Andraé Edward Crouch (July 1, 1942 – January 8, 2015) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, recording artist, record producer, and pastor. Referred to as "the father of modern gospel music" by contemporary Christian and gospel music professionals, Crouch was known for his compositions The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power, My Tribute (To God Be the Glory) and Soon and Very Soon. In the 1980s in secular music for leading choirs that sang on the Michael Jackson hit Man in the Mirror as well as Madonna's Like a Prayer.

Andraé Edward Crouch was born on July 1, 1942 in San Francisco, California, along with his twin sister, Sandra, to parents Benjamin and Catherine (neé Hodnett) Crouch. When he was young, Crouch's parents owned and operated Crouch Cleaners, a dry-cleaning business, as well as a restaurant business in Los Angeles, California. In addition to running the family business, Crouch's parents had a street ministry and a hospital and prison ministry. When Crouch was 11, his father was invited to speak for several weeks at a small church as a guest preacher. Crouch's father and the church's congregation encouraged the young boy to play during the services. At the piano, Crouch found the key in which the congregation was singing and started to play. After this, Crouch honed his piano-playing skills and, in time, wanted to write his own music. When he was 14 years old, he wrote his first Gospel song.

Career

Crouch's first group was the Church of God in Christ Singers (COGICS) in 1960, which included Billy Preston. The COGICS were the first group to record the song "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power."

While attending Valley Junior College in California to become a teacher, he was called to the ministry and formed 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 Christian minister of music and composer Audrey Mieir who frequently sponsored new Christian music groups. Mieir would introduce Crouch to Tim Spencer of Manna Music Publishing, the first to publish one of his songs ("The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power", which Crouch wrote at 15 but tossed into the trash thinking it was inferior; his twin sister Sandra, thinking differently, salvaged it). Spencer helped launchtheir recording career by introducing them 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 Sandra Crouch in 1970. Sherman Andrus went on to join the Imperials. In 1972, singer Danniebelle Hall, trumpeter Fletch Wiley, Harlan Rogers, Hadley Hockensmith, and drummer Bill Maxwell joined the Disciples. Kathy Hazzard, Bea Carr, James Felix, and many support singers were part of the Disciples entourage. Bili Thedford and Danniebelle Hall left for a solo careers.

At Carmichael's urging, Crouch began to record his compositions in 1968 with the group's debut album, Take the Message Everywhere, which was released in 1969. In 1972 the Disciples appeared on 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", "Soon and Very Soon", "Jesus is the Answer", 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 Crouch continued on with his solo career with an ensemble including Howard Smith, Linda McCrary, Táta Vega, and Kristle Murden and The Andraé Crouch Singers. Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Dean Parks, David Paich, Phillip Bailey, Stevie Wonder, and other secular artists were featured on all of Crouch's major recording sessions. Crouch had a gift of bringing out unique voices in solos on his projects including El Debarge on "The Lord is my Light" or Táta Vega on "Oh it is Jesus". With Bill Maxwell he has co-produced projects for The Winans, Danniebelle Hall, and Kristle Murden. Many musical acts and solo performers covered his more popular works, including Elvis Presley ("I've Got Confidence"), further expanding Crouch's musical influence. In 1995, he was featured in the Warren Chaney docudrama, America: A Call to Greatness.

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

Crouch was also a judge for the 10th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.

Influence

Crouch was a key figure in the Jesus Music movement of the 1960s and 1970s. As a result, helped bring about contemporary Christian music, and began to bridge the gap between black and white Christian music. 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.

Crouch is also credited with revolutionizing the sound of urban Gospel music. Crouch was instrumental in bringing Walter and Tramaine Hawkins, Jessy Dixon and The Winans to Light Records, all enjoying successful gospel music careers. His influence has extended to countless artists like BeBe and CeCe Winans, The Clark Sisters, Wintley Phipps, Anointed and Israel Houghton.

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 the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Take 6 and Michael W. Smith.

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

Personal life

On November 12, 1982, Crouch was arrested in Los Angeles for possession of cocaine after being stopped for erratic driving. Sheriff's deputies discovered a substance in the vehicle which Crouch said was instant chicken soup powder. After consenting to a search, he was found to be carrying a vial of cocaine in his pocket. Crouch was arrested and released several hours later on $2,500 bail, maintaining the drugs belonged to a friend who had been staying in his apartment. Police declined to press charges.

Between 1993 and 1994 his father, mother, and older brother all died. Following his father's death, he took over as Senior Pastor at Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ in Pacoima, California, the church founded by his parents, serving alongside his twin sister Sandra.

Crouch was hospitalized in early December 2014 for pneumonia and congestive heart failure. As a result, his December tour was postponed. He was hospitalized again on January 3, 2015 in Los Angeles, as the result of a heart attack. Crouch died five days later on January 8, 2015, at the age of 72. On the same day, his sister, Sandra, released the following statement: "Today my twin brother, womb-mate and best friend went home to be with the Lord. Please keep me, my family and our church family in your prayers. I tried to keep him here but God loved him best."

Discography

Main article: Andraé Crouch discography Andraé Crouch and The Disciples

• 1969: Take the Message Everywhere (Light)
• 1971: Keep on Singin' (Light)
• 1972: Soulfully (Light)
• 1973: Live at Carnegie Hall (Light)
• 1975: Take Me Back (Light)
• 1976: This Is Another Day (Light)
• 1978: Live in London (Light)

Solo recordings

• 1973: Just Andrae (Light)
• 1979: I'll Be Thinking of You (Light)
• 1981: Don't Give Up (Warner Bros.)
• 1982: Finally (Light)
• 1984: No Time to Lose (Light)
• 1986: Autograph (Light)
• 1994: Mercy (Qwest)
• 1997: Pray (Qwest)
• 1998: Gift of Christmas (Qwest)
• 2006: Mighty Wind (Verity)
• 2011: The Journey (Riverphlo Entertainment)
• 2013: Live in Los Angeles

Other credits

Crouch later worked as a producer or arranger with Michael Jackson, Madonna, 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.

Awards

Crouch has won numerous awards and honors over the years including nine Grammy Awards, four GMA Dove Awards, and ASCAP, Billboard and NAACP Awards. In 2004, he became the only living Gospel artist – and just the third in history – to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On November 11, 2011, Sandra and Andrae Crouch were granted an honorary "Artist-in-Residence" Award by the International Center of Worship for Global Day of Worship Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA.

Grammy Awards

Crouch has won seven Grammys:

• 1975: Best Soul Gospel Performance Take Me Back
• 1978: Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album Live in London
• 1979: Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album I'll Be Thinking of You
• 1980: Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational "The Lord's Prayer" (collaborative)
• 1981: Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album Don't Give Up
• 1984: Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male "Always Remember"
• 1994: Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album Mercy

GMA Dove Awards

• Soul/Black gospel album
  • 1977 – This is another day(Light)
  • 1978 – Live in London (Light)
• Contemporary gospel album of the year
  • 1985 – No Time To Lose (Light)
  • 1998 – Pray (Qwest/Warner Bros.)
• Traditional gospel album of the year
  • 1993 – With all of my heart; Sandra Crouch and Friends (Sparrow)
• Contemporary gospel recorded song of the year
  • 1997 – "Take me back"; Tribute—The Songs of Andrae Crouch (songwriter) (Warner Alliance)

• Inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998

Other honors

• Nominated for an Oscar for The Color Purple (1985)
• NARAS' Inaugural Salute to Gospel Music Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, 2005
• Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum inductee, 2007
• How Sweet the Sound Living Legend Award, 2012

Filmography

Film

• 1985: The Color Purple songwriter: "Maybe God's Trying to Tell You Something"
• 1993: Once Upon A Forest songwriter: "He's Gone/He's Back"
• 1994: The Lion King arranger and choral conductor

Television

• 1980: Barbara Mandrell & The Mandrell Sisters special guest
• 1982: The Jeffersons "Men of the Cloth" episode
• 1982: SCTV Network 90 Christmas special
• 1986: Amen theme writer, arranger
• 1994: In Search of Dr. Seuss as Yertle the Turtle
• 1998: Nickelodeon's Cousin Skeeter