George Beverly Shea Celebrates 99 Years of Life
In 1944, Billy Graham was asked to take over the preaching on a radio program called “Songs in the Night.” Just 26-years-old and not well known, Billy Graham wanted to find a singer for the radio program who had a more recognizable name so that people would listen to the show.
Even though he did not know George Beverly Shea, Mr. Graham decided to drive to his office at the Moody Bible Institute’s radio station and ask him to be on the show.
At the time, Shea was a prominent Gospel singer, known for his beautiful, deep voice. Mr. Graham waited outside of Shea’s office, and when the opportunity arose, he slipped past Shea’s secretary, walked into his office, and politely introduced himself.
Shea remembers his thoughts at this moment: "I realized that I was meeting someone quite unusual. His name was Billy Graham. He said that every morning he listened to my radio program before he went to class."
To Mr. Graham’s relief, Shea agreed to appear on the show, and weeks later they began broadcasting “Songs in the Night” live from a small church in Western Springs, Illinois. It was the beginning of a friendship and ministry partnership that has lasted nearly 65 years.
“Bev was the very first person I asked to join me in evangelism,” Mr. Graham says. “He was well known in the Midwest, but at the same time he was humble… It was God who brought us together. [His] rich, bass baritone voice has touched the hearts of millions in our Crusades… I don’t believe I’ve ever heard him utter an unkind or critical word about anyone.”
Listen to George Beverly Shea sing »
Mr. Graham tells a story of how Shea’s music could melt any heart: “A man came very reluctantly to [an evangelistic] meeting and was very vocal in his scorn of all that was taking place. When Bev Shea got up to sing, he made yet another wisecrack. But halfway through Bev’s song, ‘He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,’ the man became serious. As Bev quietly sang the words, ‘He’s got the tiny little baby in His hands,’ the man bowed his head. At the invitation, he came forward to open his heart to Christ, later telling his counselor that his child was at home seriously ill and that it was Bev’s song that had touched his heart.”
With more than 70 albums, hundreds of recorded solos, a place in the Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame, and a Grammy award, George Beverly Shea’s warm voice is recognizable worldwide. Shea also holds the world record for singing to the most people in-person because over 200 million people have heard him sing at Billy Graham Crusades.
He continues to travel and sing for the glory of God. February 1, 2008 is his 99th birthday.
Order "How Sweet the Sound," an album of hymns by George Beverly Shea from BGEA’s Grason bookstore online »
Other CDs by George Beverly Shea available at Grason:
"I'd Rather Have Jesus"
"If That Isn't Love"
"Our Recollections"
Read about Cliff Barrows, song leader for the Billy Graham Crusades: Cliff Barrows: Singing Along Life's Road »
Making music for the glory of God
In 1944, Billy Graham was asked to take over the preaching on a radio program called “Songs in the Night.” Just 26-years-old and not well known, Billy Graham wanted to find a singer for the radio program who had a more recognizable name so that people would listen to the show. 
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DonateAt the time, Shea was a prominent Gospel singer, known for his beautiful, deep voice. Mr. Graham waited outside of Shea’s office, and when the opportunity arose, he slipped past Shea’s secretary, walked into his office, and politely introduced himself.
Shea remembers his thoughts at this moment: "I realized that I was meeting someone quite unusual. His name was Billy Graham. He said that every morning he listened to my radio program before he went to class."
To Mr. Graham’s relief, Shea agreed to appear on the show, and weeks later they began broadcasting “Songs in the Night” live from a small church in Western Springs, Illinois. It was the beginning of a friendship and ministry partnership that has lasted nearly 65 years.
“Bev was the very first person I asked to join me in evangelism,” Mr. Graham says. “He was well known in the Midwest, but at the same time he was humble… It was God who brought us together. [His] rich, bass baritone voice has touched the hearts of millions in our Crusades… I don’t believe I’ve ever heard him utter an unkind or critical word about anyone.”
Listen to George Beverly Shea sing »
Mr. Graham tells a story of how Shea’s music could melt any heart: “A man came very reluctantly to [an evangelistic] meeting and was very vocal in his scorn of all that was taking place. When Bev Shea got up to sing, he made yet another wisecrack. But halfway through Bev’s song, ‘He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,’ the man became serious. As Bev quietly sang the words, ‘He’s got the tiny little baby in His hands,’ the man bowed his head. At the invitation, he came forward to open his heart to Christ, later telling his counselor that his child was at home seriously ill and that it was Bev’s song that had touched his heart.”
With more than 70 albums, hundreds of recorded solos, a place in the Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame, and a Grammy award, George Beverly Shea’s warm voice is recognizable worldwide. Shea also holds the world record for singing to the most people in-person because over 200 million people have heard him sing at Billy Graham Crusades.
He continues to travel and sing for the glory of God. February 1, 2008 is his 99th birthday.
Other CDs by George Beverly Shea available at Grason:
Read about Cliff Barrows, song leader for the Billy Graham Crusades: Cliff Barrows: Singing Along Life's Road »
