George Beverly Shea

Gospel vocalist George Beverly Shea spent the majority of his 45-12 months career closely connected with evangelist Billy Graham. His best-known track is usually “How Great Thou Artwork,” that was compiled by Rev. Stuart K. Hine in the 1920s. Shea can be a distinguished author of well-known hymns such as for example “THE SWEETNESS of EVERYTHING.” Delivered the son of the Wesleyan Methodist minister in Winchester, Ontario, Shea grew up in the brand new York region and spent enough time as a youngsters singing in cathedral choirs. Following senior high school, he briefly went to Houghton University in NY, dropping out just after his family’s economic issues necessitated it. Shea started working being a clerk, but received tone of voice lessons and sang in churches and on regional religious r / c. The latter resulted in an audition for the Lynn Murray Performers, but he dropped their invitation given that they sang secular music. He wedded his high-school sweetheart in 1934 and transferred to Chicago. After a decade in the Windy Town, Shea got nationwide publicity when he was employed to seem on Club Period, a display he sang with for another eight years. During this time period, Shea also became prominent in the Youngsters for Christ motion from the 1940s and ’50s. He installed with Graham in 1947 and authorized to RCA Victor in 1951. Southland Favorites received a 1965 Grammy for Greatest Gospel or Additional Religious Documenting (Musical). Shea was inducted in to the Gospel Music Association Hall of Popularity in 1978.