International gospel music legend Andrae Crouch comes to Ghana for a musical concert that is expected to attract thousands. In his 44th year in the ministry, Andrae graces the 2010 edition of Harvest Praise, a worship and praise concert that features top gospel music icons. The programme comes off on 2nd April - Good Friday - at the Dome of the International Conference Centre in Accra. Considered as the father of Gospel music, Andrae promises a refreshing rendition of platinum songs such as Jesus is the Answer, The blood that Jesus shared for me, I don't know why Jesus loves me, Through it all, Soon and very soon and Mercy among others. Andrae Crouch will be sharing the stage with another prolific gospel music group, Vinesong from the UK – an intense ambiance of worship will definitely be stirred up by these ministers. Harvest Praise 2010, an Easter must-attend family programme offers a spicy variety for local gospel music lovers for a treat of ace-songstress, Ohemaa Mercy, who is expected to set the venue ablaze with her award winning songs such as Fefeefe, Edin Jesus and others from her hot-selling album Yesu Mogya. Watch out for the host choir Harvest Gospel Choir with the special 2010 surprise package and many more! Both Andrae's artistic integrity and musical acumen are backed up by a lifetime of experience, a rich history that encompasses many of the most significant musical moments of the last half-century. Hailing from Los Angeles, Andrae cut his creative teeth singing and playing piano in his father's church. Despite being entirely self-taught, he was writing his own songs by age ten and went on to form the Church Of God In Christ Singers along with keyboard great Billy Preston and his sister Sandra Crouch. It was in the mid-sixties that he brought together a fledgling group more of young vocalists and musicians to create the world-renowned Disciples, writing, arranging and producing music that transformed the appeal and artistry of gospel music forever. As the leader and creative spark of The Disciples, Andrae's God-given gifts earned him an international following unprecedented among gospel artists. During their two-decade tenure, they performed for sold out crowds in over 50 countries, and recorded such enduring gospel classics as "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power," "Through It All" and "Bless His Holy Name," - all written by Andrae. Another Crouch original, “My Tribute” has been covered by over 600 artists around the globe. Garnering an international audience, both young and old, black and white, and of every conceivable musical persuasion, Andrae Crouch & The Disciples were, in the truest sense of the term, authentic originals. But Andrae was just getting started. Launching a solo career in the mid-eighties, he would go on to leave his distinctive musical mark as a writer and arranger on chart topping hits that effortlessly crossed the pop/gospel divide, working with everyone from Madonna to Diana Ross to Elton John – and a host of others. As founder of the famed Andrae Crouch Singers, he oversaw the group's pivotal participation on Quincy Jones' landmark 1990 release, Back On The Block. The group would also be front and center on both Michael Jackson's smash “Man In The Mirror,” for which Andrae served as a vocal arranger, as well as Jackson's much-anticipated 2001 comeback album, Invincible. He also made notable contributions to the soundtracks of such hit films as The Color Purple (again collaborating closely with Quincy Jones); The Lion King; and Free Willy, for which he wrote yet another Michael Jackson hit, “You Will Be There.” Such outstanding contributions to the musical state of the art naturally led to numerous awards and honors, including no less than eight Grammy's and a recent induction into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame. In 2005, he received a Life Time Achievement Award at the inaugural Salute To Gospel Music held by NARAS in Los Angeles. In 2004, he became the only living contemporary gospel artist to have his star enshrined in the prestigious Hollywood Walk Of Fame, and only the third gospel artist in history to receive the honor. Andrae is an electrifying live performer with a global reputation and has played in over 68 countries and consistently sells out concert venues in Asia, America and Europe. In South Africa, a longtime Crouch stronghold, a local gospel choir even named themselves after him. In Norway, Andrae served as a special guest performer on several projects with the Oslo Gospel Choir, which featured many of his classic recordings. Such is his stature among his peers that, in 1996, a host of contemporary Christian stars, including The Winans, Ce Ce Winans, Twila Paris, Michael W. Smith and Bryan Duncan gathered to pay him a unique tribute on an album titled, appropriately, Tribute: The Songs Of Andrae Crouch, which received a Grammy Award. Harvest Praise 2010 certainly promises a blend of old and contemporary local and foreign gospel music and the expectation can justifiably be raised with high profile bill. According to the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Daniel Adjei, this year's show is being carefully managed to harness the excellence of content and spread of space for a totally fulfilling experience for attendees! As usual the show will be streamed live on the internet, radio and TV throughout the country, continent and beyond. All in all, on Good Friday, 2nd April 2010 at 4.30pm prompt, the 4000-capacity Dome at the Accra International Conference Centre is set to explode with one of the greatest gospel music event in the history of Ghana and you can't afford to miss the experience. Book your ticket and see you there! Source: Myjoyonline.com/Ghana *Credit: Kojo Yeboah Bremang

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