Artists Tribute to Billy Graham

America’s most famous preacher, Rev. Billy Graham, 89, is about to get a major gesture of recognition from some of the world’s premier entertainers, from Bono to George Strait, it was announced by Pat Boone’s Lamb & Lion Home Video label.

On the eve of the evangelist’s 70th anniversary as an ordained minister, “Thank You Billy Graham,” a multi-artist musical tribute DVD-CD, will be released on Tues., May 20.

Included in the 52-minute DVD, which is accompanied by a bonus CD of the same name, is an all-star music video and numerous bonus offerings, among them separate featurettes on “The Making Of...,” “The Inspiration,” “Testimonials” from recording artists and special guests, and the “Andrae Crouch Recording Session with the Christ Memorial Church Choir.”

Penned by motion picture actor and recording artist Pat Boone, rock artist and Grammy® winning producer-writer David Pack from the critically acclaimed band Ambrosia, and Grammy® winning country singer-songwriter Billy Dean, the heartfelt song and accompanying music video feature a musical send up by over two dozen top musical talents from every musical genre, along with an array of rare historical footage courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association archives.

Along with Bono and Strait, other featured artists include country stars Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Kenny Rogers, Billy Dean, and Marty Stuart; pop and rock artists Michael McDonald, LeAnn Rimes, John Elefante (Kansas), and John Ford Coley; R&B/Gospel artists Jeffrey Osborne, Andrae Crouch, and Vestal Goodman; and Contemporary Christian artists tobyMac, Kevin Max and Michael Tait (dc Talk), Mark Kibble (Take 6), and Lisa Bevill among others. In a special appearance, CNN’s Larry King narrates the song’s third verse.

“He would not want to hear it, he’s such a humble man,” says Boone. “But around the world, we need to say it: Thank you, Billy Graham.”

A portion of the proceeds from the “Thank You Billy Graham” project will be donated to Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse and Mercy Corps, two charities that support humanitarian relief throughout the world.