Celebrating Black History Month #19

Andraé Crouch, pastor, performer, composer, and church musician extraordinaire, has been an important presence in contemporary and gospel music for fifty years and a contributor to United Methodist songbooks for thirty years.

Crouch and his twin sister, Sandra, were born July 1, 1942, in Los Angeles, where his father was founding pastor of Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ. Andraé grew up in the church, where he sang and played even before age ten. In 1965 he founded his music group, The Disciples. They were frequent singers in Southern California services and concerts, including Audrey Meier’s ("His Name Is Wonderful") Monday Night Sing concerts.

Meier was an early fan and promoter of Crouch, his music, and The Disciples. She introduced him to Tim Spencer of Manna Music, publisher of his first song, "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power," which he had written at age fifteen. Spencer, in turn, introduced Crouch to Ralph Carmichael of Light Records, which recorded his first album, Take the Message Everywhere, released in 1969.

In 1972 Crouch appeared on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show; and by 1985, The Disciples had appeared at the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, and toured 68 countries.

As an established and important composer and performer, Crouch has helped launch the careers of some of today’s major artists: Walter Hawkins, Jessy Dixon, Bebe and CeCe Winans, the Clark Sisters, Wintley Phipps, Anointed, and Israel Houghton. In 2004 Crouch was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one of only three gospel musicians so honored. Following his father’s death, today Crouch is senior pastor of Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ in Pacoima, California, the church founded by his parents and the church of his youth.

For more information, see Music Muising 229--Black History Month: Andraé Crouch.