Bill Gaither

Bill Gaither was born in 1936 in Alexandria, Indiana, and began his music career in 1956 by forming the Bill Gaither Trio with his siblings. Before transitioning to a full-time music career in 1967, he worked as an English teacher. In 1962, he married Gloria Sickal, and the couple became prolific songwriting partners in the Christian music industry, writing hundreds of gospel songs together. Gaither is the founder of the Gaither Vocal Band and is widely recognized for the "Gaither Homecoming" series, which features concerts and recordings of Southern gospel artists. His catalog of recorded songs includes well-known titles such as "Because He Lives," "He Touched Me," "The Family of God," and "The King Is Coming." Throughout his career, Gaither and his wife have received numerous Grammy and Gospel Music Association Dove awards for their songwriting and performances. In 2000, they were named gospel songwriters of the century. The Indiana Historical Society recognized them as "Living Legends" in 2006, and in 2008, Gaither received the Sachem Award from the Governor of Indiana.