In Your Hands (1994)
- Never My Love (1995)
- Go Light Your World (1995)
- Love One Another (1995)
- He'll Never Leave Me (1996)
- I Call Him Love (1996)
- A Baby's Prayer (1996)
Discography
- Stubborn Love, 1982
- Heart And SoulHeart And Soul (Kathy Troccoli album)Heart and Soul is the second studio album by singer-songwriter Kathy Troccoli. This album received a Grammy nomination in 1984, and contains songs written by Michael W. Smith. It featured music popular with CCM, as well as synth-pop friendly songs, "I Belong To You", "Holy Holy", and "Hearts Of...
, 1984 - Images, 1986
- Pure AttractionPure AttractionPure Attraction is the fourth full-length album by singer-songwriter Kathy Troccoli. It saw her moving slowly away from Christian music, and into pop territory, with two songs written by Diane Warren...
, 1991 - Kathy TroccoliKathy Troccoli (Kathy Troccoli album)"Kathy Troccoli" is the self-titled full-length album from singer-songwriter Kathy Troccoli. It was released on Reunion Records in 1994. Like her previous release, Pure Attraction, it featured a heavy emphasis on pop songs, with songwriter Diane Warren contributing one track.-Track listing:#Just...
, 1994 - Sounds of Heaven, 1995
- Love and MercyLove and Mercy (Kathy Troccoli album)"Love And Mercy" is the seventh full-length album by Christian music singer-songwriter Kathy Troccoli. It saw her move back into CCM, with a heavy dose of gospel music.-Track listing:#I Call Him Love 4:07...
, 1997 - Corner of EdenCorner of EdenCorner Of Eden is the ninth full-length album from singer-songwriter Kathy Troccoli. It marks the first time she was co-written all of the album's songs.-Track listing:#A Different Road 6:30...
, 1998 - Sentimental Christmas, 1999
- Love Has a Name, 2000
- The Heart of Me, 2002
- Greatest Hits, 2003
- KT's Groovin' Medlies, 2005
- Comfort, 2005
- Draw Me Close, 2005
- The Story of Love, 2006
- Hope's Alive, 2008
- Heartsongs, 2010
Books
- My Life Is in Your Hands, 1997
- Different Roads, 1999
- Am I Not Still God?, 2002
- Hope for a Woman's Heart, 2002
- A Love That Won't Walk Away, 2005
- Seven Celebrations for the Soul, 2005
- Live Like You Mean It: Engaging in a Life of Passion, Romance, and Adventure, 2006
Books with Dee Brestin
- Falling in Love with Jesus , 2001 (hardback and Bible study)
- The Colors of His Love, 2003 (hardback title)
- Living in Love with Jesus (Bible study) (softcover version of The Colors of His Love also contains this title)
- Forever in Love with Jesus, 2004 (Bible study)
GMA Music Awards
- 1998 Inspirational Recorded Song, "A Baby's Prayer" (two awards, one as artist, one as writer, shared with co-write Scott Brasher).
- 1999 Inspirational Album of the Year, Corner of Eden.