George Beverly Shea

{{short description|American gospel singer and hymn composer born in Canada}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = George Beverly Shea 
| image         = File:George_Beverly_Shea,_gospel_singer_at_Billy_Graham’s_crusades.jpg
| caption       = 
| birth_date    = {{birth date|1909|02|01}}
| birth_place   = [[North Dundas, Ontario|Winchester, Ontario]], Canada
| death_date    = {{death date and age|2013|04|16|1909|2|1}}
| death_place   = [[Montreat, North Carolina]], U.S.
| resting_place =  [[Billy Graham Library]]
| years_active  = 1929–2013
 | nationality   = Canadian, American<ref name ="Biography">{{cite book |last= Davis |first= Paul |date= 15 April 2009 |title= George Beverly Shea: Tell Me the Story (An Authorized Biography) |publisher= [[Ambassador International]] |isbn= 978-1932307290 }}</ref>
| spouse        = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Erma L. Scharfe|1934|1976|reason=died}}
* {{marriage|Karlene Aceto|1985|2013}}
}}
| children      = 2
}}

'''George Beverly Shea''' (February 1, 1909 – April 16, 2013) was a Canadian-born American<ref name ="Biography" /> [[Gospel music|gospel]] [[singing|singer]] and hymn composer. Shea was often described as "America's beloved gospel singer"<ref name="assistnews.net">Michael Ireland, "America's 'Beloved Gospel Singer,' George Beverly Shea, to Celebrate 100th Birthday" ASSIST News Service (30 January 2009); {{cite web |url=http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2009/s09010194.htm |title=America?s ?Beloved Gospel Singer,? George Beverly Shea, to Celebrate 100th Birthday |access-date=2009-02-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204181040/http://assistnews.net/Stories/2009/s09010194.htm |archive-date=2009-02-04}}. Retrieved 3 February 2009.</ref> and was considered "the first international singing 'star' of the gospel world," as a consequence of his solos at [[Billy Graham]] Crusades and his exposure on radio, records and television.  Because of the large attendance at Graham's Crusades, it is estimated that Shea sang live before more people than anyone else in history.<ref>Melvin L. Butler, "Globalization of Gospel," in ''Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music,'' ed. W. K. McNeil (Routledge, 2005):139.</ref><ref>Don Cusic, ''The Sound of Light: A History of Gospel Music'' (Popular, 1990):182.</ref>

==Personal life==
===Early life and family===
George Beverly Shea was born in [[North Dundas, Ontario|Winchester, Ontario]], Canada, on February 1, 1909, the fourth of eight children of the Rev. Adam Joseph Shea (1872–1946),<ref name="interment.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.interment.net/data/us/ny/allegany/pleasant/pleasant.htm |title=Mount Pleasant Cemetery - Allegany County, New York |publisher=Interment.net |access-date=2011-03-03}}</ref> a Wesleyan Methodist Church—now [[Wesleyan Church]]—minister, and his wife, Maude Mary Theodora (Whitney) Shea<ref>Shea, George Beverly, "How Sweet the Sound", Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, p. 161 ({{ISBN|0-8423-7042-0}})</ref> (1881–1971).<ref name="assistnews.net"/><ref name="interment.net"/> His uncle, Isaac Shea (1865-1946) of [[North Dundas, Ontario|Winchester]] had fought in the [[Second Boer War]] with the [[Royal Canadian Dragoons]].

===Religious background===
The Shea family served at the Wesleyan Methodist church in [[Winchester, Ontario]], Canada;<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|url=http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722112604/http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?ArticleID=100|url-status=dead|title=BGEA: A Conversation With George Beverly Shea|archive-date=22 July 2012|access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref> [[Houghton, New York]] (1917–1921); the Sunnyside Wesleyan Methodist church in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, from 1921;<ref>"A Brief History of Our Church"; {{cite web |url=http://www.swc.on.ca/overview/overview_History_swc.php |title=Welcome to Sunnyside |access-date=2009-02-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212065334/http://www.swc.on.ca/overview/overview_History_swc.php |archive-date=2009-02-12 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wesleyan.org/doc/news_r1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221143807/http://wesleyan.org/doc/news_r1|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 21, 2009|title=Wesleyan News|date=February 21, 2009}}</ref> at the Willett Memorial Wesleyan Methodist Church at Midler Avenue, [[Syracuse, New York]];<ref>{{cite web|author=Midler Avenue Wesleyan Church |url=http://midleravewesleyan.blogspot.com/2008/05/about-us_23.html |title=Midler Ave Wesleyan Church: About Us |publisher=Midleravewesleyan.blogspot.com |date=2004-02-27 |access-date=2011-03-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708053127/http://midleravewesleyan.blogspot.com/2008/05/about-us_23.html |archive-date=2011-07-08 }}</ref> and the [[Jersey City, New Jersey]] Wesleyan Methodist church during his youth.<ref name="georgebeverlysheamusic.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.georgebeverlysheamusic.com/ |title=George Beverly Shea Collection |website=Georgebeverlysheamusic.com |date=1909-02-01 |access-date=2011-03-03}}</ref>


Shea himself said that he became a Christian at the age of five or six,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> but made a rededication to Christ when he was 18, at the Sunnyside Wesleyan Methodist Church in Ottawa:

<blockquote>[T]here were times when I needed to rededicate my life to the Lord Jesus. When I was 18, my dad was pastoring a church in Ottawa, and I was feeling not too spiritual. The church was having a "special effort," as they called it, for a week. I remember that on Friday night Dad came down from the pulpit and tenderly placed his hand on my shoulder. He whispered, "I think tonight might be the night, son, when you come back to the Lord." Whatever Dad did or said, I listened to him and respected him. And, yes, that was the night!</blockquote>

===Musical background===
Shea was taught to play the violin by his father, and the piano and [[organ (music)|organ]] by his mother.<ref name="thecanadianencyclopedia.ca">{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/george-beverly-shea-emc|title=George Beverly Shea|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia of Music in Canada]]|access-date=August 22, 2019}}</ref> Shea's [[bass-baritone]] voice brought early recognition and provided many opportunities for him to sing in his father's church.<ref name="villagebiblechurchhsv.org">[http://www.villagebiblechurchhsv.org/July%2008.html] {{dead link|date=November 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> He began singing at religious meetings in the Ottawa Valley.<ref name="thecanadianencyclopedia.ca"/>

===Education===
Shea attended Annesley College in Ottawa, before transferring in 1928 to [[Houghton College]] ([[Houghton, New York]]), where he studied singing with [[Herman Baker]].<ref name="thecanadianencyclopedia.ca"/> While studying at [[Houghton College]], Shea sang with the Houghton College Glee Club.<ref name="gmahalloffame.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gmahalloffame.org/inductee_bio.cfm?ID=343|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019184405/http://www.gmahalloffame.org/inductee_bio.cfm?ID=343|url-status=dead|title=gmahalloffame.org|archive-date=October 19, 2007|website=Gmahalloffame.org}}</ref> Financial difficulties made it necessary for him to terminate his studies in 1929.<ref name="villagebiblechurchhsv.org"/>

===Life insurance company employment===
After leaving college, Shea became a clerk in the medical department in the [[New York City]] offices of the [[Mutual of New York]] life insurance company, where he worked for the next nine years.<ref name="villagebiblechurchhsv.org"/><ref name="countryworks.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.infodesk.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050223032148/http://www.countryworks.com/artist_full.asp?KEY=SHEA|url-status=dead|title=Integrate Internal and External Data &#124; Get Curated Briefings|archive-date=February 23, 2005|website=InfoDesk.com}}</ref>

===Marriages and children===
Shea married his childhood sweetheart,<ref name="countryworks.com"/> Erma L. Scharfe (1908–1976)<ref name="interment.net"/> on 16 June 1934.<ref name="Shea 2009">"Shea, George Beverly." ''Century of Country''; {{cite web|url=http://www.countryworks.com/artist_full.asp?KEY%3DSHEA |title=InfoDesk &#124; Information Management & Sharing Solutions |access-date=February 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050223032148/http://www.countryworks.com/artist_full.asp?KEY=SHEA |archive-date=February 23, 2005 }} . Retrieved 3 February 2009.</ref> Shea and Erma had two children: Ronnie and Elaine.<ref name="villagebiblechurchhsv.org"/><ref name="Shea 2009"/>

Shea's children became Christians at an early age. Shea's daughter Elaine became a Christian at the age of 8 during a Billy Graham Crusade at the [[Cow Palace]], [[San Francisco, California]], in 1958.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>Sherwood Eliot Wirt, ''Billy: A Personal Look at Billy Graham, the World's Best-loved Evangelist'' (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1997):52-55; Retrieved 10 February 2009.</ref><ref>S.E. Wirt, ''Crusade at the Golden Gate'' (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1959).</ref> In 1959 Ron responded to an invitation by Billy Graham during one of the Crusade meetings in [[Sydney, Australia]] and was counseled by [[Grady B. Wilson|Grady Wilson]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>Stuart Barton Babbage and Ian Siggins, ''Light Beneath the Cross'' (Melbourne: World's Work, 1960).</ref><ref>Sherwood Eliot Wirt, ''Billy: A Personal Look at Billy Graham, the World's Best-loved Evangelist'' (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1997):65;</ref> Erma Shea died in September 1976, and [[funeral|memorial service]]s were held at [[Western Springs, Illinois]], on 8 September 1976.<ref>"Select Chronology Listing of Events in the History of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association"; {{cite web |url=http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/bgeachro/bgeachron02.htm |title=BGEA Chronology Details |access-date=2011-03-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606144321/http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/bgeachro/bgeachron02.htm |archive-date=2011-06-06 }} (updated 10 December 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2009).</ref>

On 19 December 1985 Shea married Karlene Aceto<ref name="wheaton.edu">{{cite web |url=http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/bgeachro/bgeachron02.htm |title=BGEA Chronology Details |publisher=Wheaton.edu |access-date=2011-03-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606144321/http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/bgeachro/bgeachron02.htm |archive-date=2011-06-06 }}</ref> (1942 -), a 1972 graduate of [[Montreat College]],<ref>''Reflection: A Magazine for the Alumni and Friends of Montreat College'' 6 (Winter 2001):3; {{cite web |url=http://www.montreat.edu/news/Reflection/Reflections01.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-02-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527135212/http://www.montreat.edu/news/Reflection/Reflections01.pdf |archive-date=2011-05-27 }} . Retrieved 4 February 2009.</ref><ref>Billy Graham Center Archives, Wheaton College, {{cite web |url=http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/bgeachro/bgeachron02.htm |title=BGEA Chronology Details |access-date=2011-03-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606144321/http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/bgeachro/bgeachron02.htm |archive-date=2011-06-06 }}</ref> in [[Montreat, North Carolina]].<ref name="wheaton.edu"/> In a September 2007 interview Shea recalled how he met and married his second wife, Karlene:

<blockquote>It has been 20 years of bliss. I was a widower for 10 years in a suburb of Chicago and that's a long time. When we were over in Korea in 1984, Billy brought me into his room and said, 'I've been talking to Ruth, my wife,{{clarify|date=September 2021}} in Montreat this morning on the phone and we think that 10 years is enough,' and so he mentioned Karlene's name. Mr. Graham didn't do the service. We had the pastor of our church here and he put on his nice robe and we were married in Billy's home.<ref name="news.christiansunite.com">{{Cite web|url=http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion06386.shtml|title='I'd Rather Have Jesus' - At 97 years of age, George Beverly Shea is still singing for the Lord|website=News.christiansunite.com|access-date=18 January 2021}}</ref></blockquote>

Shea, who became a naturalized American citizen in 1941,<ref name="Biography2">{{cite web |url=http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2004/s04100094.htm  |title=I Am 95 and Am Feeling All of 90 |last=Wooding |first=Dan |date=October 20, 2004 |website=ASSIST News Service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214065847/http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2004/s04100094.htm|archive-date=December 14, 2013 |access-date=August 7, 2017}}</ref> and his wife, Karlene, who was 33 years his junior, lived in Montreat, North Carolina,<ref>"'Joy of Music' Filmed at Montreat College," ''Reflection: A Magazine for the Alumni and Friends of Montreat College'' 6 (Winter 2001):3; {{cite web |url=http://www.montreat.edu/news/Reflection/Reflections01.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-02-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527135212/http://www.montreat.edu/news/Reflection/Reflections01.pdf |archive-date=2011-05-27 }} . Retrieved 4 February 2009.</ref> on the same road as Billy Graham's home.<ref>Harold Myra and Marshall Shelley, ''The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham'' (Zondervan, 2005):244.</ref>

===Death===
A centenarian, Shea died on April 16, 2013, at the age of 104 from complications following a stroke. He was buried on the grounds of the [[Billy Graham Library]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Billy Graham Library: George Beverly Shea, Longtime Billy Graham Associate, Passes Away |url=http://www.billygrahamlibrary.org/pgview.aspx?pid=16&eid=91 |publisher=Billy Graham Evangelistic Association |access-date=7 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606210045/http://www.billygrahamlibrary.org/pgview.aspx?pid=16&eid=91 |archive-date=6 June 2014 }}</ref>

A [[reed organ]] owned by Shea now belongs to [[Art Robinson]].<ref>"[https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-grandfather-of-alt-science/ The Grandfather Of Alt-Science: Art Robinson has seeded scientific skepticism within the GOP for decades. Now he wants to use urine to save lives]" by Daniel Engber on [[FiveThirtyEight]]. Oct. 12, 2017 Accessed Oct. 15, 2017.</ref>

==Ministry==

===New York (1929–1939)===
As a result of the recommendation of American [[opera]] [[baritone]] [[John Charles Thomas]] (born 6 September 1891 – died 13 December 1960), Shea studied singing under Gino Monaco, Thomas's own vocal coach.<ref name="gmahalloffame.org"/><ref name="georgebeverlysheamusic.com"/>

While working for Mutual Life in New York City Shea appeared on an amateur hour program hosted by [[Fred Allen]] on [[NBC radio]]. Despite losing to a [[yodel]]er, Shea earned second place, and a spot singing [[popular music]] on Allen's program, probably a precursor to Allen's ''[[Fred Allen#"It's Town Hall Tonight!"|Town Hall Tonight]].''  Although Shea "impressed the critics and scores of fans", he still didn't feel he had discovered a direction for his life.<ref name="Ace Collins 1999">Ace Collins, ''Turn Your Radio on: The Stories Behind Gospel Music's All-Time Greatest Songs'' (Zondervan, 1999):104.</ref>

In 1933 a network radio director heard Shea sing and arranged an [[audition]] to sing popular [[secular]] songs for ''[[Your Hit Parade]]'', a national program with the [[Lyn Murray]] Singers broadcast on the [[NBC]] network. Shea passed the audition and was offered a job, but reluctantly turned the position down because he didn't feel right about performing secular music.<ref name="villagebiblechurchhsv.org"/><ref name="countryworks.com"/>

Shea sang regularly on radio station [[WEPN (AM)#WHN|WHN]], and on Erling C. Olsen's ''Meditations in the Psalms'' broadcast on radio station [[WMCA (AM)|WMCA]], as well as doing 30-minute programs from 7-7:30 am on [[WKBO]] in [[Jersey City, New Jersey]]. Shea also appeared on [[WKBO]]'s "the Old Fashioned Gospel Hour."<ref name="livinghymns.org">{{Cite web|url=http://livinghymns.org/bio.htm|title=LivingHymns.org >> Al Smith Biography|website=Livinghymns.org|access-date=2020-04-23|archive-date=2020-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128085153/http://livinghymns.org/bio.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Shea sang on the ''Young Person's Church of the Air'' radio program, which had been started by [[Percy Crawford]] (1902–60)<ref>"Papers of Percy Bartimus Crawford and Ruth Crawford Porter, Collection 357" at [http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/GUIDES/357.htm  Archives, Billy Graham Center, Wheaton, Illinois] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322005306/http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/GUIDES/357.htm |date=2009-03-22 }}</ref> in Philadelphia in 1931 on Radio station [[WTEL (AM)|WIP]].<ref>Joel A. Carpenter, ''Revive Us Again: The Reawakening of American Fundamentalism'' (Oxford University Press, 1997):164.</ref><ref>"Papers of Percy Bartimus Crawford and Ruth Crawford Porter - Collection 357" at [http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/GUIDES/357.htm  Archives, Billy Graham Center, Wheaton, Illinois] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322005306/http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/GUIDES/357.htm |date=2009-03-22 }}</ref>

Shea began his recording career at the U.S. branch of [[Decca Records]] after being signed by [[A & R]] representative [[Jack Kapp]], who told Shea: "If you do better than the singer we have in mind, we will give you a contract. If not, you'll have to take the records on yourself. Shea recorded "Jesus Whispers Peace," "Lead Me Gently Home, Father," "I'd Rather Have Jesus," and "God Understands," accompanied by Ruth Crawford (wife of Percy Crawford) on the organ. About 7,000 copies were sold, and they are prized by music lovers today, the majority being Protestant Christians like Shea. {{Citation needed|date=October 2010}}

===Chicago (1939–1952)===
In 1939 Shea auditioned unsuccessfully for a spot{{Clarify|date=August 2010}} on a [[CBS]] radio program that originated in [[Chicago, Illinois]].<ref name="Ace Collins 1999"/>

'''WMBI (1939–1944)'''
Soon after Dr. [[William Henry Houghton|Will Houghton]], president of the [[Moody Bible Institute]] (MBI) offered Shea a staff position with "duties that included emceeing, interviewing, news-casting, continuity writing, programming, administration, auditioning, and singing"<ref>Cusic, 182-183.</ref> on radio station [[WXES|WMBI]],<ref name="assistnews.net"/> "the powerhouse of evangelical radio",<ref name="Joel A. Carpenter 1997">Joel A. Carpenter, ''Revive Us Again: The Reawakening of American Fundamentalism'' (Oxford University Press, 1997):135.</ref> the first non-commercial [[Christian radio]] station in America, which was owned and operated by the [[Moody Bible Institute]] originally on its campus in [[Chicago]].<ref name="villagebiblechurchhsv.org"/> Initially Shea sang on Houghton's ''Let's Go Back to the Bible,'' from 1939.<ref name="Cusic, 183">Cusic, 183.</ref> Later he was also involved in ''Miracles and Melodies,'' which started on 67 radio stations across the USA in 1940, and was broadcast on 187 different stations in 45 US states, Canada, Latin America and China;<ref name="Joel A. Carpenter 1997"/> and in ''Hymns From the Chapel'' each morning at 8:15.<ref name="Cusic, 183"/>

'''''Songs in the Night'' (1944–1952)'''
On 2 January 1944 Shea began his ministry as a featured soloist on Billy Graham's ''Songs in the Night'' weekly radio program,<ref>Jacob Climo and Maria G. Cattell, ''Social Memory and History: Anthropological Perspectives'', 2nd ed. (Rowman Altamira, 2002):23.</ref> which was broadcast live on Sunday evenings for 45 minutes from 10.15pm<ref name="Betty Drummond 1996">Lewis Drummond and Betty Drummond, ''Women of Awakenings: The Historic Contribution of Women to Revival Movements'' (Kregel Publications, 1996):337.</ref> from the basement of the Village (Baptist) Church at 4475 Wolf Road, [[Western Springs, Illinois]],<ref>Betsy J. Green, ''Western Springs, Illinois'' (Arcadia Publishing, 2002):98-99.</ref> pastored by Graham,<ref>Sandra Donovan, ''Billy Graham'' (Twenty-First Century Books, 2006):39.</ref> and transmitted on radio station [[WMVP|WCFL]] originating from [[Chicago, Illinois]]. The popularity of Shea helped make the previously financially struggling program self-sustaining within weeks.<ref>Deborah Hart Strober and Gerald S. Strober, ''A Day in the Life of Billy Graham: Living the Message'' (Square One Publishers, 2003):27.</ref> The Drummonds indicate that Shea "skyrocketed the broadcast into a great success," so that soon ''Songs in the Night'' was broadcast twice on Sundays.<ref name="Betty Drummond 1996"/>

After eight years Shea turned over his duties on this program to Glenn Jorian so that he could devote his energies full-time to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) .<ref name="Cusic, 166">Cusic, 166.</ref>

'''''Club Time'' (1944–1952)'''
In June 1944 Shea resigned from WMBI to sing gospel on a 15-minute weekday radio program, ''Club Time,'' <ref name="Cusic, 183"/> the second oldest hymn program on commercial radio.<ref name="assistnews.net"/><ref name="villagebiblechurchhsv.org"/> ''Club Time,'' initially broadcast on Radio station WCFL, was sponsored by [[Herbert J. Taylor]] (18 April 1893 – 1 May 1978), a Christian businessman who headed Club Aluminum of Chicago.<ref name="assistnews.net"/><ref name="villagebiblechurchhsv.org"/> According to Cusic:
<blockquote>Shea's job was to host the program and sing several songs, including the favorite hymn of various famous people. It was on "Club Time" that Beverly Shea became George Beverly Shea at the insistence of the advertising agency; it seems they felt most listeners were confused by a man named "Beverly."<ref name="Cusic, 183"/></blockquote>
 
''Club Time'' was broadcast nationally from September 1945 for the next seven years over the [[Citadel Media|ABC Radio]] and [[Armed Forces Network]]s and many independent stations.<ref name="assistnews.net"/><ref name="villagebiblechurchhsv.org"/> This show brought Shea national recognition,<ref name="countryworks.com"/> and by 1951 Shea was the most prominent male soloist in gospel music.<ref>Don Cusic, ''The Sound of Light: A History of Gospel Music'' (Popular Press of the University of Wisconsin, 1990):135.</ref>

'''Singspiration (1947)'''
By the summer of 1947 Shea was signed to the Singspiration Sacred Recordings label,<ref>James E. Ruark, ''The House of Zondervan: Celebrating 75 Years'', rev. ed. (Zondervan, 2006):100-101.</ref> which had been founded by Dr. Alfred B. Smith (8 November 1916 – 9 August 2001)<ref name="livinghymns.org"/> in 1941, where he sang on a number of [[78 rpm]] albums, including ''Bass Baritone'' (Singspiration "Treasure Chest Series" LP S-100) and ''Lead Me Gently Home, Father'' (Singspiration LP 156).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncweb.com/biz/neighbor/gospel.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331103916/http://www.ncweb.com/biz/neighbor/gospel.html|url-status=dead|title=Ncweb.com website|archive-date=March 31, 2009}}</ref>

===Evangelistic meetings (1942–1947)===
'''Summer of 1942'''
In the summer of 1942 Shea took a leave of absence from WMBI to join [[Word of Life Fellowship|Word Of Life]] (WOL) evangelist [[Jack Wyrtzen]] for evangelistic crusades in the New York area. He spent this summer traveling throughout [[New Jersey]], [[New York (state)|New York]], and [[Connecticut]], singing at youth rallies while also singing on [[WEPN (AM)#WHN|WHN]] on Sunday mornings.<ref name="Cusic, 183"/>

'''Youth for Christ (1942)'''
When Shea returned to Chicago in September 1942, he talked with [[Torrey Johnson]] about conducting youth meetings in that area and soon "[[Chicagoland#Chicagoland|Chicagoland]] [[Youth For Christ]]" was held in [[Orchestra Hall, Chicago|Orchestra Hall]] on [[Michigan Avenue, Chicago]], with Shea singing and [[Billy Graham]] speaking. From this initial concert, Johnson founded [[Youth for Christ]] (YFC).<ref name="Cusic, 183"/> Shea sang in YFC rallies across the U.S. and Canada.<ref name="villagebiblechurchhsv.org"/>

===Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (1947 to 2013)===
According to Don Cusic, "Shea and Billy Graham are the prime examples of an evangelical Christianity with mainstream appeal after World War II. Previously the [[evangelicals]] and [[fundamentalism|fundamentalists]] were on the fringes of American religion; Shea and Graham put it in the mainstream."<ref>Cusic, 181.</ref> According to David Poling, "central to Billy's successful ministry are the years of loyal service of people like George Beverly Shea, the first staff member to be hired by Graham back in the Chicago radio days."<ref>David Poling, ''Why Billy Graham?'' (Sunstone Press, 2007):143.</ref> Shea has been involved as a soloist with [[Billy Graham]] and his ministry since 1947.<ref name="news.christiansunite.com"/>

Shea first met Billy Graham in 1940 while Graham was pastor of the Village Church in [[Western Springs, Illinois]]. In a September 2007 interview Shea recalled how he first met Billy Graham:

<blockquote>One morning, there was a rap on my office door. I looked out and there was a tall young man with blond hair and we shook hands. He was 21 and I was 31. It was Billy Graham and he had traveled in from [[Wheaton College (Illinois)|Wheaton College]] on a train just to say 'hello.' He said he listened to my morning hymn show called 'Hymns From The Chapel.' That's how we first got acquainted. I came into this work with Mr. Graham in 1947 after we had exchanged letters and talked on the phone. He said he wanted me to be his gospel singer. I thanked him but told him the only gospel singers I've ever heard about would sing a verse or two and stop and talk a while. 'Would I have to do that?' I asked him. He chuckled and said, 'I hope not.'  With that, I said, 'Well, I'd like to come with you.' That was in November of 1947 and I've been with him ever since.<ref name="news.christiansunite.com"/></blockquote>

In 1948 Shea, along with Graham, Barrows and Grady Wilson, formulated a set of ethical guidelines, later designated The Modesto Manifesto, that became the cornerstone of the BGEA.<ref>Terry Whalin, ''Billy Graham: America's Greatest Evangelist'' (W. Terry Whalin, 2002):63.</ref> Shea, along with Graham, Barrows, Grady Wilson and George Wilson, is one of the five directors of the BGEA.<ref>Terry Whalin, ''Billy Graham: America's Greatest Evangelist'' (W. Terry Whalin, 2002):81.</ref>

====Billy Graham Crusades====
Shea sang at the unofficial launching of Graham's crusades in the old Armory in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]], in November 1947.<ref name="Cusic, 166"/> His first song was "I Will Sing the Wondrous Story."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://decisionmagazine.com/bringing-gods-love-to-taiwan/|title=Bringing God's Love to Taiwan|date=February 26, 2009|website=Decisionmagazine.com}}</ref> In the early days of his association with Graham, Shea earned a wage for each meeting.<ref>Donovan, 46.</ref>

Since the beginning of Graham's crusade ministry Shea and [[Cliff Barrows]] have been the nucleus of the crusade musical team. Barrows is choir director, platform [[emcee]] and radio-television program director. They were joined in 1950 by pianist Tedd Smith, and through the years organists Don Hustad and John Innes have provided additional accompaniment.<ref name="BGEA: Media Relations">For the Crusade at Harringay, London, UK in 1952(?) the organist was [[Paul Mickelson]].[http://www.billygraham.org/MediaRelations_Bios.asp?id=8 BGEA: Media Relations<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213211148/http://www.billygraham.org/MediaRelations_Bios.asp?id=8 |date=2008-02-13 }}</ref>

As the musical mainstay in Graham's crusades, Shea is often called "America's beloved Gospel singer."<ref name="assistnews.net"/><ref name="BGEA: Media Relations"/> In each crusade Shea "brings a quiet solo immediately preceding ... Graham's message. His solo serves as a transition from the song service into the message."<ref name="R. Alan Streett 2004">R. Alan Streett, ''The Effective Invitation: A Practical Guide for the Pastor''. 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2004):197.</ref> Collins indicates: "Shea's solos set the tone for the preacher's messages. With his full, rich baritone Shea not only charmed audiences, he also touched them with the message of each song he chose."<ref name="Collins, Radio, 106">Collins, Radio, 106.</ref> Graham said that Shea always prepared his crowds by singing before the message, and he felt the song was more powerful than the sermon.<ref>Keith Johnson, ''I Know Where I've Been. I'm Just Not Sure Where I'm Going'' (Xulon Press, 2003):60.</ref> According to Billy Graham in a 2002 interview in ''[[The Ottawa Citizen]]'',

<blockquote>I've been listening to Bev Shea sing for more than 50 years, and I would still rather hear him sing than anyone else I know.<ref>Billy Graham, quoted in The Ottawa Citizen (19 July 2002); in ''Ask Billy Graham: The World's Best-Loved Preacher Answers Your Most Important Questions,'' comp. Bill Adler (Thomas Nelson, 2007):62.</ref></blockquote>

Shea himself indicated the importance of his solo: "Billy looks forward to the solo before the message as a time for people to quiet down and for him to gather strength."<ref name="R. Alan Streett 2004"/>

Shea also made a valuable contribution to the increased effectiveness of Graham's crusades. According to R. Alan Streett:

<blockquote>For a number of years the entire congregation sang the invitational hymn, until Bev Shea suggested that the choir alone handle the assignment. Shea remembered how he, as an eighteen-year-old lad, was convicted by the Spirit as a choir sang "[[Just as I Am (hymn)|Just As I Am]]." He felt the effects of a soft choir number could be used by God to touch people's hearts.<ref>R. Alan Streett, ''The Effective Invitation: A Practical Guide for the Pastor''. 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2004):196.</ref></blockquote>

One day Shea suggested to Graham:

<blockquote>Have you ever thought of saying, "As the choir sings, you come"? With just the choir singing there might be more contemplation upon the Holy Spirit's call. Soon after that, for the first time in his growing ministry, he began to say at the close of every service, "As the choir sings, you come!"<ref name="R. Alan Streett 2004"/></blockquote>

;''Hour of Decision'' (1950)
The ''Hour of Decision'' radio program was produced in the [[recording studio]] of [[Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. On 5 December 1950 the ''[[Hour of Decision]]'' radio broadcasts began in [[Atlanta, Georgia]], on 150 radio stations.<ref name="Cusic, 166"/> By its fifth week ''Hour of Decision'' had the largest audience of any religious radio program in history. By 1952 Shea sang regularly on this program.<ref name="Cusic, 166"/>

Because of Shea's weekly singing on the ''Hour of Decision'' radio broadcast since 1950 and his numerous personal appearances, his voice is recognized now in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, South America, and throughout North America.<ref name="BGEA: Media Relations"/>

===Recording career (1951 to 2013)===
Shea has recorded approximately 500 vocal solos<ref name="georgebeverlysheamusic.com"/> on more than seventy [[album]]s (including nine [[compact disc]]s) of religious music on both the [[RCA Victor]] and [[Word Records]] labels.<ref name="assistnews.net"/> Shea has recorded songs with orchestral accompaniment, as arranged and conducted by musical directors, such as [[Hugo Winterhalter]], [[Ralph Carmichael]], Bill Walker, [[Nathan Scott (composer)|Nathan Scott]], [[Norman Leyden]], [[Jimmy Owens (musician)|Jimmy Owens]], [[Kurt Kaiser]], [[Danny Davis (country musician)|Danny Davis]], [[Charles Grean]], and [[Radio City Music Hall]] organist, [[Ray Bohr]].<ref name="georgebeverlysheamusic.com"/> His albums have been produced by RCA Victor's [[Steve Sholes]], [[Brad McCuen]], [[Darol Rice]], [[Cliff Barrows]], Don Hustad, [[Bill Fasig]], and John Innes.<ref name="georgebeverlysheamusic.com"/> His rich Canadian baritone voice can also be heard on Ricky Skaggs album Mosaic. 

====RCA Victor and Word====
In 1951, Shea was signed to [[RCA Victor]] Records by [[Sam Wallace (journalist)|Sam Wallace]] and [[Elmer Eades]], after being "discovered" by [[Paul Barkmeyer]]. His first album for RCA Victor, released on 10-inch and 12-inch [[LP record|long-playing records]] and on 45 RPM records, was entitled ''Inspirational Songs,'' produced by [[Stephen H. Sholes]] (12 February 1911 – 22 April 1968) and backed by [[Hugo Winterhalter]] and his Orchestra. During Shea's first four years with RCA Victor, his records did not recover the cost of recording and pressing, but by the end of the 1950s, he enjoyed major success.<ref name="Cusic, 166"/> After a 24-year association with the label, he left it in favor of [[Word Records]] in 1975.

====Notable songs====
Shea is best known for his rendition of "[[How Great Thou Art (hymn)|How Great Thou Art]]," the English translation by Rev. Stuart K. Hine of the [[Sweden|Swedish]] song "O Store Gud,"  written in [[1886 in music|1886]] by Rev. [[Carl Boberg]] (1859–1940). Arguably Shea's most popular hymn is "The Wonder of It All," the title of which was also used by the [[UNC-TV|University of North Carolina Center for Public Television]] for their 1998 production of his life story.<ref name="assistnews.net"/><ref name="countryworks.com"/>

===Composing===
*"I'd Rather Have Jesus" (1932)
In 1932 Shea composed the tune to "I'd Rather Have Jesus," the words of which were written by Rhea F. Miller (1894–1966),<ref>Kenneth W. Osbeck, ''101 More Hymn Stories: The Inspiring True Stories Behind 101 Favorite Hymns'' (Grand Rapids, MI:  Kregel, 1985):138.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=  https://hymnary.org/person/Miller_Rhea|title= Rhea F Miller |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= Hymnary |publisher= |access-date= 2023-12-19 |quote=}}</ref>       the wife of Dr. [[Howard Miller (minister)|Howard Miller]], later a general superintendent of the [[Church of the Nazarene]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billygraham.org/mediaRelations/bios.asp?p=8|title=George Beverly Shea bio|access-date=2007-02-01|work=Billy Graham Evangelistic Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524165705/http://www.billygraham.org/mediaRelations/bios.asp?p=8 |archive-date=2006-05-24}}</ref> When RCA Victor signed Shea to a recording contract, "the song that the company chose to initially spotlight their new singer was "I'd Rather Have Jesus."<ref name="Collins, Radio, 106"/>
*"The Wonder of It All" (1955)
Shea also wrote both the lyrics and music for "The Wonder of It All," which was [[copyrighted]] originally by Chancel Music in 1956.<ref>''Let There be Praise!''(Review and Herald, 1988): Hymn 53</ref>

===Writing===
Shea authored a number of books including an autobiography, ''Then Sings My Soul'' (1968); ''Songs That Lift the Heart'' (1972); ''How Sweet the Sound'' (2004); and '' Stories Behind 50 Southern Gospel Favorites, Vol. 2'' (2005).<ref name="assistnews.net"/><ref name="countryworks.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billygraham.org/mediaRelations/bios.asp?p=9|title=George Beverly Shea Profile|access-date=2007-02-01|work=Billy Graham Evangelistic Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505112548/http://www.billygraham.org/mediaRelations/bios.asp?p=9 |archive-date=2006-05-05}}</ref>

===Television appearances===
*''Hour of Decision'' (1951–54): Billy Graham's television program that was broadcast for three years from 1951 in [[primetime]] on Sunday evenings on the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC television]] network<ref name="William Martin 2004">William Martin, "Billy Graham Crusades" in ''Encyclopedia of Television'', ed. Horace Newcomb, 2nd ed. (CRC Press, 2004):264.</ref>
*[[New York Crusade (1957)|Madison Garden Crusade]] (Summer 1957): sang "How Great Thou Art" in the ABC live [[Broadcasting|telecasts]] each Saturday evening for Billy Graham's Crusade in [[Madison Square Garden]], in [[New York city]] in the summer of 1957; the telecasts attracted an average audience of over 6.4 million viewers<ref name="William Martin 2004"/>
*''The Wonder of It All'' (1998): a television program on his life story produced by North Carolina Public Television<ref name="assistnews.net"/><ref name="countryworks.com"/>
*''North Carolina Now'' (2009): North Carolina Public Television's news program's Mitchell Lewis interviewed Shea; a four-part interview

===Films===
*''Oiltown, U.S.A.'' (1953): Shea's first theatrical film, produced by the BGEA's World Wide Pictures<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0991279/ | title=Oiltown, U.S.A|website=IMDb.com}}</ref>
*''The Mighty Fortress'' (1955): a [[newsreel]] film of the Billy Graham's 1954 Crusade for Europe, that was produced and directed by [[Paul Short]], in which Shea performed "[[Amazing Grace]]"<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1222311/ | title=The Mighty Fortress|website=IMDb.com}}</ref>
*''Pilgrim's Progress'' (1977): [[Ken Anderson (Christian Filmmaker)|Ken Anderson]]'s film, in which Shea was the narrator, and [[Academy Award|Oscar]]-nominated actor [[Liam Neeson]] made his film debut<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0359836/ | title=Pilgrim's Progress|website=IMDb.com}}</ref>
*''Then Sings My Soul'' (1984): a film [[musical film|musical]]/[[Documentary film|documentary]] produced by [[World Wide Pictures]]<ref name="assistnews.net"/><ref name="countryworks.com"/>
*''The New Orleans Story'' (2008): appeared in this documentary on the effects of [[Hurricane Katrina]]; written and directed by Stephen Rue

==Awards and honors==
During his career, Shea was nominated for ten [[Grammy Award]]s, winning on March 15, 1966, the 1965 [[Grammy Award for Best Inspirational Performance|Best Gospel or Other Religious Recording (Musical)]]<ref name="assistnews.net"/><ref name="countryworks.com"/> for his album "Southland Favorites" (RCA LSP-3440) recorded with the [[Anita Kerr]] Quartet.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=5SgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA12 ''Billboard. The International Music-Record Newsweekly''], vol. 78, Nr 13, 26 Mar 1966, s. 12, 13. ISSN 0006-2510.</ref>

In 1978, he was inducted into the [[Gospel Music Hall of Fame]] by the [[Gospel Music Association]] and for his lifelong contribution to gospel music.<ref name="assistnews.net"/><ref name="countryworks.com"/> On 18 February 1982 Shea was awarded the Gold Angel Award for Country Music award by [[Religion in Media]] in [[Hollywood, California]].<ref name="ReferenceB">"Select Chronology Listing of Events in the History of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association"; {{cite web |url=http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/bgeachro/bgeachron02.htm |title=BGEA Chronology Details |access-date=2011-03-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606144321/http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/bgeachro/bgeachron02.htm |archive-date=2011-06-06 }}</ref>

The Christian Holiness Association (now [[Christian Holiness Partnership]]) presented Shea its Christian Service Award in 1993.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> In 1996 the association of [[National Religious Broadcasters]] voted Shea into its "Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame."<ref name="assistnews.net"/><ref name="countryworks.com"/>

On September 11, 1999, Shea received the Integrity Award from Marketplace Ministries in [[Dallas, Texas]].<ref name="ReferenceB"/> Shea also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gospel Music Association Canada ([[GMA Canada]]) in 2004. He was presented the Edwin P. Hubble Medal of Initiative, the highest honor of the city of [[Marshfield, Missouri]], in 2007 by friend Reverend Nicholas W. Inman.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} Shea sang at the dedication of the Billy Graham Library the following day.

On February 12, 2011, Shea received the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award alongside [[Julie Andrews]], [[Roy Haynes]], the [[Juilliard String Quartet]], the [[Kingston Trio]], [[Dolly Parton]] and the [[Ramones]] at a ceremony held at the [[Wilshire Ebell Theater]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2011/02/13/grammys-shea.html|work=CBC News|title=Grammys honour 102-year-old Canadian|date=13 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215085234/http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2011/02/13/grammys-shea.html|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-date=2011-02-15}}</ref>

===Honorary degrees===
In 1956, Shea received an [[honorary doctorate]], the [[Doctor of Fine Arts]], from his ''[[alma mater]]'', [[Houghton College]].<ref name="assistnews.net"/><ref name="countryworks.com"/> In 1972, Shea received another honorary doctorate, the Doctor of Sacred Music (D Sacred MUS), from Trinity College (now [[Trinity International University]]) of [[Deerfield, Illinois]].<ref name="assistnews.net"/><ref name="countryworks.com"/>

==Biographical book==
Shea is the subject of an authorized biography, ''George Beverly Shea: Tell Me the Story'' by Paul Davis, published on April 15, 2009.

==References in popular culture==
Shea and "[[How Great Thou Art]]" are mentioned in [[Patricia Cornwell]]'s 1998 [[best-selling]] novel ''Hornet's Nest.''<ref>Patricia Cornwell, ''Hornet's Nest'', Large Print ed. (Berkley Books, 1998):26.</ref> There is an [[allusion]] to Shea in Brad Whittington's [[Bildungsroman|coming of age novel]] ''Living with Fred.''<ref>Brad Whittington, ''Living with Fred'' (B&H Publishing Group, 2005):105.</ref> Shea is mentioned in the Christian novel ''The Peacemakers,'' the final volume in [[Jack Cavanaugh]]'s "American Family Portrait" series.<ref>Jack Cavanaugh, ''The Peacemakers'' (David C. Cook, 2006):402.</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Los Angeles Crusade (1949)]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
* Gregory, Andy, "George Beverly Shea," 463. In ''International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002''. 4th ed. Routledge, 2002.

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|nm2377628}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090204181040/http://assistnews.net/Stories/2009/s09010194.htm "America's Beloved Gospel Singer"]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130420012857/http://www.billygraham.org/mediarelations_pressrelease_detail.asp?id=9347 Obituary Press Release] from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 2013.04.16
* [http://lifespringmedia.com/lifespring-podcast/lifespring89-an-interview-with-a-shining-star/ Interview on the Lifespring Podcast]
* [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/george-beverly-shea-emc Entry at thecanadianencyclopedia.ca]
* {{Discogs artist|George Beverly Shea}}

{{Billy Graham}}

{{Authority control}}

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