...so I had to process everything before I could really say anything. What can I say about Andraé? Certainly the creator of some of the greatest songs EVER written, one of the most humble down to earth people I knew, he had a heart for God, an encourager, a mentor, and someone for whom I had the utmost respect and looked up to. I remember writing with him in LA in the 90s a song called the light which the Smallwood Singers recorded and being absolutely petrified and in awe at the same time that I was sitting next to this icon WRITING with him, remembering we had to take a break so he could make a pilgrimage to the local donut shop (in which I was only too happy to oblige). I remember knowing his music especially songs like The Blood but not really knowing the artist in the early 70s. He was mostly CCM in those earlier days, so the general black market didnt know a lot of him. Tramaine had sang with him while a teen and recorded a song called Im Coming Home Dear Lord with him and The Disciples when she was 16, I believe. Being a complete Hawkins fanatic since the late 60s, I purchased that album to hear her sing. But in 1978 the Live in London 2 album set came out and literally changed my musical life. The MUSIC, the arrangements, the vocals, the sound, the TECHNICAL expertise.....Many early gospel LIVE albums around that time and before sounded like someone sat in the back of a church with a cassette recorder and pushed record. This was clean, perfection at its highest. I remember thinking...if ever I get the chance to record...whether is studio or live...I want my album to sound like THIS! I went to the record store and got all the previous Andrae albums I had missed and EVERY one thereafter. Remembering going to see him probably in the 80s at Constitution Hall. He had a hit out called Its Gonna Rain and it was a JAM!!! Remember seeing him stroll across the stage with a huge umbrella raised while singing Its Raining ohhh Its Raining. accompanied by a live horn section. Never had seen gospel performed on stage in a manner that unique and professional. Remember thinking....I want to do THAT kind of gospel presentation if ever I get the chance! I remember going to his house, touring his studio, but all the time thinking, this is one of the nicest people Ive ever met. I remember our last conversation in person sitting in the lobby of the hotel in Nashville during Stellar Award weekend. The encouragement that he gave me in that conversation I will never ever forget. We had promised to get together again to write, for my next project. Sadly that never happened. What a blessing he was to humankind, not only musically, but his spirit and his heart. Andraé the world will never be the same because youre gone, but it also will never be the same because of what you deposited while you were here. You not only changed the face of gospel music, but you made a difference in peoples LIVES!
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:38:16 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015