Shout to the Lord

A Real Homecoming
Anthony Burger was a talented guy and has wrote a lot of today's contemporary Christian songs, appealing especially to the youth. It seems that his mission here on earth was over and God called him home for reasons unknown to us mortals. Jesus said, "My ways are not of your ways and beyond your understanding, mystifying and beyond all human logic" (paraphrased). So, we don't know why God called him home, only that his work was completed here on earth. However, his songs will live on for future generations. He will be missed in the Christian music Industry. May the Holy Spirit comfort his family during this time of grief.

Born in Cleveland, TN. When he was a baby, just learning to walk, he tipped his walker over and landed on the old furnace his family used for heating. Burger was burned on his face, legs, and both hands, third degree burns that could have taken his life. Through long months of painful treatments, his parents held to their faith while doctors doubted the child would recover well enough to have the use of his hands. By the time he was three years old, Burger had proved that faith and prayer could be stronger than medical science.

He not only had the use of his hands -- but he could play the piano. It didn't take many years for people to notice just how musically talented he was. Anthony Burger studied music at the Cadek Conservatory in Chattanooga, TN, adding practiced mastery to his natural skills. He was the youngest artist the university had ever accepted. At the conservatory, Burger had lessons in classical music, but before his tenth birthday he had already settled into a love for old-fashioned Southern gospel. In his teens he became a member of a gospel group called the Kingsmen. He recorded nearly two dozen albums with the group. Burger completed his first solo release, Anthony Burger at the Lowry Organ, in 1975.

His music captured the interest of fans so well that they nominated him through Singing News Magazine as one of the Top Five musicians in Southern gospel. In 1980, he won the award and then held tight to it for the next ten years in a row. Burger released a few more recordings in the '80s before working on about 50 videos with Bill Gaither's Vocal Band between 1993 and 2000. Over the years, Burger has won a number of awards for his music, including being named Musician of the Year by the Southern Gospel Music Association, claiming more than one Gospel Voice Diamond Award, and the highly treasured Dove Award. On Anthony Burger's albums, Southern gospel fans can find cherished hymns like "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," "Just as I Am," "This Is My Story," and "Shall We Gather at the River."

The last time I saw him was in 2002 where he performed during a International Christian/Jewish fundrasier at Opryland Hotel in Nashville. I attended the dinner with the President of the Religous Roundtable Ed McAteer. Other guest included John Hagee, Pat Boone, Jerry Farwell and other national known Christians as well as Israeli government officials and Tennessee Governor Don Sunques.

His death made me feel as a pianist and composer so insignificant as related to the whole scheme of things in God's plan. As a fellow pianist and contemporary of his, I will miss his music. Whatever music contributions I make while living means so little compared to the work of Anthony Burger. His music will live on for generations to come until the Lord comes back. Thank you Anthony for your dedication to spreading the Gospel through your music. Makes us want to Shout to the Lord for a real homecoming.

Additional Links

MSNBC NEWS: Anthony Burger Dies
Amazon.com: A Glance: Anthony Burger
Anthony Burger, MP3 Music Download at eMusic
Anthony Burger Official Website