Andrae Crouch
Eight-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, arranger and producer Andrae Crouch is one of the early modern-day pioneers in Christian and Urban Contemporary Gospel music credited with crossing Gospel music over into the Christian music arena at a time when churches and styles of music were very segregated. The Southern California born and raised Crouch has been recording music since the 1960s and has influenced two generations of artists and songwriters, including Donald Lawrence, Marvin Winans, and Donnie McClurkin.
Crouch was a key figure in the Christian music movement of the 1960s and 70s. His group Andrae Crouch and the Disciples signed with Light Records and later joined by his twin sister, Sandra Crouch, released some of the greatest songs the church has ever heard, “There Is Power In The Blood,” “My Tribute,” “Through It All,” “Take Me Back, ” and “Soon and Very Soon,” the latter was performed at Michael Jackson’s televised memorial service. By the 1980s Crouch was a solo artist at Quincy Jones’ Qwest label, taking his music to an audience beyond the church.
He broke ground as a Gospel music producer in film and TV by producing music for Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated The Color Purple (“Maybe God Is Trying To Tell You Something”), Disney’s The Lion King and Free Willie. He also wrote the theme song for the TV show Amen.
And as a producer, arranger, and songwriter of over a thousand songs, he’s worked with both secular and Gospel artists. The list includes Michael Jackson (“Man In The Mirror), Madonna (“Like A Prayer”), Quincy Jones, Elton John, The Winans, and Diana Ross. His songs have been even recorded by Pop music greats Elvis Presley and Paul Simon.
After a 40+ year recording career, Crouch is still making heavenly music. The Oscar nominee’s latest CD is The Journey on Riverphlo Entertainment. It contains the chart-topping Billboard Gospel hit, “Let The Church Say Amen” with Marvin Winans on lead. Andrae Crouch and his sister Sandra serve as pastors of the New Christ Memorial Church in Pacoima, CA.
