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Andrae Crouch
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Andrae Crouch | |
|---|---|
| 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– |
| 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 Los Angeles, California[1]), gospel musician, recording artist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. He is cousin to music critic Stanley Crouch.[1]
Contents |
Andraé Crouch was a key figure in the Jesus Music movement of the 1960s and 1970s. His religious songs have been sung by Elvis Presley, Paul Simon, hippies, and mainstream churches, as well as his fellow black Pentecostal Christians. He has won seven Grammy awards [2] and an Oscar nomination. Crouch was inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998.
His recordings range from reverent hymns, to the traditional gospel music pioneered by Thomas A. Dorsey, to contemporary light rock and pop-oriented songs backed by jazz musicians, to contemporary R&B, and African/world music influences.
Crouch received his early musical formation in his parents' church in southern California. Andraé, being called "the father of the modern gospel" since he more than any other has reformed gospel music during the 70s and 80s, have often told the story about how his piano-playing was literally God-given while still being a kid (also written on the official website).
His first group was the COGICS (Church of God in Christ Singers/1960), which included Billy Preston.[1] Preston later played organ for the Beatles and Eric Clapton. The COGICS were the first to record "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.
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). 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.
Andrae's gift of music allowed him opportunities work with the likes of Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, and Elton John. 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.
Crouch, who is credited with revolutionizing the sound of contemporary Gospel music, was one of the first black Gospel artists to crossover to mainstream contemporary Christian music. Though sometimes criticized for diluting the gospel message by using contemporary styles,[1] his songs have become staples and popular hymns in churches all around the world. In 1996, Crouch's songs were the impetus for the Grammy Award- winning CD, Tribute: The Songs of Andraé Crouch, which featured a range of artists performing some of his classic songs including the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Take 6 and Michael W. Smith.
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.
In 1998, Crouch guested as himself in an episode of Nickelodeon's Cousin Skeeter/
In 2006, he released Mighty Wind, Crouch's 40th anniversary album featuring guest turns from Marvin Winans, Crystal Lewis, Karen Clark Sheard, Lauren Evans, and many more. Mighty Wind is the latest of more than 30 albums in his discography.
- 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)
- Hall of Fame (CGI/Platinum, 1999)
- Legends Of Gospel (Light, 2002)
- He's Everywhere (Liquid 8, 2004)
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 his star enshrined on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is the third gospel musician to appear on the walk. In 2005, Crouch was the recipient of NARAS' Inaugural Salute to Gospel Music Lifetime Achievement Award.
- 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
- 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
- Christian Music Hall of Fame and Musuem inductee, 2007
- The album Tribute: The Songs Of Andrae Crouch was released on Warner Bros. featuring a host of Crouch's songs covered by Gospel artists such as BeBe Winans and CeCe Winans.
- Crouch co-wrote the title song to CeCe Winans' award-winning Throne Room album in 2003.[citation needed]
- Has sung solo with the Oslo Gospel Choir in Norway on several occasions
- ^ 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.
- ^ Grammy Awards won by Andraé Crouch