Gospel Singer, Composer and Soloist. He was best known for his association with Evangelist Billy Graham. He was nominated 10 times for a Grammy Award. In 1966 Shea received a Grammy award for the Best Gospel or Other Religious Recording (Musical). George Beverly Shea was presented with the Lifetime achievement award by the Grammy Association in 2011. In 1978 he was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame. He was then inducted into the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 1996. He composed at the age of 23 one of his best known songs, "I'd Rather Have Jesus". Prior to working with Billy Graham he worked for Mutual Life in New York City. While there he appeared on the Fred Allen's NBC Amateur Hour radio show. In 1933 he began singing secular songs on the popular program "Your Hit Parade". His first recording contract was for a religious record with Decca Records. By 1939 Shea had moved to Chicago to work with the Moody Bible Institute WMBI radio station. It was in 1944 that he began singing on Billy Graham's program "Songs in the Night". During his singing career he recorded over 500 vocal solos. Shea also recorded 70 albums of religious music. George Beverly Shea was the featured soloist for Billy Graham Crusades from 1947 to 2013. His best known song was "How Great Thou Art". George Beverly Shea was 104 at the time of his death. It was as a part of the Billy Graham Association that he became known as "America's Beloved Gospel Singer".
Gospel Singer, Composer and Soloist. He was best known for his association with Evangelist Billy Graham. He was nominated 10 times for a Grammy Award. In 1966 Shea received a Grammy award for the Best Gospel or Other Religious Recording (Musical). George Beverly Shea was presented with the Lifetime achievement award by the Grammy Association in 2011. In 1978 he was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame. He was then inducted into the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 1996. He composed at the age of 23 one of his best known songs, "I'd Rather Have Jesus". Prior to working with Billy Graham he worked for Mutual Life in New York City. While there he appeared on the Fred Allen's NBC Amateur Hour radio show. In 1933 he began singing secular songs on the popular program "Your Hit Parade". His first recording contract was for a religious record with Decca Records. By 1939 Shea had moved to Chicago to work with the Moody Bible Institute WMBI radio station. It was in 1944 that he began singing on Billy Graham's program "Songs in the Night". During his singing career he recorded over 500 vocal solos. Shea also recorded 70 albums of religious music. George Beverly Shea was the featured soloist for Billy Graham Crusades from 1947 to 2013. His best known song was "How Great Thou Art". George Beverly Shea was 104 at the time of his death. It was as a part of the Billy Graham Association that he became known as "America's Beloved Gospel Singer".
Bio by: Robert C. Peurifoy
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GEORGE BEVERLY SHEA
FEBRUARY 1, 1909 - APRIL 16, 2013
AMERICA'S BELOVED GOSPEL SINGER
Psalm 28:7
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