Andrae Crouch: The history of the US gospel legend

Saturday 1st October 1994

One of the most influential and controversial of all Christian music luminaries, ANDRAE CROUCH visits these shores in October. Tony Cummings fills in the history.



Continued from page 2

Now, after 10 years, Quincy Jones has signed Andrae to a seven year, seven album deal, which guarantees Crouch fans new music through the end of the millennium. Crouch is also hastily putting together a Christmas album/video to be released in the autumn. It's a testament to Crouch's busyness and perfectionism that 'Mercy' was in the planning for about eight years. Over those years, he had written some 500 songs for it. "I just didn't know what songs to put on this record, that's one reason it took so long to put it out. I like them all and then I started working on them and God would give me other ideas... But I'm glad I have that problem," he laughs. "It's a blessing to have too much food."

In evaluating the album's message, Crouch insists that, "it's not an album that points its finger and beats you with it. It's a cry for us to return to the real reason for what we do. It's a cry for us to get in line for what he wants us to be so he can do something with us." Crouch is happy that he is picking up younger listeners with the album. "I want to focus on giving kids a touch. You can see that. I'm saying, 'Hey, man, come over here. Get away from the hoopla hoopla and the yo-yo Jesus, because God really has a touch on you.'

"The reason the album is called 'Mercy' is that he took so much patience with me and said, 'Andrae, I'll give you music, you just go forth. Don't worry about how brilliant somebody's skill is or how much better you think they can sing than you. Don't worry about that because it's the anointing I place on you.'"

The young lady who typed in the lyrics for the 'Mercy' CD booklet was equally moved by Crouch's words, and she'd never even heard of him before. "She told me, 'I do this for all the groups at Qwest and I started crying on some of these songs when I was typing and I didn't even know why... It just touched my heart, it was so refreshing.'" With testimonials like that about the new album and his involvement with his parent's church, Crouch beams, "I just feel like my ministry is more defined now." CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.
About Tony Cummings
Tony CummingsTony Cummings is the music editor for Cross Rhythms website and attends Grace Church in Stoke-on-Trent.


 
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Reader Comments

Posted by W. L. Marshall in De @ 16:55 on Feb 5 2015

Great to hear the whole story about Minister/Pastor Andre Crouche. A true blessing ...



Posted by Bob in Samoa @ 01:39 on May 16 2014

Im 28 yrs of age and im a Worship Leader in Church called A.O.G. I dont knw who Andrae Crouch is... since is learnt his songs Then i started surfing on Net for the original Of Jesus is The Answer...and i dntknw its him who wrote I DONT KNW WHY JESUS LOVES ME... BLOOD and i love his musics even downloaded them 2



Posted by arni alter in martinez, ca @ 05:25 on Nov 28 2012

Let the church say Amen!/



Posted by Linda Hilton Palmer in Boise, Idaho @ 16:13 on Oct 2 2011

Thanks so much for this article about Andrae Crouch. I have listened to his music since the 60's, and God has used Andrae's music and testimony to draw me into a closer love relationship, with Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God! "To God Be The Glory," and "Through It All," are 2 of my favorites, that have deeply impacted my life! Prayers are with you brother Andrae! Your sister in the Lord, Linda Palmer



Posted by gary everitt in xenia, ohio @ 13:05 on Oct 2 2011

I have loved Andrae's music for years. My #1 song is "Through It All". Down through the years when he would be on TBN, Paul Crouch would always talk about "his brother Andrea". A great testimony of how life is like a rollercoaster, but thank God for his grace & mercy.



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