Contemporary evangelists, with their passionate sermons, modern music, and the revival of crowds, have a twentieth-century preacher to thank for his innovation. Billy Graham has changed the world in many ways throughout his long career as an evangelist.
In fact, the very definition of the term “evangelist” changed. The Reverend Graham’s work was revolutionary. It is also worth noting that its musicians were notable not only for their music, but for their loyalty to the gospel and to Billy. Four of the most famous include George B. Shea, Paul Michelson, Tedd Smith, and Cliff Barrows.
George Beverly Shea, a baritone, is best known of the Rev. Graham’s Musicians. His voice has been heard on Decision Time since 1950. The show reaches the world. Shea is often referred to as America’s “Beloved Gospel Singer.” He has recorded over seventy gospel music albums, and is best known for his performance of the 1920s anthem “How Great Thou Art.” During his television career, Shea was nominated for ten Grammy Awards. He won a Grammy in 1965. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1978 and into the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 1996. Shea has worked closely with Billy Graham since 1943.
Organist Paul Mickelson is another of the legendary musicians who were part of Billy Graham’s team. In fact, Mickelson’s childhood dream was to play for the Rev. Graham’s Crusades. In 1950, his dream came true. He played for the Rev. Graham until 1957, when a desire to work on original Christian music in the studio caused Mickelson to abandon the Crusades. He helped a wide variety of artists get started in gospel music such as Lang Sisters and Pat Boone. Mickelson died in 2001.
Tedd Smith, a pianist, has been with Billy Graham for more than forty years. He traveled to war-torn Vietnam with Rev. Graham. Smith trained in music at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, the University of Minnesota, and the Catholic University in Washington, DC Smith has published nearly twenty songbooks, arranging traditional songs along with his own compositions. Smith even composed a rock opera after leaving the Rev. Graham’s Crusades.
The glue that holds the music together is Cliff Barrows, the choir and music director. Barrows has worked with Billy Graham since 1945 and has hosted Decision Time since its inception. He is the leader of the Billy Graham Crusade Meetings song. He is also an ordained Baptist minister. He was inducted into the Nashville Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
In 2006, Billy Graham, George Beverly Shea, and Cliff Barrows reunited on stage in Baltimore nearly 60 years after Graham’s crusade first visited the city. Although he is now ninety years old, the reverend delivered a passionate sermon equal to his youth. He said this might be your last chance to preach to a crowd of that magnitude, so you better take advantage of it.
Reverend Graham’s work was revolutionary throughout the 20th and 21st centuries due to his tremendous support staff. These four musicians, along with many others who have helped Billy Graham’s crusades, are the backbone of his ministry and have influenced gospel music in ways that cannot be measured. They are the epitome of modern evangelical ministry.
