Andraé Edward Crouch was an American gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, record producer and pastor. Referred to as "the father of modern gospel music" by contemporary Christian and gospel music professionals, Crouch was known for his compositions "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power", "My Tribute " and "Soon and Very Soon". He collaborated on some of his recordings with artists, such as Stevie Wonder, El DeBarge, Philip Bailey, Chaka Khan, Sheila E. and vocal group Take 6, and many recording artists covered his material, including, Bob Dylan, Barbara Mandrell, Paul Simon, Elvis Presley and Little Richard. In the 1980s and 1990s, he was known as the "go to" producer for superstars who sought a gospel choir sound in their recordings, appearing on a number of recordings, including Michael Jackson's "Man In the Mirror", Madonna's "Like a Prayer", and "The Power", a duet between Elton John and Little Richard. Crouch was noted for his talent of incorporating contemporary secular music styles into the gospel music he grew up with. His efforts in this area helped pave the way for early American contemporary Christian music during the 1960s and 1970s.
The Blind Boys of Alabama is an American five-time Grammy Award-winning gospel group who have been singing together since 1939. The Blind Boys have toured for eight decades and created an extensive discography. In 2016 the on-stage configuration of the group consisted of eight people: four blind singers—Jimmy Carter, Ben Moore, Eric "Ricky" McKinnie, Paul Beasley – guitarist and musical director Joey Williams, a keyboardist, a bass guitarist, and a drummer.
Downhere is a Christian rock band from Canada. They have released six studio albums to date: downhere (2001), So Much for Substitutes (2003), Wide-Eyed and Mystified (2006), Ending Is Beginning (2008), How Many Kings: Songs for Christmas (2009), and On the Altar of Love (2011) and have won several Juno and Covenant Awards.
Michael English is an American Christian singer and record producer. Initially, he was a member of his family's singing group, and later a member of The Gaither Vocal Band. During his solo career, he recorded eight studio albums. English's highest-charting solo single was "Your Love Amazes Me", which reached No. 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart in 1996.
Doyle Lawson is an American traditional bluegrass and Southern gospel musician. He is best known as a mandolin player, vocalist, producer, and leader of the 6-man group Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. Lawson was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
Walter Lee Hawkins was an American gospel music singer and pastor. He was consecrated to the bishopric in 2000.
Ordinary Just Won't Do, released in 1989 on Light Records, is a gospel music album by American contemporary gospel music group Commissioned.
State of Mind, released 1990 on Verity Records, is a gospel music album by American contemporary gospel music group Commissioned. It was the last album with the original line-up of the group: Keith Staten and Michael Brooks left the group.
Take 6, released in 1988 on Reprise Records, is the first album by the American contemporary Gospel music group Take 6. The album won the group their first two Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus. It also earned the group their first three Dove Awards for Group of the Year, Contemporary Black Gospel Album of the Year, and Contemporary Black Gospel Song of the Year.
The Sound is the fourth studio album by gospel R&B duo, Mary Mary, released October 21, 2008 by Columbia Records in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Witness was a contemporary gospel group from Detroit, Michigan. Often called the female version of Commissioned, an all-male contemporary gospel group, they were the brainchild of and chiefly produced by Michael A. Brooks, an original member and producer of Commissioned.
I've Come Too Far, released in 1989 on Tyscot Records, is a gospel music album by the American contemporary gospel music group Witness. This album was the first as a quartet after the departure of member Marvie Wright.
Keep Looking Up, released in 1986 on Tyscot Records, is the debut gospel music album by American contemporary gospel music group Witness. It was the only album to feature fifth member Marvie Wright, who departed after the album's release.
He Can Do the Impossible, released in 1994 on CGI Records, is a gospel music album by American contemporary gospel music group Witness. The album reached No. 12 on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart.
A Song in the Night, released in 1995 on CGI Records, is a gospel music album by American urban contemporary gospel group Witness. This was the group's last album to feature founding member Diane Campbell and Lou Ann Stewart and features vocals by singer Marshetta Nichols in addition to the four group members. This project was also the group's last release until the release of Love Is an Action Word in 1998. The album hit number three on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart.
Love Is an Action Word, released in 1998 on CGI Records, is a gospel music album by American urban contemporary gospel group Witness. This would be the only album to feature then new members Candace Smith and Ayana Thomas and would be the group's last release before disbanding in 1999. The band would later regroup in 2003.
Mean What You Say, released in 1991 on CGI Records, is a gospel music album by American contemporary gospel music group Witness. This would be the last album to feature original founding members Tina Brooks and Yolanda Harris who would depart after the album's release. Around this time gospel singer Liz Lee would step in with Lou Ann Stewart as the newer members of witness replacing Brooks & Harris to promote the album. Lee would then depart to the group and be permanently replaced by Lisa Page's sister Laeh Page.
An Appointed Time, released in 2003 on Axiom Records, is a gospel music album by American urban contemporary gospel group Witness. This was the group's first release in five years since they had disbanded in 1999. The group reunited in 2003 with founding member Lisa Page Brooks, Laeh Jones, the return of Lou Ann Stewart and the debut of Brooks' daughter and future Sunday Best winner Tasha Page-Lockhart. This album also includes an update remake of their previous hit 'Standard".
Lisa Charise Brooks is an American urban contemporary gospel, traditional black gospel, and gospel music recording artist and musician. She started her music career, in 1986, with her quartet, Witness. Her solo music career began in 1997, while she has since released four solo studio albums, More Than You'll Ever Know in 1997, Lisa Page Brooks in 2001, Strong in 2009, and Ready in 2013. Three of those albums charted on the Billboard magazine charts.
