Biography
The word “legendary” is often used too generously these days. To really be considered legendary, a musician needs to build a practical and enduring body of work – a work that continues to influence people over the years. In this instance, “legendary” is the perfect word to describe Thurlow Spurr. When one person can lay claim to a resume of producing and directing over 25,000 live shows in 60 years; the production of over 100 audio and video recordings and command performances for four sitting U.S. Presidents, it becomes quite clear the incredible impact Thurlow Spurr has made on the gospel music industry. Past President of the Gospel Music Association and GMA board member for eight years, Spurr’s personal handprint upon the industry can be seen even today.
In 1959, as a minister of music he created a traveling gospel group called The Spurrlows. In an industry dominated at the time by traditional piano and organ accompaniment, Spurr opted instead for something very few had seen before – drums, electric guitars and rich ensemble harmonies. Spurr’s innovation is credited with the beginnings of Contemporary Christian Music.
The Spurrlows, internationally acclaimed as “America’s Official Musical Ambassadors,” pioneered entertainment for corporate America by traveling and performing throughout the USA and around the world for more than 35 years. The Spurrlows became the first Christian singing group to be sponsored by the world’s fifth largest industrial corporation, the Chrysler Corporation, in a relationship that existed for six productive years and more than 3,000 concert events.
The Spurrlows were just the first of many traveling groups that Thurlow formed. As the Musical Director of Youth for Christ International, he created music for millions of teens worldwide. The dozens of musical groups he created became renowned for their ability to communicate. Some of those groups have included Common Ground, First Gear, Garden Party, Dust, Crimson Bridge, Earth Opera, Pilgrim 20, Pride of Man, Love’s Distinction, and Festival of Praise. He provided the pattern for Cam Floria’s Continentals, Jon Stemkoski’s Celebrant Singers, Roger Breland’s Truth, Derrick Johnson’s Regeneration, and Richard Roberts’ World Action Singers.
Thurlow’s talents quickly got the attention of the highest office in the land, and he and his performers were invited to produce several command performances for sitting Presidents Nixon, Carter, Ford, and Reagan.
Thurlow is responsible for the careers of many musical leaders in diverse positions across the world, his former students and employees hold many prominent positions throughout the music industry. He has provided Booking and Management to renown artists such as: Kathie Lee Gifford, Dino, Bobby Jones and New Life, Karen Wheaton, and several Miss America winners.
With his management, Spurr was instrumental in launching the career of CCM artist Larnelle Harris. Few names are as tantamount with inspirational Christian music as Larnelle Harris. Harris has enjoyed a career that spans over five decades earning five Grammy Awards, eleven Dove Awards, a Stellar Award, and the prestigious Silver Bell Award from the Ad Council for his involvement in the longest-running television ad campaign of all time. Still represented by Spurr, Harris continues to travel the world as one of the premier vocalists of our generation and is still in demand at concerts and for television programs. As the consummate conductor, composer, and producer Thurlow combined Harris with Sandi Patty and Dino in a multi-city tour called The Big Three. The backup 200-voice choir comprised of singers from each concert city, gave people across the country an opportunity to get involved in a large-scale, high-quality production and have an evangelistic outreach at the same time.
Thurlow has produced dozens of award-winning television specials as well as hundreds of daily and weekly television shows including his work multiple times as musical director/conductor for the annual Dove Awards. He has produced shows such as The Bob Hope Special (NBC Television Network), The Readers’ Choice Awards Show, The Charisma 15th Anniversary Special, Eastern Airlines, The National Kidney Foundation Convention, American Motors New Car Announcement Shows, Busch Gardens, Hershey Park, Disney, Universal, and Sea World. He has also produced the award-winning Christmas special for television; “Christmas with The Spurrlows,” “Let Heaven and Nature Sing,” “Floatin’ Along With The Spurrlows,” “America’s Young Majority,” “Dino’s Piano Praise,” and “Larnelle Live.” He was also Director of Music and Talent Division Head for the PTL Television Network for over three years. His award-winning television works are still played every year.
His reputation for excellent music has placed him as Minister of Music at some of America’s largest megachurches. Spurr has been Minister of Music at the Salem Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; the First Church of the Nazarene in Detroit, Michigan; the Calvary Assembly in Orlando, Florida; and the Metro Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. It was at Metro Church where he created a musical series called Metro Band that remains available in print and CD. He has additionally produced more than sixty record albums and created more than thirty choral books for church choirs.
In the 1980’s, Festival of Praise, an outreach program of Spurr’s Concert Ministries Inc., was a cutting-edge, innovative musical training tool that was intended to lead churches and their congregations in praise and worship. Integrated with dance and drama and based on scripture, the six musical books, recordings, and live concerts ran for ten years taking thousands to a more meaningful understanding regarding genuine worship. He used non-professional singers to form a traveling choir to tour a few weeks each year. Festival of Praise made a lasting impression on praise and worship in the church by combining exceptional travel and lifechanging experiences that impacted every participant and by providing ministry opportunities for ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
To reach musicians who did not have an opportunity to perform outside of their church choirs, Spurr developed the concept of regional choirs and established choirs in Orlando, Tulsa, Dallas, New York City, Houston, Ft. Lauderdale, Honolulu, St. Louis, and Oklahoma City. Spurr’s commitment to this vigorous program made a spiritually significant imprint on each community.
Spurr’s live concerts not only have thrilled audiences in all 50 states but as well as in North Korea, South Korea, Russia, the Caribbean, the British Isles, Europe, South America, Japan, China, and Finland. He was the first to bring Christian music inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union and under his guidance one million Bibles were distributed in the Russian language including a Bible for every desk in the Kremlin. At the request of the Israeli Government, Spurr produced and directed an international 600-voice choir in a three-day musical event for the celebration of the 3,000th Anniversary of Jerusalem. Spurr also was invited by the Israeli Government to return to create a musical program held in Palestine’s Manger Square for the historical Bethlehem 2000 Celebration.
Internationally recognized, Spurr led the first American Christian musical group permitted to perform in North Korea. The Spurrlows, under Spurr’s leadership, won first place in the Day of the Sun Music Festival, a competition held on North Korea’s most important holiday.
In one of his latest endeavors, Spurr has created an incredible anthology of the world’s most beloved and enduring music entitled The Thurlow Spurr Collection featuring The Music of Life. Arranged for concert piano and orchestra the 12 CDs feature 150 timeless love songs, classical pieces, treasured hymns, Broadway hits, as well as patriotic and Christmas music. The Thurlow Spurr Collection is featured every night on Radiant TV.
Thurlow continues to still discover, recognize and encourage the best in Christian talent as creator and producer of the I Want To Be A Star Search talent contest. It is based on Daniel 12:3 “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” The contest focuses on giving Christian talent an opportunity to expand their musical horizon while pointing people to Christ.
Spurr continues to produce music for the masses. For the past 51 years as president, producer, and director of the famed Michigan/Ohio/Missouri/Illinois and Orlando interdenominational, multi-generational, and multi-cultural Concert Choir, Spurr continues to further increase the impact of Christian music in America and around the world. Comprised of voices representing people from all walks of life, Spurr continues to generate sold-out crowds with his annual Christmas Concerts. He also serves on the board of ACTS Television Network and is the creative financial architect for the $60 million television facility.
A man dedicated to working for the Kingdom of God. A man of great passion, known not only for his musical prowess, but also for his motivational skills, Thurlow continues to share his philosophy that “an audience listens with their eyes.” He continues to captivate audiences the world over with an infectious enthusiasm for his craft, his flair for dramatic stage direction, his dedication to a higher standard of excellence and presentation…and of course, that winning smile.