Andrae Crouch Biography - Artistopia Music

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

Biography

Early childhood years

Andrae and his twin sister Sandra were born July 1,1942 in San Francisco, California


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. His father pastored Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and it was there where he was steeped in gospel music, playing piano and singing before he was 10 years old.

Musical career

His first group was the Church of God in Christ Singers (COGICS) in 1960, which included Billy Preston who later played organ for the Beatles and Eric Clapton. The COGICS were the first group to record the song "The Blood".

Crouch founded the Disciples in 1968 with sister Sandra as drummer/percussionist, Fletch Wiley, 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. 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 and salvaged by Sandra.) In turn, Spencer helped launch their recording career by introducing the group to Light Records founder Ralph Carmichael.

At the urging of Carmichael, Crouch began to record his compositions in 1969 with the band's debut Take the Message Everywhere releasing in 1970. In 1972, the Disciples appeared on network television's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson''. 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. Several musical acts and solo performers covered (made recordings of) his more popular works, further expanding Crouch's musical influence.

He has sung solo with the Oslo Gospel Choir in Norway on several occasions. In 2004, he became 1 of only 3 gospel musicians honored with a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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

Selected discography

Albums

The COGICS (Light,1966)
Take the Message Everywhere (Light,1970)
Soulfully (Light,1971)
Keep on Singin' (Light, 1972)
Just Andrae (Light, 1973)
Live at Carnegie Hall (Andrae Crouch album) (Light,1973)
Take Me Back (Andrae Crouch album) (Light, 1974)
Live in London (Andrae Crouch album) (Light, 1975)
This Is Another Day (Light, 1976)
I'll Be Thinking of You (Light, 1979)
Finally (Andrae Crouch album) (Light,1980)
Don't Give Up (Andrae Crouch album) (Warner Bros., 1981)
No Time to Lose (Warner Bros., 1984)
Autograph (Andrae Crouch album) (Light,1986)
Mercy (Andrae Crouch album) (Qwest, 1994)
Pray (Quest, 1997)
Gift of Christmas (Quest, 1998)
Mighty Wind (Verity, 2006)

Compilations;

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

Production career and other credits

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

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

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

inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998
an Oscar nomination
NARAS' Inaugural Salute to Gospel Music Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, 2005
Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum inductee, 2007

Personal life

Between 1993 and 1994 his father, mother, and older brother died in short order. 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. " class="PageLink" target="_blank">isbn=0-7876-8064-8

Musical influence

Though sometimes criticized for diluting the Gospel message by using contemporary styles, his songs have become staples and popular hymns in churches all around the world. Andraé Crouch was a key figure in the Jesus Music movement of the 1960s and 1970s. His religious songs were recorded by Elvis Presley, and Paul Simon, and performed in many churches.

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.

Industry Music Artists

Andrae Crouch