John W. Peterson

PETERSON, John Willard. b. Lindsborg, Kansas, 1 November 1921; d. Scottsdale, Arizona, 20 September 2006. A major influence in the development of gospel music, John W. Peterson, the youngest of seven children, began his music career by winning the grand prize of Major Bowes’ (1874-1946) ‘Original Amateur Hour’, consisting of voice lessons and singing on a local radio station. After serving in World War II, he attended the Moody Bible Institute and was a member of the radio staff there for a number of years. After graduating from the American Conservatory of Music, Chicago, Illinois (1953), he moved to Pennsylvania to continue songwriting. Shortly thereafter he was named President and...