Cliff Barrows

Music Director


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his one-and-a-half-hour interview, Cliff Barrows (1923-2016) 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-plus-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 the assassination of John F. Kennedy and 9/11. Karen Herman conducted the interview on May 1, 2003 in San Diego, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"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."

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Cliff Barrows on coming up with $25,000 to put Billy Graham on the radio
02:38
Cliff Barrows on meeting Billy Graham
02:00
Cliff Barrows on his comfort in front of the camera
02:38
Cliff Barrows on his joy from hearing groups of people sing
01:41
Cliff Barrows on the power of television
01:10
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his childhood and early influences; on his love of music and Christian service
On his college years and radio work; on playing the trombone and joining Youth for Christ and meeting Billy Graham
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

Chapter 2

On Billy Graham's first radio program; on his early experiences on television with The Hour of Decision
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

Chapter 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
On the challenges of being a music director; on being in dangerous situations; on Worldwide Pictures; on his own television viewing habits
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
Shows

Hour of Decision

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Cliff Barrows on Reverend Billy Graham's first radio show, The Hour of Decision
01:58
Cliff Barrows on early episodes of Reverend Billy Graham's first television show, The Hour of Decision
13:42
Topics

9/11

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Cliff Barrows on his response to 9/11
02:10

Civil Rights Movement

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Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to the Civil Rights Movement
01:40

Historic Events and Social Change

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Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to JFK's Assassination
01:24
Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to the Civil Rights Movement
01:40
Cliff Barrows on his response to 9/11
02:10

Hollywood Blacklist

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Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to the threat of Communism
04:35

Industry Crossroads

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Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to the threat of Communism
04:35

JFK Assassination and Funeral

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Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to JFK's Assassination
01:24

Television Industry

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Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to the threat of Communism
04:35
Professions

Music Director

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Cliff Barrows on becoming permanent music director for Reverend Billy Graham 
02:44
Cliff Barrows on his biggest challenge as a music director
01:35
Cliff Barrows on how he selects music
00:48

Music Professionals

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Cliff Barrows on becoming permanent music director for Reverend Billy Graham 
02:44
Cliff Barrows on his biggest challenge as a music director
01:35
Cliff Barrows on how he selects music
00:48
Genres

Religious Programming

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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
07:58
Cliff Barrows on early episodes of Reverend Billy Graham's first television show, The Hour of Decision
13:42
People

Billy Graham

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Cliff Barrows on being inspired by evangelists Billy Sunday and Billy Graham
00:29
Cliff Barrows on meeting evangelist Billy Graham and leading music for him
16:15
Cliff Barrows on Reverend Billy Graham's first radio show, The Hour of Decision
01:58
Cliff Barrows on Reverend Billy Graham's first television show, The Hour of Decision
22:50
Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to 9/11
02:10
Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's missions to politically dangerous areas and on Graham's involvement with Worldwide Pictures 
05:35
Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's legacy
00:48

John F. Kennedy

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Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to JFK's Assassination
01:24

Billy Sunday

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Cliff Barrows on being inspired by evangelist Billy Sunday 
03:10

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