Sandra Marie McCracken (born June 16, 1977) is an independent singer-songwriter. She currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.

Background

As a singer/songwriter, McCracken has penned songs for Caedmon's Call (on albums In the Company of Angels, Back Home, and Overdressed) as well as for Derek Webb’s solo release, She Must and Shall Go Free and recorded eight albums of her own (in addition to contributing to many others).

McCracken grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and attended Westminster Christian Academy. McCracken began her musical career shortly after graduating from Belmont University, in 1999. She independently released two albums, The Crucible and Gypsy Flat Road in 2000, and 2001 respectively.

In late 2003, McCracken recorded Best Laid Plans with engineer, Ray Kennedy (Twang Trust) and world-renowned producer, Peter Collins. In the summer of 2004, McCracken signed the album to Shell Records in London, headed by UK music business legend, Dave Robinson. Shell released the album in the UK, followed by two radio singles, "Last Goodbye" and "No More Tears," which received significant airplay and attention across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Ten Thousand Angels is the 1996 debut album of American country music singer Mindy McCready. It was released on BNA Records and sold two million copies being certified double platinum by the RIAA. The album peaked at #5 on the US country charts, and producing four chart singles on the country charts. The first single, which was the title track, reached #6, and was followed by her only #1 hit, "Guys Do It All the Time". Following this song was "Maybe He'll Notice Her Now", which featured backing vocals from Richie McDonald, the lead singer of the band Lonestar. This song peaked at #18. "A Girl's Gotta Do (What a Girl's Gotta Do)" was the final single, reaching #4 in 1997.

Track listing

Personnel

"Ten Thousand Angels" is the title of the debut single written by Billy Henderson and Steven Dale Jones, and recorded by American country music artist Mindy McCready. It was released on April 1, 1996 as the first single and title track from the album Ten Thousand Angels. The song reached #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

Content

The narrator wishes for 10,000 angels to help her resist a man who has hurt her before.

Critical reception

Deborah Evans Price, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that McCready has a "pretty voice that shines on this tune about a woman trying to escape temptation that may lead to heartbreak." While she calls it a "nice song", she goes on to say that she use her voice to record something "a little meatier."

Music video

The music video was directed by Jim Hershleder and premiered in 1996.

Chart performance

"Ten Thousand Angels" debuted at number 74 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of February 3, 1996.