Andrae Crouch was born in San Francisco, California to two bi-vocational pastors. He believed that he received the gift of music as a child when his father was called to be a guest preacher to a church with no musicians. At a young age of 10 he was writing music as well as singing and playing for his fathers church. He wrote his first gospel song at the age of 14 and formed his first musical group, the COGICS (Church of God in Christ Singers) during his high school matriculation which featured Billy Preston. His group first also recorded the hymn, “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power”.
Crouch’s musical career began to thrive after he founded the Disciples in 1965. For eleven years, Crouch and his group appeared on tv shows, performed at famous establishments, and toured 68 countries. He later produced and wrote music for films (such as The Color Purple), pop artists, and for the TV show Amen. In his entire music career, Crouch’s discography includes a total of 25 albums, which included solo albums, albums with the Disciples, and other featured artists.
Crouch’s style ranges from hymns to contemporary light rock and pop songs featuring jazz musicians and African influences. He often utilized elements such as call and response and choirs. Often called “the father of the modern gospel” due to him including elements of R&B and popular styles of the 70s and 80s. One of the first black gospel artists to crossover to mainstream Christian music.
His awards include Grammy, Billboard, and NAACP Image awards. He is the 3rd contemporary gospel artist to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Crouch also served as senior pastor at New Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ in San Fernando, CA until his death in 2015.
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