Early in my chat with Bill Gaither, he jokes about aging alongside his audience. Because as he turns 90, he’s celebrating something far rarer in the music business. The longevity of the mission.
This interview, tied to his Homecoming celebration and the new I Go to the Rock release, is about understanding why his songs, and his audience, never left. Below are some of the most powerful moments from our conversation. I encourage everyone to watch the full half hour interview to learn more about one of Christian music’s hero.
Q&A Highlights: Bill Gaither in His Own Words
On reaching 90 and seeing generations still show up…
Bill Gaither:
“Well, I’m glad they, they hung around with me… We got older and so did our audience… I’m glad that they’ve been loyal and I’m glad that they hung in there with us.”
On modern Christian music and trends…
Bill Gaither:
“The only thing that’s really contemporary about the word contemporary is this word temporary.”
On responsibility when success comes your way…
Bill Gaither:
“I think there comes a responsibility when, the good Lord happens to gift you in one area… I think we felt responsible to be who we say we are.”
On why his work became bigger than just music…
Bill Gaither:
“It’s more than the music, because music styles… come and go… but the message stays the same.”
On the core message behind decades of songs…
Bill Gaither:
“The message is basically there’s a hole in the heart of all of us… it’s a God-shaped hole… and it’s really a space that only God can fill.”
On writing songs, even if no one hears them…
Bill Gaither:
“If nobody sings it, if nobody records it… I gotta write it… I will write it anyway.”
On advice to younger artists…
Bill Gaither:
“My big word… is the word stewardship… be a good steward of your throat… your time… your mind.”
On generosity and success…
Bill Gaither:
“The worst thing you could say to somebody who’s in need is, ‘I’d like to help you, but I can’t.’ And a great feeling is, ‘I’d like to help you and I can.’”
On ministry vs. entertainment…
Bill Gaither:
“Why don’t you ask the guy who bought the ticket?”
On Jesus as a communicator…
Bill Gaither:
“If you can keep the attention of 5000 people without a PA… you better be a pretty good entertainer.”
On why he still sings certain songs…
Bill Gaither:
“I don’t sing old songs. I sing songs that deserve to live.”
The New Chapter: I Go to the Rock
That philosophy is fully on display in the new release.
The result is a collection that feels less like a recording and more like being in the room.
WATCH + PURCHASE THE SPECIAL
With an over 12 hour session, this special is worth a watch. Check out the 90th Birthday Homecoming and I Go to the Rock 
Watch / Stream / Purchase Here