Bill Gaither (gospel singer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Gaither
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Gaither in 2016
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William James Gaither |
| Born | March 28, 1936 Alexandria, Indiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Southern gospel, contemporary Christian |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, record producer |
| Years active | 1950s–present |
| Labels | Spring House Productions, Gaither Music Group |
| Associated acts | Bill Gaither Trio, Gaither Vocal Band |
William James Gaither (born March 28, 1936) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is famous for his Southern gospel and contemporary Christian music. Bill has written many popular Christian songs with his wife, Gloria. He is also known for singing in the Bill Gaither Trio and the Gaither Vocal Band. In the 1990s, his music became very popular again, especially with the Gaither Homecoming series. In 2023, he released a new album called “Love Songs” with the Gaither Vocal Band.
Contents
Early Life of Bill Gaither
Bill Gaither was born in Alexandria, Indiana, in 1936. His parents were George and Lela Gaither. In 1956, while he was a college student, he started his first music group. This group was called the Bill Gaither Trio. It included Bill, his sister Mary Ann, and his brother Danny Gaither.
Bill first went to Taylor University for one year. Then he transferred to Anderson College. He graduated from Anderson in 1959. He studied English and also learned a lot about music. After college, he worked as an English teacher. In 1962, he married Gloria Sickal.
Bill earned his master's degree from Ball State in 1961. He joined the Gospel Music Association, which started in 1964. He also helped organize the first Dove Awards ceremony in 1969. For a few years, Bill tried to be both a teacher and a musician. But in 1967, he decided to focus only on music. He recorded his famous song "He Touched Me" in 1964.
Bill Gaither was inspired by other Southern gospel singers. These included Jake Hess and Hovie Lister. He also liked groups like the Speers, the Statesmen, and the Happy Goodmans.
Bill Gaither as a Songwriter
Bill Gaither and his wife, Gloria, have written many well-known songs. Some of these songs are "The Longer I Serve Him" and "Because He Lives." They also wrote "The King Is Coming," "Sinner Saved By Grace," and "Something Beautiful." Other popular songs include "He Touched Me" and "It Is Finished." They also wrote "Jesus, There's Something About That Name" and "Let's Just Praise The Lord."
Their songs have been sung by many different artists. These include Christian artists like the David Crowder Band and Carman. Country singers like The Statler Brothers have also performed their music. Even pop artists like Elvis Presley have sung their songs.
Usually, Gloria Gaither writes the words (lyrics) for the songs. Bill Gaither writes the music. But they often work together on both parts. By 2005, they had written 600 songs. By 2012, that number grew to over 700 songs!
Bill Gaither as a Performer
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Bill Gaither has been performing since the 1950s. After high school in 1955, he worked at a radio station in Worthington, Ohio. He was part of the station's gospel quartet.
His first group was the Bill Gaither Trio. It started with Bill, his brother Danny Gaither, and his sister Mary Ann. Around 1964, Bill's wife, Gloria, joined the trio. They sang traditional gospel songs. They also performed new songs written by Bill and Gloria. These new songs gave their music a more modern feel.
Bill Gaither has a high bass voice, sometimes called a low baritone. He often sang while playing the piano with the Bill Gaither Trio.
Bill Gaither's Business and Influence
Bill Gaither started the Gaither Music Company. This company does many things related to music. It works as a record company and helps book concerts. It also produces television shows and manages song copyrights. The company even has its own recording studio.
Part of the company is Live Bait Productions. This is an animation company run by Benjy Gaither. Benjy is one of Bill's three children.
Record Labels
In the 1980s, Bill Gaither was involved with Paragon Associates. This group partnered with Zondervan to buy Benson Records. Benson Records is now part of Sony BMG Music Entertainment.
In 1994, Bill Gaither and Leland Boren started Chapel Hill Music Group. This company later changed its name to Spring Hill Music Group. It was created to handle the music productions for the Gaither Music Company. This included the popular Gaither Homecoming series.
Influence in Music
Bill Gaither has helped many younger singers in the Christian music industry. He has also helped older artists continue their careers. He did this by producing Homecoming recordings and tours. Many famous Christian music artists became popular while touring with the Gaithers. Some of these artists include Mark Lowry, Michael W. Smith, Carman, Sandi Patty, and Amy Grant.
Bill Gaither has kept the Gaither Vocal Band going for many years. Many different singers have been part of the group. Some of the longest-serving members, besides Bill himself, are Guy Penrod, Mark Lowry, and Wes Hampton. Penrod was with the group from 1995 to 2008. Lowry was with them from 1988 to 2001. Hampton has been with the group since 2005.
The Homecoming tours started in 1991. These tours brought together many big stars from southern gospel and Christian music. This helped these music styles become popular again. The tours have sold over 1.1 million tickets around the world. They have played in famous places like the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. In 2004, the tour sold more tickets than concerts by Elton John or Rod Stewart. Many artists like Lynda Randle and Russ Taff have performed on these tours.
Personal Life
Bill and Gloria Gaither live in Alexandria, Indiana. They have three grown children.
Discography
Gaither Trio
Solo
- 2005: Bill Gaither
Gaither Vocal Band
Homecoming Series
Awards and Honors
Bill Gaither has won many awards for his music.
Grammy Awards
- 1973: Best Inspirational Performance for "Let's Just Praise The Lord" (with the Bill Gaither Trio)
- 1975: Best Inspirational Performance for "Jesus, We Just Want To Thank You" (with the Bill Gaither Trio)
- 1991: Best Southern Gospel Album for Homecoming (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 1999: Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album for Kennedy Center Homecoming
- 2001: Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album for A Billy Graham Music Homecoming
- 2008: Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album for Lovin' Life (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
GMA Dove Awards
- 1969, 1970, 1972–1977: Songwriter of the Year
- 1974: Song of the Year for "Because He Lives"
- 1976: Inspirational Album of the Year for Jesus, We Just Want to Thank You (with the Bill Gaither Trio)
- 1978: Inspirational Album of the Year for Pilgrim's Progress (with the Bill Gaither Trio)
- 1980: Mixed Group of the Year – Bill Gaither Trio
- 1986: Praise and Worship Album of the Year for I’ve Just Seen Jesus
- 1987: Southern Gospel Album of the Year for The Master Builder (producer for The Cathedrals)
- 1991: Southern Gospel Album of the Year for Climbing Higher & Higher (producer for The Cathedrals)
- 1992: Southern Gospel Album of the Year for Homecoming (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 1993: Southern Gospel Album of the Year for Reunion: A Gospel Homecoming Celebration
- 1994: Southern Gospel Album of the Year for Southern Classics (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 1994: Southern Gospel Song of the Year for "Satisfied" (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 1995: Southern Gospel Song of the Year for "I Bowed On My Knees"
- 1999: Southern Gospel Album of the Year for Still the Greatest Story Ever Told (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 1995: Southern Gospel Song of the Year for "I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary" (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 2000: Southern Gospel Album of the Year for God is Good (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 2001: Southern Gospel Album of the Year for I Do Believe (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 2001: Southern Gospel Song of the Year for "God Is Good All The Time" (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 2001: Long Form Video of the Year for A Farewell Celebration (producer for The Cathedrals)
- 2002: Southern Gospel Album of the Year for Encore (producer for Old Friends Quartet)
- 2002: Southern Gospel Song of the Year for "He's Watching Me" (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 2007: Southern Gospel Album of the Year for Give It Away (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 2007: Southern Gospel Song of the Year for "Give It Away" (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 2009: Southern Gospel Album of the Year for Lovin' Life (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 2010: Southern Gospel Album of the Year for Reunited (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 2010: Long Form Video of the Year for A Gospel Journey (producer for Oak Ridge Boys)
- 2011: Southern Gospel Song of the Year for "Better Day" (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
- 2011: Southern Gospel Album of the Year for Greatly Blessed (with the Gaither Vocal Band)
Other Honors
- 1974, 1980: ASCAP Best Gospel Song of the Year
- 1983: Inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame
- 1997: Named among the top 75 American entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur Magazine
- 1997: Inducted into the SGMA Hall of Fame
- 2000: Christian "Songwriter of the Century" (with Gloria Gaither) by the American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP)
- 2006: SPEBSQSA Honorary Life Member
- 2010: Inducted into the Indiana Wesleyan University Society of World Changers and received an honorary doctorate
- 2012: Concert Promoter of the Year: NQC Music Awards
