A Melody Mirades
The Story of John Peterson
I t w a s in such an unusual way peo ple received the gospel song, “ IT TOOK A MIRACLE,” that it’s not strange to hear someone remark, “ I thought it was written at least 50 years ago.” The composer of this well loved melody wrote both words and music to it in 1947 while he was a student at the Moody Bible Institute. John Peterson, composer, now o n l y 39 years of age, is perhaps one of the busiest and most prolific writers of Gospel compositions in our generation. Born on a farm in the little Swedish community of Lindsborg, Kansas, John was the youngest member of a family of seven. All of his brothers and sisters were musical. While he was still in high school, he won several contests, a voice scholarship, and a contract with a Salina radio station. Although his dreams of be coming an opera singer never ma terialized, his radio work won him an unexpected reward for he later married a girl who had become a fan of his “ Singing Farmboy” program. It was during this time that John was converted to Christ and made the decision to channel his life into Chris tian service. Three of John Peterson’s brothers had been traveling throughout the 16
Singspiration, Inc., and distributed by Zondervan Publishing House. Leaving Chicago and his radio work in 1955, John Peterson became editor of Singspiration, Inc., with editorial offices in Montrose, Pennsyl vania. Here he developed “ Better Choirs, Inc.” and continued produc tion of his radio series, “ Silver Strings” (steel guitar and organ) which is heard on a number of sta tions across the country. More than 1000 songs have been written by this brilliant lyricist and musician. Some of his favorite com positions in addition to “ It Took a Miracle” are: “Over the Sunset Mountains,” “ Springs of Living Wa ter,” “ So Send I You,” “ No One Un derstands Like Jesus,” “ It’s Not an Easy Road,” “My Song,” etc. In the last few years he has developed spe cial choir cantatas which include: “ Hallelujah! What a Saviour,” “ No Greater Love,” “ Love Transcending,” and “Night of Miracles.” John, with his wife and three daughters, makes his home in Mont rose, where his pen continues to flow with the inspiration of God in an unusual and original manner. Truly, John Peterson’s music reflects the “miracle” which God wrought in the heart of His devoted servant. THE KING'S BUSINESS
mid-west in evangelistic work. When he was graduated from high school, John replaced one of his brothers in the “ Norse Gospel Trio.” Another op portunity came to him when he was encouraged by the sale of his first gospel song entitled, “Yet there is Room.” John says now with a smile, “ The only significance as far as the writing is concerned, is that it was good to remember that I had plenty of room for improvement.” When World War II came, John entered the armed forces. Eventually he became an Army pilot assigned to the China-Burma theatre. His main job was flying the famed but perilous “ China Hump.” While high above the Himalayas he would jot down song ideas. Most of these have since been developed and published, for they display the love of God amid loneliness and danger. After his time in the service and his training at Moody, John attended Chicago’s Conservatory of Music and remained in the Windy City four years as staff member of radio station WMBI. Here, too, his talents were greatly used as he appeared on more than 20 programs each week. While in Chicago he conceived and develop ed the “Melody Aire Series” of song- books. These are now released through
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker