Andrae Crouch
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| Andrae Crouch | |
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 Photo by Eirik Voss, Fredheim Arena
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Andraé Edward Crouch |
| Born | July 1, 1942 |
| 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 Crouch (born as Andraé Edward Crouch on July 1, 1942, in Los Angeles, California [1]), is an American Gospel musician, recording artist, songwriter, arranger and record producer.
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Early childhood years
Crouch received his early musical formation in his parents' church in southern California.
[edit] 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. [1] The COGICS were the first group to record the song "The Blood".
Crouch founded the Disciples in 1965. At the urging of Christian composer Ralph Carmichael, he began to record his compositions in 1969. During the 1965-85 period, Andraé Crouch and the Disciples appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, 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.
Has sung solo with the Oslo Gospel Choir in Norway on several occasions.
In 2006, he 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
- The COGICS (Light,1966)
- Just Andrae (Light, 1973)
- Take the Message Everywhere (Light,1969)
- Soulfully (Light,1971)
- Keep on Singin (Light, 1972)
- Live at Carnegie Hall (Light,1973)
- Take Me Back (Light, 1974)
- This Is Another Day (Light, 1976)
- Live in London (Light, 1975)
- I'll Be Thinking of You (Light, 1979)
- Finally (Light,1980)
- Don't Give Up (Warner Bros., 1981)
- No Time to Lose (Warner Bros., 1984)
- Autograph (Light,1986)
- Mercy (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)
[edit] 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.[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 [2]
- 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
[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
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. [1] 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.
[edit] References
- ^ 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, 27-29. ISSN 1044-2197. ISBN 0-7876-8064-8.
- ^ http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx?title=&winner=andrae+crouch&year=0&genreID=0&hp=1 Grammy Awards won by Andraé Crouch]
