l to r: The Lang Sisters, Paul Mickelson, Dave Boyer, Georgia Lee, Ralph Carmichael, Jarrell McCracken, Evangeline 'Vangie' Carmichael, Stuart Hamblen, Redd Harper, Ralph Carmichael in Studio A, Capitol Records
Inspirational Christian Music of the 50s and 60s
• 50s & 60s Christian Songs and Artists
  • Bill Carle
    Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • A GLIMPSE OF JESUS
    • THY WILL BE DONE
    Sacred
  • Beverly Dixon Dunn
    Orchestrated by Mark Davidson
     • FOR YOU
    • TEACH ME LORD TO WAIT
    • HOW BEAUTIFUL HEAVEN MUST BE
    Cornerstone
  • Tony Fontane
     • IT MATTERS TO HIM ABOUT YOU
    RCA Victor
  • Roy Rogers & Dale Evans
    Orchestrated by Paul Mickelson
     • HE IS SO PRECIOUS TO ME
    • LOVE LIFTED ME
    RCA Victor

  • Beth Farnum
    Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • THE STRANGER OF GALILEE
    • AN EVENING PRAYER
    • WHY SHOULD HE LOVE ME SO
    Sacred

  • Jim Bohi
    Orchestrated by Paul Mickelson
     • JUST OVER IN THE GLORYLAND
    • I’LL FLY AWAY
    • COME AND DINE
    Cornerstone/Supreme

  • Johnny Crawford
    Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • JUST AS I AM
    Supreme

  • Evangeline Carmichael McPherson
     Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • HE LEADETH ME
    • FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS
    • I CANNOT HIDE FROM GOD
    Sacred

  • Bob Daniels
    Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • IT IS SPRINGTIME
    Sacred

  • Ralph Carmichael Orchestra
    • IN THE GARDEN
    • SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER
    Word

  • Bill Pearce & Dick Anthony
    Orchestrated by Paul Mickelson
     • THERE’S A NEW SONG IN MY HEART
    • OVER THE SUNSET MOUNTAINS
    • OH SAY BUT I’M GLAD
    Word

  • Helene Landrum & Joseph Belessi
    Orchestrated by Paul Mickelson
     • I DISCOVERED THE WAY OF GLADNESS
     • DAY BY DAY
    • MAKE ME A BLESSING
    Supreme

  • Paul Mickelson Orchestra
    • WHAT A FRIEND
    • IN THE GARDEN
    RCA Victor - Supreme

  • John Gustafson
    Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • SHOW A LITTLE LOVE
    Christian Faith

  • Ben & Beth Allen
    Orchestrated by Paul Mickelson
     • SOONER OR LATER
    • I FIND THEE SO PRECIOUS
    Supreme

  • 102 Strings, Ralph Carmichael
     • LOVE IS SURRENDER
    Sacred

  • The Good Twins
    Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • THIS JESUS OF CALVARY
    • GOD PROVED HIS LOVE ON CALVARY
    • WHEN JESUS DIED
    Supreme

  • Mary Jayne
    Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • SURELY I CAN BELIEVE
    • I’LL BE THERE
    • TO BE USED OF GOD
    Word - Capitol

  • Redd Harper
    Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • EACH STEP OF THE WAY
    • LORD KEEP YOUR HAND ON ME
    Word

  • Georgia Lee
    Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • I FOUND WHAT I WANTED
    • RETURN
    • THE HEART IS A REBEL
    Word

  • Ronnie Avalone
    Orchestrated by Paul Mickelson
     • ALL THAT THRILLS MY SOUL
    Supreme


  • Ethel Waters
     Orchestrated by Paul Mickelson
     • HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW
    • I DO, DON’T YOU? /PARTNERS WITH GOD
     Word

  • Norman Nelson
     Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • OH I NEVER SHALL FORGET THE DAY
    Word

  • Paul Mickelson Orchestra
    • TENDERLY HE WATCHES
    • COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
    • MASTER CONTROL
     Word

  • Joseph Belessi
     Orchestrated by Paul Mickelson
     • I ASKED THE LORD
     Supreme

  • Helene Landrum
     Orchestrated by Paul Mickelson
     • HE’S ONLY A PRAYER AWAY
    Supreme

  • Albie Pearson
     Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • THERE’S STILL A CHANCE
     Vibrant - Light

  • Flo Price
     Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD
    • UNTIL THEN
     Christian Faith

  • Anne Criswell Jackson
    Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • AMAZING GRACE
    • IT’S REAL
     Custom - Light

  • Ray Felton & Helen McAlerney Barth
     Orchestrated by Scott Douglass
     • BLESSED QUIETNESS
    Zondervan

  • Albie Pearson
     w/ the Jimmy Owens Orchestra
     • What A wonderful Life
     Benson - Impact

  • Doug Oldham
     Orchestrated by Rick Powell
     • SOMETHING WORTH LIVING FOR
     • REMIND ME
    Impact/Benson

  • Bill Brown Orchestra & Chorus
    • HE NEVER SLEEPS
    • BEAU SOIR
  • Worlds Apart Soundtrack
     Orchestrated by Lyle Murphy
     • OF LOVE I SING
    • SHEPHERD OF LOVE
    • TOGETHER
    Youth Films/Gospel Films

  • Dave Boyer
    Orchestrated by Jonathan Tunick
     • OF LOVE I SING
    • THE SOLID ROCK
    • CALVARY COVERS IT ALL
    Reverence

  • Anita Bryant
    Orchestrated by Stan Applebaum
     • GREAT SOMEBODY
    • TWO WONDERFUL HANDS
    Columbia

  • Bill Carle
    Orchestrated by Kurt Kaiser
     • HOW GREAT THOU ART
     Word

  • Ronnie Avalone
    Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • I KNOW A NAME
    • SING PRAISE TO HIS NAME
    Word

  • Roy Rogers & Dale Evans
    Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO
    Capitol

  • Roy Rogers & Dale Evans
    Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO
    Capitol

  • Flo Price
     Orchestrated by Ralph Carmichael
     • YOU’RE WALKING DOWN SUNSHINE LANE
     • BRIGHT NEW WORLD
     Word

 ‘50s & 60s  •  ‘70s  •   ‘80s  •   ‘90s  •   ‘00s


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50s & 60s Christian Music Timeline


  • 1944
    • Sacred Records is founded in Los Angeles by Earle Williams.

    1948
    • 12-inch 33-1/3 rpm vinyl Long-Play records are introduced.

    • Ralph Carmichael fails enough classes on subjects like Hebrew, Greek and homilethics at Southern California Bible College (now Vanguard University) to be denied a diploma, but the school, recognizing his musical abilities, hires him almost immediately on their faculty to create their first department of evangelistic music.
  • 1949
    • Stuart Hamblen —songwriter, recording artist, and western movie actor—persuaded by his wife Suzy to attend a prayer meeting being held by a young Billy Graham in Los Angeles, makes a decision to devote his life to Christ and gives up his drinking, his radio programs and acting career.
    Stuart Hamblen
  • 1949
    • The plastic 7-inch 45 rpm single debuts as the replacement for the 10" 78-rpm disc.

    1950
    • Ralph Carmichael and his band of Bible college students win an Emmy Award for Best Cultural Show for the weekly 30-minute TV program, the Campus Christian Hour. Featuring big band arrangements by Carmichael of Gospel standards, the show aired locally on KTSL-TV Channel 2 (now KCBS-TV) in Hollywood for a total of 76 weeks.
  • 1951
    • Word Records gets its start in Waco, Texas when 23-year old KWTX sportscaster and Baylor University graduate, Jarrell McCracken records The Game of Life —an imaginary play-by-play action broadcast with sound effects on a radio station with the call letters ‘WORD’ of a football game between Christianity , coached by Jesus Christ, and the Forces of Evil by Satan. The opposite goals are Heaven and Hell and the game is played in the Great Stadium of Life. The star player for Christianity? Average Christian.

    The ‘broadcast,’ based on an article written by Jimmy Allen , a former athlete who became a Baptist pastor, was first presented by McCracken in area churches and folks wanted copies. A limited pressing of 78-rpm records was made with the call letters ‘WORD’ printed on the label.
  • 1951
    • Cornerstone Records is founded by Russell Durham.

    • International Sacred Records is formed in Hollywood. Artists on the label include Redd Harper, the Haven of Rest Quartet, Paul Mickelson, Lorin Whitney, and Campus Christian Hour.

    • Bill Kenny’s rendition of the Stuart Hamblen song, It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) is on the 1951 Cashbox top 40 pop charts for 22 weeks.
  • 1952
    • Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is formed.

    • International Records is the new name of International Sacred Records.

    • Redd Harper signs with Capitol Records to record songs that he sang in the Billy Graham films, “Oiltown USA” and “Mr. Texas”.

    • The annual Christian Oscar Awards (also known as NEFF Awards) are first given by the National Evangelical Film Foundation for the best in recorded Christian music and cinema. NEFF president is Harry Bristow.
  • 1953
    • Christian Faith Recordings —a division of Alma Records—is founded by Hugh Edwards.

    1954
    • Top Christian songwriters according to Billboard include Stuart Hamblen, Ralph Carmichael, Tim Spencer, Cindy Walker, Redd Harper, Ira Stamphill, Thomas Dorsey, Virgil and Blanche Brock, Ted Silva, Charles F. Weigle, Red Foley, the Ackley Brothers.

    • Top Christian record labels according to Billboard include Singtime and Bibletone, Christian Faith and Alma, Sacred Records, International Sacred Records, Word, and Singspiration.
  • 1954
    This Ole House written by Stuart Hamblen is a big hit for Rosemary Clooney on the Cashbox top 40 pop charts.

    1955
    • The Music of Paul Mickelson: Sacred Songs with Singing Strings LP album is released by RCA Victor.

    • Capitol Records in Hollywood is acquired by EMI.

    • Pop singles on the Cashbox top 40 pop charts include: He, The Bible Tells Me So , and Open Up Your Heart (and Let The Sunshine In).
  • 1957
     • Tony Fontane [Wikipedia] — pop singer, Mercury recording artist, and athiest— survives a near fatal auto accident, and makes a promise to God that if He lets him sing again, he’ll do it only for Him.
    TonyFontane.jpg
  • 1958
     • Stereo LPs are introduced.

    • Paul Mickelson resigns as organist for the Billy Graham Crusades (1950-57) to devote his energies to producing Christian music, and is named vice-president and music director at Word Records by Jarrell McCracken.

    1960
    • Ralph Carmichael is asked by Capitol Records to arrange a Christmas album for Nat King Cole and soon gets named by Nat’s producer, Lee Gillette, as his regular arranger and conductor when Nelson Riddle becomes too busy with Frank Sinatra.
  • 1960
    • The John T. Benson Publishing Co., in business since 1902, launches its first record label, Heartwarming Records, as a Southern Gospel label in Nashville.

    • His Hand In Mine —the first of 3 Gospel albums by Elvis Presley— is released by RCA Victor.
    His Hand In Mine - Elvis Presley
  • 1961
    • Paul Mickelson resigns as vice-president and music director at Word.

    • Kurt Kaiser is named Music Director at Word Records.

    • Supreme Recordings is formed in Glendale, California by Paul Mickelson.
    Paul Mickelson
  • 1962
    • On the evening of October 23rd, the day after President John F. Kennedy details the Cuban missile crisis to the American public on TV and orders a naval ‘quarantine’ of Soviet ships carrying missile parts to Cuba, Jerome Hines —the leading basso of the Metropolian Opera Company in New York City, and a born-again Christian—is in Moscow at the Bolshoi to perform the title role in the beloved Russian opera, Boris Godunov which has strong religious overtones. Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev is in the center box with an entourage of six other Soviet leaders. At the conclusion, Khrushchev leaps to his feet to lead the applause, takes Brezhnev, Kozlov, Kosygin, Mikoyan, Polanskiy, and Grishin with him backstage to personally congratulate the 6-foot-6 American, and invites him to lunch the next day.
  • 1964
    • The first compact audio cassette recorder is introduced by Philips in the USA under the Norelco name.

    • Sacred Records is acquired by Word Records from Earle Williams —bringing Ralph Carmichael into the Word family of artists.

    • The Gospel Music Association (GMA) is founded as a Southern Gospel music industry association.

    Creative Sound Productions is formed by Bob Cotterell, former sales manager for Sacred Records and Supreme Recordings.
  • 1965
    • Cornerstone Records is purchased by Supreme Recordings from Russell Durham.

    • Dave Boyer — professionally known as Joey Stevens , MC, and singer /entertainer at the famous 500 Club in Atlantic City, New Jersey — sets out one night to commit suicide, but instead has a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ.
    Dave Boyer
  • 1966
    • Cliff Richard —British pop music star — speaks openly on stage about his faith in Christ at a Billy Graham meeting at Earls Court in London.

    Related Video:
    Cliff Richard testimony at a Billy Graham Crusade in Birmingham, England, 1984
    Related Biography:
    Wikipedia: Cliff Richard
    Cliff Richard
  • 1966
    • 8-track stereo cartridges introduced in cars.

    • Bob MacKenzie  joins Benson as creative director. MacKenzie produced almost every album released by Benson from 1966 until 1975 (source: GMA), and upped the quality by utilizing some of Nashville’s finest musicians, and later taking masters to London to add orchestrations (BSNPubs.com).

    • Ralph Carmichael orchestrates pianist Roger Williams’ top 10 pop hit, Born Free.
  • 1967
    • Good News —a Christian folk musical written and compiled by Bob Oldenburg —is released by Broadman Records in Nashville.

    • Ralph Carmichael and Kurt Kaiser collaborate to produce the youth musicals, Tell It Like It Is and Natural High.
    Natural High LP
  • 1967
    • Christian Faith Recordings of Northridge, California is purchased from Hugh Edwards of Alma Records by the Sing Recording Co., Inc in Nashville.

    1968
    • Ralph Carmichael founds Light Records and Lexicon Music  as a joint venture with Jarrell McCracken’s Word Records. Light provides the music; Word, the distribution (Billboard 1972).
    Ralph Carmichael
  • 1968
    • Billy Ray Hearn  begins his career with Word.

    • Andraè Crouch & the Disciples  are signed by Ralph Carmichael to his Light Records label.
    Andrae Crouch and Ralph Carmichael
  • 1969
    • The Jesus Movement begins in Southern California at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa.

    • The first Dove Awards  are issued by the Gospel Music Association (GMA)  to Southern Gospel artists.

    • Upon This Rock by Larry Norman  is released by Capitol Records as the first Christian rock album.
    Upon This Rock - Larry Norman
• • •
ARTIST PHOTOS TOP OF PAGE (L-R):
The Lang Sisters, Paul Mickelson, Dave Boyer, Georgia Lee, Ralph Carmichael, Jarrell McCracken, Evangeline Carmichael McPherson,
Stuart Hamblen, Redd Harper, Ralph Carmichael at Capitol Records in Hollywood.
• • •
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