THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 27, 1995 TAG: 9509270034
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
IF YOU WANT inspiration, ``Gaither'' together at Hampton Coliseum on Friday.
This is the first visit in several years for Christian singer/song-writer Bill Gaither, who used to make an annual pilgrimage here.
He always brings his wife and friends with him, and this year's lineup is a who's who of respected performers of a spiritual bent: Gloria Gaither, Mark Lowry, Janet Paschal, Larnelle Harris, Anthony Burger and Vestal Goodman
Howard Goodman wasn't originally scheduled, but he'll be on hand. The Happy Goodman Family seems to have been performing forever.
``Two of the original members of the singing group are gone,'' Gaither said during an interview from his Indiana home, ``but there's so much response about them - he's with us on some of the bigger venues.''
The Goodman Family joins Gaither on videos advertised seemingly every 30 minutes on many television stations. They are emotional presentations featuring Gaither and friends doing what they most enjoy - singing.
They have sold in the millions, and there is no slowing down.
``The videos began because I have a genuine love for the music,'' Gaither said, ``and the people who brought that music to me when I was a kid.''
He was an impressionable kid.
``I was in the sixth grade - gospel was the first music I heard,'' said the farmer's son. ``I still have very vivid memories of getting the cows milked, turning on early morning radio and listening.''
If that sounds like one of those ``son-when-I-was-your-age'' stories, you're right.
``My son tells me, `I don't want to hear that story anymore,' '' Gaither added before continuing his tale. ``I began ordering song books, records and pictures. I still have 'em. I'm 59, and I can remember Christmases when I'd exchange gifts, then get out the old records.
``The videos are an outgrowth of that. I did the first one and the response was amazing. I love what I feel in the spirit I sense on those tapes.''
Gaither is an easygoing man-of-the-spirit who gets his message across without shouting.
``I did an interview with one of the major papers, and at the end of the hour, the reporter asked me if I ever did anything off the wall,'' he said. ``I thought maybe it was a boring interview, but he told me, `You really are what you seem to be.'
``Sometimes people are surprised. They must be expecting something strange.''
He and his wife expected to spend their lives as teachers. He taught English and she taught French, but song writing and singing were their loves. They performed first for friends, then small audiences and finally in larger venues.
If a single Gaither song was responsible for catapulting him to the top, it was the 1969 inspirational hit ``He Touched Me,'' which was recorded by, among many others, Elvis Presley.
A performer who has touched many lives for many years is another Gaither graduate, Sandi Patti. Recently, to the amazement of those who have followed her career, she admitted to adultery.
``I'm sad about that. I hate to see something like that happen,'' Gaither said. ``I haven't talked to her recently - I don't know if she'll ever come back. But she's my sister and I still love her.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Bill Gaither gets his message across without shouting.
by CNB