Gloria Gaither facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gloria Gaither
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Gloria in Sept. 2016
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gloria Lee Sickal |
| Born | March 4, 1942 Battle Creek, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | Christian music, Southern gospel, contemporary Christian |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter (lyricist), author, screenwriter, speaker |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1962–present |
Gloria Gaither (born March 4, 1942) is a famous Christian singer, songwriter, and author. She is married to Bill Gaither. Together, they have written over 700 songs! In 2000, a group called ASCAP honored them as Christian Songwriters of the Century.
Gloria sang and traveled with the Bill Gaither Trio from 1965 to 1991. Since 1991, she has been a performer, recording artist, and writer for the Gaither Homecoming series. This series includes TV shows, videos, DVDs, and music.
Contents
Gloria Gaither's Early Life
Gloria Lee Sickal was born in 1942 in Michigan. Her parents were Pastor Lee Sickal and Dorothy Sickal. She spent parts of her childhood and high school years in the Battle Creek area of Michigan. For a short time, she even worked for the Kellogg Company.
Gloria Gaither's Education
After graduating from Clare High School in Clare, Michigan, Gloria went to Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. She studied three subjects: English, French, and Sociology. While in college, she was part of the Drama Club and two honor societies, Alpha Chi National College Honor Society and Sigma Tau Delta.
After college, she became a French teacher at Alexandria Monroe High School. There, she met Bill Gaither, who was an English teacher. Gloria and Bill got married in 1962. They started writing songs together just for fun.
In 1991, Gloria went back to school at Ball State University. She earned a Master of Arts degree in British and American Literature.
Gloria Gaither's Career
Bill and Gloria Gaither began writing songs in the 1960s. Many of their songs, like "Because He Lives," "I Am Loved," and "Something Beautiful," became popular hymns in churches everywhere. By the end of the 1960s, Gloria, Bill, and Bill's brother Danny Gaither were touring as the Bill Gaither Trio. They sang and recorded the songs Bill and Gloria had written.
After almost 30 years with the Bill Gaither Trio, Gloria focused on the Gaither Homecoming series. She has been a big part of every video production for this series.
In 1996, she helped create Gaither Family Resources in Alexandria, Indiana. She is currently a co-owner and manager there. In 2002, Gloria started Homecoming: The Magazine. She writes, interviews, and helps edit the magazine.
In 2000, Bill and Gloria were named Christian Songwriters of the Century by ASCAP. This award recognized them for having the most songs recorded over the past 100 years. Gloria has received seven special honorary degrees from universities. She has also written over 40 books, including 20 for children.
Awards and Honors
Gloria Gaither has received many awards for her music and writing.
Grammy Awards
- 1973: Best Inspirational Performance, "Let's Just Praise The Lord" (with Bill Gaither Trio)
- 1975: Best Inspirational Performance, "Jesus, We Just Want to Thank You" (with Bill Gaither Trio)
- 1999: Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album: Kennedy Center Homecoming (with Bill and Gloria Gaither and Their Homecoming Friends)
- 2001: Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album: Bill & Gloria Gaither Present a Billy Graham Music Homecoming (with Bill & Gloria Gaither and the Homecoming Friends)
- 2002: Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album, "A Billy Graham Music Homecoming" (with Bill and Gloria Gaither)
GMA Dove Awards
- 1976: Inspirational Album of the Year, Jesus, We Just Want to Thank You (with Bill Gaither Trio)
- 1978: Inspirational Album of the Year, Pilgrim's Progress (with Bill Gaither Trio)
- 1980: Mixed Group of the Year (with Bill Gaither Trio)
- 1981: Gospel Album of the Year, Children's Music, The Very Best of the Very Best, For Kids (with Bill Gaither Trio)
- 1982: Children's Music Album of the Year, Kids Under Construction (with Bill and Gloria Gaither, Ronn Huff and Joy MacKenzie)
- 1985: Song of the Year: "Upon This Rock" (with Dony McGuire)
- 1986: Songwriter of the Year
- 1988: Song of the Year: "In the Name of the Lord" (with Phil McHugh and Sandi Patti Helvering)
- 1993: Southern Gospel Album: Reunion: A Gospel Homecoming Celebration (with Bill Gaither)
- 1994: Lifetime Achievement Award (The Gaither Companies)
- 1999: Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (with Bill Gaither Trio)
- 1999: Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year, "I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary" (writers: Bill and Gloria Gaither)
- 2002: Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (for promoting gospel music)
- 2007: Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year, "Give It Away" (lyrics: Gloria Gaither)
Academic Awards
- 2002: Indiana Academy Induction (for service and accomplishments)
- 2002: Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Indiana Wesleyan University
- 2010: Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Taylor University
- 2011: Honorary Alumni Degree from Olivet Nazarene University
- 2012: Honorary Doctorate of Music from Nyack College
Other Awards & Honors
- 1997: Inducted into the GMA Hall of Fame
- 2002: Cherub Award (for contributions to worship)
- 2003: American Inspiration Award
- 2005: Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame Induction
- 2006: Living Legends Award (Indiana Historical Society)
- 2008: ASCAP Award of Merit, Song of the Year Nominee for "I Am Loved" (with Bill Gaither)
- 2008: Indiana Broadcasters Association & Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame Induction (with Bill Gaither)
- 2008: Christian Music Publishers Association Founder's Award for "Something Beautiful"
- 2008: Sachem Award: Indiana's highest honor (for a lifetime of excellence)
- 2010: Indiana Wesleyan University Society of World Changers inductee
See also
In Spanish: Gloria Gaither para niños
