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

YearWinner(s)TitleNomineesRef.
1962Mahalia JacksonEverytime I Feel the Spirit

* Alex Bradford for Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross

[1]
1963Mahalia JacksonGreat Songs of Love and Faith

* Alex Bradford for Black Nativity

[2]
1964Soeur SourireDominique

* 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]
1965Tennessee Ernie FordGreat Gospel Songs

* Dominican Nuns of Fichermont for Gregorian Chant

[4]
1966George Beverly Shea & Anita Kerr QuartetSouthland Favorites

* Blackwood Brothers for Something Old, Something New

[5]
1967Porter Wagoner & Blackwood BrothersGrand Old Gospel

* Blackwood Brothers for How Big Is God

[6]
1968Elvis PresleyHow Great Thou Art

* Dottie West for Dottie West Sings the Sacred Ballads

[7]
1969Jake HessBeautiful Isle of Somewhere

* Ralph Carmichael for 102 Strings, Vol. 2

[8]
1970Jake HessAin't That Beautiful Singing

* Bill Gaither Trio for He Touched Me

[9]
1971Jake HessEverything Is Beautiful

* Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Richard Condie (conductor) for God of Our Fathers

[10]
1972Charley PrideDid You Think to Pray

* Anita Bryant for Abide With Me

[11]
1973Elvis PresleyHe Touched Me

* Pipes & Drums & Military Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards for Amazing Grace

[12]
1974Bill Gaither TrioLet's Just Praise the Lord

* Connie Smith for All the Praises'

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

* Bill Pursell for Listen'

[14]
1976Bill Gaither TrioJesus, We Just Want to Thank You

* Larry Hart for Amazing Grace'

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

* Willie Nelson for Amazing Grace'

[16]
1978B.J. ThomasHome 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]
1979B.J. ThomasHappy Man

* Billy Preston for Behold'

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

* Mike Douglas for I'll Sing This Song for You

[19]
1981Debby BooneWith My Song

* B.J. Thomas for Everything Always Works Out for the Best

[20]
1982B.J. ThomasAmazing Grace

* Donna Summer for I Believe In Jesus

[21]
1983Barbara MandrellHe Set My Life to Music

* Kansas for Crossfire

[22]
1984Donna 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)

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

* Lisa Whelchel for All Because of You

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

* Pat Boone for 16,000 Faces

[25]

References

  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.