As it has probably become known to the world by the time you read this, gospel music legend Andrae Crouch passed Thursday (Jan. 8). While people die every day, the multi-Grammy Award winner’s death is particularly poignant for me and hopefully, once you’ve read this blog, of interest to the University of Mississippi community as well.
For me, Ole Miss and Andrae Crouch have been intertwined for almost 40 years. It began shortly before Crouch and his group, the Disciples, came here to appear in a 1978 Dixie Week concert at Fulton Chapel. (Shout out to Sparky Reardon for making that one happen!) I was a junior print journalism major writing for The Daily Mississippian at the time and, like many others, a huge Crouch fan. It just so happened that my uncle, the late Bishop Samuel L. Smith, was a longtime friend of the Crouch family and that Andrae and his group were performing at the University of Memphis (back when it was Memphis State University) a few weeks before their appearance here.
I called Uncle Sammy, told him I was coming to the show and asked if he could make arrangements for me to interview Crouch in person before or after his performance. By divine favor, my request was granted! So after his exhilarating and inspiring two-hour plus concert, I was ushered backstage to meet and interview Mr. Crouch. He was humble, funny and candid, all of which made for a great story published in the DM the week before the UM concert. Of course, I attended that event (my third time seeing him live) and (as always) was blown away by his musicianship, charisma and spiritual messages in song.
Several years later, I was working as managing editor for REJOICE!, a long-defunct gospel music magazine published by UM’s Center for the Study of Southern Culture. (Shout out to Bill Ferris and Ann Abadie for giving me the opportunity!) Searching for another story, I was inspired to contact Andrae Crouch again for a phone interview. His twin sister, Sandra, hooked me up and after several missed messages, he and I finally reached each another. To my pleasant surprise, Andrae remembered me and our previous face-to-face interview. Our connection made for a most memorable and lengthy conversation from which I was able to write a meaningful feature.
My third and final interview with Crouch was made possible indirectly because I had worked at the university. It was 11 years ago when I was director of public relations at Rust College (Shout out to President David L. Beckley and Ishmell H. Edwards, vice president for college relations, for the opportunity!). As part of my duties, I hosted a weekly hourlong talk show on WURC-FM (Rust’s public radio station). Ever on the alert for celebrity interviews, I reached out to Crouch (who had just released a new CD). Once more, his sister assisted me in coordinating the interview.
The day of my on-air interview with Crouch, I wondered if he would still remember all the previous times we had spoken. Wonder of wonders, he did indeed! Again, we both reminisced and discussed his plans for ministry, music and marriage (he never did marry though).
Thankfully, I still have my copies of the DM and REJOICE! articles and the WURC “Straight Talk Live!” interview on CD. Better still, I have fond memories associated with my personal encounters with the singer. His songs, both old and new, have proven timeless. One of my first solos in church was Crouch’s “My Tribute (To God be the Glory).” I recently sang lead on “Let the Church Say Amen” at Asbury United Methodist Church in Holly Springs for their annual Christmas concert. Publicly and privately, Crouch’s music continues to be a soundtrack for my life.
In conclusion, it’s right and good that Crouch should pass in the same month that my father, the Honorable Eddie L. Smith Jr.-first African-American mayor of Holly Springs, passed 14 years ago. Dad bought and gave me my first Andrae Crouch and the Disciples album (on vinyl and, yes, I still have it). Later, as I got to know Crouch myself, I would continue buying his music and attending his concerts. The impact of these men, and so many others, helped make me who and what I am today.
Rest in peace, Andrae. Soon and very soon …