Cliff Barrows Music Director View Full Interview The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents 02:26 Tab 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 ... Cliff Barrows 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 Play Full Interview 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 DecisionView Show Page 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 9/11View Topic Cliff Barrows on his response to 9/11 02:10 Civil Rights MovementView Topic Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to the Civil Rights Movement 01:40 Historic Events and Social ChangeView Topic 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 BlacklistView Topic Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to the threat of Communism 04:35 Industry CrossroadsView Topic Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to the threat of Communism 04:35 JFK Assassination and FuneralView Topic Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to JFK's Assassination 01:24 Television IndustryView Topic Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to the threat of Communism 04:35 Professions Music DirectorView Profession 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 ProfessionalsView Profession 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 ProgrammingView Genre 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 GrahamView Person Page 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 Billy SundayView Person Page Cliff Barrows on being inspired by evangelist Billy Sunday 03:10 John F. KennedyView Person Page Cliff Barrows on Billy Graham's response to JFK's Assassination 01:24