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Ralph Carmichael

Ralph Carmichael
www.hymntime.com/tch
Short Name: Ralph Carmichael
Full Name: Carmichael, Ralph, 1927-
Birth Year: 1927
Death Year: 2021

Ralph Carmichael was born May 27, 1927, in Quincy, Ill. to Rev. Richard and Adelle Carmichael. A graduate of Southern California Bible College (now Vanguard University), he became head of the school’s music department in his early 20s. His “Campus Christian Hour” that aired on KHJ-TV in Los Angeles, featuring his college band and singers with big band treatments of hymns and gospel songs, won an Emmy in 1951. Other early work involved serving as minister of music for Temple Baptist and Calvary Assembly churches, arranging and conducting musical scores for religious radio shows as well as for numerous sacred artists.
Ralph’s musical talents have given us over 300 gospel songs, including such favorites as “The Savior Is Waiting,” “There Is a Quiet Place,” “Reach Out to Jesus,” and “He’s Everything to Me” to name a few. His songs have been recorded by Elvis Presley, The Carpenters, George Beverly Shea, Bill Gaither, and hundreds of other artists.
Ralph is recognized as the Father of Contemporary Christian Music because of his focus on creating religious music for the new generation of the 1960’s and beyond. In 1968 he founded Light Records and Lexicon Music Publishing to promote new Christian artists and composers in addition to his own music, including projects that were considered too risky for mainstream labels. He also served for several years as president of the Gospel Music Association. Ralph told his life story in his autobiography, “He’s Everything to Me,” that was published in 1986.
His creative arranging skills were quickly noticed by the pop world, and he recorded with numerous big-name artists including Frankie Laine, Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Clint Walker and Jack Jones. Ralph is well known for his many collaborations with Nat King Cole, including the Christmas album and Nat’s final sessions in 1964. Ralph also became a primary arranger & conductor for pianist Roger Williams, including 1965’s hit “Born Free.”
Ralph wrote numerous movie scores for such diverse classics as “The Blob,” “4D Man” and “The Cross and the Switchblade.” For many years he wrote film music for the Billy Graham organization including “Mr. Texas,” “Oiltown, U.S.A.,” “The Restless Ones,” “For Pete’s Sake” and “His Land” and many others.
For about 25 years, Ralph toured with his own big band. He received the Dove Award in 1994 for his CD “Strike Up the Band.” His last major studio project was to record his symphonic arrangements of 43 great hymns with the London Symphony and Choir. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1985 and the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2001.
Ralph enjoyed his life to the fullest. He was passionate about the music that flowed from his soul and created it as the consummate professional. He cared deeply for his family and friends, and he lived out his cowboy dreams with the many horses that he owned along the way. He laughed easily, loved deeply, enjoyed a good joke or a prank, and charmed anyone who came across his path. Undergirding it all was his abiding faith in his Lord Jesus Christ.

Wikipedia Biography

Ralph Carmichael (May 27, 1927 – October 18, 2021) was an American composer and arranger of both secular pop music and contemporary Christian music. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian music.

Texts by Ralph Carmichael (57)sort descendingAsAuthority LanguagesInstances
All my life Through the good and bad of lifeR. C. (Author)English2
Ao orarmos, Senhor, vem enchar-nos com teu amorRalph Richard Carmichael (Author)Portuguese2
At the close of dayRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything that I need (Carmichael)Ralph Carmichael (Author)English8
En el firmamento veo a DiosRalph Carmichael (Author)Spanish3
En tu alma desera Jesús hoy entrarRalph Carmichael (Author)Spanish3
Ev'ryone says we are born to be freeRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
For all the tired and needyR. C. (Author)English2
From His tender love and mercy often did I strayRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
في السما والأرض والبحارRalph Carmichael (Author)Arabic1
God can see you, (He can see me)R. C. (Author)English2
God love you and not let you out of His sightRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
Great God of my salvation R. C. (Author)English2
Hay un lugar de pazRalph Carmichael (Author)Spanish2
He did not come to spare me all the woes of lifeRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
Help me, Lord, to do Thy will amid the conflict of this hourRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
I found what I wanted when I found the LordR.C. (Author)1
I looked about one morning, and through a misty skyRalph Carmichael (Author)English3
I rushed at life with hopes all burningRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
If I were to tell you what someone told meR.C. (Author)English2
If without faith I lose my way in darknessRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
In the stars his handiwork I seeRalph Carmichael (Author)16
Is there something missing? Is there more to life?Ralph Carmichael (Author)English2
Is your burden heavy as you bear it all alone?Ralph Carmichael (Author)13
Jesús hoy espera entrar en tu serRalph Carmichael (1927- ) (Author)Spanish2
Jesus quer entrar hoje em teu coraçãoRalph Richard Carmichael (Author)2
Just like a child I come to Him in joy or in despairRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
Let's tell the truth about the world we live inR. C. (Author)English2
Long, long ago in a far away placeR. C. (Author)English3
March with us! You're welcome to join our jubilant throngR. C. (Author)English2
My Master is the King of gloryR. C. (Author)English2
Now, Dear Lord, as we prayR. C. (Author)English4
O Great God who watches o'er us allRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
O I never shall forget the dayRalph Carmichael (Author)2
O have you heard the story, Christ left His throne in gloryR. C. (Author)English2
¡Oh, Señor! al orar Ralph Carmichael (Author)Spanish2
Once I wander'd alone on the road of lifeRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
One is for the wondrous land in which we liveRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
Over in Bethlehem one clear and shiv'ry nightRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
Praise and rejoicing fill ev'ry heartRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
Precious the moments I spend with HimR.C. (Author)English2
Right there in the dustR. C. (Author)English3
Seguiré do él me guíeRalph Carmichael (Author)Spanish3
閃爍眾星展示祂手藝 (Shǎnshuò zhòng xīng zhǎnshì tā shǒuyì)Ralph Carmichael (Author)Chinese2
Talk about love, how it makes life completeR. C. (Author)English5
Tens na tua vida mil problemas a enfrentarRalph Richard Carmichael (Author)Portuguese2
The God that made the world out yonderRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
The Savior is waiting to enter your heartRalph Carmichael (Author)English30
There has never been a friend like JesusR. C. (Author)3
There is a quiet placeRalph Carmichael (Author)4
There's a Friend who is closer than a brotherR.C. (Author)English2
Through the night of regret and sorrowRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
We are more than ConquerorsR.C. (Author)English5
When my mind gets tired and wearyRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
When you find life unkind and there's nothing really left for youRalph Carmichael (Author)English2
Where He leads me I must followRalph Carmichael (Author)English5
With our hearts we give Thee praiseR. C. (Author)English2

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