After eight Grammys and more than 700 inspirational Christian songs, Bill and Gloria Gaither are being honored for their contributions to the Hoosier state.

Wednesday, the Gaither family will be honored by Gov. Mitch Daniels as the 2008 recipients of the Sachem Award, Indiana’s highest award. The event will be held at the Indiana State Museum beginning at 11 a.m.

The Gaithers have made their name in the Christian community as America’s first family of gospel. What started as a collection of heartfelt Christian hymns has evolved over the past 50 years into an empire that includes a radio show, a television special, a magazine and countless albums that shoot to the top of Contemporary Christian music charts across the country.

So far, the Gaithers have collaborated on more than 700 popular gospel songs and have won more than two dozen Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association. The pair have earned the title of the GMA’s Songwriter of the Year eight times.  

Bill Gaither says he and his wife do not limit themselves to music. “We’re poets, musicians, philosophers, and on a good day, maybe theologians.”

The couple first met as teachers, and Gloria Gaither said education is still a top priority in their lives. “Educating young people is one of our passions and if we leave anything behind, it’s that we have continued to teach, whether we’re in the classroom or not. Music has been a big part of our lives, but that’s not the only piece.”

In 2000, Bill and Gloria were named Songwriters of the Century by the American Society of Composers Authors, Publishers. On Wednesday, the duo will be able to put a new award on their mantel, one that only three other Hoosiers have received.

In 2006, “Governor Daniels recreated the Sachem to underscore the importance of moral example; achievement alone without exemplary virtue does not qualify a person for this recognition,” according to a statement issued by the governor’s office.

Previous Sachem honorees include college basketball coaching legend John Wooden; the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame; and world stateswoman and philanthropist Jane Blaffer Owen.

Bill Gaither said the family was honored to be chosen for the award.

“It’s great to be in the company of people like John Wooden, Theodore Hesburgh and Jane Blaffer Owen,” he said.

The family’s goal has always been to enrich the lives of listeners. “We started out to write a song and in our songs, we hoped there would be some seeds that could make a difference in other lives,” Bill said.

The family runs a number of music studios, including one in Nashville, Tenn., but has kept its roots firmly planted in Alexandria. The Gaithers say the decision to stay in Alexandria was simple. “This is home.”

The award comes as a surprise for the patriarch of the famed singing family, but Bill says it's a nice one. “This is all so new. Obviously, we’re very honored, and we’re very proud of our state and for our state to be proud of us is pretty special.”

Gloria was unfamiliar with the Sachem at first. “I really had to research the award.”

She said this honor was particularly special because it was being presented by her fellow Hoosiers. “It’s always great to receive something in your home state. I think of the Scripture that says a prophet is without honor in his own land. I think in general that is true, people are used to you. It’s a double honor to be honored by those who know you best.”

Though their offices are filled with awards and their names are recognized by millions, Gloria says the Gaither family lives a normal life in Alexandria. “Our life, on the daily basis, we would consider it pretty regular.”

Though she is flattered by the honor, Gloria says it's difficult to gauge their impact on the community. “I don’t think you’re ever a very good assessor of your impact. Both Bill and I have just pretty much tried to do what’s on our plate for the day. One of the things of course we’ve done over the years is written songs. We’ve written songs out of our own experience and it's a Hoosier experience.”