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Cliff Barrows

Music Director

"When you have something real to talk about, specifically with people who had problems: marital problems, relationships, broken homes, people  in depression, people in great need, they're looking for answers. Mr. Graham, realized that this was the greatest means of reaching the people he'd been called to preach to."

About This Interview

In his interview for The Archive of American Television, Cliff Barrows discusses dedicating his life to Christian service when he was in high school and studying radio broadcasting at Bob Jones College.  He describes becoming a church music director in Minnesota and details the turning point in his life -- when he met Rev. Billy Graham in 1945 and began a 60+ year association with the famous evangelist.  He recalls the formation of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association and talks of serving as musical director and announcer on Graham's radio show, "The Hour of Decision." Barrows explains his programming responsibilities when Graham moved to television, and comments on the expansion of Graham's television ministry to include satellite use and worldwide distribution.  Barrows concludes by speaking in-depth about the legacy of Billy Graham and how the ministry responded to crucial moments in history - including JFK's Assassination and 9/11.  Karen Herman conducted the 90-minute interview on May 1, 2003 in San Diego, CA.

Related To This Video

  • Shows
  • Topics
  • Professions

Shows

  • Hour of Decision, The

Topics

  • 9/11
  • Civil Rights Movement (c. 1960s)
  • Hollywood Blacklist (ca. 1950s)
  • JFK Assassination and Funeral

Professions

  • Hosts
  • Music Professionals
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  • Highlights
  • Interview
  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Genres
  • Professions

Highlights

  • On coming up with $25,000 to put Billy Graham on the radioOn coming up with $25,000 to put Billy Graham on the radio
    Clip begins at: 26:08, Duration: 02m 38s
  • On meeting Billy GrahamOn meeting Billy Graham
    Clip begins at: 14:05, Duration: 02m 00s
  • On his comfort in front of the cameraOn his comfort in front of the camera
    Clip begins at: 06:57, Duration: 02m 38s
  • On his joy from hearing groups of people singOn his joy from hearing groups of people sing
    Clip begins at: 03:52, Duration: 01m 41s

Interview

  • Part 1
  • On his childhood and early influences; on his love of music and Christian service
    Clip begins at: 0:41
  • On his college years and radio work; on playing the trombone and joining Youth for Christ and meeting Billy Graham
    Clip begins at: 10:57
  • On the formation of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, a corporation to allow for the purchase of radio time for the Reverend Graham's forthcoming show
    Clip begins at: 21:51
  • Part 2
  • On Billy Graham's first radio program; on his early experiences on television with The Hour of Decision
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On how the ministry and Reverend Graham responded to Communism, the Civil Rights Movement, and JFK's assassination; on Billy Graham's relationships with U.S. Presidents
    Clip begins at: 20:26
  • Part 3
  • On Reverend Graham's response to 9/11; on getting people to sing and directing the choir; on how he selects music; on how his audience has changed
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On the challenges of being a music director; on being in dangerous situations; on Worldwide Pictures; on his own television viewing habits
    Clip begins at: 07:30
  • On his proudest achievement; on the future of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; on advice to those who want to use the power of television to spread the gospel; on Billy Graham's legacy; on how he'd like to be remembered
    Clip begins at: 16:29

Shows

  • Hour of Decision, The
    • Cliff Barrows on Reverend Billy Graham's first radio show, The Hour of Decision
      Clip begins at: 04:46, Duration: 01m 58s
    • Cliff Barrows on early episodes of Reverend Billy Graham's first television show, The Hour of Decision
      Clip begins at: 06:44, Duration: 13m 42s

People

  • John F. Kennedy
    • Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to JFK's Assassination
      Clip begins at: 26:41, Duration: 01m 24s
  • Billy Graham
    • Cliff Barrows on being inspired by evangelists Billy Sunday and Billy Graham
      Clip begins at: 10:28, Duration: 00m 29s
    • Cliff Barrows on meeting evangelist Billy Graham and leading music for him
      Clip begins at: 13:36, Duration: 16m 15s
    • Cliff Barrows on Reverend Billy Graham's first radio show, The Hour of Decision
      Clip begins at: 04:46, Duration: 01m 58s
    • Cliff Barrows on Reverend Billy Graham's first television show, The Hour of Decision
      Clip begins at: 06:25, Duration: 22m 50s
    • Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to 9/11
      Clip begins at: 00:24, Duration: 02m 10s
    • Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's missions to politically dangerous areas; on Graham's involvement with Worldwide Pictures 
      Clip begins at: 10:54, Duration: 05m 35s
    • Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's legacy
      Clip begins at: 22:33, Duration: 00m 48s
  • Billy Sunday
    • Cliff Barrows on being inspired by evangelist Billy Sunday 
      Clip begins at: 07:47, Duration: 03m 10s

Topics

  • Historic Events and Social Change > 9/11
    • Cliff Barrows on his response to 9/11
      Clip begins at: 00:24, Duration: 02m 10s
  • Historic Events and Social Change > Civil Rights Movement (c. 1960s)
    • Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to the Civil Rights Movement
      Clip begins at: 25:01, Duration: 01m 40s
  • Historic Events and Social Change > JFK Assassination and Funeral
    • Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to JFK's Assassination
      Clip begins at: 26:41, Duration: 01m 24s
  • Television Industry > Industry Crossroads > Hollywood Blacklist (ca. 1950s)
    • Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to the threat of Communism
      Clip begins at: 20:26, Duration: 04m 35s

Genres

  • Religious Programming
    • Cliff Barrows on the formation of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, a corporation to allow for the purchase of radio time for the Reverend Graham's forthcoming show
      Clip begins at: 21:51, Duration: 07m 58s
    • Cliff Barrows on early episodes of Reverend Billy Graham's first television show, The Hour of Decision
      Clip begins at: 06:44, Duration: 13m 42s

Professions

  • Music Professionals > Music Director
    • Cliff Barrows on becoming permanent music director for Reverend Billy Graham 
      Clip begins at: 15:25, Duration: 02m 44s
    • Cliff Barrows on how he selects music
      Clip begins at: 05:34, Duration: 00m 48s
    • Cliff Barrows on his biggest challenge as a music director
      Clip begins at: 07:30, Duration: 01m 35s
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