Keith Green inducted into GMA Hall of Fame; multi-artist project to commemorate 20th anniversary

Legendary singer/songwriter Keith Green was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Tuesday, November 27 in Franklin, Tennessee. Billy Ray Hearn, Chairman of EMI CMG and founder of Sparrow Records, and Hall Of Fame member himself, welcomed Keith Green and presented the award along with Frank Breeden, GMA President to Melody Green, Keith's wife, and his two daughters, Rebecca and Rachel Green, who accepted it on Keith's behalf. Keith Green died in a tragic airplane crash in 1982 that claimed his life and two of his young children.

The event was hosted by The Oak Ridge Boys and featured noted artists and speakers such as Shirley Caesar, George Beverly Shea, and Phil Keaggy and Rebecca St. James who performed Green's signature song "Your Love Broke Through." Other inductees included Elvis Presley, Albertina Walker, Larry Norman, and Kurt Kaiser.

"It is a thrill for me that Keith Green is the first original Sparrow artist to be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame," states Hearn. "This is a great honor to both Keith and Sparrow because it recognizes the great emphasis we both had on ministry from the beginning. Keith, though only in the recording industry for five years, made a huge contribution to the establishment of the legitimacy of contemporary Christian music as an effective tool for the church in winning people to Christ."

Melody Green responded to the evening saying, "I'm excited and incredibly blessed about Keith's Gospel Hall of Fame induction. To me it signifies the amazing longevity of Keith's music and ministry... as he continues to impact young people in each new generation. It's wonderful to see so much good fruit that remains, and also new fruit that keeps getting planted!"

In honor of the life and ministry of Keith Green, on January 29, 2002 Sparrow Records will release a special tribute CD celebrating the music and life of Keith Green entitled Your Love Broke Through: The Worship Songs of Keith Green. Produced by John Hartley (The Prayer of Jabez and Heaven and Earth), this community partnership of pop artists and worship leaders includes some of the most visible and popular talents within the Christian music industry paying tribute to legendary singer/songwriter Keith Green. This special project includes the musical collaborations of Michael W. Smith, Rebecca St. James, Twila Paris, Martin Smith (Delirious), Darlene Zschech, to name a few, and acknowledges Keith Green on the 20th anniversary of his death while introducing his music to a new generation.

Artists joined forces during the recording session to create some of the more significant moments on the project which include a previously unfinished song by Keith entitled "There Is One" that was completed by Michael W. Smith and Delirious' Martin Smith. Among the collaborations were performances by Rebecca St. James for "Your Love Broke Through," Matt Redman and Paul Oakley with "Make My Life A Prayer To You," Charlie Hall and Iona's Joanne Hogg for "The Lord Is My Shepherd," and a moving rendition of "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful" with original vocals by Keith Green supported by an ensemble of the album's artists including Keith's daughters who contributed their voices on this special track. Rising new talents such as sixstepsrecords artists/worshipers Chris Tomlin and Charlie Hall will establish new fans with younger listeners embracing these powerful and enduring worship classics. For more information on the life, music and ministry of Keith Green, visit www.keithgreen.com.

Pictured above (l-r): Frank Breeden, president of GMA; Rachel Green; Melody Green; Char Green, Keith's mother; Rebecca Green; Billy Ray Hearn.