A00044 - Andrae Crouch, The Father of Modern Gospel Music

Andraé Edward Crouch (July 1, 1942 – January 8, 2015) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, 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 secular music, he was known for his collaborative work during the 1980s with Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Quincy Jones as well as conducting choirs that sang on the Michael Jackson hit Man in the Mirror and Madonna's Like a Prayer.  Crouch was noted for his talent of incorporating contemporary secular music styles into the gospel music he grew up with. His efforts in this area were what helped in paving the way for early American contemporary Christian music durng the 1960s and 1970s.

Crouch's original music arrangements were heard in the films The Color Purple and Disney's The Lion King, as well as the NBC television series Amen. Awards received by him include seven Grammy Awards, being inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998, and receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004.

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. 

Andrae Crouch was inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998.

A discography for Andrae Crouch includes the following:

Andrae 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)

Andrae Crouch (solo artist)

• 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

Andrae Crouch 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

Andrae Crouch also won the following 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)