AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Bill & Gloria Gaither

Artist:Bill & Gloria Gaither f/Sheri Easter

Song: The Eastern Gate

Album:Bill & Gloria Gaither present Homecoming Picnic with Their Homecoming Friends

Bill Gaither is probably the most successful gospel artist in the world. He started out in Southern Gospel but today he produces plenty of music and TV shows with numerous guest singers known as Homecoming Friends. He doesn't try to market outside his loyal followers. But he doesn't need to as he produces everything himself. He was born Mar. 28, 1936 in Alexandria, IN. He formed his first group The Bill Gaither Trio in 1956 while attending Anderson College. The other two members were his brother Danny and sister Mary Ann. After graduating in 1959 with a major in English and a minor in music, he taught English for a while before marrying Gloria Sickal in 1962. After earning a Master's Degree at Ball State, Gaither founded the Gospel Music Association in 1964 and organized the first Dove Awards ceremony in 1969. Gloria joined the trio after Mary Ann left. Gaither's musical style doesn't stray from the Southern Gospel formula established by acts like The Happy Goodmans. His followers would revolt if he did anything different. The Gaithers have written plenty of songs. Gaither started his own TV show in the 80s. But it it really started to pick up in the 90s when he started his own record company. Since then his Homecoming shows have been very popular with the faithful. He airs everything on TV plus all shows are available on CD and DVD. Gaither first recorded The Eastern Gate on the 1983 album Turn the Radio On. The song is the best known song written by Baptist minister Isaiah G. Martin. The song was first recorded by The Delmore Brothers in 1940. The guest singer Sheri Easter is one half of the husband wife duo of Jeff & Sheri Easter. They have been recording Southern Gospel since the mid 80s. Several other guest singers appear on this 2008 album. That's how all the Homecoming albums work. This one is available as a budget CD and it's also on DVD. Gaither is still producing plenty of music and TV shows. He doesn't seem to be slowing down. And remember Gaither owns everything. Here's Bill & Gloria Gaither and Homecoming Friends featuring Sheri Easter performing The Eastern Gate from the 2008 album Homecoming Picnic.