Word Entertainment, Warner Music Groups’ Christian music division, held a special 60th-anniversary celebration Nov. 2 in Waco, Texas, where the label was founded in 1951 by Baylor University graduate Jarrell McCracken.

On hand for the celebration were members of McCracken’s family; Waco Mayor Jim Bush; Chairman of Word Entertainment Mike Curb; Warner Music Nashville’s President and CEO John Esposito; Word’s first A&R Director and artist, Kurt Kaiser; Word Entertainment’s President and CEO Rod Riley; and Baylor University President Ken Starr. Many past and present Word employees also attended the event.

A commemorative plaque was presented to the McCracken Family and Baylor University on behalf of Word Entertainment, and Mayor Bush also proclaimed Nov. 2 as “Word Day” in Waco. The night concluded with an outdoor concert on the Baylor campus featuring Dove Award-winning artists Chris August and Sidewalk Prophets.

In honor of the anniversary, Word Entertainment recently released Word: Six Decades Of Hits, a three-CD compilation with 51 songs and a bonus excerpt from the company’s first recording. The anthology spans 60 years of music from artists including Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, Point of Grace, Jaci Velasquez, Francesca Battistelli, Chris August and Sidewalk Prophets.

Click here to view a video detailing the label’s history. 

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