Author: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
“(Anthony Showalter) was known as an editor, composer, compiler, writer of theory textbooks, song leader, and successful businessman, simultaneously managing three music-related businesses and having interests in lumber (and) insurance …” (The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology)
Talk about a “Renaissance Man!” Anthony Showalter showed an aptitude for music, business, church ministry, philanthropy, teaching, administration, and publishing at an early age. Born in Cherry Grove, Virginia (Rockingham County) – located approximately 12 miles north-northwest of Harrisonburg – Showalter began a study of music and music theory when he was just 2 years old! His father gave him instruction until he turned 18; at that time he enrolled in the Ruebush-Kieffer School of Music in Dayton, Virginia.
His father’s training must have been effective because the young Showalter was engaged as a music instructor at age 14, travelled to Europe for further education at 20, and published his first book at age 22. In 1881, he published a music theory book that proved to be the first of its kind south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
“His Harmony and Composition, the first work of the kind by a southern author, was published at the age of twenty-three; his Theory of Music, published some years later, was the second work of the kind by a southern author, while his New Harmony and Composition, issued in 1895, made the third book upon this subject which he had written before any other southern author of works of this kind appeared; since that date three new ones have made their appearance, all of whom have been pupils of Mr. Showalter.” (Hymnology Archive)
In 1884, at the age of 26, he moved to Dalton, Georgia, where he spent much of the rest of his life. Six years later he formed the Showalter Music Company of Dalton, which eventually established stores in Texarkana, Arkansas, and Chattanooga, Tennessee. The company became famous for publishing hymnals, songbooks, schoolbooks, magazines, and newspapers. Before the formation of his company, the young Showalter joined the Music Teachers National Association, soon becoming its vice president.
Among his many accomplishments, Showalter:
• travelled to France, Germany, and England in order to study the methods of teachers and conductors
• edited The Music Teacher & Home Magazine for twenty years;
• authored over sixty books on music theory, harmony, and song;
• published over 130 music books that sold over a million copies;
• was principal of the Southern Normal Musical Institute in Dalton, Georgia, from its inception in 1880;
• led the choir, played the organ, and became an elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Dalton, Georgia;
• managed a fruit farm of nearly 20,000 trees; and
• held stock and directed the Cherokee Lumber Company of Dalton, Georgia, which furnished building material to many of the southern, central, and eastern states.
With respect to church ministry, Showalter is most well known for two significant accomplishments:
• In 1887, Showalter “received two letters one evening from former music students, both of whom were grieving over the death of their wives. He had heard a sermon about the arms of Moses being held up during battle, and managed to form a tune and refrain for a hymn, but struggled to find words for the verses that fit. He wrote to his friend in Ohio, Rev. Elisha Hoffman, who had already composed many hymns and asked if he could write some lyrics, which he gladly did.” (Hymnary.org) The hymn he composed with his friend is a staple in many worship services and has brought comfort to countless numbers of grieving souls – “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”.
• Showalter was trained in the Ruebush-Kieffer Company’s School of Music which was famous for its affinity for shape-note singing. In case you’re not familiar with shape-note music, let me give you a quick tour. According to the Mississippi Encyclopedia, “Shape-note singing is a musical tradition and practice of community gatherings singing sacred music using a system of musical notation in which the noteheads are printed in distinct shapes that indicate their scale degree and musical syllable (fa, sol, la, etc.).” In other words, each note on the musical scale is given a “shape” other than the traditional “oval.” The “shaping” was done to facilitate a musical literacy based on recognition of a “shape” rather than the note’s position on a scale or musical staff. It was Showalter’s intent to revolutionize religious singing using “shape notes” because many congregants in the southern United States lacked basic educational instruction, much less musical training. Close to two million of his publications found their way into the hands of the public, but his dream never really materialized; only pockets of southern musicians and religious groups acclimated to his method. He was not without reward, though – two of his “disciples” picked up his aspiration (Virgil O. Stamps and J.R. Baxter Jr.) and formed the Stamps-Baxter Music Company; Stamps-Baxter music became a staple in the Southern Gospel repertoire. For his efforts and influence, Showalter was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame in 2000.
Anthony Johnson Showalter died in 1924, and he was buried in the West Hill Cemetery of Dalton, Georgia. His headstone is non-descript, containing only a name and his birthdate and death date, but if you decide to visit his final resting place, please realize that you are paying respect to “the South’s greatest music composer!”
