Stephanie Bentley

Stephanie Kay Bentley, born on April 29, 1963, in Thomasville, Georgia, is an American country music artist known for her work as both a singer and songwriter. She began her musical career at nine years old, winning a talent contest with her sister and a friend, and later forming the band Special Delivery in 1984.

Bentley moved to Nashville in 1991 to pursue a career as a demo singer. One of her demos, "Shake the Sugar Tree," became a Top 5 hit when recorded by Pam Tillis for her 1992 album. In 1995, she signed with Epic Records and made her debut as a duet partner on Ty Herndon's single "Heart Half Empty," which peaked at No.21 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. This song was included in both Herndon's debut album *What Mattered Most* and Bentley's own debut album *Hopechest*, released that year.

Bentley achieved success as a songwriter, penning hits for other artists such as Faith Hill's "Breathe," which spent six weeks at No.1 on the Billboard country charts in 1999-2000, and Martina McBride's "Concrete Angel." She also contributed songs to albums by Céline Dion, Pam Tillis, and Jo Dee Messina, as well as recordings for films, including "I Will Survive" from *Holes* and "Don't It Feel Good" from *Must Love Dogs*.