Gary McSpadden (January 26, 1943 – April 15, 2020) was an American gospel vocalist, songwriter, record producer, television host and pastor whose career spanned several decades. Born in Mangum, Oklahoma, he became known for both quartet-style Southern gospel and contemporary Christian ensemble work. McSpadden's voice and writing appeared on numerous recordings, and he worked in live performance, television ministry and the Branson entertainment community.
Career and collaborations
McSpadden sang with a number of prominent gospel and country-tinged ensembles. His affiliations included The Statesmen, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Imperials, the Bill Gaither Trio and the Gaither Vocal Band. These stints placed him at the intersection of traditional quartet gospel and newer contemporary Christian trends, allowing him to move between close-harmony quartet singing and ensemble arrangements used in televised and large-group performances.
Roles and notable works
He wore several professional hats: lead and background vocalist, songwriter, producer and television host. Some of his better-known songs include "Jesus Lord To Me," "Hallelujah Praise The Lamb," and "No Other Name But Jesus." In studio and live settings McSpadden produced albums for other artists and groups, applying an arranger-producer sensibility learned over years of touring and recording. In 1987 he took on a visible television role when he co-hosted PTL Today following Jim Bakker's resignation, adding broadcast ministry to his résumé.
Branson, stage work and ministry
During the 1990s and 2000s McSpadden produced and headlined several live music shows in Branson, Missouri, where family-style concerts and variety productions form a major part of the local entertainment economy. He also served in pastoral and speaking roles, combining ministry with performance and speaking engagements. His background in quartet gospel and in the Gaither circle connected him to a broad audience at concerts, church events and televised gatherings.
Legacy and death
McSpadden is remembered for bridging generational styles within American gospel music, for his songwriting contributions that have been covered by other artists, and for his role as a producer who helped shape group sounds. He continued to influence gospel programming and live productions throughout his life. Gary McSpadden died on April 15, 2020, at a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after a battle with pancreatic cancer, aged 77.
Selected associations and roles
- Performer: The Statesmen, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Imperials, Bill Gaither Trio, Gaither Vocal Band
- Songwriter: "Jesus Lord To Me", "Hallelujah Praise The Lamb", "No Other Name But Jesus"
- Producer: studio albums and live concert productions
- Television: co-host of PTL Today (1987) and other broadcast appearances
- Pastoral and speaking ministry: church leadership and motivational speaking
His career illustrates the adaptability of gospel artists who navigate recording studios, live-stage entertainment hubs like Branson, and religious broadcasting. McSpadden's work remains part of the mid- to late-20th-century American gospel tradition and the continuing repertoire of contemporary Christian music circles.