If there’s one thing that Bill Gaither has learned, it’s how to have a send off for a Christian on his last journey. What a celebration was had Wednesday afternoon, March 1, 2006 at Christ Church in Nashville, Tennessee as we said our goodbye's to Anthony Burger. It was certainly a Celebration Service and nothing near a sad Funeral. It was apparent from the beginning that while we mourned his leaving us now, we knew that we would meet again in Beulah Land.
Roger Talley came to the piano and played softly as people filed into the sanctuary. Through the back doors of the church Anthony Burger was carried down the aisle by six pallbearers, Russ Taff, Tommy Cooper, Kirk Talley, Kevin Williams, Roy Webb, and Terry Gibbs.
After the casket was resting in the front of the sanctuary, Anthony’s daughter Lori, stood at her pew beside her mother, LuAnn and sang a beautiful rendition of "It Won’t Rain Always." As the casket was positioned you couldn’t help but notice that there was a Grand piano sitting on the stage, unattended, in honor of Anthony. It was a very nice gesture by Steinway & Sons.
The Homecoming Choir consisted of Gloria Gaither, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Lari Goss, Roni Goss, Lynda Randall, Stephen Hill, Jim Murray and his wife, Jesse Dixon, Russ Taff, Kirk Talley, Mike Allen, Naomi Sego, John Bowman, Becky Isaac Bowman, Charlotte Richie, Judy Nelon, Lou Hildreth, Sue Dodge, Debra Talley, Lauren Talley, Joyce Martin, Jonathan Martin, Marshall Hall, Guy Penrod, Kenny Bishop, Stan Whitmire, Ed Crawford, Steve Hurst, Mark Tramell, Eric Phillips, Lily Isaac, Sonya Isaac, Jimmy Jones, Libby Perry, Ronnie Booth, Calvin Newton, Sara Delane, Amy Lambert, Ben Speer, Wes Hampton, Ivan Parker, Teresa Parker, Ann Downing, Joseph Haberdank, Loren Harris, Dean and Kim Hopper, Joe Thrasher, Larry Ford, Michael Booth, Jim Hill, Rabbit Easter, Tracy Stuffle, Johnny Minick, Daryl and Karen, Williams, Marshall Pugh, Gary Casto, Tim Duncan, Ryan Seaton,, Ernie Haase, Jim and Melissa Brady, David Phelps and his wife, Robbie Hiner, Aaron Wilburn, Rick Goodman and his wife, Reggie and Lady Love Smith, Joy Gardner, Roger Talley, Kevin Williams, Ben Isaac, Roy Webb, Woody Wright, Geron Davis, Greg Richie, Karen Peck, and Wayne Mainard.
The Homecoming Choir sang “Amazing Grace”, “Beulah Land” which featured Ivan Parker, “Unclouded Day” featuring Ben Speer, “God On The Mountain”, which Lyndal Randall was shining on, and “It Is Well With My soul” featuring David Phelps and Larry Ford.
John Fisher spoke of Anthony’s sons, AJ and Austin. Tabitha Huff represented the Burger Family and spoke affectionately of her uncle.
Russ Taff told a funny story about Anthony at one of Gaither’s concerts and Bill Gaither told of how Anthony saved the day for David Phelps at a concert in Fargo, ND as he played fill-ins on David’s track since David was still in the bus.
There was more Homecoming singing as the Choir sang "Tell Me The Story Of Jesus" featuring Charlotte Richey and Ivan Parker. Jesse Dixon sang "What Are they Doing In Heaven?" and really ministered to the whole congregation. Jesse set the stage for the remainder of the service as Jonathan and Joyce Martin along with Charlotte Richie sang "Rock Of Ages". At this point the Gaither Vocal Band along with David Phelps sang "These Are They" and the whole place stood in worship as the Holy Spirit truly sent comfort to all who were there.
Rev. Dan Scott gave a short sermonette telling how God used the hands of Anthony after they had been severely burned and Doctors told his parents that he would never use his hands again. Truly God had different plans for Anthony’s hands and how those hands blessed so many people.
As the service was coming to an end a video of Anthony was shown as he played "Clair De Lune/Jesus Loves Me." Ending the service, as the pallbearers lifted Anthony to carry him out, the Homecoming Choir softly sang "Oh Come Angel Band".
What a homecoming celebration it was and I am blessed for having been there and for having experienced a small part of Anthony's life. I look forward to seeing him again!
============
Cleveland, TN Homegoing Celebration
Anthony John Burger - Home Where I Belong
On Wednesday evening, February 22nd, another soul was promoted to heaven. On Wednesday, March 1st, we saw in a celebration of his life at Christ Church, Anthony John Burger, professional musician. This celebration also gave us glimpses at his love of family and friends.
Today, March 3rd, at a Home-going Celebration, we saw Anthony John Burger, the man who was a professional musician. One of the things that amazes me most often is how God works so many different ways at different times and places.
The service today began with a slideshow of Anthony's life, with his piano CD playing an accompaniment. A picture, the one in the recent Singing News article sat on the empty piano. This was followed by a welcome and remarks by Mayor Tom Rowland, of Cleveland, TN. Mayor Rowland had known Anthony since he was about 3. He told of the Joint Resolution signed by the Governor of Tennessee, the House and Senate honoring the memory of Anthony John Burger.
He spoke of watching Anthony grow up, and of advising Richard and Jean Burger not to let their son go with the Kingsmen because if they sent their sixteen year old off to travel with a 'bunch of singers' he would never amount to anything. Amid the laughter, he smiled at the Burgers and said "I'm sure glad you didn't listen to me!" He told that the funeral was being broadcast on local station WCLE Radio, the first place Anthony was ever broadcast from as he played at the station.
He shared how Anthony never forgot his hometown and what that had meant to the people there. As he told of hearing the news of Anthony's death, he related how his wife had gotten in her car on Thursday morning. Anthony's cd was in the deck and when she started the CD it skipped the first track and went to track 2 "Home Where I Belong". As that song finished, it skipped track 3 and went to track 4 "Feeling at Home". They later played the CD in another player and it worked fine. To them it was a message saying 'everything is fine'.
Next the Voices of Lee did a tremendous rendition of 'The Old Rugged Cross'. This was the very first song Anthony ever played so it was fitting it be the first song at the service.
Kevin Williams then played 'Unclouded Day' on his guitar. As he finished he told how this was the song that he played just before the artist were to take the stage and it was Anthony's cue to head that way. Anthony's mom had asked him to share some funnies of traveling with Anthony. First, he told us that he was wearing Anthony's tie because when you are on the road together, you just borrow each other's things. He shared how he was teaching a guitar class as Stamps Baxter and Anthony walked in while he was teaching, picked up a guitar and began to play, his student sat there with his mouth open. Obviously not knowing Anthony could play almost anything, the student was speachless. He told of keyboards falling on Anthony's feet (and wondering if he come make that happen again). And of arriving in Bangor, Maine but their luggage not arriving so they had nothing to wear on stage. They finally found two pairs of black Levis, a size 30 and a size 36. Anthony squeezed into the 30s, leaving Kevin to try to keep on the size 36. Kevin then proceeded to imitate Anthony moving on stage in the Levis a couple of sizes too small.
From the hilarious to the center of who Anthony was, Pastor Ricky Vaughn began by quoting from Revelation 14:13 "… Blessed are the dead, that die in the Lord…". Blessed- happy, we know that Anthony is happy today as he is with the Father. From Romans 12:6-8, he spoke of gifts and named four gifts he was sure Anthony had. They were the gift of ministry, the gift of friendship, the gift of family and the gift of God. From there he moved to Romans 6:23, and explained the need to accept the gift of God as payment for our sins. He told of Anthony's salvation at age nine, explaining this gift using Ephesians 2:8-9.
He concluded by urging us to take the gift of God if we did not already know Him and to give ourselves to God to the best of our abilities. He said if Anthony were here today, he would say "Give your all".
Kirk Talley then sang, "He Is Here" and truly you could feel the presence of God in that place. Tabitha Huff, Anthony's niece, talked about Anthony while a song he and her dad had written played in the back ground. "Angels Dancing" was the title and while they had written the music, they had never put words to it. As a slideshow of Anthony flashed in the background, Tabitha's remembrances of Anthony filled in the words. She told of his love for his parents. He called them every day to see how they were. She told of how he loved his children and the rest of his family. She told how they had taken for granted he would be there and she wished she had known that wasn't so. The lesson to cherish the important things was there.
Tabitha told how in February, 1962, Anthony had fallen on the furnace and got 3rd degree burns. The burns were so bad he wasn't even crying, it had taken his breath away. She then related a story told by someone at the concert that last night. The lady said as Anthony was playing she felt something brush by her, and she saw an angel and white and gold go up to stand behind Anthony at the piano. Tabitha said as the angel laid his hand on Anthony's back, in February, 2006, it was so wonderful, it took his breath away. You may not believe we can see angels, but seen or unseen angels surely ushered Anthony into the presence of the Lord.
Before singing again, Kirk shared what a true friend Anthony had been. He told how Anthony called him every week as he was going thorough his struggles, often inviting Kirk to travel with him and Lu on a weekend. Then he talked about how Anthony was a perfectionist with his music and how he loved his smoke machine. He said the weekend after Anthony's death as he was flying to Florida a lady seated beside him said Anthony was probably playing for the angels. Kirk grinned and said "I just said, yeah but in my mind I thought, no, he won't play until he finds an extension cord for that smoke machine!" Kirk then thanked LuAnn for making his friend so happy.
Kirk talked of how Anthony could encourage and uplift and audience. And he reminisced about seeing Anthony with his hands raised in the air as the smoke cleared after playing a song. "Serenaded By Angels" was his closing.
The Voices of Lee then performed the last solo Anthony ever played, "We Shall Behold Him". Again the presence of the Lord was so real during this service.
Pastor James Vaughn closed out the speaking part of the service with words of encouragement and hope for the entire family. He then said a prayer for God to help them in the coming days.
As the prayer ended the first notes of the "Hallelujah Chorus" began to play and this song from the Masterpiece DVD was shown on the screen with the Voices of Lee joining in from the choir. This was a fitting celebration to a wonderful life of Christian service.
At the grave site after the pastor has spoken a few words and prayed with the family, we were all asked to move so the family could see up the hill. Up a little way from us was a man with a basket. Another man spoke but from our position we couldn't hear all of what he said, but what we caught was about how the soul that leaves is caught up to meet the Lord and those gone before. They then released a basket of doves. After waiting a couple of moments, the man took another basket and released a single dove. The group, circled around to meet the one released alone. I can't speak for anyone else but it gave me chills!
The pallbearers for today's service were, Danny Murray, Steve Allen, Travis Burger, John Allen, Kirk Talley and Kevin Williams. Today's service was attended by family, friends and some fans, not many have names that would be recognized. But Anthony would recognize them and he would call most of them by name. That was the type of man he was. That is one of the reason's why he will be so greatly missed.
Anthony Burger, as a musician, there will never be another like him. As a friend, he can never be replaced. As a Christian he has left a legacy for others to follow.
Written by:
D. Ann Bailey
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 03/01/2006
| 
Category: Tributes
Comments: 26
RSS Feed
| (What's an RSS feed?)
|
Ads Sponsored by Southern Spin
Deon, it was truly a celebration and I know Anthony would have been pleased with how it was presented. When Dean Hopper had that 'pentacostal spell' I thought all heaven was going to break loose!
DeeAnn
TGIF Today God Is First
What a great service it was indeed. We being in India were preveliege to see the Funeral, and the great hope that as christians we have in the body of christ. Even though we have sorrow God's word and singing His praises can give great comfort than anything in this world. I think Anthony Burger would have been proud to see it in this fashion. Thanks Bill Gaither and the Home coming team and the Chruch. Praise be to GOD.
It sounds like a great celebration service for Anthony. Thanks for the great report.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
I watched the funeral from Nashville. What a celebration of "life" it was. Anthony will be truly missed in the gospel music industry and certainly missed in our hometown, Cleveland, TN .Please continue to pray for his family and friends as they gather today here in Cleveland and have the service here tomorrow. God bless his family and friends.
What an example each of these folks who spend their life singig for the Lord set - they truly are living and believing what they are singing! God Bless each of them!
I was there at the funeral. I am so glad I made the 9+hour drive to get there.
I never enjoyed hearing and watching a musician more than I did Anthony. His love for the music thrilled me but the feeling of worship as he ministered in music lifted me. He demonstrated how talent can be developed to the fullest and used by the Holy Spirit to minister to so many. Although I never met him I felt I knew him through his worship in music.
i did watch the service via the internet and it was a beautiful service!! i was able to attend the services in cleveland tn yesterday and it was a very beautiful service as well!! my prayers and love go out to luann and the family!
I don't believe that there ever was or ever will be anyone any better than Anthony Burger on piano. He never ceased to amaze me with his talent every time I saw him. He also was one of the nicest people you could ever meet. I know God has been putting together a Southern Gospel Choir in Heaven with all the ones we have lost and he needed piano player that was as good as they were! Anthony we will miss you, but earth's loss is Heaven's gain!!
Thank you so much for the write up of Anthonys Service. I did not get to see it on the internet. Tried to get it when they showed it again but it didn't come through. When reading about it I was Blessed beyond words . Our prayers and love go out to his family. Thanks again. Harold & Elizabeth Jones
Wednesday as I watch Anthony's funeral, via internet I was brought to tears as I watch the celebration of Anthony's homegoing.What a blessing Anthony brought to so many people as he played that piano. And as I watch the singers and heard the words that were said about this man of God, I could only imagine what must of been going on in Heaven that day. Was Anthony given the privilage of looking down and see all the singer honoeing him that day. I bet if he were, he was saying my dear friend I am where I longed to be for such a long time.Do you think maybe that Vestal and Howard said as he entered the gates to glory, " Anthony what took you so long?" As he walks and talks with Jesus today we must all remember that Anthony has finally made his journey and we all must also make ours.And as the song says "What a Day That Will Be". As Russ Taff said Anthony we'll meet you at the house."
Speaking for me and the men of our craft, we have lost a great pianist of the world. I saw Anthony Play first when I was about 11. I love his style, because it reminded me of my own. I modeled much of my playing after him. We as musicians have lost a role model. We as christians have lost a brother in christ, but heaven has added one more to that heavenly band. It gives me cold chills to imagine it, but I cant wait to join my brother in God's wonderful band. May god bless the Burger family. - Chase
Ann, I read the entire article teary-eyed here at work, and several colleagues said, concerned: "Are you all right?" Also, I read it without realizing you had written it! Bravo! What a tribute! 'So good to read the roster of names of all our sweet Gospel friends! I'm thrilled Kirk Talley had an important role, too. His best friend's parents were best friends of Arleen and me in Conyers, GA. We'd go to their house after Sunday night service, and Pastor Jordan (who loved to hear me sing) would say: "Erik, stick around; some Sunday night here you'll meet Kirk! You guys can sing around the piano!" I replied: "I hope Anthony Burger plays the piano, then!"... Alicia said you are really aggrieved at the loss of your friends. I understand why: I can hardly watch all my Gaither videos anymore because so many faces are gone; at the same time, I thrill at the thought of the coming Homecoming in the sky! I gotta find their next Homecoming here near DC or in the Shenandoah--used to go to all of them in SC and in GA--and to Jubilate. Love ya-- and your friends (my friends, too-- haha!). Erik, Army Times Publishing, Washington, DC/ 1-800-424-9335 ext. 8914/home phone: 202-399-0617.
Our deepest sympathy is extended to the Burger family for their and our loss and a shout of joy to
I'd like to send a very special thank you to the Burger family and Christ Church for
I didn't see the homegoing service, but my comment is that while viewing the Canadian Homecoming Video, I thought it was ironic,that the song Anthony was playing so beautifully, was "Getting Ready To Leave This World". WOW!!!!!!!!
How awesome it is when a saint of God like Anthony goes home to be with Jesus. Friends, its a promotion. I too have been very sad, and still am that this happened to Anthony, but to stop and realise that HE IS HOME WITH JESUS. I believe it was the apostle Paul who said, "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Anthony we are so proud of you for the great servant of God you are, and we know that your waiting for the rest of us to win, and finish our race so we can be there with you, Glenn Payne, Vestal and Howard, and all the others that have gone on before us. Brothers and Sisters, Rejoice, another saint of God got Promoted. Love you all. Keep on Fighting the Good Fight of Faith. Andy Fauth- lead singer of the Cerces
thanks so much for the detailed report on both services,i was not able to be there,but i did get to see some of one over the internet,but it didn't work very well. words cannot express the emotions that i have had in the month since anthony's death,it made me think aoubt a lot of things,and it's been a very sad time,but also amazing to think of him as not dead,but just alive in a different place,with God.
God bless and comfort Anthony Burger's family.
I attend one of the largest churches in the USA-Southeast Christian church in Louisville. A lady in our church was on the cruise ship when he died and told the story about the angel to my pastor. The lady who saw the angel told the lady from our church about it I believe. Our pastor told the story during our Easter services. What an awesome testimony!
I am blessed everytime I play an older VCR tape that he is playing on, the newer DVD's and his solos and most of all his personal DVD's and CD's I will never, ever get tired of his Tell Me the Story CD and the newest old one I have, Anthony's country CD. This man had so much talent it could not be denied by even other great pianist. He was the greatest. May his music live on and on like he is living on and on in Heaven.
Anthony's CD's and the Gaither videos with him playing in them are played over and over again, we,my husband and I, never tire of his beautiful music and his love of the Lord. No one will ever fill his place in our hearts and minds. What a wonderful blessing all these years. I pray his music never fades away here on earth and will continue to bless over and over again through the years.
I am still missing the greatest musician on earth, to me, in Anthony Burger. I play his "My Story, Praise and Worship" CD numerous times a day and at night when I need comfort from the Lord in getting to sleep. Anthony gave that comfort to many, many souls over the years. I truly wish I had met him in person although I feel as if I have always known him. His personality and gift always showed up in his playing so no doubt about how valued he was, and still is, by so many, myself included. I could always feel the Lord's spirit in anything he played, including the secular songs that he had such fun in playing. Play on Anthony so we can hear your music when we get to Heaven one day. Love and God's blessings on all his family.
I've known Anthony since he was 16 and I was 15. I named my son after him, Anthony Mewborn. Me and Anthony have been friends for many of years, I knew his wife Eva and his sons Austin and A.J. I will always remember him, and I will keep his family in my prayers. Austin and A.J. things will get better, just trust in the lord. Eva, I love you and your boys.
it is disapoint to miss burger i liked him so much so to hear that he has died it was hard to undersand.
I didn't see Anthony at any time but am a great fan of him.
Page 1 of 1 Comment Pages
