Gaither embraces message

It was the harmony that first drew a young Bill Gaither to gospel, but it wasn't long until the music's salvation message took root.

"The message was something that resonated in my heart and my life at that time," said Mr. Gaither, 73.

He and the Gaither Vocal Band will perform Saturday at James Brown Arena.

For a gospel legend with a prolific catalog of more than 700 songs, he's not bothered very much by the fact that younger audiences are slow to connect with gospel anymore.

"I still believe in the music. Life is a test tube. Once you've lived a while, the message starts to matter more," he said.

"The gospel can make sense in a world that doesn't make sense. I believe in that message more now than ever."

Plenty of people come to the shows saying, "I'm not very religious but I still enjoy what you're doing," Mr. Gaither said. "It's very satisfying to me. We don't want the music to turn people away even when they disagree."

Mr. Gaither says he's clung to faith; it and his family are what's carried him through a career spanning five decades in the music industry.

"That word 'through' has meant more to me in the last 10 years than ever before. I've become very well acquainted with it over the past 10 years," he said. "It's the most common comment we get. 'Your music has gotten me through tough times.'

"Well, that's what amazing grace is. Grace set you free. Grace gets you through."

Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552 or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.