Andraé Edward Crouch (born July 1, 1942), gospel musician, recording artist, songwriter, arranger, and producer, 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, young white hippies, and mainstream churches, as well as his fellow black Pentecostal Christians. He has won seven Grammy awards [1] and an Oscar nomination. Crouch was inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998. July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... This article is about the year. ... Gospel music may refer either to the religious music that first came out of African-American churches in the 1930s or, more loosely, to both black gospel music and to the religious music composed and sung by white southern Christian artists. ... Jesus Music was the name given to American musicians in the late 1960s and early 1970s, before the Christian music industry had begun to take form. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969, inclusive. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... Elvis redirects here. ... Publicity still for Youre the One, released in 2000 Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter of Hungarian descent who received Kennedy Center Honors in 2002. ... The Pentecostal movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. ... A Christian is a follower of Jesus, whom they regard as a/the Christ. ... Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards), presented by the Recording Academy (an association of Americans professionally involved in the recorded music industry) for outstanding achievements in the recording industry, is one of four major music awards shows held annually in the United States (the Billboard Music... Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent film awards in the United States and most watched awards ceremony in the world. ... The Gospel Music Association (GMA) was founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of Gospel music. ... The Gospel Music Hall of Fame, created in 1971 by the Gospel Music Association, is a Hall of Fame dedicated exclusively to recognizing meaningful contributions by individuals in all forms of gospel music. ...

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 African/world-music influences. Gospel music may refer either to the religious music that first came out of African-American churches in the 1930s or, more loosely, to both black gospel music and to the religious music composed and sung by white southern Christian artists. ... Thomas Andrew Dorsey (July 1, 1899 - January 23, 1993) is known as the Father of Gospel Music, and is best known today for his composition Take My Hand, Precious Lord. As formulated by Dorsey, gospel music combines Christian praise with the rhythms of jazz and the blues. ... Jazz is an original American musical art form originating around the start of the 20th century in New Orleans. ...

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 have reformed the 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 consisted of Andraé Crouch, Gloria Jones, Frankie Karl Springs aka Frankie Karl/Kahrl, Edna Wright, Blinky Williams, Andraé's twin sister Sandra Crouch, and Billy Preston. Preston later played organ for the Beatles. The COGICS were the first to record "The Blood". Sandra Crouch is a gospel performer, drummer and songwriter. ... William Everett Preston (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006) was an American soul musician from Houston, Texas, raised mostly in Los Angeles, California. ... The Beatles were an English Rock n Roll group from Liverpool, who continue to be held in the very highest regard for their artistic achievements, their huge commercial success, and their ground-breaking role in the history of popular music. ...

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 more than fifty 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. Musicians on their recordings included Sherman Andrus, Billy Thedford, Billy Preston, Sandra Crouch, Bill Maxwell, Harlan Rogers, Hadley Hockensmith, Abraham Laboriel, Perry Morgan, Ruben Fernandez, Tata Vega, Tramaine Hawkins, Danniebelle Hall, Paula Clarin, Bea Carr, Kathy Hazzard and Phyllis Swisher. Several musical acts and solo performers covered (made recordings of) his more popular works, further expanding Crouch's musical influence. 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was the full name of NBCs The Tonight Show during the years that Johnny Carson hosted from 1962 to 1992. ... The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheatre in Hollywood, California, USA, that is used primarily for music performances. ... Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City located at 881 7th Avenue, occupying the east stretch of 7th Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street. ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black), is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ...

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. For other people named Michael Jackson, see Michael Jackson (disambiguation). ... Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone (born August 16, 1958) is an American pop musician, singer, songwriter, dancer, actress and an author. ... Quincy Jones on the cover of Back on the Block (1989). ... This article is about the American musician. ... Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE[1] (born March 25, 1947) is an English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Rick Astley on the cover of his album Whenever You Need Somebody in 1987. ... Once Upon a Forest is a 1993 animated film, directed by Charles Grosvenor and released by 20th Century Fox, with an environmental theme. ... The Color Purple book cover The Color Purple is a 1982 novel by Alice Walker which received the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. ... For the theatrical musical, see The Lion King (musical). ... Free Willy is a 1993 Warner Brothers film about a boy who befriends an orca (killer whale). ... Postage stamp honoring Dr. Seuss and depicting him along with several of his creations, such as The Cat in the Hat and (courtesy of the United States Postal Service) Theodor Seuss Geisel (March 2, 1904 – September 24, 1991), better known by his pen name, Dr. Seuss, was a famous American... Yertle the Turtle is a book written by famous childrens author Dr. Seuss. ...

Andrae Crouch now serves as Senior Pastor at the New Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ in San Fernando, California, the church founded by his parents. The Church of God in Christ, Inc. ... San Fernando is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. ...

In 2004, Andraé Crouch was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is the third gospel musician to appear on the walk. 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... An example of a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, for the film actress Carole Lombard. ...

In 2006, he released Mighty Wind, Crouch's 40th anniversary album and the latest of more than 30 albums in his discography. 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• The official site of Andraé Crouch
• Andraé at Myspace
• International Dictionary of Black Composers
• New Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ
• A Decade of Jesus Music 1969-1979
• The Take Me Back Music Show