Andrae Crouch

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Andrae Crouch

Photo by Fredheim Arena
Background information
Birth name Andraé Edward Crouch
Born July 1, 1942 (1942-07-01) (age 67)
Genre(s) Gospel music
Occupation(s) Gospel musician, recording artist, songwriter, arranger, record producer
Years active 1966 – present
Label(s) Light, Warner Bros., Qwest, Verity
Associated acts Sandra Crouch
Tata Vega
Edwin Hawkins
Danniebelle Hall
Website AndraeCrouch.com

Andraé Edward Crouch (born July 1, 1942, in San Francisco, California [1]), is an American Gospel musician, recording artist, songwriter, arranger and record producer.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early childhood years

Andrae and his twin sister Sandra were born July 1, 1942 in San Francisco , California. His father pastored Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and it was there where Andrae was steeped in gospel music, playing piano and singing before he was 10 years old. [2]

[edit] Musical career

Crouch's first group was the Church of God in Christ Singers (COGICS) in 1960, which included Billy Preston who later played organ for Ray Charles, Little Richard, The Beatles and Eric Clapton and who also had a major secular solo career. [1] The COGICS were the first group to record the song "The Blood".

Crouch founded the Disciples in 1965 with Perry Morgan, and Bili Thedford. The group became a frequent attraction at "Monday Night Sing" concerts in southern California put on by promoter Audrey Meier.[2] Meier would introduce Crouch to Tim Spencer of Manna Music Publishing who would be the first to publish one of his songs ("The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power" which was written by Andrae at age 15 but tossed in the trash because he thought it poor. Sister Sandra thought differently and salvaged it.) In turn, Spencer helped launch their recording career by introducing the group to Light Records founder Ralph Carmichael. Sherman Andrus and Reuben Fernandez were added to the group in time to record their first album, Take The Message Everywhere, in 1968. They were subsequently replaced by Andrae's twin sister Sandra in 1970. Sherman Andrus went on to join the Imperials and then Andrus Blackwood and Company with Terry Blackwood. In 1972, singer Danniebelle Hall (replacing Bili Thedford), trumpeter Fletch Wiley and drummer Bill Maxwell joined the Disciples.[2]

At the urging of Carmichael, Crouch began to record his compositions in 1968 with the group's debut album Take the Message Everywhere releasing in 1969. In 1972, the Disciples appeared on network television's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.[2] By 1985, they had also performed at the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall and toured 68 countries. Crouch's most popular songs from this period include "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power," "Through It All," "Bless His Holy Name" and "My Tribute". Their contemporary gospel sound reached beyond the traditional African American base and touched a racially and musically diverse audience.

The Disciples disbanded in 1979 and Andrae' continued on with his solo career as well as with the Andrae' Crouch Singers. Several musical acts and solo performers covered (made recordings of) his more popular works, further expanding Crouch's musical influence.

In 2004, Crouch became one of only three gospel musicians honored with a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[3]

In 2006, Crouch released Mighty Wind, a 40th anniversary album featuring guest performances by Marvin Winans, Crystal Lewis, Karen Clark Sheard, and Lauren Evans.

[edit] Selected discography

Albums

Andrae' Crouch & The Disciples

Andrae' Crouch solo recordings

Compilations;
  • Hall of Fame (CGI/Platinum, 1999)
  • Legends Of Gospel (Light, 2002)
  • He's Everywhere (Liquid 8, 2004)

[edit] Production career and other credits

Crouch later worked as a producer or arranger with Michael Jackson, Madonna (Like A Prayer), Quincy Jones, Mika (We Are Golden), Diana Ross, Elton John, Rick Astley (Cry For Help) and Prefab Sprout. Crouch co-wrote the title song to CeCe Winans' award-winning Throne Room album in 2003.[citation needed]

His film credits include Once Upon A Forest, The Color Purple, The Lion King, and Free Willy. He also appeared as the television voice of Dr. Seuss's Yertle the Turtle.

Also of mention is the rendition of 'Maybe God's Trying to Tell You Something,' from The Color Purple (featuring Tata Vega on lead), and the theme from the NBC sitcom Amen. In 1998, Crouch guested as himself in an episode of Nickelodeon's Cousin Skeeter.

[edit] Awards

Andrae Crouch has won numerous awards and honors over the years including eight Grammy Awards, four GMA Dove Awards, and ASCAP, Billboard and NAACP Awards. In 2004, he became the only living contemporary Gospel artist — and just the third in history — to have a star enshrined on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was the third Gospel musician to appear on the walk.

GMA Dove Awards
  • Soul/Black gospel album
    • 1977 - This is another day; Andrae Crouch and The Disciples; Bill Maxwell; Light
    • 1978 - Live in London; Andrae Crouch and The Disciples; Bill Maxwell, Andrae Crouch, Light
  • Contemporary gospel album of the year
    • 1985 - No Time To Lose; Andrae Crouch; Bill Maxwell; Light
    • 1998 - PRAY; Andrae Crouch; Andrae Crouch, Scott V. Smith; Qwest/Warner Bros.
  • Traditional gospel album of the year
    • 1993 - With all of my heart; Sandra Crouch and Friends; Sandra Crouch, Andrae Crouch; Sparrow
  • Contemporary gospel recorded song of the year
    • 1997 - "Take me back"; Tribute—The Songs of Andrae Crouch; CeCe Winans; Andrae Crouch; Warner Alliance
Grammy Awards [4]
  • Best Soul Gospel Performance, Contemporary
    • 1979 - "I'll Be Thinking Of You"
    • 1981 - "Don't Give Up"
  • Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary Or Inspirational
    • 1980 - "The Lord's Prayer"
  • Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male
    • 1984 - "Always Remember"
  • Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
    • 1994 - Mercy
Other awards and honors

[edit] Personal life

Between 1993 and 1994 his father, mother, and older brother died in short order. [1] Following the death of his father, Andraé took over as Senior Pastor at the New Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ in Pacoima, California, the church founded by his parents. He serves alongside his twin sister, Sandra. He is cousin to music critic Stanley Crouch.[1]

[edit] Musical influence

Andraé Crouch was a key figure in the Jesus Music movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Though sometimes criticized for diluting the Gospel message by using contemporary styles, his songs have become staples in churches all around the world and recorded by mainstream artists such as Elvis Presley and Paul Simon.[1]

Crouch, who is credited with revolutionizing the sound of contemporary Gospel music, was one of the first African American Gospel artists to crossover to mainstream contemporary Christian music. In 1996, Crouch's songs were the impetus for the Grammy Award- winning CD, Tribute: The Songs of Andraé Crouch (released on Warner Bros. Records), which featured a range of artists performing some of his classic songs including BeBe and CeCe Winans, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Take 6 and Michael W. Smith.

Andrae' and his sister, Sandra considered Michael Jackson as a dear friend for many years, whom they loved and greatly respected. In 1987, the Andrae' Crouch Choir sang background vocals along with Siedah Garrett, Glen Ballard, and The Winans on Jackson's hit single, Man in the Mirror from Michael's Bad album. The Andrae' Crouch Singers were also featured on the songs, "Keep the Faith" and "Will You Be There" from Michael Jackson's 1991 "Dangerous" album. Andrae' and Sandra also did the choir arrangement for those songs. On Michael Jackson's "HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I" project in 1995, the Andrae' Crouch Choir chants climactically in a dramatic interaction with Jackson on "Earth Song."

At a time not long before Michael Jackson's untimely and tragic death, Andrae and Sandra had met with him to discuss recording background with their choir for a couple of songs on what was to be his upcomming project. As was typical during their creative, musical sessions with Michael, they would sing and pray together.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Manheim, James M. and Belfiore, Michael (2005). "Andraé Crouch". in Pilchak, Angela M., ed.. Contemporary Musicians. Volume 51. Farmington Hills, Michigan: Gale Group. pp. 27–29. ISSN 1044-2197. ISBN 0-7876-8064-8. 
  2. ^ a b c d Carpenter, Bil. Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia, ISBN 978-0-87930-841-4, Backbeat Books, San Francisco, 2005, page 107
  3. ^ http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1943907 Andrae Crouch awarded star on Walk of Fame
  4. ^ Grammy Awards won by Andraé Crouch

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrae_Crouch"
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