Gospel Singer George Beverly Shea Gets Rodgers Organ as Surprise 100th Birthday Gift
February 3, 2009
The biggest surprise at the 100th birthday party for gospel singer George Beverly Shea was right there in plain sight.
But the legendary soloist and ministry partner of Billy Graham could hardly believe it when he learned that the Rodgers organ with the red bow on top was his. "I was overwhelmed that so many people were here tonight," Mr. Shea said after the gathering at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Ashville, N.C. on Monday night. "And I never dreamed I would get a gift like this."
Mr. Shea already owns several organs but friends learned that a new Rodgers organ was his private wish, and well-wishers in the Graham organization conspired with Rodgers dealer Susie Waldrop of Waldrop House of Music in Hendersonville, N.C., to provide a beautiful three-manual Trillium Masterpiece console.
Mr. Graham was among the many longtime friends who attended the private gathering, as well as music director Cliff Barrows and gospel music legends Bill and Gloria Gaither.
Testimonies during the program accented the humility and grace of the man often called "America's Beloved Gospel Singer," as well as his vital contribution to the work of evangelism for the Billy Graham Crusade team for more than 60 years.
"I'm deeply grateful to him," said Mr. Graham during remarks at the event. "I count him as one of my closest friends and confidantes."
Still in remarkably good health, the centenarian greeted well-wishers with a few words, and also took the opportunity to recite one of his favorite hymns, "The Shadow of a Cross," in his familiar and still strong and clear bass-baritone voice. The scene was reminiscent of his unmistakable presence at Billy Graham Crusades over decades and in countries throughout the world.
"All these years, Daddy always said that a Crusade really began when Uncle Bev walked up to the mic and began to sing," said Mr. Graham's son, Franklin Graham.
Arrangements have been made for Mr. Shea's new organ eventually to be used at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Angola's warden, Burl Cain, was in attendance at the celebration. Following a Franklin Graham Prison Festival at Angola in 2006, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association donated funds to build a chapel there that was dedicated in April 2008.
George Beverly Shea was born in Winchester, Ontario, February 1, 1909, the son of a minister. He first sang for Billy Graham on the Chicago radio hymn program, "Songs in the Night," in 1943 and since then has carried the Gospel in song to every continent and every state in the country.
Mr. Shea is the recipient of ten Grammy nominations with one Grammy Award (1965) and is a member of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame (1978). For his significant contributions to Gospel music, he was inducted into the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame (NRB) in February 1996.
Rodgers Instruments is the world's largest builder of stereo imaged church organs and pipe/digital organs. Rodgers is a member of the Roland Group, headed by Roland Corporation, a world leader in electronic musical instrument technologies and electronic musical instrument sales and manufacturing.
Photo courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
