Ralph Carmichael

Ralph Carmichael is a famous composer and arranger of both secular and contemporary Christian music. Recently, he helped me lead a community hymn sing and afterward, during lunch, I learned that he just turned 85! For many years Ralph arranged music for top performers, including Nat King Cole, but it’s in the field of Christian music that he is most well known. They call him the “Father of Contemporary Christian Music,” and years ago, he arranged the music on “Joni’s Waltz,” and also on a song I wrote called “When Pretty Things Get Broken.” At 85 Ralph is as energetic as ever and still singing praises to God – and that’s why he inspires me.