Gary McSpadden (January 26, 1943 – April 15, 2020) was an American pastor, singer, songwriter, record producer, television host, and motivational speaker whose career became one of the most influential in Southern gospel and Christian music. Known for his rich baritone voice and exceptional versatility, he sang with some of the most iconic groups in gospel history, including The Statesmen, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Imperials, The Bill Gaither Trio, and The Gaither Vocal Band. As a songwriter, he contributed notable songs such as “Jesus Lord to Me,” “Hallelujah Praise the Lamb,” and “No Other Name but Jesus.” He also produced acclaimed albums for a wide range of artists and created popular television programs, including the celebrated Jubilee concert series filmed at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.
Early Life
Born to Boyd and Helen McSpadden, Gary grew up surrounded by music. His parents were active songwriters—one of their songs, “Heaven,” became widely known after being recorded by George Beverly Shea and others. After moving to Lubbock, Texas, where Boyd pastored Faith Temple, Gary began singing in church as a young child and was performing solos by age ten. With ministry and music woven deeply into family life, he developed the gifts that would define his lifelong calling.
Early Music Career
In 1962, at only eighteen, McSpadden attracted the attention of Hovie Lister of The Statesmen and briefly filled in for Jake Hess during a medical leave. After five months, he joined the Oak Ridge Quartet, remaining through the group’s transition into the now-famous Oak Ridge Boys and recording three albums with them.
From 1964 to 1967, he sang with Jake Hess and The Imperials, a period during which the group first began performing as backup vocalists for Elvis Presley.
In 1977, McSpadden joined The Bill Gaither Trio, replacing Danny Gaither. During this season he also served as a co-pastor for three years, though he stepped away from that role by 1980 to dedicate himself fully to music. When the Gaithers formed a second group in 1981—the Gaither Vocal Band—Gary became one of its founding members alongside Bill Gaither, Steve Green, and Lee Young.
McSpadden launched his solo career in 1979 with Higher Purpose and continued recording prolifically, eventually completing more than 30 albums, including 16 solo recordings. He remained with the Gaither Vocal Band until 1988, when he stepped out to focus entirely on his expanding solo ministry.
Pastoral Ministry
In 1967, before his years with the Gaither ministries, McSpadden had taken a temporary break from music to pastor a large non-denominational church in Fort Worth, Texas, alongside his father. The father-son ministry team served together for 13 years. Later in life, McSpadden pastored Faith and Wisdom Church in Branson, Missouri, where he taught faith, wisdom, and obedience to scripture.
Television and Live Production
McSpadden had a long history in Christian broadcasting. Beginning in 1976, he and his father produced televised programs from their church in Fort Worth. Over time he became a familiar face on religious television and appeared as an occasional guest on The PTL Club with Jim Bakker. Following Bakker’s resignation, McSpadden accepted the invitation to co-host the show for six months in 1987.
In the late 1990s, McSpadden expanded into Branson-based live shows and television productions. In January 1999, he launched Gospel Jubilee at Silver Dollar City, which was recorded for broadcast every Sunday from January 2000 to January 2003. The show featured numerous popular Christian artists performing beloved gospel songs.
Beginning in 2003, he starred in the Easter Spring Spectacular, a live Branson production created with his brother-in-law, pianist Dino Kartsonakis. The show ran for four consecutive years. A year later, McSpadden moved his own production to the Americana Theater under the name Southern Gospel Sundays, continuing to highlight a rotating lineup of notable Christian performers.
In later years, his focus returned primarily to preaching and teaching. The Gary McSpadden Show, aired on the TCT and GEB networks, featured his biblical messages along with musical contributions from visiting artists. The program eventually shifted entirely toward biblical teaching while still featuring occasional music from guests at Faith & Wisdom Church.
Producer
McSpadden also excelled behind the scenes as a record producer, contributing to many Dove Award–winning projects for The Bill Gaither Trio, The Cathedrals, The Gaither Vocal Band, Terri Gibbs, The Talleys, Lulu Roman, and others.
Death
Gary McSpadden passed away on April 15, 2020, at the Cancer Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after being diagnosed earlier that year with pancreatic cancer. He experienced severe complications, including a stroke, after being transferred from Cox Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was laid to rest on April 21, 2020, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee, near his parents. A large memorial service was held at Faith and Wisdom Church in Branson, honoring his profound influence on gospel music and ministry.
Awards and Honors
McSpadden’s achievements earned him widespread recognition. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1998, 1999, and 2000, and into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1989. On April 15, 2025—the fifth anniversary of his passing—it was announced that he would be inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame at the National Quartet Convention in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
#fblifestyle #southerngospel
Early Life
Born to Boyd and Helen McSpadden, Gary grew up surrounded by music. His parents were active songwriters—one of their songs, “Heaven,” became widely known after being recorded by George Beverly Shea and others. After moving to Lubbock, Texas, where Boyd pastored Faith Temple, Gary began singing in church as a young child and was performing solos by age ten. With ministry and music woven deeply into family life, he developed the gifts that would define his lifelong calling.
Early Music Career
In 1962, at only eighteen, McSpadden attracted the attention of Hovie Lister of The Statesmen and briefly filled in for Jake Hess during a medical leave. After five months, he joined the Oak Ridge Quartet, remaining through the group’s transition into the now-famous Oak Ridge Boys and recording three albums with them.
From 1964 to 1967, he sang with Jake Hess and The Imperials, a period during which the group first began performing as backup vocalists for Elvis Presley.
In 1977, McSpadden joined The Bill Gaither Trio, replacing Danny Gaither. During this season he also served as a co-pastor for three years, though he stepped away from that role by 1980 to dedicate himself fully to music. When the Gaithers formed a second group in 1981—the Gaither Vocal Band—Gary became one of its founding members alongside Bill Gaither, Steve Green, and Lee Young.
McSpadden launched his solo career in 1979 with Higher Purpose and continued recording prolifically, eventually completing more than 30 albums, including 16 solo recordings. He remained with the Gaither Vocal Band until 1988, when he stepped out to focus entirely on his expanding solo ministry.
Pastoral Ministry
In 1967, before his years with the Gaither ministries, McSpadden had taken a temporary break from music to pastor a large non-denominational church in Fort Worth, Texas, alongside his father. The father-son ministry team served together for 13 years. Later in life, McSpadden pastored Faith and Wisdom Church in Branson, Missouri, where he taught faith, wisdom, and obedience to scripture.
Television and Live Production
McSpadden had a long history in Christian broadcasting. Beginning in 1976, he and his father produced televised programs from their church in Fort Worth. Over time he became a familiar face on religious television and appeared as an occasional guest on The PTL Club with Jim Bakker. Following Bakker’s resignation, McSpadden accepted the invitation to co-host the show for six months in 1987.
In the late 1990s, McSpadden expanded into Branson-based live shows and television productions. In January 1999, he launched Gospel Jubilee at Silver Dollar City, which was recorded for broadcast every Sunday from January 2000 to January 2003. The show featured numerous popular Christian artists performing beloved gospel songs.
Beginning in 2003, he starred in the Easter Spring Spectacular, a live Branson production created with his brother-in-law, pianist Dino Kartsonakis. The show ran for four consecutive years. A year later, McSpadden moved his own production to the Americana Theater under the name Southern Gospel Sundays, continuing to highlight a rotating lineup of notable Christian performers.
In later years, his focus returned primarily to preaching and teaching. The Gary McSpadden Show, aired on the TCT and GEB networks, featured his biblical messages along with musical contributions from visiting artists. The program eventually shifted entirely toward biblical teaching while still featuring occasional music from guests at Faith & Wisdom Church.
Producer
McSpadden also excelled behind the scenes as a record producer, contributing to many Dove Award–winning projects for The Bill Gaither Trio, The Cathedrals, The Gaither Vocal Band, Terri Gibbs, The Talleys, Lulu Roman, and others.
Death
Gary McSpadden passed away on April 15, 2020, at the Cancer Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after being diagnosed earlier that year with pancreatic cancer. He experienced severe complications, including a stroke, after being transferred from Cox Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was laid to rest on April 21, 2020, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee, near his parents. A large memorial service was held at Faith and Wisdom Church in Branson, honoring his profound influence on gospel music and ministry.
Awards and Honors
McSpadden’s achievements earned him widespread recognition. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1998, 1999, and 2000, and into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1989. On April 15, 2025—the fifth anniversary of his passing—it was announced that he would be inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame at the National Quartet Convention in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
#fblifestyle #southerngospel
Gary McSpadden (January 26, 1943 – April 15, 2020) was an American pastor, singer, songwriter, record producer, television host, and motivational speaker whose career became one of the most influential in Southern gospel and Christian music. Known for his rich baritone voice and exceptional versatility, he sang with some of the most iconic groups in gospel history, including The Statesmen, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Imperials, The Bill Gaither Trio, and The Gaither Vocal Band. As a songwriter, he contributed notable songs such as “Jesus Lord to Me,” “Hallelujah Praise the Lamb,” and “No Other Name but Jesus.” He also produced acclaimed albums for a wide range of artists and created popular television programs, including the celebrated Jubilee concert series filmed at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.
Early Life
Born to Boyd and Helen McSpadden, Gary grew up surrounded by music. His parents were active songwriters—one of their songs, “Heaven,” became widely known after being recorded by George Beverly Shea and others. After moving to Lubbock, Texas, where Boyd pastored Faith Temple, Gary began singing in church as a young child and was performing solos by age ten. With ministry and music woven deeply into family life, he developed the gifts that would define his lifelong calling.
Early Music Career
In 1962, at only eighteen, McSpadden attracted the attention of Hovie Lister of The Statesmen and briefly filled in for Jake Hess during a medical leave. After five months, he joined the Oak Ridge Quartet, remaining through the group’s transition into the now-famous Oak Ridge Boys and recording three albums with them.
From 1964 to 1967, he sang with Jake Hess and The Imperials, a period during which the group first began performing as backup vocalists for Elvis Presley.
In 1977, McSpadden joined The Bill Gaither Trio, replacing Danny Gaither. During this season he also served as a co-pastor for three years, though he stepped away from that role by 1980 to dedicate himself fully to music. When the Gaithers formed a second group in 1981—the Gaither Vocal Band—Gary became one of its founding members alongside Bill Gaither, Steve Green, and Lee Young.
McSpadden launched his solo career in 1979 with Higher Purpose and continued recording prolifically, eventually completing more than 30 albums, including 16 solo recordings. He remained with the Gaither Vocal Band until 1988, when he stepped out to focus entirely on his expanding solo ministry.
Pastoral Ministry
In 1967, before his years with the Gaither ministries, McSpadden had taken a temporary break from music to pastor a large non-denominational church in Fort Worth, Texas, alongside his father. The father-son ministry team served together for 13 years. Later in life, McSpadden pastored Faith and Wisdom Church in Branson, Missouri, where he taught faith, wisdom, and obedience to scripture.
Television and Live Production
McSpadden had a long history in Christian broadcasting. Beginning in 1976, he and his father produced televised programs from their church in Fort Worth. Over time he became a familiar face on religious television and appeared as an occasional guest on The PTL Club with Jim Bakker. Following Bakker’s resignation, McSpadden accepted the invitation to co-host the show for six months in 1987.
In the late 1990s, McSpadden expanded into Branson-based live shows and television productions. In January 1999, he launched Gospel Jubilee at Silver Dollar City, which was recorded for broadcast every Sunday from January 2000 to January 2003. The show featured numerous popular Christian artists performing beloved gospel songs.
Beginning in 2003, he starred in the Easter Spring Spectacular, a live Branson production created with his brother-in-law, pianist Dino Kartsonakis. The show ran for four consecutive years. A year later, McSpadden moved his own production to the Americana Theater under the name Southern Gospel Sundays, continuing to highlight a rotating lineup of notable Christian performers.
In later years, his focus returned primarily to preaching and teaching. The Gary McSpadden Show, aired on the TCT and GEB networks, featured his biblical messages along with musical contributions from visiting artists. The program eventually shifted entirely toward biblical teaching while still featuring occasional music from guests at Faith & Wisdom Church.
Producer
McSpadden also excelled behind the scenes as a record producer, contributing to many Dove Award–winning projects for The Bill Gaither Trio, The Cathedrals, The Gaither Vocal Band, Terri Gibbs, The Talleys, Lulu Roman, and others.
Death
Gary McSpadden passed away on April 15, 2020, at the Cancer Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after being diagnosed earlier that year with pancreatic cancer. He experienced severe complications, including a stroke, after being transferred from Cox Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was laid to rest on April 21, 2020, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee, near his parents. A large memorial service was held at Faith and Wisdom Church in Branson, honoring his profound influence on gospel music and ministry.
Awards and Honors
McSpadden’s achievements earned him widespread recognition. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1998, 1999, and 2000, and into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1989. On April 15, 2025—the fifth anniversary of his passing—it was announced that he would be inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame at the National Quartet Convention in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
#fblifestyle #southerngospel
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