A tribute to Cliff Barrows

Clifford Burton Barrows (better known as Cliff) served the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) as the music and program director since 1949. Earlier this week, November 15, 2016, Barrows passed away. 

He was 93.

“Cliff Barrows was the voice behind my father for 60 years, emceeing the platform for his crusades and “The Hour of Decision” radio program,” Billy Graham’s son, Franklin, told the Charlotte Observer. Graham articulated the depth of Barrows’ relationship with the Graham family by saying, “I called him Uncle Cliff.”

Barrows passed away at a hospital in North Carolina after a short illness. He leaves behind his second wife, Ann, and five children. While Barrows is best known as the host of Graham’s “Hour of Decision” radio program, he also led the music for Graham’s crusade meetings. He traveled the world with the BGEA and was one of Graham’s “Old Guard” trio consisting of Graham, Barrows and George Beverly Shea.

Barrows’ funeral is scheduled for Nov. 22 in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to the Charlotte Observer, Billy Graham plans not to attend the funeral due to his poor health. Barrows will be buried on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte.

In the following video, you can watch Barrows join Graham and Shea on stage at a speaking event to sing “This Little Light of Mine.”

In this video clip, Barrows retells the story of meeting the endearing Billy Graham in 1945 and stepping in with his first wife, Billie, to play the music for a service where Graham would be preaching. The rest is history.