PraiseGathering Music Group

Bill Gaither Bill Gaither

The resume of Bill Gaither is not a quick read. There was the founding of his first group, the Bill Gaither Trio, in 1956, while Bill was a college student. There was his first job as a high school English teacher in 1959. There was marriage to teaching colleague, and eventually his songwriting partner, Gloria Sickal in 1962. And there were the years of juggling teaching, writing, singing, recording and publishing, before the music demanded the couple's full-time attention in 1967.

Then begins the longest page of the rsum: the publishing of more than 500 songs including hymnal standards such as "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"; recording of more than 40 albums; winning of three Grammy Awards and more than a dozen Grammy nominations plus more than two dozen Dove Awards and nominations and numerous other industry awards; earning the title of Gospel Music Association's "Songwriter of the Year" seven times; and producing the first inspiration album to achieve gold status, Alleluia: A Praise Gathering for Believers. Most recently added to their list of accolades was the honor bestowed on Bill and Gloria as Songwriters Of The Century by the American Society of Composers and Publishers.

And then another page: the producing of more than 50 videos that document the musical homecomings of the legends of southern gospel; recognition of gold, platinum or multi-platinum status by the Recording Industry Association of America on 29 of the videos; the climbing of two videos to number 1 on Billboard Magazine's video sales charts; and a following of 75 million viewers who watch the "Gaither Gospel Hour" on TNN, Odyssey, TBN and Armed Forces Television.

And yet another page: the founding of Gaither Music Company of Alexandria, Ind., which includes a record company, concert booking, television production, copyright management, retail store, recording studio and telemarketing department; not to mention being named one of the Entrepreneur Magazine's 75 top entrepreneurs in 1997.

But read between the lines of the rsum, and you'll find an artist who is deeply dedicated to the success of others. Just ask Mark Lowry, Sandi Patty, Carman, Steve Green, Don Francisco, Michael English, Jonathan Pierce and Cynthia Clawson, all of whom received career boosts while traveling with the Gaithers. Ask Homecoming artists whose careers were re-energized when Bill Gaither began videotaping the Homecoming series in 1991. (Music critics credit Bill with reviving a declining genre of music.) Ask families who attend annual events such as Praise Gathering, Jubilat and Family Fest in the Smokies. And ask the families of southern gospel artists who received assistance from the Gospel Music Trust Fund, a fund to which the Gaithers have given major support.

Bill Gaither says he likes to create a "win-win" situation. "I like drawing a wide circle and bringing everyone in," he says. "And I truly enjoy helping other people win."

Although Bill has traversed the globe for four decades singing the Gospel, he's never really left home. He lives just miles from the farm in Alexandria, Indiana, where he grew up and dreamed of someday being a gospel music singer. The fruition of that dream, Gaither Music company, is just a stone's throw away from his house. And children Suzanne, Amy and Benjamin and grandchildren Will, Jesse, Lee and Madeleine are all just minutes away when Bill and Gloria call for a sudden family get together.

Getting home and staying in touch with the extended family are priorities for Bill. He also makes time to meet regularly with a group of local men who are dedicated to an ongoing intellectual and spiritual dialogue. William Bennett, C.S. Lewis and Oswald Chambers are at the top of his list of favorite reads. And Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Wagner top his list of listening favorites. After the Gaither Vocal Band, of course.

Gloria Gaither

Whether she is creating songs, books, scripts, formal papers, or lectures, for Gloria the idea always comes first. A compulsive journal writer, Gloria is frequently jotting down some new seed of thought which, she hopes, might someday blossom and bear fruit. Fellow idealists who have seen Gloria in various roles have tasted this fruit. Speaking to audiences of women and men, young and old, Gloria's freshness and innovation have inspired many. In addition to her regular speaking schedule, she has also served as an adjunct professor of songwriting at Anderson University and presented a paper on John Steinbeck at the Carol Ann Kendrick Memorial Steinbeck Lecture Series at Ball State University. She is currently working on the production of a stage musical adaptation of Steinbeck's novel, To a God Unknown.

However, those who really know Gloria know that no achievement or work schedule is worth sacrificing a relationship. For Gloria nothing is more important than "building a history" around the things that are "priceless," or, as she expresses in Things that Last Forever, "I will give myself away for the things that will never die...the simple joys of living--/My family and my friends/Relationships that go on after/Space and time shall end." The simplicity of digging in the sandbox with grandsons, Will and Jesse; discussing his upcoming concerts with son and Christian artist/animator, Benjamin; listening to daughter, Suzanne, share her latest song lyric idea; or to daughter, Amy about her latest theater endeavor or the current milestones in the life of grandson, Lee and granddaughter, Madeleine: These are the priorities and driving forces in Gloria's life. When asked what her hopes are for her grandchildren, she quite frankly replies: "First, I hope they will know God for themselves, that they will develop all of the unique abilities that God has put in them, and that they will have healthy relationships that are eternal. I pray for them, for Bill and me, and for my children at every stage that God will protect us from cynicism. I pray that God will keep us simple and childlike in our faith so that we don't miss the wonder of it all."Married for more than thirty years to singer/songwriter/ businessman Bill Gaither, Gloria's life path has been a winding one with twists and turns and some rough terrain that stem from the coexistence of two powerful and creative personalities; Bill and Gloria's life together has been an adventure. "Bill and I have always been going in the same direction," Gloria reflects, "and that has kept us together over the years. Of course, we haven't always agreed on how to get there." Their secret, Gloria feels, has been a commitment to a "larger purpose" and to that which is lasting. As a result of this philosophy, their union has produced over 600 songs, 60 recordings, numerous awards, a dozen musicals, a collection of books, three children, and four grandchildren.Reputable not only as a songwriter and speaker, Gloria Gaither has come to be known as a stateswoman in the field of Christian ministry. As an advocate of family preservation, living in the moment, and unadulterated discipleship, Gloria has touched the hearts of audiences everywhere with her simple yet profound message. But in spite of her accomplishments and prominence, she is a down-to-earth person who lives out what she believes on a very practical, day-to-day basis, which is not always easy. Gloria keeps a mind-boggling schedule that includes anything from directing videos to writing proposals and procuring funds for the Coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities, to babysitting grandchildren and entertaining house guests, to writing blurbs for brochures and back-liner notes. The books, lyrics, and speeches she has written have come not from some spiritual guru or saint, but from Gloria's struggle with her own insecurities, difficulties, and heavy work load which have helped to strengthen her faith. The ideas come from a woman who, as Dale Hanson Bourke states, is "as apt to quote Steinbeck as the Bible," and who is "quick to point out small-minded thinking, which she considers a great threat to Christianity." Gloria Gaither, as she, herself, claims, is not an "easy believer;" she is a pilgrim who "tends to be more of a thinker and doubter."