Gospel Legend George Beverly Shea 1909-2013 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 04-16-2013, 11:39 PM

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — George Beverly Shea, the booming baritone who sang to millions of Christians at evangelist Billy Graham's crusades, died Tuesday after a brief illness. He was 104.

Spokesman Brent Rinehart of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said Shea died in Asheville after a brief illness.

Shea was well-known as a gospel soloist before he and Graham met in the early 1940s. He joined Graham's crusade team in 1947 and stayed until Graham's declining health ended most of the evangelist's public appearances nearly 60 years later.

Besides his distinctive voice, Shea was known for his trademark rendition of "How Great Thou Art" and his inspirational "The Wonder of It All." He performed live before an estimated 200 million at crusades over the years and recorded more than 70 albums.

Graham said at Shea's 100th birthday celebration in February 2009 that he couldn't have had a ministry without Shea.

"I first met Bev Shea while in Chicago when he was on Moody Radio," Graham said then. "As a young man starting my ministry, I asked Bev if he would join me. He said yes and for over 60 years we had the privilege of ministering together across the country and around the world. Bev was one of the most humble, gracious men I have ever known and one of my closest friends. I loved him as a brother."

Shea was the recipient of ten Grammy nominations, a Grammy Award in 1965, and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Grammy organization in 2011. He was also a member of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame in February 1996. Shea was also inducted into the inaugural class of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists' "Hall of Faith" in 2008.

Born in Winchester, Ontario, where his father was a Wesleyan Methodist minister, Shea's first public singing was in the choir of his father's church. Between crusade, radio, and television dates in many countries, he sang at hundreds of concerts and recorded more than 70 albums. At age 23 he composed the music to one of his best known solos, "I'd Rather Have Jesus."

Shea is survived by his wife, Karlene, and his children from his first marriage, Ronald and Elaine. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Erma, who died in 1976.

Yooch · 04-16-2013, 11:52 PM

I think he holds the record for singing before more live audiences than any other singer in history. What a great bass voice!

ABlairican Pie · 04-17-2013, 07:06 PM

It is very sad to hear of the death of George Beverly Shea. He was very much up there in years, so he had a great long life. I remember hearing him at a Billy Graham crusade at the Tacoma Dome in 1983, he had a very distinctive, deep, very comforting voice. He made you feel a little closer to God when he sang.

Dr. Jazz · 04-18-2013, 12:43 AM

A true legend in every sense of the word. What a voice.

MacLeaper · 04-18-2013, 12:47 PM

It was sad to hear of Mr. Shea's dying. He is definitely a Christian music legend, partnering with Billy Graham for over 60 years in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Of course, it is comforting to know that he is in Heaven now with Jesus, who he'd and I'd both rather have than anything this world affords today.

Yooch · 04-18-2013, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacLeaper

It was sad to hear of Mr. Shea's dying. He is definitely a Christian music legend, partnering with Billy Graham for over 60 years in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Of course, it is comforting to know that he is in Heaven now with Jesus, who he'd and I'd both rather have than anything this world affords today.

Well said.

Marvo301 · 04-18-2013, 01:40 PM

George Beverly Shea

MacLeaper · 04-23-2013, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Well said.

Thanks.

04-16-2013, 11:39 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,352	Gospel Legend George Beverly Shea 1909-2013 Link CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — George Beverly Shea, the booming baritone who sang to millions of Christians at evangelist Billy Graham's crusades, died Tuesday after a brief illness. He was 104. Spokesman Brent Rinehart of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said Shea died in Asheville after a brief illness. Shea was well-known as a gospel soloist before he and Graham met in the early 1940s. He joined Graham's crusade team in 1947 and stayed until Graham's declining health ended most of the evangelist's public appearances nearly 60 years later. Besides his distinctive voice, Shea was known for his trademark rendition of "How Great Thou Art" and his inspirational "The Wonder of It All." He performed live before an estimated 200 million at crusades over the years and recorded more than 70 albums. Graham said at Shea's 100th birthday celebration in February 2009 that he couldn't have had a ministry without Shea. "I first met Bev Shea while in Chicago when he was on Moody Radio," Graham said then. "As a young man starting my ministry, I asked Bev if he would join me. He said yes and for over 60 years we had the privilege of ministering together across the country and around the world. Bev was one of the most humble, gracious men I have ever known and one of my closest friends. I loved him as a brother." Shea was the recipient of ten Grammy nominations, a Grammy Award in 1965, and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Grammy organization in 2011. He was also a member of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame in February 1996. Shea was also inducted into the inaugural class of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists' "Hall of Faith" in 2008. Born in Winchester, Ontario, where his father was a Wesleyan Methodist minister, Shea's first public singing was in the choir of his father's church. Between crusade, radio, and television dates in many countries, he sang at hundreds of concerts and recorded more than 70 albums. At age 23 he composed the music to one of his best known solos, "I'd Rather Have Jesus." Shea is survived by his wife, Karlene, and his children from his first marriage, Ronald and Elaine. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Erma, who died in 1976.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

04-16-2013, 11:52 PM	#2
Yooch Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,180	I think he holds the record for singing before more live audiences than any other singer in history. What a great bass voice!
	__________________ "The true meaning of America, you ask? It's in a Texas rodeo, in a policeman's badge, in the sound of laughing children, in a political rally, in a newspaper...In all these things and many more, you'll find freedom. And freedom is what America means to the world. And to me." --Audie Leon Murphy June 20, 1924-- May 28, 1971

04-17-2013, 07:06 PM	#3
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	RIP George Beverly Shea. It is very sad to hear of the death of George Beverly Shea. He was very much up there in years, so he had a great long life. I remember hearing him at a Billy Graham crusade at the Tacoma Dome in 1983, he had a very distinctive, deep, very comforting voice. He made you feel a little closer to God when he sang.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

04-18-2013, 12:47 PM	#5
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	It was sad to hear of Mr. Shea's dying. He is definitely a Christian music legend, partnering with Billy Graham for over 60 years in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Of course, it is comforting to know that he is in Heaven now with Jesus, who he'd and I'd both rather have than anything this world affords today.
	__________________ "Oh boy!" - Dr. Sam Beckett "You can do anything you wanna do if you put your mind to it." - MacGyver "Have mercy!" - Uncle Jesse "Ha, I kill me!" - ALF "I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No man comes to The Father but by Me."- Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

04-18-2013, 01:40 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	George Beverly Shea
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

04-18-2013, 12:43 AM	#4
Dr. Jazz The Evil Empire. . . . Forum Star Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Posts: 11,082	A true legend in every sense of the word. What a voice.