“Through it all, through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus and I’ve learned to trust in God. Through it all, through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.”
Those words, penned by prolific writer Andre Crouch, are lyrics Gordon Mote has lived. Thus it was only fitting that he feature the song on his latest RSI recording Songs I Grew Up Singing. Totally blind from birth, Mote’s childhood in Alabama was not quite the same as other boys his age. Many challenges faced the young lad, as well as his brother, also born blind. Nevertheless, the Mote family clung to the promises of God’s Word, particularly Jeremiah 29:11, believing the boys could excel in whatever they chose to do, as long as they placed Christ at the center.
Excelling seemed to come naturally for both boys, who were drawn to sports, as well as music, and on Thanksgiving Day, a young three-year-old Mote stunned his parents when they heard him playing “Jesus Loves Me” on the piano, with both hands. They recognized their son was blessed with a God-given gift and encouraged him to perfect his musical gifts.
During that perfecting process, Mote became one of the first blind students to mainstream into the public school system, graduating from high school with honors. Following high school graduation, he received a full scholarship to Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL. After spending three years at JSU, he transferred to Belmont University in Nashville, TN, where he graduated with Cum Laude honors and a music degree.
During his time in college, he captured the attention of the music industry’s brightest names, including Grammy winner, Lee Greenwood, who hired Mote as keyboard player and background vocalist two days after graduation. This opportunity led to many others. Throughout his career, he has shared the stage with such popular performers as Martina McBride, Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts and Grand Ole Opry star, Porter Wagoner.
While performing on stage, Mote also became one of the most sought-after studio session players, earning eight nominations as Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year by the Academy of Country Music, receiving the Award in 2009 and 2011.
In 2005, much to the delight of both Country and Gospel music fans, Mote released his debut solo recording, which earned a Dove Award nomination from the Gospel Music Association for Instrumental Album of the Year. This nomination marked the first of many he has received.
In addition to playing on recording sessions each week, Mote travels in excess of 150 dates each year. Since 2006, he has served as pianist for the popular Gaither Homecoming Tour, with legendary songwriters Bill & Gloria Gaither and Gaither’s Grammy Award winning Gaither Vocal Band, and has performed throughout the world with the Tour. Music from his more than a half dozen recordings has delighted audiences, crossing musical and stylistic boundaries. His latest effort, Songs I Grew Up Singing, released in the spring of 2011, brings new life to timeless classics that helped shape the musician and singer.
When he isn’t touring and playing in the studio, Mote spends every spare moment with his wife, Kimberly, whom he met while attending Belmont, and their three kids, Samantha, Parker and Ashton. The Mote family makes their home in Nashville, TN. No doubt, Gordon Mote is a man who, through all the struggles, trials, triumphs, joys and blessings has learned to trust in Jesus and depend upon His Word.
Those words, penned by prolific writer Andre Crouch, are lyrics Gordon Mote has lived. Thus it was only fitting that he feature the song on his latest RSI recording Songs I Grew Up Singing. Totally blind from birth, Mote’s childhood in Alabama was not quite the same as other boys his age. Many challenges faced the young lad, as well as his brother, also born blind. Nevertheless, the Mote family clung to the promises of God’s Word, particularly Jeremiah 29:11, believing the boys could excel in whatever they chose to do, as long as they placed Christ at the center.
Excelling seemed to come naturally for both boys, who were drawn to sports, as well as music, and on Thanksgiving Day, a young three-year-old Mote stunned his parents when they heard him playing “Jesus Loves Me” on the piano, with both hands. They recognized their son was blessed with a God-given gift and encouraged him to perfect his musical gifts.
During that perfecting process, Mote became one of the first blind students to mainstream into the public school system, graduating from high school with honors. Following high school graduation, he received a full scholarship to Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL. After spending three years at JSU, he transferred to Belmont University in Nashville, TN, where he graduated with Cum Laude honors and a music degree.
During his time in college, he captured the attention of the music industry’s brightest names, including Grammy winner, Lee Greenwood, who hired Mote as keyboard player and background vocalist two days after graduation. This opportunity led to many others. Throughout his career, he has shared the stage with such popular performers as Martina McBride, Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts and Grand Ole Opry star, Porter Wagoner.
While performing on stage, Mote also became one of the most sought-after studio session players, earning eight nominations as Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year by the Academy of Country Music, receiving the Award in 2009 and 2011.
In 2005, much to the delight of both Country and Gospel music fans, Mote released his debut solo recording, which earned a Dove Award nomination from the Gospel Music Association for Instrumental Album of the Year. This nomination marked the first of many he has received.
In addition to playing on recording sessions each week, Mote travels in excess of 150 dates each year. Since 2006, he has served as pianist for the popular Gaither Homecoming Tour, with legendary songwriters Bill & Gloria Gaither and Gaither’s Grammy Award winning Gaither Vocal Band, and has performed throughout the world with the Tour. Music from his more than a half dozen recordings has delighted audiences, crossing musical and stylistic boundaries. His latest effort, Songs I Grew Up Singing, released in the spring of 2011, brings new life to timeless classics that helped shape the musician and singer.
When he isn’t touring and playing in the studio, Mote spends every spare moment with his wife, Kimberly, whom he met while attending Belmont, and their three kids, Samantha, Parker and Ashton. The Mote family makes their home in Nashville, TN. No doubt, Gordon Mote is a man who, through all the struggles, trials, triumphs, joys and blessings has learned to trust in Jesus and depend upon His Word.