Music Monday: Happy 100th Birthday George Beverly Shea!
Happy 100th Birthday George Beverly Shea! He turned 100 Feb 1st. You can go to his website to send birthday wishes! How often do you get to wish someone Happy 100th?!
Here’s an AP article: and another one from Christianity Today.
I first heard the song sung by Crystal Lewis, and later learned more about the composer and gospel singer, George Beverly Shea from my Hymnology professor. That was a wonderful class. My professor, Marvin McKissick loved hymns, and he loved to share about the rich history and meaning that can be found in the hymns. We would sing hymns as we learned about them too. One of my favorite classes, for sure!
George Beverly Shea gave I’d Rather Have Jesus a melody, it was written by Rhea F. Miller. He was the voice beside Billy Graham at the Billy Graham Crusades. And I just love that he keeps singing and singing, for the Lord. I’d Rather Have Jesus is one of my favorite hymns, and it was my closing piece at my senior recital. I even went to the Billy Graham crusade at the Pasadena Rose Bowl the weekend before my recital to see him sing, but unfortunately he wasn’t able to be there that night.
The only video I could find of George Beverly Shea himself singing this song was on this site: click on link at bottom. I doubt it will embed, so I’ll just put the link up. But you’ve got to see this man sing!
Edit: To see the video, you can view it from my posterous…click here
We heard you at the cow palace in 1957 and we bought our first two records of yours there. We. now have 14 vinyls and are on to cd’s.We dont attend church but listening to your songs and singing have made us better people.Married 53 years this Feb 2.HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A WONDERFUL MAN AND OUR FAVORITE SINGER FROM THE SHERWOODS IN SONOMA,CA……………