Danny Gaither; Tenor Sang With Siblings in Gospel Trio

Daniel J. “Danny” Gaither, the original tenor voice of the Bill Gaither Trio, has died at the age of 62.

Gaither died Friday in Indianapolis after a five-year battle with lymphoma.

He won several Grammy and Dove awards for his work and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in April 1999.

With his brother Bill and sister Mary Ann, Gaither became the founding tenor of the trio in 1956, when he was only 18. With time out for college, the three siblings toured until 1977, when Danny Gaither went solo.

He continued touring and recording until his illness. Among his solo albums were “Singing to the World,” “It Is Well With My Soul,” “Sing a Song of Love” and “Sweet and High.”

Born in Alexandria, Ind., Gaither began singing for community groups when he was only 3, with his mother accompanying him on the piano.

His wife, Gloria, said Gaither’s music “has not died yet. It’s living on.”

Gaither is also survived by his parents, George and Lela Gaither; three children, Nicholas, Mitchell and Trina, and three grandchildren.

Services are planned for today in Alexandria. The family asked that any memorial donations be sent to the Gospel Music Trust Fund, P.O. Box 144, Goodlettesville, TN 37070.