"Kevi
I t ’ s the artist’s t e s t i m o n y that r e a l l y c o u n t s , ” smiling and friendly Phil Kerr is quick to point out. “When we select talent for the Monday Musicales in Pasadena, we want to make certain that the people who perform have a true ‘bom-again’ experience with Christ in addition to their musical abilities. But the testi mony comes first!” Phil Kerr has become a by-word for a special kind of musical-testimony meeting. He has been the only one to consistently attract a crowd on the second Sunday afternoon of each month for a Musicale in the new B iola La Mirada Carripus auditorium. The versatile musical-evangelist, pianist, author, composer and musical authority has written more than 3,000 songs, many of which have become known around the world. He is au thor of a musical history, now in its fourth edition, which is used as a text book in many colleges and seminaries. Despite his frail-looking appear ance, the energetic leader has made more than 70 coast-to-coast concert tours, broadcasting from the studios of more than 400 radio stations in every state. He has supervised the editing of “Melody” a Christian news paper, with a distribution of more than 15,000. As a hobby, Phil Kerr has made it a point to visit living hymn writers, photographing them and compiling the results in a unique film which has been shown in hundreds of churches. In his personal library, he has perhaps one of the largest collections of song books and v o l u m e s pertaining to hymnology. Beginning in a Pasadena church in March, 1945, the Monday Musicales have continued regularly, except for a time during Mr. Kerr’s illness in 1955 and 1956. Those who attend his meetings, are particularly blessed by the unique way in which, while seated at the piano, he will weave a message of Gospel truths while playing well known selections. At other times, he will ask for a line of scriptural prom- Photo at top left shows Phil Kerr in a familiar pose at the piano keyboard. The picture at the left is of Jack Rains direct ing the Azusa Bible College student choir. THE KING'S BUSINESS
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker