A 13-track collection spotlighting artists from the worlds of gospel and contemporary Christian music, country music and beyond, the soundtrack attempts to capture the mood and spirit of the film's portrait of Graham's early life and ministry.
Brooks & Dunn join Third Day's Mac Powell to open the film and soundtrack with their rendition of Johnny Cash's "Over the Next Hill", produced by Tony Brown with Cash's son, John Carter Cash, who also produced or co-produced four of the album's tracks.
Country songstress Sara Evans delivers the album's first single, "Low", which goes to country radio in late September. The joyful energy of the song, whose message, Evans observes, is "actually the opposite of what the title says", mirrors her enthusiasm over participating in the album.
She remarked, "Billy Graham is an icon. He's one of my all-time idols, and he's an amazing man. I'm so proud to be part of this project that celebrates that and tells the story of Billy, his wife, Ruth, their love, and his early years."
With dozens of major awards and more than 15 million albums sold, Michael W Smith has become contemporary Christian music's premier solo artist, and he also shares the special distinction of being a personal friend of Rev Graham.
Smith remarked, "Anyone who knows me knows of my immense respect for Billy Graham. I wanted to be a part of this project to, in some small way, pay tribute to him - and to Ruth. There is a very small handful of people who actually impact culture and society. Without a doubt, Billy did that.
"I hope this project gives people a glimpse into his life and into what made him the man he is."
Smith celebrates his friend's life and ministry here with the soaring "Amazing Love", performed with season six American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle.
