Anthony Burger was one of the greatest pianists that Gospel Music has ever had, and I’m proud that I had the honor of calling him a friend. He wasn’t just a friend, but was also one of my heroes. Anthony Burger, along with Roger Bennett and Derrell Stewart, hold a special place in my heart, as my 3 heroes. Everything I do seems to be a mixture of their styles and accomplishments. Anthony encouraged me from the first time I met him, He played a duet with me on my first instrumental album, he invited me to join his Pianorama at NQC, and he wrote quotes about me in publications. He did all of this for some young red headed kid who he didn’t have to take time to fool with, but he didn’t mind putting others in the spotlight. I will be forever grateful to Anthony Burger for all that he has done for me and I’m glad to have been able to hang out with him many times. I spoke with him about a week ago, since he was playing on my newest recording with me. Losing Anthony is a tremendous loss for all of Southern Gospel Music. He had just sent me a copy of his new dvd, and I had watched it the night prior to his death, and I had been putting all of my old Kingsmen VHS tapes onto DVD earlier that day. So I had been watching and listening to his music all day, and after hearing the news it was such an extreme shock!

Thanks Anthony for all you have done for me and thanks for being a friend! I’m sure that Anthony has found a Steinway in heaven and is holding a Pianorama with Wally, Hovie, and all the greats!

Stewart Varnado
Dixie Echoes

BIOGRAPHY

After suffering third degree burns on his hands at eight months of age, Anthony Burger’s doctor told his parents he wouldn’t likely be able to move his hands in the future. Despite the odds, Burger was healed. At the age of five, he was accepted at the Cadek Conservatory in Chattanooga, TN. A child prodigy, Burger was playing classical piano repertoire within a few years.

Burger’s first recording, Anthony Burger At The Lowry Organ, was released in 1975 when he was 14 years old. He joined the Kingsmen while still a teen and remained with that group until 1992. During that time, Burger recorded nineteen projects with the group and was voted the Favorite Pianist in the Singing News Fan Awards for an unprecedented ten years. The award was renamed the "Anthony Burger Award" for several years after that. During this period, Burger presented the award to the winner each year, but was ineligible to receive it.

In 1992, Burger left the Kingsmen Quartet to pursue a career as a solo pianist. He joined the Gaither Homecoming tour the following year and has since been featured on more than 65 Homecoming videos. Burger has continued to release piano solo recordings and headline concerts, but his solo schedule is now balanced by about 80 Gaither Homecoming dates per year. Adding more variety to his schedule, Burger formed an impromptu sideline group with Ivan Parker and Kirk Talley around 1998 called “The Trio.” The group performs at several events each year. (Shane Dunlap has since replaced Parker.)

Burger’s piano folios are popular among keyboard players. The Hazelton Brothers piano company also honored Burger when they began offering an “Anthony Burger Signature” model. In late 2005, it was announced by Steinway and Sons that Burger was being added to their exclusive roster of endorsing artists, making him the only Southern Gospel pianist to ever hold that honor.

On February 22, 2006, Burger died of a heart attack while performing on stage during a Gaither cruise. He was 44 years old.

Anthony is survived by his wife LuAnn, two sons, AJ and Austin; a daughter, Lori; his mother and father, Richard and Jean Burger; two brothers, Randy and Clinton Burger, and countless friends and loved ones.

Biography By David Bruce Murray