Anthony Burger was a talented and beloved gospel pianist who played for the Gaither Homecoming shows and earned several Dove Award nominations. He was known for his virtuosic and expressive style, as well as his testimony of how God healed his hands from a childhood accident. His sudden death at the age of 44 while performing on a cruise ship left his fans and fellow musicians in shock and grief.
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A Child Prodigy with a Miraculous Recovery
Anthony Burger was born in Cleveland, Tennessee on June 5, 1961. When he was only eight months old, he fell into a heating duct on the floor of his house and suffered third-degree burns on his hands, face, and legs. His doctor told his parents that he would likely not be able to move his hands in the future. However, Burger defied the odds and recovered from his injuries. He later said that “gradually, the Lord healed my hands because he had a job for me to do.”
Burger started playing the piano when he was three years old and showed remarkable talent and skill. He was accepted at the Cadek Conservatory at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga when he was five years old and began playing classical piano repertoire. He also developed a passion for gospel music and debuted on the radio at age five.
A Successful Career in Southern Gospel Music
Burger joined the Southern gospel quartet The Kingsmen when he was 16 years old in 1978 and remained with them until 1993. During that time, he recorded 19 projects with the group and won the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Pianist for 10 consecutive years. The award was later renamed the Anthony Burger Award in his honor.
In 1993, Burger left The Kingsmen to pursue a solo career as a pianist. He released many albums and videos of his piano music, featuring both sacred and secular songs. He also joined the Gaither Homecoming Tour in 1994 and became a regular guest artist and pianist for the popular gospel concerts and videos headlined by Bill Gaither. He performed at the White House, on the Today show, and at the Billy Graham Crusade.
Burger also formed a sideline group with Ivan Parker and Kirk Talley called The Trio, which performed at several events each year. He also collaborated with gospel saxophonist Dan Traxler on an album called Classic Gospel.
A Tragic End to a Brilliant Life
On February 22, 2006, Burger was performing on a Gaither Homecoming cruise out of Miami when he collapsed on stage. He was pronounced dead shortly after. The cause of his death was determined to be a massive heart attack. He was 44 years old.
His death stunned his family, friends, colleagues, and fans, who mourned the loss of a great musician and a faithful servant of God. His funeral was held at Christ Church in Nashville, Tennessee, where more than 2,000 people attended to pay their respects. He was buried at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Burger is survived by his wife LuAnn, two sons AJ and Austin, and a daughter Lori.
A Lasting Legacy of Music and Faith
Anthony Burger left behind a rich legacy of music and faith that continues to inspire and bless many people around the world. His albums and videos are still available on streaming services and online platforms. His piano arrangements are also published in several folios for other keyboard players to enjoy.
Burger’s life story is also documented in a biography written by Bob Terrell called Anthony Burger: Masterpiece. The book chronicles his journey from a burned baby to a gospel star, highlighting his struggles, triumphs, and faith.
Burger’s music and testimony are a testament to his love for God and his gift for playing the piano. He once said that “playing the piano is my way of praising God.” He also said that “I want to be remembered as someone who loved God with all my heart.” He certainly achieved that goal through his life and music.
