“I’ve had many tears and sorrows
I’ve had questions for tomorrow
There’ve been times I didn’t know right from wrong
But in every situation
God gave blessed consolation
That my trials only come to make me strong”
The opening words to the song, Through it All, written by one of gospel music’s most loved songwriters and singers, Andráe Crouch, tell the story of his life. Crouch, whose name is synonymous with gospel music, has been singing gospel songs himself and writing them for other gospel singers for 40 years. That isn’t all. Many secular artists have also sung his songs, and Crouch has collaborated on projects with Paul Simon, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Barbara Mandrell, Elton John, Madonna, Vanessa Williams, and others.
The words of his well loved Through it All may sum up his life best of all-both the hardships and the victories. His father, Benjamin Crouch Sr., his mother, Catherine, and his brother, Benjamin Jr., all died within two years of each other. During the past nine years he has been afflicted with four different kinds of cancer and had congestive heart failure a year-and-a-half ago. After having the congestive heart failure, he was hospitalized in the morning, stabilized in the afternoon, and performed a concert that weekend. He also fell and broke a rib during the Christmas season in 2005, but that actually turned out to be a good thing, because it allowed his doctor to determine his calcium was low-which could have been fatal. Through everything, he has kept up his music career and also is the pastor of Christ Memorial Church in Pacoima, California, with his sister, Sandra Crouch, being his assistant.
Andráe Crouch is such a favorite, both as a gospel singer and songwriter that his songs have been sung by Elvis, mainstream churches, those in the hippie movements, and African-American Pentecostal churches. His diverse styles of Christian music include hymns, traditional gospel songs, like the ones pioneered by Thomas A. Dorsey, contemporary light rock and pop-oriented songs backed by jazz musicians, to contemporary rhythm and blues.
Andráe Crouch has won seven Grammy Awards and was nominated for an Oscar. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998.
Before he became a gospel music legend, Andráe Crouch learned music in his father’s church in Southern California. He says God literally gave him the ability to play the piano while he was still a kid. Andráe Crouch is known as the “father of gospel music.”
Even when he was in his first group, Andráe showed what his future might hold. The group was the COGICS (Church of God in Christ Singers in 1960), and one of the other performers was Billy Preston, who later sang with the Beetles and became a well known soul singer on his own. Andráe Crouch founded Andráe Crouch and the Disciples in 1965. The group appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and performed at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and in 68 countries.
Andráe Crouch, whom many call a beloved gospel singer, has many well known songs including, The Blood Will Never Lose its Power, Through it All, Bless His Holy Name, My Tribute, and Jesus is the Answer.
Crouch was one of the first African-American gospel singers to cross over into mainstream Christian music. Many of his songs are well known throughout the world. He has sung on CD’s with such artists as Michael W. Smith, Take 6, and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
To go along with his Grammy Awards, Andráe Crouch has also won four Dove Awards, and ASCAP, Billboard, and NAACP awards. Crouch in 2004 became the only living contemporary gospel artist, and only the third gospel artist ever, to have his star enshrined on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Andráe Crouch says God honors anyone who says yes to Him. He said despite all the attacks against him by Satan and all the hardships he has been through, he has also seen many miracles. He says whatever God has given us, we should use for His glory, and added that he wants to complete God’s will in his life.
Crouch says that one miracle in his life was that when a doctor cut out a cancerous growth from his throat, while he was making a CD, he noticed seven nodes/polyps surrounding the growth, but after the growth was removed, all the nodes were gone! Crouch’s mother, father and brother all died of cancer, but he says he believes God will keep that from happening to him. Regardless, he has learned to be thankful in every situation.
Andráe Crouch is one of gospel music’s best loved singers and songwriters. His songs demonstrate that he lives and believes the words he is singing.
