By 
Contemporary evangelists, with their impassioned sermons, modern music, and crowd revival, have a twentieth-century preacher to thank for their innovation. Billy Graham has changed the world in many ways during his long career as an evangelist.
In fact, it changed the very definition of the term “evangelist.” Reverend Graham’s work was revolutionary. It’s also worth noting that his musicians were notable not only for his music, but also for their loyalty to the gospel and to Billy. Four of the most famous include George B. Shea, Paul Michelson, Tedd Smith, and Cliff Barrows.
George Beverly Shea, baritone, is the best known of the Rev. Graham musicians. His voice has been heard in Decision Time since 1950. The show reaches the whole world. Shea is often referred to as “America’s beloved gospel singer.” He has recorded more than seventy gospel music albums and is best known for his rendition of the 1920 hymn “How Great Thou Art.” During his television career, Shea was nominated for ten Grammy Awards. He won a Grammy in 1965. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 1996. Shea has worked alongside Billy Graham since 1943.
Paul Mickelson, organist, is another of the legendary musicians who served on Billy Graham’s team. In fact, Mickelson’s childhood dream was to play for the Rev. Graham’s Crusades. In 1950, his dream came true. He played for Rev. Graham until 1957, when a desire to work on original Christian music in the studio caused Mickelson to abandon the crusades. He helped a wide variety of artists get started in gospel music, such as the Lang Sisters and Pat Boone. Mickelson died in 2001.
Tedd Smith, pianist, was associated with Billy Graham for more than forty years. He traveled to war-torn Vietnam with Rev. Graham. Smith trained in music at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, the University of Minnesota, and the Catholic University of Washington, DC Smith has published nearly twenty songbooks, featuring arrangements of traditional songs along with his own compositions. Smith even composed a rock opera after leaving Rev. Graham’s Crusades.
The glue that holds the music together is Cliff Barrows, the music and choir director. Barrows has worked with Billy Graham since 1945 and has served as the host of the Hour of Decision since its inception. He is the song leader for the Billy Graham crusade rallies. He is also an ordained Baptist minister. He was inducted into the Nashville Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
In 2006, Billy Graham, George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows reunited on the Baltimore stage nearly 60 years after the Graham crusade first visited the city. Although he is now ninety years old, the reverend delivered an impassioned sermon equal to those of his youth. He said this may be his last chance to preach to a crowd of that magnitude, so he’d better take advantage of it.
Reverend Graham’s work was revolutionary throughout the 20th and 21st centuries because of his tremendous support staff. These four musicians, along with many others who have aided in Billy Graham’s crusades, are the backbone of his ministry and have influenced gospel music in ways beyond measure. They are the archetype of the modern evangelical ministry.