Bill Gaither Will be Honored with "Icon" on July 31

Legendary songwriter and singer Bill Gaither will be honored by a greatest hits collection entitled "Icon" on July 31.  Founder and leader of the chart-topping HOMECOMING Video Series, Bill is one of the most renowned and awarded artists in gospel music history. This Gospel Music Hall of Famer's voice and personality have anchored the renowned Gaither Vocal Band for decades, and he has directed church congregations and arena audiences worldwide in song for more than half a century.  

Bill Gaither was born in Alexandria, Indiana in 1936, to George and Lela Gaither. He formed his first group, the Bill Gaither Trio (consisting of Bill, his sister Mary Ann and brother Danny Gaither), in 1956 while a college student at Anderson College. After graduating from Anderson in 1959, he worked as an English teacher. He married the former Gloria Sickal in 1962. After a few years of trying to manage both a music career and his full-time teaching job, he quit his teaching job in 1967 and worked full-time in the Christian music industry. "He Touched Me", which he recorded in 1964, was his breakthrough song.

Gaither and his wife, Gloria, have written many songs including: "The Longer I Serve Him," "Because He Lives," "The King Is Coming," "Sinner Saved By Grace", "Something Beautiful," "He Touched Me", "It Is Finished," "Jesus, There's Something About That Name" "I'm Gonna Sing", and "Let's Just Praise The Lord." His songs have been performed by Christian artists (David Crowder Band, Carman, Sandi Patty, The Cathedral Quartet, The Speers and the Heritage Singers), country singers (The Statler Brothers) and pop artists (Elvis Presley).

Gloria Gaither often writes the lyrics while Bill writes the music, although composing is usually a collaborative project between the two. As of 2005, they had composed 600 songs and by 2012 that number had increased to over 700. 

TRACK LISTING 
1. The Family Of God
2. You Might Forget The Singer
3. The Church Triumphant
4. Tho' Autumn's Coming On
5. Something To Say
6. The Longer I Serve Him
7. It Is Finished
8. Sinner Saved By Grace
9. I Believe Help Thou My Unbelief
10. Because He Lives
11. Old Friends
12. We Have This Moment/When Did I Start To Love 

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