In an era when religious music in contemporary styles seems a significant and permanent part of the musical landscape, it is important to remember that at one time gospel music, especially, was almost exclusively rooted in long traditions. One person above all others expanded the gospel vocabulary to include elements of R&B and modern popular styles. Contemporary gospel's pioneer was Andraé Crouch, who over a thirty-year career has become one of the most influential musicians in the United States. Both the wide swath of black gospel performers who draw on R&B and the legions of white contemporary Christian artists who blur the line between sacred and secular with middle-of-the-road romantic styles owe Crouch a musical debt.

Crouch was born in Los Angeles on July 1, 1942. His twin sister Sandra and older brother Benjamin were both musical, and he is also the cousin of noted jazz critic Stanley Crouch. The three Crouch children sang in a trio at the behest of their father, who had begun to preach in order to strengthen his prayers to God that his son might be given musical talent. One Sunday, when Andraé was 11, his father preached at a church in Val Verde, California, and then called Andraé to the piano to accompany the church's choir in the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." Although Andraé, according to his own recollections, had never played the piano before, he performed successfully.

Music helped Crouch overcome shyness and a stammering impediment. "I started singing what I had to say," he recalled to People. "People became music to me because everything they said was a song." Indeed, Crouch began composing songs at age 14 and has never really slowed down; he still composes each morning during the prayers for which he rises at 6 a.m. Crouch moved with his family to the San Fernando Valley suburb of Pacoima when he was in junior high school, and his musical talents burgeoned.

Born Andraé Edward Crouch on July 1, 1942, in Los Angeles, CA; son of Benjamin Jerome (a preacher and dry-cleaning business owner) and Catherine Dorothea Crouch.

Education: Studied elementary education, Valley Junior College, San Fernando, CA; religious studies, Life Bible Institute, Los Angeles.

Address: Record company--Liquid 8 Records & Entertainment, 4400 Baker Rd., Ste. 600, Minnetonka, MN 55343. Agent--William Morris Agency, 1325 Ave. of the Americas, New York, NY 10019