Reba McEntire, Ronnie Dunn, More Honor The Songs Of Bill & Gloria Gaither
Ronnie Dunn, Reba McEntire, CeCe Winans, Hillary Scott, Jamey Johnson and more have united to create an album of timeless hits honoring Bill and Gloria Gaither‘s legacy with signature arrangements of their favorite songs.
The collection is called Gaither Tribute, Honoring the Songs of Bill & Gloria Gaither and will release August 25 via Gaither Music Group, distributed by Capitol Christian Music Group and Universal Music. The album’s debut track, Dunn’s take on “Because He Lives,” is out now.
“This musical tribute to Bill and Gloria Gaither, two of Gospel music’s most enduring legends, by some of country music’s legendary talents has been an unbelievable joy and honor for me to be involved with,” says Steve Moore, executive producer of the project. “The newly-inspired interpretations and production by Tony Brown have given these timeless Christian classics an amazing new life that will touch and re-touch people’s hearts all over the world.”
“This recording is a special one for all involved,” says Paul Sizelove, President of Gaither Music Group. “Each of these artists selected a song from Bill and Gloria’s renowned catalog and created new renditions of these classics. Tony worked with them to create a collection that truly represents the heart and style of each of these talented artists. We are so proud of the art they have created, and what an honor to the Gaither legacy to have these heartfelt recordings from these highly-respected performers.”
The collaborations of the Gaithers have resulted in more than 700 popular gospel songs, including the standards “Because He Lives” and “He Touched Me.” They have collectively garnered eight Grammy awards and more than a dozen nominations. The Gaithers have received more than two dozen Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards, earning the Songwriter of the Year title eight times.
Bill and Gloria were the first musical artists to be inducted into the Christian Booksellers Association’s Hall of Honor, and they recorded the first inspirational album to achieve Gold status by the Recording Industry Association of America. They were named Songwriters of the Century by ASCAP and they were honored by the Indiana Historical Society in 2006 with the Living Legend Award. The couple are members of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as well as the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
In the early ’80s, Bill founded the Gaither Vocal Band, and in 1991, Bill gathered the Vocal Band together with a few of his gospel heroes to record a song. That recording marked the birth of Gaither Music Group’s Homecoming Video Series, which has grown to more than 150 titles strong. Gaither Music Group has sold over 40 million DVDs and CDs, and 130 of the Gaither Homecoming videos have achieved precious metal status by the RIAA, with 10 certified multi-Platinum, 60 certified Platinum and 60 certified Gold.
Gaither Tribute Track List:
1. “Jesus and John Wayne” – Alabama featuring The Oak Ridge Boys
2. “He Touched Me “/ “Something Beautiful” – Reba & Susie McEntire with Sonya & Becky Isaacs
3. “Going Home” – Josh Turner
4. “It Won’t Rain Always” – Jamey Johnson featuring Alison Krauss on strings
5. “Because He Lives” – Ronnie Dunn
6. “I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About to Happen” – Ronnie Milsap
7. “Gentle Shepherd” – Lee Ann Womack
8. “I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary” – The SteelDrivers
9. “There’s Something About That Name” – Hillary Scott & The Scott Family
10. “The Center of My Joy” – CeCe Winans
