George Beverly Shea

Yesterday marked the passing of one of the most well known voices in Christian music, Mr. George Beverly Shea.

He was born on Feb. 1, 1909 in Winchester, Ontario where his father was a Wesleyan Methodist minister. Shea’s first public appearance was in the choir of his father’s church.

His musical career included nearly 500 recordings on 70 different albums. He was a writer, composer, and singer. For 60 years he proceeded Billy Graham in song at his rallies. He shared his voice with people throughout the world while traveling with Graham. Graham first met Shea while in Chicago when he was on Moody Radio. Shea first sang for Graham in 1943 during the radio program, “Songs in the Night.” Shea faithfully carried the Gospel in song to every continent and every state in the U.S.

The Billy Graham Evangelical Association released a statement on his death yesterday which included this:

“I first met Bev Shea while in Chicago when he was on Moody Radio,” said Billy Graham. “As a young man starting my ministry, I asked Bev if he would join me. He said yes and for over 60 years we had the privilege of ministering together across the country and around the world. Bev was one of the most humble, gracious men I have ever known and one of my closest friends. I loved him as a brother. My prayer for his wife, Karlene, and his children, Ron and Elaine, is that God will strengthen them during this time.”

He was the recipient of 10 Grammy nominations, and a Grammy Award in 1965. Shea was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Grammy organization in 2011. He was a member of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame (1978). He was also inducted into the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame in February 1996. And he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists’ “Hall of Faith” in 2008.

He will be missed, but his music will live on.