Conversations With Paul Heil, Founder and Former Host of ‘The Gospel Greats’ Radio Show
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Rev. Billy Graham’s Passing: A Revisit With Paul Heil, Host of ‘The Gospel Greats’ Radio Show
By Steven Brodsky
Wednesday, February 21, 2018—If Rev. Billy Graham knew that he’d pass away today, he could have sincerely, confidently, and humbly been able to state that his soul would today arrive in heaven. Such was the quality of his faith, the heart of which was “personal relationship” with Jesus.
Billy Graham reached many millions of people with his stadium crusades and television broadcasts. These preaching events included Christian music, a beloved and influential part of his ministry for generations of his admirers.
On the occasion of the passing of Billy Graham, I asked Paul Heil to revisit with this column’s readers. Paul’s syndicated radio show, The Gospel Greats, is in its 38th continuous year and features Southern Gospel music.
Paul, how did Billy Graham impact your life on a personal and professional level?
Throughout my life, I’ve known about and respected Billy Graham—both for his personal integrity and his unwavering dedication to the spread of the Gospel. Although I never had the opportunity to meet him personally, both of those qualities provided inspiration to me as to how I do what I do. In a time when so many advocate a watered-down Gospel message, Rev. Graham refused to compromise, staying true to God’s word as revealed in Scripture.
I loved the way that he personally and consistently deflected any attempts at taking credit for his success, redirecting the credit where it truly belongs—to God. And God certainly used Billy Graham as a willing vessel for His honor and glory. Aside from that, I believe his success was in the way he could simplify the Gospel, without diminishing it, so that anyone and everyone could understand it. His message was of God’s great love and how He prepared a way for anyone who would believe to escape eternal punishment and, though repentance, have sins forgiven (see John 3:16,17).
When did you first encounter Billy Graham’s preaching? And what are some of your earliest memories connected with him?
Back in “the day,” I remember watching Billy Graham crusades on our family’s back-and-white TV. Of course, my dad was a pastor, so he was more than intrigued by what this well-known and highly-effective evangelist had to say. And, I supposed, he was always looking for sermon pointers. I recall when Dad took the family to a Billy Graham crusade. I believe it was at the big auditorium in Ocean Grove, NJ. What an event! And to see hundreds of people respond to the message! Even for a young fellow who had already accepted Christ, it was overwhelming to see.
I still would probably have been in grade school when the Billy Graham organization came out with a full-length motion picture that was showing in theaters. This was something exceedingly rare for a Christian organization to do back then. My dad took our family to see it—in Philadelphia, I believe—and it was the first time I had ever been in a movie theater. Later, when I got a job in radio, I worked Sunday nights when Billy Graham’s Hour of Decision was broadcast over the station where I worked (via NBC), and, whenever my other duties there allowed, I’d find myself listening to every word.
Which song performances from Billy Graham’s broadcast events are among your favorites?
Who can forget the awesome singing of George Beverly Shea? Billy Graham once said of him, “Out of all the gospel singers in the world today, the one that I would rather hear than any other would be George Beverly Shea.” (One can only imagine their recent reunion in heaven!) “Bev” Shea, as Billy called him, actually co-wrote “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” which remains a standout. And then there was the music of the crusade choirs, including their stirring rendition of “Just As I Am,” which regularly accompanied thousands as they came to the altar to accept Christ at Billy Graham’s invitation. Beyond that, Rev. Graham regularly incorporated special presentations by singers representing several different genres of Christian music. He understood that good songs—Gospel-centric songs—helped open the hearts of listeners to the preached word that followed.
In the history of The Gospel Greats, a number of your interview guests are strongly associated with Rev. Graham’s crusades. Please speak about a few of those people.
Perhaps the most widely-known Gospel music personality today, Bill Gaither, along with his group, made several appearances with Dr. Graham. And Bill hosted a special videotaping at Graham’s center in North Carolina some years ago, featuring music that was associated with him in some way, or at least with his message. I noticed that Bill and Gloria posted this message after Dr. Graham’s passing: “The world has lost today a friend of the lost, a bearer of hope and a voice crying in the wilderness, ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.’ The silencing of this strong voice is a call to all believers to step up with integrity and compassion to fill the void left by this great pastor to the world.” Well said, although I don’t think that void will ever be filled in quite the same way.
Another artist, Jason Crabb, was able to sing at Rev. Graham’s Farewell Crusade in New York City some years ago. Jason called it, “… one of the greatest moments I’ve ever had the opportunity to be a part of.” And he now says about Rev. Graham, “There is perhaps no person who conveyed the love, grace and saving power of Jesus Christ so eloquently as Mr. Graham.”
Why is Southern Gospel music particularly effective at communicating the message that Rev. Graham preached and why does it resonate so well with the audiences he reached?
Rev. Graham was known, as I mentioned earlier, for making the Gospel plain and simple so it would be easily comprehended. Southern Gospel music, perhaps to a greater degree than some other genres of Christian music, does the same thing. The Gospel is presented clearly in the majority of these songs. And it’s done in such a way that the lyrics—the message—is paramount. Although “encouragement” is a key message in Southern Gospel music, directed at Christians, there is no more important message conveyed than the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen again for the salvation of all who believe. And I regularly receive testimonies from listeners and Southern Gospel music lovers for whom this music has been life-changing, convicting them of sin and bringing them to repentance through the work of the Holy Spirit. Just as it certainly was for Rev. Graham, it’s exciting to be a part (however small) of this ongoing work.
Note to readers: Billy Graham would have become 101 years old on November 7, 2019.
Paul Heil passed away on December 27, 2020 at age 73.
Posted 2-22-18 Updated 3-25-21
A Conversation with Paul Heil, Host of ‘The Gospel Greats’ Syndicated Radio Show
By Steven Brodsky
One of the finest radio voices ever belongs to Paul Heil. His voice has graced the airwaves since 1980. That was the year that The Gospel Greats began as a syndicated radio show. Based in Lancaster County, PA, Paul’s show has aired continuously and is now carried worldwide on many radio stations, Sirius/XM, the internet, and international shortwave. Paul and the show are beloved by fans of Southern Gospel music and the performing and recording artists of the genre. Paul and The Gospel Greats have been recognized by being awarded an abundance of major industry and fan awards. In 2014, the Southern Gospel Music Association inducted Paul Heil into its Hall of Fame. It’s an honor to bring this conversation with him to you.
Please describe the show for those who aren’t regular listeners.
The Gospel Greats program is a weekly two-hour program of and about Southern Gospel music. Its “signature sound” is that it includes brief artist interviews throughout the program, allowing listeners to get to know the artists and drawing them into the meaning of the songs.
The Gospel Greats has retained many of its original features. In 1980, how confident were you that the format would stand up to the test of time?
I’ve always believed that “good radio is good radio.” And good radio is something that people find interesting to listen to. So I try to make the program interesting, as well as unique, while maintaining a spiritual dimension that is often missing in such programs. When I started the program, I applied those principles, hoping it would hold up over the years — not knowing, of course, how many years that would be. And the Lord has surely blessed in that regard.
Are all the interviews on The Gospel Greats in-person?
With very few exceptions, all of the interviews on The Gospel Greats program are recorded in-person. More often than not, this is in a back room at a concert somewhere, but with quality equipment. Probably three decades ago I had someone at a radio station marveling to me that it sounded as if we had all the guests right there with me in the studio. Occasionally, when it’s impossible to get together with a particular artist that we want to interview, they will set up in a recording studio. We’ll interview them by phone, but they’ll record the answers and send them to us, so it still sounds in-person. Also, an exception is that we will use telephone interview clips on the program’s news segment (the Headline Update).
Why do you do you them that way?
In-person interviews are easier to understand on the air, for one thing. That has always been the case, but cell phones sometimes are terribly difficult to understand on the air. I want to do everything I can to make what the artists are saying as clear and understandable as possible. This usually involves considerable editing, too. I had one artist tell me just the other day that I did such a great job of cleaning up his interview that he’s convinced all I would have to have from him would be a collection of vowels and consonants and I could make him say anything I want.
It says much about you and the show that the major artists of Southern Gospel music come to your studio to record their interviews. How difficult is it for most of them to do the interviews in-person in light of busy touring schedules?
While most of our interviews are “in the field” at concerts, the National Quartet Convention or other such venues, we’ve always had at least some interviews recorded here at the studio. (Hopefully, the studio interviews are nearly indistinguishable on the air from the remote interviews.) But in-studio interviews have increased considerably in recent years. A few years ago, we wanted to interview Greater Vison about a new CD, but they didn’t have any concerts scheduled anywhere nearby for several months. They were heading from Tennessee to some dates in New England, but they would pass through our area about 2 a.m. So they agreed to stop by the studio at 2 a.m. and we did the interview in the middle of the night.
Tell us about your early exposure to Southern Gospel music.
As far back as I can remember, my dad had Southern Gospel records. The Blackwood Brothers and the Statesmen were especially prominent. Also, the Couriers promoted concerts regularly in nearby Harrisburg, so our church group attended a few of them. But what actually got me involved professionally was the convergence of my love of radio production, radio syndication and the fact that my brother had a local singing group. He got the Singing News (this was in the 1970s) and, since it included a top-tunes chart, that inspired the idea for the program. Unlike other countdown shows, The Gospel Greats has just one countdown per month. The reasons are twofold: First, the chart changes only once a month. Second, it allows much more week-to-week variety than a weekly countdown would.
Were there concert performances that were especially influential to you? If so, when did they take place and how did they affect you?
I don’t recall any one specific concert that was especially influential. But I do recall several concerts by the Cathedrals, including one at our home church. Getting to know them personally, especially Glen and George, became something very special for me.
Please tell us about a few of your most memorable guest interviews on the show.
Well, I just mentioned George Younce. Shortly after the Cathedrals retired, I asked George if he would co-host our 20th anniversary program (February of 2000). He did. We traveled to his home in Stow, Ohio, where we set up our equipment in his home’s sun room and we recorded there. Another interview I recall was with the late J. D. Sumner. He always had a gruff demeanor, or at least it seemed that way to folks. But he had a big heart. When I asked how he would like to be remembered, he choked a bit and said, “I would like people to remember the real J.D.”
Your listeners are familiar with: “The Greatest Songs about the Greatest Message, the Gospel.” Speak about what those words mean.
When the name was originally chosen, it was primarily for the alliteration in the wording. Easy to remember. But I soon found out that many in the music industry at large use similar terms to refer to the artists, such as the “country greats.” That was not my intention. So, in relatively recent times, I came up with that slogan as a subtitle to try to make clear that we’re referring to the “greatest songs about the greatest message,” which, of course, is the Gospel message. That puts the focus where it should be.
What kind of listener feedback do you value the most?
I value any listener feedback. I am blessed and encouraged by people who write to me or tell me at a concert that they listen to the program every week. Some say they plan their weekend around the time the program is heard in their area. Wow. But to know the program is touching people with the Gospel and to know the program is encouraging people in their Christian walk is the kind of feedback that encourages me the most. It is truly an honor to be invited into their homes or cars each week.
What are some of the favorite Southern Gospel recordings that you enjoy most during the Christmas season?
Wow — there are many. During the 2016 Christmas season, because of the way the calendar worked out, we had four weeks of all-Christmas music (that’s more than usual). And we were blessed with a larger than usual number of outstanding new Christmas recordings. I thoroughly enjoyed everything I had a chance to play. I do enjoy the new Christmas songs, as long as they point to Christ as the reason for the season. But I especially enjoy vibrant new renditions of traditional Christmas carols that have stood the test of time.