Grammy Award for Best Inspirational Performance

The Grammy Award for Best Inspirational Performance was awarded from 1962 to 1986. During this time the award had several name changes:

* Best Gospel or Other Religious Recording (1962, 1963)
* Best Gospel or Other Religious Recording (Musical) (1964–66)
* Best Sacred Performance (Musical) (1967)
* Best Sacred Performance (1968, 1969)
* Best Sacred Performance (Non-Classical) (1970)
* Best Sacred Performance (Musical) (1971)
* Best Sacred Performance (1972)
* Best Inspirational Performance (1973, 1974)
* Best Inspirational Performance (Non-Classical) (1975)
* Best Inspirational Performance (1976–86)

Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year.

## Recipients

[edit]

Year  | Winner(s)  | Title  | Nominees  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

1962 | Mahalia Jackson | Everytime I Feel the Spirit |

* Alex Bradford for Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross
* Staple Singers for Swing Low
* Tennessee Ernie Ford for Hymns at Home'
* Tex Ritter for Lincoln Hymns

| [1]
1963 | Mahalia Jackson | Great Songs of Love and Faith |

* Alex Bradford for Black Nativity
* Clefs of Calvary for Same Me
* Franz Rupp for Marian Anderson'
* Ralph Carmichael for Hymns at Sunset
* Tennessee Ernie Ford for I Love to Tell the Story

| [2]
1964 | Soeur Sourire | Dominique |

* Bessie Griffin and the Gospel Pearls for Recorded Live!
* Charles Magnuson for Piano in Concert
* George Beverly Shea for The Earth Is the Lord's (and the Fullness Thereof)
* Kings of Harmony for Steppin' Right In
* Limelighters for Makin' a Joyful Noise

| [3]
1965 | Tennessee Ernie Ford | Great Gospel Songs |

* Dominican Nuns of Fichermont for Gregorian Chant
* Fred Waring for This I Believe
* George Beverly Shea for George Beverly Shea Sings Hymns of Sunrise and Sunset
* Jo Stafford for Sweet Hour of Prayer
* Roger Williams for Family Album of Hymns

| [4]
1966 | George Beverly Shea & Anita Kerr Quartet  | Southland Favorites |

* Blackwood Brothers for Something Old, Something New
* Happy Goodman Family for What a Happy Time
* Kate Smith for How Great Thou Art
* Marian Anderson for Just Keep on Singing
* Ralph Carmichael Singers & Orchestra for Bob Ashton's Songs of Living Faith

| [5]
1967 | Porter Wagoner & Blackwood Brothers | Grand Old Gospel |

* Blackwood Brothers for How Big Is God
* Connie Smith for Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs
* George Beverly Shea for Southland Songs That Lift the Heart
* Happy Goodman Family for Bigger 'n' Better
* Oak Ridge Boys for The Oak Ridge Boys at Their Best

| [6]
1968 | Elvis Presley | How Great Thou Art |

* Dottie West for Dottie West Sings the Sacred Ballads
* Red Foley for Songs for the Soul
* George Beverly Shea, Blackwood Brothers for Surely Goodness and Mercy
* The Browns for The Old Country Church

| [7]
1969 | Jake Hess | Beautiful Isle of Somewhere |

* Ralph Carmichael for 102 Strings, Vol. 2
* Anita Bryant for How Great Thou Art
* Jim Bohi for I'll Fly Away
* George Beverly Shea for Whispering Hope
* Elvis Presley for You'll Never Walk Alone

| [8]
1970 | Jake Hess | Ain't That Beautiful Singing |

* Bill Gaither Trio for He Touched Me
* Tennessee Ernie Ford for Holy, Holy, Holy
* George Beverly Shea for I Believe'
* Connie Smith, Nat Stuckey for Whispering Hope

| [9]
1971 | Jake Hess | Everything Is Beautiful |

* Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Richard Condie (conductor) for God of Our Fathers
* Pat Boone for Rapture
* Ralph Carmichael Orchestra and Chorus for The Centurion'
* George Beverly Shea for There Is More to Life

| [10]
1972 | Charley Pride | Did You Think to Pray |

* Anita Bryant for Abide With Me
* George Beverly Shea for Amazing Grace
* Dolly Parton for Golden Streets of Glory'
* Pat Boone Family for Pat Boone Family

| [11]
1973 | Elvis Presley | He Touched Me |

* Pipes & Drums & Military Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards for Amazing Grace
* Little Jimmy Dempsey for Award Winning Guitar
* Merle Haggard for Land of Many Churches'
* Ray Stevens for Love Lifted Me
* Danny Lee & the Children of Truth for Spread a Little Love Around
* Eugene Ormandy (conductor), Philadelphia Orchestra & Chorus for The Greatest Hits of Christmas

| [12]
1974 | Bill Gaither Trio | Let's Just Praise the Lord |

* Connie Smith for All the Praises'
* Anita Bryant for Anita Bryant... Naturally
* Roy Rogers & Dale Evans for In the Sweet By and By
* George Beverly Shea for There's Something About That Name

| [13]
1975 | Elvis Presley | "How Great Thou Art" from the album Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis |

* Bill Pursell for Listen'
* Tennessee Ernie Ford for Make a Joyful Noise
* Bill Gaither Trio for Thanks for Sunshine
* Sister Janet Mead for The Lord's Prayer

| [14]
1976 | Bill Gaither Trio | Jesus, We Just Want to Thank You |

* Larry Hart for Amazing Grace'
* Anita Kerr for Gentle as Morning
* The Speers for Something Good Is About to Happen
* Ray Price for This Time Lord

| [15]
1977 | Gary S. Paxton | The Astonishing, Outrageous, Amazing, Incredible, Unbelievable, Different World of Gary S. Paxton |

* Willie Nelson for Amazing Grace'
* Stevie Wonder for Have a Talk With God
* Sonny James for Just a Closer Walk With Thee
* Ray Price for Precious Memories
* Charlie Rich for Silver Linings
* Pat Boone for Something Super Natural
* Charley Pride for Sunday Morning with Charley Pride

| [16]
1978 | B.J. Thomas | Home Where I Belong |

* Ray Price for How Great Thou Art'
* Quincy Jones, James Cleveland, Wattsline Choir for O Lord, Come By Here
* Carol Lawrence for Tell All the World About Love
* Various Artists for Your Arm's Too Short to Box With God

| [17]
1979 | B.J. Thomas | Happy Man |

* Billy Preston for Behold'
* The Boones for First Class
* Larry Hart for Goin' Up In Smoke
* Tennessee Ernie Ford for He Touched Me
* Anita Kerr for Precious Memories

| [18]
1980 | B.J. Thomas | You Gave Me Love (When Nobody Gave Me a Prayer) |

* Mike Douglas for I'll Sing This Song for You
* Pat Boone for Just the Way I Am
* Noel Paul Stookey for Band and Bodyworks
* Willie Nelson, Leon Russell for I Saw the Light

| [19]
1981 | Debby Boone | With My Song |

* B.J. Thomas for Everything Always Works Out for the Best
* Willie Nelson for Family Bible
* Commodores for Jesus Is Love
* Bob Dylan for Saved

| [20]
1982 | B.J. Thomas | Amazing Grace |

* Donna Summer for I Believe In Jesus
* Crusaders with Joe Cocker for I'm So Glad I'm Standing Here Today
* Barbara Mandrell for In My Heart
* Don Williams for Miracles
* Bob Dylan for Shot of Love

| [21]
1983 | Barbara Mandrell | He Set My Life to Music |

* Kansas for Crossfire
* Leontyne Price for God Bless America
* B.J. Thomas for Miracle
* Oak Ridge Boys for Would They Love Him Down in Shreveport

| [22]
1984 | Donna Summer | "He's a Rebel" from the album She Works Hard for the Money |

* Cristy Lane for I've Come Back (To Say I Love You One More Time)
* Leontyne Price for Noel! Noel!
* B.J. Thomas for Peace In the Valley
* Linda Hopkins for Precious Lord

| [23]
1985 | Donna Summer | "Forgive Me" from the album Cats Without Claws |

* Lisa Whelchel for All Because of You
* Philip Bailey for The Wonders of His Love
* Pat Boone for What I Believe
* Deniece Williams for Whiter Than Snow

| [24]
1986 | Jennifer Holliday | "Come Sunday" from the album Say You Love Me |

* Pat Boone for 16,000 Faces
* Barbara Mandrell for Christmas at Our House
* Glen Campbell for No More Light
* Kool & the Gang for You Are the One

| [25]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Grammy Awards 1962". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
2. ^ "Grammy Awards 1963". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
3. ^ "Grammy Awards 1964". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
4. ^ "Grammy Awards 1965". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
5. ^ "Grammy Awards 1966". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
6. ^ "Grammy Awards 1967". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
7. ^ "Grammy Awards 1968". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
8. ^ "Grammy Awards 1969". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
9. ^ "Grammy Awards 1970". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
10. ^ "Grammy Awards 1971". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
11. ^ "Grammy Awards 1972". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
12. ^ "Grammy Awards 1973". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
13. ^ "Grammy Awards 1974". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
14. ^ "Grammy Awards 1975". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
15. ^ "Grammy Awards 1976". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
16. ^ "Grammy Awards 1977". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
17. ^ "Grammy Awards 1978". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
18. ^ "Grammy Awards 1979". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
19. ^ "Grammy Awards 1980". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
20. ^ "Grammy Awards 1981". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
21. ^ "Grammy Awards 1982". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
22. ^ "Grammy Awards 1983". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
23. ^ "Grammy Awards 1984". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
24. ^ "Grammy Awards 1985". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
25. ^ "Grammy Awards 1986". AwardsandShows. Retrieved January 16, 2021.