George Beverly Shea (1909-2013)

BIRTH & DEATH

b: 1 February 1909; Winchester, Ontario
d: 16 April 2013; Montreat, North Carolina

EDUCATION

Father taught him to play the violin; his mother, also a church musician, gave him piano and organ lessons.

Annesley College (Ottawa), Houghton College (New York ), Trinity College (Illinois)

HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

honorary degrees from Houghton College, New York (DFA, 1956), and Trinity College, Deerfield, Illinois (DSM, 1972),

Shea’s evangelical music ministry began at Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, when president Will Houghton (1887-1947) offered him a position that combined his musical skills with journalism and broadcasting for the organization. The Institute’s radio station expanded under Shea’s leadership, and programs were broadcast throughout the USA, Canada, Latin America, and China.

Published works include an autobiography, with Fred Bauer (1934-2009), Then sings my soul(New York, 1968), and several collections of gospel songs and hymns, including How Sweet The Sound (Carol Stream, 2004)

ten Grammy Award nominations, earning the Grammy in 1965 for Best Gospel or Religious Recording, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammy organization (2001)

induction into the Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame (1978), the Religious Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame (1996), and the Southern Baptist Evangelicals’ Hall of Faith (2008).

FAMILY

Fourth of eight children from parents Adam J. (1872-1946) and Maude M.T. (1881-1971)

His father served as minister and music director in Winchester and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, New York and New Jersey, USA.

FAITH, SPIRITUALITY & RELIGION

After singing, recording, and providing musical leadership for various organizations, including Singspiration and Word of Life, Shea and Billy Graham began leading youth rallies in Chicago in 1942. 

  In 1947, Shea joined the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), as Graham’s gospel singer, and in 1948, was named one of the organization’s five directors.  Shea’s principal role in Graham’s crusades was performing from a narrow repertory of gospel solos that usually served as a transition from the song service led by Cliff Barrows into Graham’s message.

HYMNS INCLUDED IN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST HYMNAL

Shea began his professional music career in New York City, where he resumed vocal training, auditioned for various radio programs, winning spots including The Old Fashioned Gospel Hour and Young Person’s Church of the Air, and recording with Decca Records what would become his signature song, ‘I’d rather have Jesus’ by Rhea F. Miller (1894-1961)

I’d Rather Have Jesus, SDAH 327
The Wonder of It All, SDAH 75

Emily Snider Andrews/CY. “George Beverly Shea.” The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology.Canterbury Press. Web. 26 Aug. 2023.<http://www.hymnology.co.uk/g/george-beverly-shea>.