Even though he did not know the Canadian singer, George Beverly Shea, Mr. Graham decided to drive to his office at the Moody Bible Institute's radio station and ask him to be on the show. At the time, Shea was a prominent Gospel singer, known for his beautiful, deep voice. Mr. Graham was ten years younger than Shea. Shea remembers his thoughts at this moment: "I realized that I was meeting someone quite unusual. His name was Billy Graham. He said that every morning he listened to my radio program before he went to class." To Mr. Graham's relief, Shea agreed to appear on the show, and weeks later they began broadcasting "Songs in the Night" live from a small church in Western Springs, Illinois. It was the beginning of a friendship and ministry partnership that has lasted nearly 65 years.
"Bev was the very first person I asked to join me in evangelism," Mr. Graham says. "He was well known in the Midwest, but at the same time he was humble… It was God who brought us together. rich, bass baritone voice has touched the hearts of millions in our Crusades… I don't believe I've ever heard him utter an unkind or critical word about anyone."
In 1979, at the opening Billy Graham Crusade Rally at Randwick Race Course, I was invited to open the meeting in prayer. The Crusade meeting was telecast around the World. I sat on the platform behind Mr. Graham and next to George Beverly Shea.
Later on, I was invited to speak at Graham Crusades and meetings in USA and Europe. In USA and when the team met for breakfast I often sat with Bev Shea. Once when I was sitting beside Mr. Graham in the San Jose Crusade, as Bev got up to sing, Mr. Graham said, "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."
With more than 70 albums and 500 recorded solos, a place in the Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame, and a Grammy award, George Beverly Shea's warm voice is recognizable worldwide. Shea also holds the world record for singing to the most people in person because over 200 million people have heard him sing at Billy Graham Crusades.
He is best known for his rendition of "How Great Thou Art". 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. As the musical mainstay in Graham's crusades, Shea was often called "America's Beloved Gospel Singer." Shea's most popular hymn is "The Wonder of It All." He also composed the tune to "I'd Rather Have Jesus" to the words of a poem his mother left on his home piano.
Mr. Shea made his home in North Carolina, in 1947. He lives with his wife, Karlene, not far from 90-year-old Billy Graham. On Sunday February 1st, George Beverly Shea will celebrate his 100th birthday! Happy birthday Bev!