Bill Gaither
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2 Songwriter 3 Performer 4 Entrepreneur and Influence 5 Awards 6 Works 7 External links |
Early life
Gaither was born in Alexandria, Indiana in 1936, the son of George and Lela Gaither. He formed his first group, the Bill Gaither Trio in 1956 while a college student at Anderson College. After graduating from Anderson in 1959, he worked as an English teacher. He married the former Gloria Sickal in 1962. After a few years of trying to manage both a music career and his full time teaching job, he quit his teaching job in 1967 and worked full time in the Christian music industry.
Gaither was influenced by Southern Gospel groups and singers such as Jake Hess, Hovie Lister, and groups like the Speers, the Statesmen and the Happy Goodmans
Songwriter
Many of the more than 600 songs that he and Gloria wrote have become standards across the English-speaking world. Among the titles: "Because He Lives," "The King Is Coming," " Something Beautiful," "He Touched Me," "It Is Finished," "There's Something About That Name" and "Let's Just Praise The Lord". His songs have been performed by Christian artists (Carman, Sandi Patty), country singers (The Statler Brothers) and pop artists (Elvis Presley).
Gloria Gaither often writes the lyrics while Bill writes the music, although composing is usually a collaborative project between the two.
Performer
Since Gaither first began singing with the Bill Gaither Trio in the 1950s, he has constantly been performing. The Bill Gaither Trio originally consisted of Bill, his brother Danny Gaither and his sister Mary Ann Gaither. In about 1964 Bill's wife, Gloria, took the place of Mary Ann. The trio sang traditional gospel songs along with original compositions by the Gaithers, but gave them a more contemporary feel.
In the early 1980s, Gaither formed the Gaither Vocal Band. In recent years, the group has featured Mark Lowry, Jonathan Pierce and Guy Penrod. David Phelps replaced Jonathan Pierce in the late 1990s, and Russ Taff joined the band for two years after Mark Lowry left in 2002. The Gaither Vocal Band sings in close four-part harmony, combining elements of Southern Gospel, country, barbershop, bluegrass and blues.
Gaither has a bass voice, and would often sing while playing a guitar with the Bill Gaither Trio. He also plays the piano.
Entrepreneur and Influence
Gaither founded the Gaither Music Company, which performs the functions of record company, concert booking, television production, copyright management, retail store, recording studio and telemarketing for the Gaither empire.
Gaither has been a father figure to many up-and-comers in the Contemporary Christian music industry, while helping to prolong the careers of those who came before him. Mark Lowry, Sandi Patty, Carman, Steve Green, Don Francisco, Michael English, Jonathan Pierce and Cynthia Clawson are all CCM artists who either got their start or became popular while touring with the Gaithers.
His "Homecoming" tours, which started in 1991, brought together giants of the Southern Gospel and CCM industry, sparking a revival of the genres. The "Homecoming" tours have sold more than 1.1 million tickets across the world, and have included such notable venues as the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. Pollstar lists the tour as selling more tickets in 2004 than Elton John, Fleetwood Mac or Rod Stewart. [1]
In addition to singing and songwriting, Gaither has produced albums for other Christian artists since the early 1990s.
In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine named Gaither one of the top 50 richest musicians, with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and the Grateful Dead. At 68, Gaither was the oldest on the list. [1]
Awards
- Christian "Songwriter of the Century" (with Gloria Gaither): American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP), 2000.
- Among the top 75 American entrepreneurs: Entrepreneur Magazine, 1997
- Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee, 1982.
- Grammy Awards in 1973, 1975, 1991, 1999; additional nominations in 1969, 1974, 1984 (x2), 1987, 1993, 1997, 1998)
- Dove Awards in 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974 (x2), 1975, 1976 (x2), 1977 (x2), 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 (x3), 1995, 1999 (x2), 2000. Numerous other nominations.
- Multi-platinum albums: 2. Platinum albums: 22. Gold albums: 21. (RIAA)
- ASCAP Best Gospel Song of the Year: 1974, 1980
Works
Books
(This list excludes books of music and books that are a companion to his "Homecoming" series.)- Gaither, Bill and Ken Abraham. It's More than Music: Life Lessons on Friends, Faith, and What Matters Most. Anderson, Indiana: Warner Books. 2003. (ISBN 0446530417)
- Gaither, Bill and Jerry Jenkins. I Almost Missed the Sunset. Thomas Nelson (pub). 1992. (ISBN 0840775733).
- Gaither, Bill and Jerry Jenkins. Homecoming. Zondervan. 1997. (ISBN 0310213258)
- Gaither, Bill and Gloria Gaither. God Gave Song. Zondervan. 2000. (ISBN 031023123X)
Discography
Bill Gaither, The Gaithers, Gaither Trio, etc.
- 1970s At Home In Indiana
- 1970s The King Is Coming
- 1970s Sings Warm
- 1970s Allelujah: Praise Continues
- 1970s The Early Works
- 1972 Live (2 LPs)
- 1972 Christmas...Back Home In Indiana
- 1972 My Faith Still Holds
- 1973 Especially For Children Of All Ages
- 1973 Let's Just Praise The Lord
- 1974 Something Beautiful...An Evening With The Bill Gaither Trio (2 LPs)
- 1974 Because He Lives
- 1974 Thanks For Sunshine
- 1975 I Am A Promise
- 1975 Jesus, We Just Want To Thank You
- 1976 Praise
- 1977 My Heart Can Sing
- 1977 Moments For Forever (2 LPs)
- 1978 Pilgrim's Progress
- 1978 The Very Best Of The Very Best
- 1979 We Are Persuaded
- 1979 He Touched Me
- 1980 The Very Best Of The Very Best...For Kids
- 1981 Bless The Lord Who Reigns In Beauty
- 1982 He Started The Whole World Singing
- 1983 Fully Alive
- 1984 Ten New Songs With Kids...For Kids About Life
- 1985 Then He Said Sing
- 1987 Welcome Back Home
- 1990 Hymn Classics
- 1992 Best Of The Gaithers...Live!
- 1993 Old Friends
- 1994 Oh Happy Day Vol. 1 & 2
- 1994 Precious Memories
- 1996 Our Recollections
- 2000 Bill Gaither Trio, Vol. 1
- 2000 Bill Gaither Trio, Vol. 2
- 2000 Bill Gaither Trio, Vol. 3
- 2000 Bill Gaither Trio, Vol. 4
Gaither Vocal Band
- 1980 The Best From The Beginning
- 1981 The New Gaither Vocal Band
- 1983 Passin' The Faith Along
- 1984 New Point Of View
- 1986 One X 1
- 1988 Wings
- 1990 A Few Good Men
- 1991 Homecoming
- 1993 Southern Classics
- 1993 Peace Of The Rock
- 1994 Testify
- 1994 I Bowed On My Knees
- 1994 King Is Coming
- 1995 Reunion Precious Memories
- 1995 Can't Stop Talking About Him
- 1996 Southern Classics: Volume 2
- 1997 Back Home In Indiana
- 1997 Lovin' God & Lovin' Each Other
- 1997 Joy To The World: Gaither Gospel Series
- 1998 Still The Greatest Story Ever Told
- 1999 God Is Good
- 2003 8 Great Hits
Homecoming Series
- 1992 A Praise Gathering
- 1993 Old Friends
- 1993 Turn Your Radio On
- 1995 Reunion
- 1995 All Day Singin' with Dinner on the Ground
- 1995 Revival
- 1995 Ryman Gospel Reunion [live]
- 1996 Homecoming Texas Style
- 1996 Sing Your Blues Away
- 1996 When All God's Singers Get Home
- 1997 Joy in the Camp: Gaither Gospel Series
- 1998 Down by the Tabernacle
- 1998 Hawaiian Homecoming
- 1998 Gaither Gospel Series: Marching to Zion
- 1998 Atlanta Homecoming [live]
- 1998 All Day Singin' at the Dome [live]
- 1998 Because He Lives
- 1998 Rivers of Joy
- 1998 Singin' with the Saints
- 1999 Singin' in My Soul
- 1999 So Glad!
- 1999 Mountain Homecoming
- 1999 I'll Meet You on the Mountain
- 1999 Sweet, Sweet Spirit
- 2000 Good News
- 2000 Memphis Homecoming
- 2000 Oh, My Glory!
- 2000 Homecoming Hymns
- 2000 Harmony in the Heartland
- 2000 Irish Homecoming
- 2000 Christmas in the Country
- 2000 Whispering Hope
- 2001 What a Time!
- 2001 God Gave the Song
- 2001 London Homecoming
- 2001 Christmas... A Time for Joy
- 2001 A Billy Graham Music Homecoming, Vol. 1
- 2001 A Billy Graham Music Homecoming, Vol. 2
- 2002 Freedom Band
- 2002 I'll Fly Away
- 2002 New Orleans Homecoming
- 2002 God Bless America
- 2002 Let Freedom Ring
- 2003 Going Home
- 2003 Heaven
- 2003 Southern Convention Songs
- 2003 Red Rocks Homecoming
- 2003 Rocky Mountain Homecoming
- 2004 Build a Bridge
- 2004 We Will Stand
- 2004 America The Beautiful: Bill Gaither's Favorite Patriotic Songs
- 2004 Tribute To Howard & Vestal Goodman
- 2004 Tribute to Jake Hess
- 2004 He Started the Whole World Singing
- 2004 Journey to the Sky
- 2004 Passin' the Faith Along
- 2005 Church In The Wildwood: Cherished Hymns
- 2005 Hymns
- 2005 Israel Homecoming
- 2005 Jerusalem Homecoming
External links
- Gaithernet
- Short biography at jjonline.com
- Bill Gaither on Allmusic.com
- Interview with Bill Gaither on about.com
- Profile on CanadianChristianity.com
