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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZCROUCH, Andrae(b 1 July 1942, Los Angeles; d 8 January 2015) Gospel singer, songwriter, keyboardist. Played piano and sang in church choirs at an early age. Formed band the COGICS (Church Of God In Christ Singers) early '60s, with twin sister Sandra, Blinky Williams, Billy Preston, Gloria Jones, Frankie Spring and Edna Wright; made one LP for VeeJay and won numerous awards. Formed new band Disciples '65; toured playing mixture of gospel, rock, soul; LP Take The Message Everywhere '69 on Light. Sandra sang back-up for Diana Ross and others, rejoined her brother '70. He continued touring; series of LPs featured guest shots by Stevie Wonder, the Crusaders and others; Crouch has also won Grammy awards '75-8-9; he wrote songs recorded by Elvis Presley, The Imperials, Pat Boone. His autobiography was called Through It All. Gospel CDs by Andrea and Sandra were on CGI, plus Andrea's The Light Years on Light, Mercy on Qwest. |