Having been associated with the gospel community of Sacramento, California, since she was a child, Sara Von Davenport made herself into a local celebrity through her vocal talents. Not only did she win the award for Best Female Vocalist by the Sacramento Chapter of the GMWA at the age of eight, but she even had the chance to sing the national anthem for the NBA's Sacramento Kings before signing to Tommy Boy Records in 1998. With an added urban R&B touch added to her gospel influence, Devenport's debut album "Anointed Praise" was released in 1999 before she hit 18 years of age.