Inspirational Christian Music of the 50s and 60s
 ‘50s & 60s  •  ‘70s  •   ‘80s  •   ‘90s  •   ‘00s

timeline of events in ‘70s Christian music history.  Items auto rotate unless a frame is clicked:

1970
• The Rodeheaver Company  is acquired by Word.

1971
• The Everlastin’ Livin’ Jesus Music Concert  album is released by Maranatha! Music.

The Everlastin'’ Livin’ Jesus Music Concert

1972
• Explo ‘72, a large Jesus Music festival in Dallas, Texas attracts a huge crowd of 80,000. Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, Danny Lee , and Dallas Cowboy’s quarterback Roger Staubach are among those appearing.
Explo 72 Life Magazine Cover

1972
• Myrrh Records  is founded by Billy Ray Hearn as Word's Jesus Music label.

• Tell It Like It Is , the musical by Ralph Carmichael and Kurt Kaiser, is aired by NBC-TV in prime time.

• Word, Inc. , sales of records, music and books hits $10 million.

1972
• Lamb & Lion Records  is founded by Pat Boone   to specialize in the new songs of the Jesus People.

Pat Boone

1973
• So Long Joey — the Dave Boyer Story — is released by Gospel Films, Inc.

• Supreme Productions  was sold by Paul Mickelson to Zondervan.


1974
• Tony Fontane  — a former pop singer who received Christ into his life and became a Gospel singer after a near fatal car accident in 1957 — dies from prostate cancer at age 48.

• Word Records  is sold to ABC.

1975

• Word Records  is sold to ABC.

• Bob MacKenzie  leaves Benson to partner with Bill Gaither in a new venture (BSNPubs.com).

• Paragon Associates  is formed by Bill Gaither and Bob MacKenzie.

• NewPax  is formed by Gary S. Paxton (BSNPubs.com).

1976
• B.J. Thomas almost dies from a cocaine overdose, receives Christ, kicks the drug habit, and records his first Christian album, Home Where I Belong.

Home Where I Belong - B.J. Thomas - LP

1976
• Billy Ray Hearn founds Sparrow Records.

1977
• Elvis Presley  dies at age 42.

1978
• Amy Grant’s self-titled debut album is released by Word/Myrrh.

Amy Grant debut album

1978
• The Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards  begin to include contemporary Christian music genres, not just Southern Gospel.
•   Dion DiMucci — the Wanderer — comes home as the Good News of God’s Grace becomes a reality in his life.

Dion DiMucci

1978
• Evie is immensely popular in the inspirational and adult contempoary Christian music categories in the decades of the 70s and early 80s and wins Dove awards in 1977 and 1978 for Female Vocalist of the Year.

Evie

1979
• Bob Dylan’s Slow Train Coming album is released.

Slow Train Coming - Bob Dylan
• some 70s Christian albums to remember


• some 70s Christian artists & songs
The Hawaiians
With the Paul Johnson Orchestra & Chorus
 • BLESSED SAVIOR (MAI POINA)
 Tempo Records
Doug Oldham
Arranged & Conducted by Rick Powell
 • IF THAT ISN’T LOVE
 • REMIND ME
 Impact Records
Kim (Carol) Carmichael
 Arranged & Conducted by Ralph Carmichael
 • I LOOKED FOR LOVE
• LIKE A LAMB
Light Records
Jimmy Owens Orchestra
• TRAVELING MUSIC FOR THE SOUL
 Light Records

The Hawaiians
 Arranged & Conducted by Otis Skillings
 • THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD
 • HO, EVERYONE THAT IS THIRSTY
 Tempo Records

Evie
 Arranged & Conducted by Lennart Sjöholm
 • MY TRIBUTE
 • SAY “I DO”
 • WOULD YOU
 Word Records

Danny Lee & the Children of Truth
 • SPREAD A LITTLE LOVE AROUND
 RCA Victor

Anita Bryant
 Arranged & Conducted by Chuck Bird
 • THE OLD RUGGED CROSS
 • SOFTLY AND TENDERLY
 • I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY
 Word Records

Dave Boyer
 Arranged & Conducted by Ralph Carmichael
 • COME ON HOME
 • STEP INTO THE SUNSHINE
 Word Records

Vonda Kay Van Dyke
Arranged & Conducted by Kurt Kaiser
 • PATCHES OF SUNLIGHT
Word Records

Ben Markley
 Arranged & Conducted by Bob Krogstad
 • UNDYING LOVE
 Forever - Singcord /Zondervan

I Love America
 A Musical by John W. Peterson & Don Wyrtzen
 • IT’S TIME TO PRAY
 Singcord /Zondervan

The Imperials
 • DIDN’T HE SHINE
 Impact /Benson

Christine Wyrtzen
 Arranged by Christine Wyrtzen /Don Wyrtzen
 Orchestrated by Don Wyrtzen
 • THE LORD MAKES ME HAPPY
 • JESUS IS MY MUSIC
 • TO BE WHAT YOU WANT ME TO BE
 Singspiration /Zondervan

Andrew Culverwell
 Arranged & Conducted by Dwight Elrich
 • THE MAN OF GALILEE
 • WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM
 Manna Records

Cynthia Clawson
 • IT WAS HIS LOVE
 Triangle

102 Strings, Ralph Carmichael
 • I LOOKED FOR LOVE
 • LOVE
 • LIKE A LAMB
 Light Records

Evie
 Arranged & Conducted by Lennart Sjöholm
 • MIRROR
 • BORN AGAIN
 • FOUR FEET ELEVEN
 Word Records

David Ingles
 • OASIS OF LOVE
 Impact Records

Kathie Lee Gifford
 With the Paul Johnson Orchestra & Chorus
 • I’M COMIN’ HOME
 • WHEREVER HE MAY LEAD
 Petra : Paul Johnson Music Productions

Paul Mickelson & The Supreme Strings
 • PRAISE THE LORD
 • BORN AGAIN
 • GENTLE SHEPHERD
 Supreme


Dave Boyer
 Orchestrated by Kurt Kaiser
 • JUST BECAUSE I ASKED
 • PUT JESUS FIRST IN YOUR LIFE
 Word

Kathie Lee & Michie Mader
 With the Paul Johnson Orchestra & Chorus
 • FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS
 • IF YOU GOT THE LIGHT
 • I’M SO GRATEFUL FOR WHAT I’VE GOT
 • SONG OF RUTH
 Petra : Paul Johnson Productions

Cliff Richard
 Arranged & Conducted by Ralph Carmichael
 • HIS LAND
 • KEEP ME WHERE LOVE IS
 Light Records

The Lang Sisters
 Arranged & Conducted by Paul Mickelson
 • THERE IS JOY IN THAT LAND
 • THE HAPPY SIDE OF LIFE
 Supreme Productions

Dino Kartsonakis
 Arranged & Conducted by Ralph Carmichael
 • PASS IT ON
 • NEW WINE
 Light Records

Evie
 Arranged & Conducted by Lennart Sjöholm
 • GIVE THEM ALL
 • PASS IT ON
 • PART THE WATERS
 Word Records 1976

Johnny Cook
 Arranged & Conducted by Lari Goss
 • LONG WINDING ROAD
 Life Stream

Sue Ellen Chenault (Dodge)
 • THE WAY OF THE CROSS LED ME HOME
 Tempo Records

B.J. Thomas
 Produced & Arranged by Archie P. Jordan
 • YOU GAVE ME LOVE
 • USING THINGS AND LOVING PEOPLE
 • JESUS ON MY MIND
 Myrrh /Word

Lee Robbins
 Arranged & Conducted by Paul Mickelson
 • LET ME TOUCH HIM
 • SWEETER THAN ALL
 • IT’S REAL
 • PEACE LIKE A RIVER
 Supreme Productions

102 Strings, Ralph Carmichael
 • REACH OUT TO JESUS
 • LIKE A LAMB
 Light Records

Jimmy Durante
 Arranged & conducted by Ralph Carmichael
 • BEYOND THE SUNSET
 Warner Bros Records (1967) - Light Records (1971)

Evie
 Arranged/Conducted by Pelle Karlsson, Peter Sandwall
 • LIVE FOR JESUS
 • SHINE
 • NEVER THE SAME AGAIN
 • SPECIAL DELIVERY
 Word Records

Paul Mickelson & The Supreme Strings
 • GIVE THEM ALL TO JESUS
 • HAPPINESS IS THE LORD
 • PRECIOUS MEMORIES
 Supreme


Johnny Hall
 Arranged & conducted by Bob Kogstad
 • WALK WITH ME
 • FINALLY HOME
 Singcord /Zondervan

Anita Bryant
 Arranged & Conducted by Bergen White, Bill Purcell, Archie Jordan
 • I’LL BE A FRIEND
 • LORD SEND THAT MORNING
 • CHILD
 Word Records

Andrew Culverwell
 Arranged & Conducted by Bergen White
 • LOVE IS WHAT YOU HAVE
 • HOME AGAIN
 • MAY THIS BE THE PLACE
 DaySpring /Word

Rick Powell Orchestra
 • I’LL FLY AWAY /WHEN THE ROLL..
 • IN MY HEART MEDLEY
 • THE OLD RUGGED CROSS
 • JESUS LOVES ME
 Tempo Records

The Hawaiians
 Arranged by Bill Purcell
 • WALKIN’ IN THE LIGHT OF HIS LOVE
 • GIVE THEM ALL TO JESUS
 • LOOKIN’ ALL AROUND
 • FRIEND OF THE FATHER
 Word Records

Larry Norman
 Orchestration by Anthony Harris
 • I WISH WE’D ALL BEEN READY
 Capitol Records - Impact Records

Pat Boone
 Arranged & Conducted by Fred Werner
 • THE MOMENT OF TRUTH
 • THE SWEETEST SONG
 Word

The Children of the Day
 • COME TO THE WATERS
 Maranatha!

I Love America
 A Musical by John W. Peterson & Don Wyrtzen
 • IT’S TIME TO PRAY
 Singcord /Zondervan

The Imperials
 • SAIL ON
 • ONE MORE SONG FOR YOU
 • OH BUDDHA
 DaySpring /Word

Nancy Honeytree
 • MARANATHA MARATHON
 Myrrh /Word