Customer Reviews

It's More Than the Music: Life Lessons for Loving God, Loving Each Other

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I didn't know a lot about Bill Gaither, except for what I'd seen on TV, until a friend told me about Henry Slaughter's autobiography, IN SEARCH OF THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE. After reading that wonderful book, it was only natural to do a search on Amazon.com about some of the other people who were part of Mr. Slaughter's story...and Bill Gaither's IT'S MORE THAN THE MUSIC was one of those.

I'm glad I ordered it. It's a great slice of Americana, filled with stories that eventually turned the "every day" Gaithers into such extraordinary people who have impacted people all over the world with their music.

If you love Gospel music, as I do, then you'll love Bill Gaither's remarkable, revealing book!

Have you ever sung, "He Touched Me" or "Because He Lives" or "Let's Just Praise the Lord" in church? If you read Bill Gaither's book, you'll find out the stories behind these classic songs which he and his wife Gloria wrote. You'll also find out how Gaither first met and helped launch the careers of Sandi Patty, Michael English, Mark Lowry and many others. The first chapter of "It's More Than the Music" tells how the very popular homecoming videos and concert tours got started.
This is a book any fan of Christian music should definitely read.

Like a few other reviewers, my interest grew about the story of Bill Gaither through reading Henry Slaughter's In Search of the Pearl of Great Price: The Unforgettable Autobiography of Henry Slaughter.

Like's Henry's book, It's More Than the Music book is an amazing story through the eyes of a man whose music has literally changed Gospel music history. And what an amazing history it has been. It's a must-read.

Bill Gaither is truly a living legend!

If you like Bill Gaither and his music I would highly recommed this book. It is very informative. It is delightful reading.

This is Gaither 101--telling you about the Trio's start, songwriting, his family issues and the Homecoming series--but it's only a starter course and doesn't go into as much depth as it should. Bill is self-congratulatory throughout, taking many opportunities to praise himself and be the master self-promoter that he is (at one point writing "we were awed by our success.")

Along the way he tells stories that make Gloria, Danny, co-workers and the kids look bad, but rarely is he the subject of a negative story. Instead he brags about discovering certain people (trying to take some credit for Amy Grant, who already had a very established career), giving sage advice to others, reviving the careers of veterans and writing great songs. If you read between the lines you'll find that he probably doesn't deserve as much credit as he gives himself. He goes through a lot of employees who work for him for a little while and move on--he has a reputation as being difficult to work for. A friend of mine wrote songs that were published by Gaither and Bill insisted that he be given a co-writing credit on each song even though he didn't write them.

He does admit to periods of depression and in retrospect many of his songs are more melancholy than optimistic (like "Because He lives I can face tomorrow..."). If you watch him on the Homecoming stage he often is lethargic. Surprisingly, his faith isn't addressed too directly here and his Christianity seems cultural. He overlooks some major theological issues raised by his lyrics or by people he has associated with who have been involved in very public sin.

So for a bright overview of his career this book is fine--but you won't get more than a surface stage-show version of Gaither's life story.

One thing leads to another, but it starts with a seed of desire planted by God. Sometimes we have ideas that don't die, no matter what, even though things happen that seem to spell the end. On his own, Bill Gaither would not be where he is today--a humble, wise businessman orchestrating an empire of soul-soothing, spirit elevating songs that infuse personal reality with God. Today's results of Gaithers' work are beyond goal setting or planning--they are God's provision of help and hope to populations of hurting, downtrodden people. The book IT'S MORE THAN THE MUSIC, Bill Gaither's story, is the most inspirational story I've read in a long time.

". . .I've always felt that there is a profound difference between piety and true spirituality. I've never considered myself to be a pious person, but I hope that in some measure each day, I can live out genuine spirituality in the most honest sense," states Bill Gaither, page 268 in the chapter entitled "Special Moments."

I've had to get through a lot of trauma in my life. Only a realistic faith can carry me on the everyday road to eternity. I remember driving to work knowing that a battle with evil would take place that day in a confrontation with my boss. Of course, I was likely to be on the short end of the stick. I had the radio tuned to Christian radio. I had heard the song "Because He Lives", and it began playing in my mind, giving this fearful, timid soul unexplainable strength. It was years before I learned the names of the composers who had been building my faith by lyrics and melodies that went straight to the heart. My late husband and I listened to Gaithers' eight-track tape "Praise Gathering for Believers" over and over for spiritual sustenance when we felt shut out by the church. (You may read our story in a book I have written called WHAT PRICE PRIESTHOOD. It can be obtained through Amazon.com or through the publisher, XLibris, 1-888-795-4274X479 or [...])

After my recent move to Ohio, I am able to get hour-long Gaither music programs daily on the Christian Television Station, WLMB. This piqued my curiosity to learn more about the individuals who have blessed me so much. One thing leading to another, I stumbled across Bill Gaither's book, IT'S MORE THAN THE MUSIC and was able to learn candid details of the powerful story of the supernatural element which makes their work much more than music. Not only this book, I heartily recommend all of the Gaithers' work for entertainment which sustains a joy-filled, practical faith in Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ while going through life's trials.

This book would be an excellent read for anyone who has been blessed by Christian music and Christian influences. It is well written and offers a lot of interesting and motivating insight into Bill's life and career.

After many years of traveling all across the country to awesome Gaither Homecoming concerts, I finally got the chance last year to thank Bill in person for the major role he has played in my salvation. The reasons for this deep gratitude are the songs that Bill and Gloria Gaither have written, the amazing quality of both the music and the Christian message in the many Homecoming videos and CDs and the genuine warmth and friendliness that you get from all of the many artists who travel and perform with Bill. At the Homecoming concerts and at their individual concerts, you can visit with all of these people with ease because they are are humble and real; they practice what they sing about.

I purchased this book to read when I am recooperating from surgery; however, as it turned out, I just finished reading it, and surgery is not until a couple more days. At first, I meant to just glance through a few pages, but it was interesting right away, so every night I would read until I finished it. Good book. It confirmed my impression of Bill, but rather surprised me on Gloria. How good of them to agree to disclose so much about themselves. He knows himself pretty well, and I give her credit for her patience. She did a good thing, because very few...actually I cannot think of even one right now, can hold people together the way Bill Gaither does. If one pays close attention one can plainly see that these are two souls who love their creator and care about his creation. Human, yes, and well aware of it. This book should be an encouragement to a familiar quote: "Be not weary in well doing."

Now, when I see Mr. Gaither following a great performance with a rather weak attempt at repeating it with a not-too-eager audience, I understand. It is not easy, (for the audience), after sitting for a long time, to suddenly burst into song, so I will now watch those folks being called upon to sing -just one more refrain- of something they would perhaps have rather pondered than parroted, and I will smile. A good example of this thing he and others do, can be viewed on the 'Australian Homecoming,' with the singing by the GVB of "There is a River." Great performance, then hear comes Mr. Gaither, hand motioning for the audience to sing along, and it is sort of a let-down. Yet, I also understand why he wants to keep singing. I too hate it when a good song ends.

Bill and Gloria are giants in their field, and have my respect and love. Listening to some of those DVDs is like quinching a thirst. Now, when I listen, I will enjoy them even more. And yes, I will surely read the book again. It fits well in my home.

Mickey Thorne

This book is excellent and makes the videos much more meaningful. Well written and very moving in parts as Bill shares the highs and lows of his music. It is a book I keep coming back to and read sections/chapters again. If you've seen a bunch of videos this book will speak volumes to you.