Christopher Sandoe

Born and raised in sunny Southern California, I grew up in the church, but I was not exactly living a Christ-like lifestyle. I was rebelling against my parents, and God. I had become a skeptic, and I had some doubts about God and Christianity. Life was extremely challenging for me growing up. My father was an ex-Marine, and veteran of the Vietnam War, and my Mother is a very soft-spoken housewife. Both of whom I love very much, but sometimes the people you love the most scar you the deepest. I witnessed a lot of arguing, and fighting, and experienced some hurt at home. My family was very poor, living off of public assistance for a while, and at a young age I learned how to block out the ugliness of my world, and escape to my imagination. Longing to express myself in a unique and creative way, I would draw. If my parents couldn't afford to buy me the toys I wanted, I would draw them, cut them out, and start playing. As I reached High School I started to develop a love for singing, and music, as well as sports. I would sing to my Boyz 2 Men album all day long. As a result I began to sing the national anthem at school Rally’s, and other events. Eventually I became friends with Snoop Dogg’s little brother Bing, we would later start to make music together. I learned how to make Hip-Hop, and R&B Instrumentals, which enabled me to work with a number of established artists. I would party with celebrities, and indulge in alcohol, and many other things. I began to work on my own Album, and a song was chosen for a TV show on VH1. It seemed as if everything was falling into place for me, but when my personal life started falling apart everything took a turn for the worst. I had gotten married at the age of 25, and I had a son shortly after. After nearly four years of marriage, my then wife filed for a divorce. On top of that already devastating news, employees were being laid off at my job, my music career was being delayed, and my parent’s health was deteriorating. Everything started falling apart for me, I had never been so broken. I was not able to see my son, and nobody really knew, except close family, what I was really going through. I moved in with my family, and went through a depression. I was thinking about driving my car off the freeway and taking my own life. At this dark, and low point in my life, God intervened in a beautiful, and amazing way. I heard some singing at the church next to my parent’s house. I walked in, and sat down in the back. As I was listening to the word, God ministered to my already broken heart. After that I was never the same. I had a desire to learn more about God, and I began to read the Bible, and attend Church consistently. God placed good friends in my life to encourage me, and let me know that I can make it. I stand today as a new creature in Christ Jesus. I want to give my gifts back to God, and give him all the glory that I can. I have been writing praise, and worship songs, and I have had the opportunity to minister in music at a number of churches throughout Southern California. I currently sing on the praise team for Abundant Living’s young adult ministry called Phase 2, led by Louie Gutierrez of GB5, and I also sing on the ALFC Ensemble. I have released a single, and completed my first 6 song EP. I am still recording songs, and I am planning to release a full-length album as well. This time around, I am bringing a drastically different style, or rather, styles of music to the table. I have been mixing Alternative Rock, and Soul, as well as blending in my brand of Hip-Hop topped off with artistic song writing, and touchy subjects to create my own unique blend of inspirational, thought provoking, and spiritually stimulating tune’s. I have to credit bands like Hillsong, Jesus Culture, even Lifehouse, and Coldplay, as well as artist’s ranging from Mat Kearney, Brooke Fraser, to Trip Lee, and Lecrae with having influence on my sound. It is a quite lengthy, yet interestingly diverse lineup of artists who have helped to shape my musical adventures. For me, it has proven true that all things work for good to those that love the Lord. I have a better relationship with my family members, I am able to be a Godly example to my son, and God has totally transformed my life, and brought healing. I want to keep a servant’s heart, like what Jesus exhibited, and I am praying that the Lord always keep me humble, and accountable. I must say the future looks so much brighter with God lighting the way.