The Grammy Award for Best Inspirational performance was handed out from 1962 to 1986. The title of the award has had many changes over the years. It was known as Best Gospel or Other Religious Recording in the initial two years after its introduction. It was awarded as Best Gospel or Other Religious Recording (Musical) from 1964 to 1966. It was changed to best Sacred Performance (Musical) in 1967. In 1972 it was changed to Best Sacred Performance. It was awarded as Best inspirational Performance from 1973 to 1974. From 1976 to 1986 it was awarded as best inspirational Performance. B. J. Thomas is the most honored artist in this category winning the award four times in his career.
Winners: Grammys Best Inspirational Performance
|
Year
|
Winner
|
Song
|
|
1986
|
Jennifer Holliday
|
"Come Sunday"
|
|
1985
|
Donna Summer
|
"Forgive Me"
|
|
1984
|
Donna Summer
|
"He's a Rebel"
|
|
1983
|
Barbara Mandrell
|
He Set My Life to Music
|
|
1982
|
B. J. Thomas
|
Amazing Grace
|
|
1981
|
Debby Boone
|
With My Song I Will Praise Him
|
|
1980
|
B. J. Thomas
|
You Gave Me Love (When Nobody Gave Me a Prayer)
|
|
1979
|
B.J. Thomas
|
Happy Man
|
|
1978
|
B.J. Thomas
|
Home Where I Belong
|
|
1977
|
Gary S. Paxton
|
The Astonishing, Outrageous, Amazing, Incredible, Unbelievable, Different World of Gary S. Paxton
|
|
1976
|
The Bill Gaither Trio
|
Jesus, We Just Want to Thank You
|
|
1975
|
Elvis Presley
|
How Great Thou Art
|
|
1974
|
The Bill Gaither Trio
|
Let's Just Praise the Lord
|
|
1973
|
Elvis Presley
|
He Touched Me
|
|
1972
|
Charley Pride
|
Did You Think to Pray
|
|
1971
|
Jake Hess
|
"Everything Is Beautiful"
|
|
1970
|
Jake Hess
|
"Ain't That Beautiful Singing"
|
|
1969
|
Jake Hess
|
"Beautiful Isle of Somewhere"
|
|
1968
|
Elvis Presley
|
How Great Thou Art
|
|
1967
|
Porter Wagoner & the Blackwood Brothers
|
Grand Old Gospel
|
|
1966
|
Anita Kerr & George Beverly Shea
|
Southland Favorites
|
|
1965
|
Tennessee Ernie Ford
|
Great Gospel Songs
|
|
1964
|
Soeur Sourire
|
"Dominique"
|
|
1963
|
Mahalia Jackson
|
Great Songs of Love and Faith
|
|
1962
|
Mahalia Jackson
|
Everytime I Feel the Spirit
|