Died On This Date (January 8, 2015) Andrae Crouch / The Father of Modern Gospel Music
themusicsover Andrae Crouch
July 1, 1942 – January 8, 2015
Andrae Crouch was a Gospel music pioneer in that he almost single-handedly crossed it over to the mainstream over the course of his career. Crouch took to music at an early age, and had already written his first Gospel song by the time he was 14. In 1960, he formed his first group, the Church of God in Christ Singers, that also counted Billy Preston as a member. That lead to the Disciples which lasted until 1979, when Crouch went on to his successful solo career. His best known songs are “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory),” “Soon and Very Soon,” and “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.” Over the years, Crouch collaborated with the likes of Elton John, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Madonna (to name just a few). He also contributed original music to several films and television shows, most notably, The Lion King and The Color Purple, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination. Throughout a career that spanned nearly 50 years, he won seven Grammys, four Dove Awards, and numerous other accolades. Andrae Crouch was 72 when he died on January 8, 2015 while in the hospital after suffering a heart attack five days earlier.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the tip.
What You Should Own
Little Jimmy Dickens was a much-beloved American country music singer whose career spanned an astonishing 78 years. At the time of his passing, he was the oldest member of the Grand Ole Opry, which he joined in 1948. Launching his career during the late ’30s, Dickens initially performed at a local radio station while attending West Virginia University, but decided to quit school in order to focus on his career. He went on to tour the U.S. playing at various radio stations until he caught the ear of 
