In August of 1955, with not enough financial success or audience interest to show for their effort, Bill left the group and returned to working for Cox’s grocery store in Anderson. Over the winter, they picked up singer James Barnett and Bill moved to an accompanist role. Danny, still a high-school student, was replaced by Gene Lowery when school reopened in the fall of 1954, and the bass part was taken up by Olen “Honey” Dunn after Vance got married and moved to Florida in October. Even so, the Pathfinders were short-lived and had an oft-shifting personnel. In one notable highlight, the group met the Golden Keys Quartet while on tour, and Danny was invited to sing with them on at least one occasion.
#BILL GAITHER SONGS HE WROTE PLUS#
In 1954, Bill graduated from Alexandria High School and initially set his sights on starting a music career by forming a gospel quartet called the Pathfinders with Charlie Hodge of Decatur, Alabama, whom he had met at the three-week Stamps School of Music summer program in Dallas, Texas, in 19, plus Danny Gaither and a young bass singer, Vance Windsor. On 11 March 1953, one of Bill’s quartets-made up of Billy Gaither, George Glass, Richard Scott, and Larry Campbell-sang at a high school sports banquet, and on 3 January 1954, an early version of the Gaither Trio performed at the Alexandria Church of the Nazarene, consisting of Bill, Danny, and older cousin Arden Gaither (1922–2007). In 1952, at age 16, he played piano for a young quartet called the Gospel-Aires. In 1950 and into 1951, Bill and Danny were part of a quartet called the Log Cabin Four, with Howard Little and cousin Maurice Gaither (1934–2001). Bill was especially fascinated by southern gospel music and would collect records, travel to concerts, and listen to radio broadcasts. Danny was the most capable lead singer, while Bill learned to play the piano.
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1938) would sing together in the community. From a young age, he and his brother DANNY (born 20 Nov.
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Bill Gaither, born 28 March 1936 at Alexandria, Indiana, was the son of George Gaither and Lela Hartwell, and grew up on a rural farm.