Today is the 103rd birthday of George Beverly Shea, the Grammy-award winning Canadian-born American gospel singer and hymn writer. Shea has often been described as “America’s beloved Gospel singer” and is considered “the first international singing ‘star’ of the gospel world,” as a consequence of his solos at Billy Graham Crusades and his exposure on radio, records, and television. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Shea holds the world record for singing in person to the most people ever, with an estimated cumulative live audience of 220 million people.
Shea, of course, is a writer – of hymns, many of which, I’m certain, we know by heart. He has inspired many.
And for many, music is an inspiration in writing. Whether it’s gospel music like Mr. Shea’s, contemporary Christian, classical, or anything else, many write better when they have music on in the background. Others, however, like complete silence. And yet others get story ideas from music.
Happy birthday, Mr. Shea – you’ve inspired many of us. Some to write – and some in other ways.
Do you write with music in the background? If so, what type? Have you ever gotten a story idea from a song?
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9 Comments until now.
Jazz, I always write to jazz music.
My latest poem was inspired by the music from the movie ‘Dancer in the Dark’
However once again I wrote the poem to a background of jazz.
Cool, Kel! I love to listen to Christian instrumental – don’t need it when I write, but it helps to tune out the noise around me. If there are words in the song, I lose my focus.
My writing time is generally very quiet However, if I am working on a very challenging scene that isn’t coming together well, I pump in mood appropriate music. It really helps me “see” what kind of emotions are appropriate for that scene.
I write YA fantasy and historical fiction so I score my scene with movie soundtracks. What can I say? It’s the screenwriter in me to write in a cinematic style.
Happy Birthday, George !
Didn’t realize it was his birthday. Wow! I for one love to write with music it is my inspiration and it gives the ideas sometimes too. But mostly it calms my spirit and allows me to think clearly as I write. I love to write to inspirational music like hymns and praise music is my favorite. Sometimes I find myself listening to instrumental only depends on the mood I’m in when I begin to write. But it is about the only way I write. Love it!
Music distracts me, but often while listening to a favorite bible teacher, or watching a movie (usually classics) something will be said that acts as a flame thrower catching fire with my spirit and I’m off and running … or rather reaching for my notebook and writing, writing, writing!
Yes, songs inspired my story, even quoted the words of song to beautify my story. Thank you
Yes, classical.