Billy Ray Hearn and his son, Bill, were both pioneers in the growth and development of the Christian music industry as well as respected philanthropists who have contributed greatly to their adopted city of Nashville.

The Hearn music dynasty started when Billy Ray founded Sparrow Records on the West Coast in 1976. The company grew exponentially and relocated to Nashville in 1991.

As CEO since 1996 Hearn’s companies have achieved success in maintaining its vision to impact popular culture with quality and culturally relevant music from a biblical worldview; alluring to both faith-based and mainstream audiences. 

What was once as a small family owned record company, devoted to spreading the Gospel through music, has grown over the past four decades into a multi-faceted venture that encompasses Christian/Gospel music’s best.

The multi-faceted business includes Capitol CMG Label Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Motown Gospel and Capitol Christian Distribution. The company’s roster features top names in the Christian and Gospel communities, among them Amy Grant, TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, Jeremy Camp, Michael W. Smith, Smokie Norful, Tye Tribbett, Crowder, Tasha Cobbs, and Mandisa.

Though the company has grown, Hearn’s focus on music and ministry remained unchanged.

The Gospel Music Association salutes Bill Hearn and will forever remember his innovative leadership, significant impact and dedication to spread the gospel through music.

He was born in a holler in Eastern Kentucky as the youngest of 17 children to poor, hardworking farmers Godfrey and Bessie Isaacs,  who instilled the Pentecostal faith into their lives.

Both stories, although extremely different, began in 1947.  Two decades later, Joe Isaacs, a bluegrass artist on Decca Records, and Lily Fishman, an Off- Broadway actress and folk artist on Columbia Records met in Greenwich Village, New York.

In 1970 they married and soon became Christians, singing together.  This was the merging of two worlds and the beginning of the sound of The Isaacs.

In 1972, 74, and 75, Benjamin, Sonya and Rebecca Isaacs were born.  In perfect 3 part harmony they began singing together as children. With their father’s teaching, they soon became the band for the Isaacs.

In the 80’s The Isaacs signed their first of many recording contracts and soon graced the stages of Bill Gaither and the Grand Ole Opry, where they still perform frequently.  With the help of executive producer Terry Bradshaw, they recently started their own record label, House of Isaacs.

They have won numerous awards in gospel, bluegrass, and country for their recordings, writing and producing.  Collectively, they have 7 Dove awards and 12 Grammy nominations.

They have performed on 100’s of mainstream albums for artists including: Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Alabama, Paul Simon, and George Jones.

Of all of their achievements, the Isaacs are most proud of their philanthropy work as founders of the Fishman Isaacs Israel Initiative, helping Israeli Holocaust survivors, orphans, and soldiers.

The Gospel Music Association is honored to induct this ground-breaking family into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame

Benson Records released 4HIM’s debut album, and the lead single “Where There is Faith” …went to #1 on Christian radio that summer. They headed out on their first tour doing nearly 250 concerts that first year on the road. 

The band won New Artist of the Year at the 1991 Dove Awards and by then 4HIM had become a fixture on radio stations across the country. With the release of “The Basics of Life” in 1993 the album would garner multiple #1 songs and Dove nominations, culminating in the first of their 3 consecutive Group of the Year Dove Award wins. 

4HIM has performed more than 4000 concerts together in every major city in the US and all 50 states, winning 8 Dove Awards, a Grammy nomination and would go on to sell more than 7 million albums. Although radio success was a highlight for 4HIM, their greatest joy was touring and presenting the gospel through their music to audiences around the world!

The Gospel Music Association is proud to acknowledge  4HIM for their innovative harmonies and dedication to spread the Gospel through Music.