Filed under: Interviews, Movies, Music, Gospel
Grammy-winning gospel legend Andrae Crouch is readying a new CD and has a documentary in the works.During a private luncheon at The Palm restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee, the 68-year-old music great confessed that he had not intended to record any new music until he was inspired producer Luther "Maino" Hanes.
"I was satisfied just writing songs and just putting them in the garage," he laughed. "As long as I got them out, it was fine! But I thank God for Maino."
Crouch, who is approaching 44 years in the entertainment business, pens nearly 10 songs daily, according to his new collaborator.
"He writes 10 songs a day and like eight of them should be classics put in hymnals," Hanes shared. "They're just that good! The others are awesome too! I've just never seen anyone write that way."
Led by a new single titled 'The Promise,' Crouch will release a CD later this year titled 'The Journey' on Vaughn Street Music/Riverphlo Music (Universal). The project is slated to feature collaborations by CeCe Winans and Take 6.
In addition to the new music, Crouch will be featured in a biographical documentary also called 'The Journey.'
Crouch remains the Senior Pastor of the Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ in Pacoima, California, a ministry founded by his late parents.
"As a pastor, I make it my duty to lead someone to the Lord every week. God has blessed us to be able to minister to people in 72 countries as well," he expressed.
Crouch is best known for penning church anthems like 'Take Me Back,' 'I'll Be Thinking Of You,' 'Soon And Very Soon,' 'Through It All,' 'My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)' and 'Jesus Is The Answer,' among countless others.
In 1985, he was nominated for an Oscar for penning 'Maybe God's Trying to Tell You Something' for the film 'The Color Purple.'
Additionally, he penned the theme song for the sitcom 'Amen;' was the arranger and choral conductor for the film 'The Lion King;' and contributed vocals to songs by Michael Jackson including 'Man in the Mirror,' 'Will You Be There' and 'Earth Song.'
"I know that God can use anybody, but I'm glad that he chose to use me," Crouch concluded.
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CeCe Winans
The eighth of 10 siblings in the gospel-singing Winans family, CeCe recorded music with brother BeBe. The dynamic duo scored two No. 1 R&B singles, 'Addictive Love' and 'I'll Take You There.' As a soloist, CeCe has won six Grammys and her collection of R&B hits includes 'Count on Me,' her duet with Whitney Houston from the 'Waiting to Exhale' soundtrack.
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BeBe Winans
After years as a duet with sister CeCe, BeBe Winans went solo and released a self-titled album in 1997. Featuring singles 'In Harms' Way,' 'Thank You,' and 'I Wanna Be The Only One,' the album did well on gospel and secular charts. BeBe is a two-time Grammy winner, one as co-producer of the 'Bodyguard' soundtrack.
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Kierra "KiKi" Sheard
KiKi Sheard is a third-generation gospel artist. Her mother is Karen Clark Sheard of the famed Clark Sisters and her grandmother is gospel pioneer Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. Shortly after graduating high school, Sheard released her second album 'This Is Me,' which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel charts in 2006.
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Mahalia Jackson
Regarded as the "world's greatest gospel singer," Jackson's spirit-filled force produced gospel classics such as 'Move On Up a Little Higher,' 'He's Got the Whole World in His Hands' (a Top 100 pop single) and 'How I Got Over.' She sang for Presidents Eisenhower & Kennedy, and for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. immediately before his "I Have a Dream" speech.
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Yolanda Adams
Though initially criticized in the Christian community for embracing R&B and jazz rhythms and "immodest" fashion to accompany her holy music, Adams scored quickly with gospel audiences. Her 1999 album, 'Mountain High...Valley Low' earned Adams her first Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel.
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Mary Mary
Sisters Erica and Tina Atkins formed gospel duo Mary Mary, named after biblical Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of Jesus. Their debut album, 'Thankful,' boasting smash single 'Shackles (Praise You),' was a crossover hit earning the duo Grammy and American Music Awards. The single received rotation on mainstream radio and MTV.
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Andraé Crouch
After founding the Disciples in 1965, André Crouch garnered mainstream success, appearing on 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' and at Carnegie Hall. The Disciples contemporary gospel sound, complete with soothing melodies of pop rather than traditional hymns, helped the group develop a racially diverse audience.
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