Bill Gaither

Gaither, Bill (William James). b. Alexandria, Indiana, 28 March 1936. Gaither was one of four children of the marriage of George W. (1913-2005) and Lela (née Hartwell) (1914-2001). The farming family attended the Church of God in Alexandria, a restoration group with Wesleyan holiness roots headquartered in Anderson, Indiana, (not related to Pentecostal denominations with the same name). Early on Gaither studied piano and organ, ‘performing wherever he could in recitals and as an accompanist’ (Cusic, 2002, p 244). His interest in gospel music was enhanced by listening to recordings and radio broadcasts, attending local concerts of gospel quartets, and in trips to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium...