Boone was encouraged by music producer Mike Curb to pursue her country music career with the launch of a solo album. Her second album, Love Has No Reason, was produced by Larry Butler, who had worked on many Kenny Roger's albums in the 70s. The top single from the album, Are You on the Road to Lovin' Me Again, reached the #1 spot on the Country Charts.

Boone switched her pop and country music career to modern Christian music, fetched her two Dove and Grammys Awards. She first recorded a Christian contemporary music album in 1980, which was titled With My Song. She performed a duet for her album White Christmas with her mother-in-law.

Her most memorable song, You Light Up My Life, is still beloved today by old listeners and praised by new listeners. She had another single called Are You on the Road to Lovin' Me Again in 1980. It wasn't as popular as her last #1 single, but it sold a respectable amount of copies.

Debby made her acting debut in 1978 when she appeared on the TV musical adaptation of O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi. She co-starred in the TV movie Sins of the Past, where she played the character of Clarissa Hope. Hope was a former hooker who was born again and had her life changed when Hope found God. She has also had multiple guest-starring appearances on many shows, including Step by Step and Baywatch Nights.

A new stage adaption of the musical film Seven Brides for Seven Brothers welcomed Debby into her stage debut in December 1981. but the show got terrible reviews. The actors were so offended that they would protest and demand that critics retract their negative reviews.

Even though her first attempt was a failure, Debby would end up with a great stage career, and she spoke about one of her favorite performances, "In musical theater, usually the challenge for me is that everything is too high. I am a true alto. There are not many leading roles written for altos, I love musical theater, and I love working in a company. There's nothing quite like the energy of working with a full cast and an orchestra. Anna in The King was my favorite one; that show is so well constructed from beginning to end. There is something so wonderful in the arc of the character of Anna & how she evolved and what she learned. It's such a beautiful story with such a beautiful message. It has everything from beautiful costumes, dancing and cultural differences. The King grows & learns, & she grows and learns. Everybody makes transformations in that show. It's a huge undertaking to do. When that show starts, from the time you set foot on the stage to the final bow, it's like riding a wave; it's so well written. You go with it."

Boone's first book was an autobiography titled Debby Boone So Far. She also wrote books for children, including The Snow Angel, Tomorrow Is a Brand New Day, and Counting Blessings. The Snow Angel was released in audio form too, which included original songs by Mari Falcone.