Something Beautiful

When I clicked onto FRANK TALK online this week, I was thrilled to see a familiar face, not only the publisher and his wife and some of the weekly featured writers, but I'm speaking of Bill Gaither. A column was devoted to a coming FT tour where the fortunate travelers would be stopping by to see the special place recognizing the Gaithers' contribution to the music industry.

I often tell people that one of my most favorite singing groups, in Gospel music, are the Gaithers. Bill and Gloria Gaither have given more to the hearts of people with their wonderful songs over the last 45 years than any other group I can think of. We often bought the popular children’s albums that Gloria wrote and they sang, teaching children in a unique way with delightful songs, blending biblical truths.

Bill Gaither was born in Alexandria, Indiana, and formed his first group with his brother Danny and sister Mary Ann while still in college in 1956. After graduating from Anderson College in 1959, he became an English teacher. In 1962 he married Gloria, and after trying to juggle a full-time teaching position and a music career, he gave up teaching and concentrated fully on the Christian music industry. His breakthrough song, “He Touched Me,” came in 1964 and is still one his most popular today.

Gloria Gaither often writes the lyrics while Bill writes the music, although composing is usually a collaborative project between the two. Together, they have composed to date over 700 songs. Other popular songs include “The Longer I Serve Him,” “The King Is Coming,” “We’ll Just Praise the Lord” and, my favorite, “Because He Lives.” “Something Beautiful” and “There’s Just Something About That Name” are among the vast number of popular Christian songs that are often found in church hymnals.

Bill started his “Homecoming" tours in 1991 and brought together giants of the Southern gospel and CMM Industry. His tour has been to such places as The Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. They are often featured on the Gospel network, many from years past, and his current tours. The "Homecoming" tours have sold more than 1.1 million tickets across the world. In 2004, Pollstar lists the tour as selling more tickets than Elton John, Fleetwood Mac or Rod Stewart.

Over the years, many of the popular Christian singers we hear today got their start singing with the Gaithers. Bill and Gloria Gaither have been married for over 47 years and share a love for music that has been rewarded many times over with sterling awards from various venues. Gloria has written over 40 books, is a well-known speaker for many groups, and created scripts for over 100 videos. They have three grown children and seven grandchildren, and continue to travel and lead a very active life of purpose for the Lord.

Years ago when our children were young, we had the opportunity to hear the Gaithers perform in the Atlanta area. We enjoyed their music and their children’s songs and the way they shared that love. Today Steve and I often catch one of their special Homecoming classics on television, and are reminded of the many people they brought together, whose one thing in common was that they loved the Lord and sang his praises. Bill is a topnotch performer and, with their talented singers, evokes a fun-loving spirit along with the favorite melodies that are so well known during his numerous performances.

I wish we were visiting in Michigan this spring because the annual FT day trip, on tax day, April 15, sounds like something we would very much enjoy. I’ve never been to The Gaither Resource Center to see where they record their famous songs. The lunch sounds interesting, although I’d probably pass on Bill’s tomato basil soup; yet, I would really enjoy a mouthwatering bite of Gloria’s famous raspberry cake!

~ Diane Dean White ~
Thelamb212@aol.com
Copyright © 2010

Diane is a freelance writer, author of two books, columnist and contributes to a wide range of publications. She and her husband of 37 years live on the Carolina Coast. They are the parents of three grown children and three grandgals. You may visit Diane's website for more stories at: www.DianeDeanWhite.com

[ By: Diane Dean White Copyright © 2009 ( Thelamb212@aol.com ) -- submitted by: Diane Dean White ]