Gospel legend Bill Gaither embraces harmony in work, music

Since Bill Gaither decided to make music his life back in 1967, he’s become a driving force in contemporary gospel music. Many of the more than 700 songs he’s co-written with his wife of 52 years, Gloria, have gone on to be among the most cherished in the Christian hymnal.

“Let’s Just Praise the Lord.” “The King is Coming.” “Because He Lives.”

He’s recorded dozens of albums with various groups, including the Bill Gaither Trio (which he first formed in 1956) and the Gaither Vocal Band. He’s won six Grammy Awards, more than 30 Dove Awards – including the five straight years (from 1972-77) he won Songwriter of the Year. ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) in 2000 named Bill and Gloria Gaither the Christian Songwriters of the Century.

Elvis Presley even recorded a Gaither song, “He Touched Me,” and won a Grammy for the album of the same name.

One could understand if the now 78-year-old Gaither decided to relax a little. Retire from the road.

Nothing doing.

“I can’t speak for all 78-year-olds, but I think a lot of 78-year-olds in our heads really think we’re 40, 45. And then we look more carefully in the mirror and say, ‘Gaither, quit kidding yourself,’ ” he said in a recent phone call from his office in his hometown of Alexandria, Indiana. “I’m certainly not out there because of my good looks. I’m not out there because I’m the greatest keyboard player. … I guess I’m a coach. And I would brag a little bit on my ability to put together the ingredients like I’m a cook.

“From a selfish perspective, I’m really having way too much fun.”

The current incarnation of the Gaither Vocal Band – or the team, to use Gaither’s coaching metaphor – includes Wes Hampton, David Phelps, Adam Crabb and Todd Suttles. For years, the GVB was a quartet; it expanded to a quintet about five or six years ago, Gaither said.

“Mainly because the old man was not getting any younger,” he said. “And so I needed some help. Really we’re about 4  1/2,” he added with a laugh.

In 30 years, the Gaither Vocal Band has sported some of the finest male singers in Christian music, he said, including Michael English, Guy Penrod and Mark Lowry. The current crop, he said, is right up there. That’s where the coaching metaphor comes back into play.

“My job,” he said, “is to keep the quality up.”

Gaither’s job also is about more than the Gaither Vocal Band. The Gaither Music Co. is record label, concert promoter, television and video producer, copyright manager. Then there’s the Gaither Homecoming tours, which have landed at such notable venues as the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.

He never set out to be the “king of all media” for the Christian entertainment world. It happened as an outgrowth of his passion, he said.

“What’s driven me from the beginning is a passion for the music, and the passion for a positive message,” he said.

When asked if he thinks of his work as art or ministry, he says he often replies, “Ask the person who bought the ticket.” Some will come to hear the music and appreciate the artistry; others will come for the message.

“I believe we are singing stuff that can make a serious difference in people’s lives,” he said. “I’ve also been driven by the art form. I’ve always loved choral music.

“I think God loves us,” he added, “but I think he loves us in a special way when he sees us working together, in harmony.”