News & Scoops
Anthony Burger Remembered
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Written: 02/27/2006 
Author: SGN
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Nashville, TN - Multi-award winning pianist Anthony Burger died suddenly on Wednesday evening, February 22 aboard a Caribbean cruise, as it sailed in the Atlantic Ocean. According to the official medical examiner’s report, Burger’s heart simply burst. Burger was on board the ms Zuiderdam with Bill & Gloria Gaither, many of his Homecoming friends and more1500 passengers, doing exactly what he loved best, playing the piano. Burger was 44 years old.
Gallant Funeral Home in Fayetteville, TN, is coordinating funeral arrangements. The family will receive friends at Christ Church in Nashville, TN, on Tuesday, February 28 from 6:00pm until 9:00pm, as well as on Wednesday, March 1 from 10:00am until 12:00 noon. A special celebration of the life Burger lived will be held at 1:00pm, also on Wednesday at Christ Church. The family will also receive friends in Cleveland, TN, at the Clingan Ridge Baptist Church on Thursday, March 2 from 5:00pm until 9:00pm, as well as on Friday, March 3 from 12:00 noon until 2:00pm. Funeral services will immediatly follow the visitation. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Gospel Music Trust Fund/Anthony Burger, PO Box 144, Goodlettsville, TN 37070 or visit http://www.gospelmusictrustfund.org.
Survivors include his wife, LuAnn; sons, AJ and Austin; daughter, Lori; parents, Richard and Jean; two brothers, Randy and Clinton. There are family members who were directly related to Burger; however, he also leaves behind many “family” members who have grown to love him, in and through Gospel music. These are his musical family, whom will greatly miss his quiet demeanor, his patient personality and his genuine love for them and the music he was blessed to play for practically his entire life.
Burger was born June 5, 1961, in Cleveland, TN, to Richard and Jean Burger. Burger was just five years old when he became the first student ever to be accepted by the Chattanooga Cadek Conservatory. Playing the piano was more than just a job for Anthony Burger. It was a way of life, as well as a blessing, privilege and a direct gift from God.
When Burger was just eight months old, as he was learning to walk in a walker, one of the wheels of the walker got caught on the furnace grate and the walker turned over, throwing him down on the heater. He sustained third degree burns throughout his legs, face and hands. He had to be carried on a pillow for an entire year, during which time he received three medicated baths a day for the burns. Doctors who treated Burger said he would never be able to move his hands; however, as he stated night after night, “Doctors were wrong!” Not only did God heal his burns, He gave Burger a tremendous gift that was used night after night to glorify the Healer he loved so dearly.
Burger possessed natural God-given talent; however, he also possessed tremendous drive. He practiced day after day, and throughout the years continued to perfect his God-given ability. At the Cadek Conservatory, Burger was exposed to many musical forms, yet Gospel music was his favorite. He dedicated his life to Christ at the age of nine, and served Him each day, bringing glory to his Savior with each song he performed.
As a young teenager, barely 16, he joined one of Gospel music’s most popular quartets, The Kingsmen, and by the age of 17 was nominated as one of the Top Five pianists in Gospel music. In fact, he earned that Award by subscribers of The Singing News Magazine for 10 consecutive years, from 1980 through 1989, before the Award became known as the Anthony Burger Award.
Countless awards, accolades and honors have flowed his way in bunches throughout the past 25 years, in which he devoted his life to Gospel Music. He has traveled nationally and internationally, sharing his unique musical gift in small country churches, sold-out arenas and concert halls night after night. He was thrilled to perform at the White House , as well as several Billy Graham Crusades. Shortly after leaving The Kingsmen and embarking on his own solo career, he began traveling with Gospel music’s legendary Bill Gaither, serving as pianist for the Gaither Vocal Band, the Gaither Trio and the Gaither Homecoming Friends. Most recently, this year Burger was endorsed by Steinway Pianos.
Gospel music was, indeed, a way of life for Burger, but perhaps it could be said that it was more than a way of life - it truly WAS his life. He traveled quite possibly as much or more than any other Gospel musician. His performances exceeded 250 each year, and he loved every moment on the road, on stage, sitting at the piano.
His life could easily be summed up with a quote that Burger himself once stated, “I am a simple man, with a majestic instrument and the power of God behind me.” That’s the life he lived. That’s the life he loved, and that’s the legacy he leaves.
Reader Comments
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Thanks for a great article. He was one of a kind.God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
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Anthony was special to me for many reasons. One, I started watching him with my grandmaw in my late teens. She went home four years ago. My father has all of her Gaither videos and my son used to sit in his walker watching, listening, dancing, and playing the piano. Now we watch the Gaither bunch every Saturday evening on PBS. Two, I go to church with Anthony's former bus driver. He is a wonderful man and he loved Anthony very much. Three, he was absolutely amazing on the piano. Saturday evening my father and I were tuned in to PBS as usual and of course, enjoying ourselves greatly. I had no idea that I would hear the sad news about Anthony in Sunday School. Now I can honestly say my sadness was for my friend at church and my own personal sadness of losing my grandmaw. It was almost like losing another part of her. However, I'm very happy God took another child home. And what a way to go!!!
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I have been a fan of gospel piano for almost 70 years. Anthony got as much out of a piano as possible. His talent was extraordinary. I woke up early the other morning, went to the computer, Mark's site, and saw the news of his death. It really came as a shock. I felt, "what a waste" .. all the work he had put in, finally reached the top, and then taken away. I imagine he was a great husband and father. We know he was a great pianist ... not just a piano player. I have always wanted to spend some time with him, share a tune with him that I would have liked for him to ... "kick out on." He was one of the few who could get a "grand" ... bouncing. He left us, doing what he loved best. Not a bad way to go .... IF you have to.
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Anthony Burger was "THE BEST" piano player that has graced this earth. A giant of a man musically and spiritually. I had the priviledge of seeing him three times in person and I savored the experience each time for I was hearing music made in Heaven. My condolences to his family for it is a great loss. The world is a better place because of Anthony.
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I am a born again Christian and love Southern Gospel Music. My heart goes out to the BURGER FAMILY. I saw Anthony in Greensboro with the Gaither Homecoming and was greatly blessed by Anthonys great GIFT from GOD. I certainly will miss Anthony in the Gaither Homecomings in the future.
But, I know I will see him again, in GOD'S PERFECT HEAVEN. Anthony was a real CHRISTIAN AND YOU COULDN'T HIDE HIS WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
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