Find Peace With God

Billy Graham Crusade Music Tribute at Grand Ole Opry Features Historic Organ

Modern hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty to use Bev Shea’s instrument in future projects
By Maggie Fipps
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September 5, 2025

Singers and songwriters Keith and Kristyn Getty hosted a hymn and worship conference in Nashville, Tenn., last week. During the seminar, they used an organ—on the far left—that was owned by Billy Graham Crusade singer George Beverly Shea.

Billy Graham Crusades had a certain sound. 

There was the murmuring of thousands of people in a large arena and the thunderous voice of Billy Graham. But another noise that reverberated throughout the venue was the melodic sound of well-known hymns.

Often featuring an organ, a piano, and a large choir, the playlist of a Crusade included iconic hymns such as “Blessed Assurance,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “Just as I Am.” 

“Perhaps the biggest promoter and proponent of the great American hymns was, of course, Billy Graham and his Crusades,” said Keith Getty, a singer and hymn writer. 

Last week, attendees at Sing! Global, a worship conference for music leaders and pastors, got a little taste of a Billy Graham Crusade. Tom Bledsoe, former choir leader for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), led thousands in singing one of those classic Crusade hymns, “To God Be the Glory,” from the stage at the Grand Ole Opry.

The audience was accompanied by a piece of history: a Conn Deluxe Theatre Organ owned by George Beverly “Bev” Shea, the Crusade soloist known for his bass-baritone voice. The 60-year-old instrument was used in the studio for several of The Hour of Decision programs, providing music to accompany Billy Graham’s teaching over the radio.

Tom Bledsoe—a longtime choir director with BGEA—led conference attendees in singing “To God Be the Glory.”

George Beverly Shea’s Conn Deluxe Theatre Organ provided music during several of Billy Graham’s ‘Hour of Decision’ radio broadcasts.

Bev Shea collected many organs throughout his lifetime. A musician since childhood, he often played the instruments at home to relax, his son, Ron Shea, said. He was always careful, however, to save his singing voice for a performance. 

Ron remembers traveling with his dad to a Crusade event in Washington, D.C. They made a quick stop at the Washington Cathedral, which had an organ with over 10,000 pipes. 

“He loved the grandeur of it,” Ron said. As an instrument, the organ’s rich harmonies sounded perfect with the deep bass of Bev Shea’s voice. The blend between the two created beautiful music that reached millions around the world, preparing hearts to hear the Gospel proclaimed by Billy Graham. 

Crusade song leader Cliff Barrows once said, “Music reaches a dimension of a man’s soul quicker than the spoken word.” Bev Shea knew this well and used his talents to glorify the Lord until his passing in 2013 at 104 years old.

Now, his organ will be used to accompany hymns—and soften hearts—in the years to come. 

On his 50th birthday, Keith Getty received the musical instrument from Franklin Graham and Nanci Edwards, Bev Shea’s stepdaughter. The organ will be featured in upcoming musical projects with the Gettys and other songwriters as they compose hymns for the next generation. 

The Gettys also recently released Sing! Hymnal to continue spreading Christ’s love through rich song lyrics. One of the songs featured in the book is the very hymn Bledsoe led during the conference: “To God Be the Glory.” 

“I thank God for the way He is using you to encourage churches and families around the world to keep singing the truths of Scripture,” Franklin Graham shared with the Gettys. “It’s my prayer that as the Sing! Hymnal goes out, it too will help carry the message of Christ to the nations, just as those songs of faith carried the Gospel to millions before.”

Shea’s Conn Deluxe Theatre Organ was previously housed at the Billy Graham Archive and Research Center in Charlotte, N.C.