The Faces of Gospel Music Pioneers

In 1962, Bill married Gloria Sickal, who became the best writing partner Bill could have found anywhere. The couple spent the first five years of their married life juggling full-time teaching jobs, writing, singing, recording and publishing until music became their full-time career in 1967. The collaborations of Bill and Gloria have resulted in more than 700 popular gospel songs. They have collectively won eight Grammy Awards and more than a dozen nominations, and they have received more than two dozen Dove Awards from The Gospel Music Association, earning the title of Gospel Music Association’s “Songwriter of the Year” eight times. After decades of unprecedented musical successes, Bill and Gloria still operate their business from Bill’s hometown of Alexandria, Indiana, and they dwell in the same home in which they raised their family. (Source: gaither.com)

Memorabilia Items on Display:

Gold Records: Bill & Gloria were awarded these Gold Video Awards from the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA) for sales of 50,000 for their first video album release entitled “Homecoming” (1991) and their third video release entitled “Reunion” (1992).

Dove Award: Bill was awarded his very first Dove Award for “Songwriter Of The Year”, at the first ever Dove Awards ceremony
in 1969.

Andraé’s father was in the cleaning business and pastored a church, and it was there that Andraé began to sing and formed his first singing group. Educated in California, he studied at Valley Junior College for a career in teaching. It was during this time that he was called to the ministry and formed the “Disciples”. He worked with Teen Challenge and the Addict Choir, while attending Life Bible College. In 1969, Ralph Carmichael urged him to record his compositions. Later many groups and artists began to sing and record his songs. Among the most popular of his hundred of compositions are: “It Won’t Be Long”, “Keep On Singing”, “I Find No Fault In Him” and “Through It All”. Andraé was awarded by the Gospel Music Association the “Dove Award” for Soul Gospel Record of the Year 1977 and 1978 also Contemporary Black Gospel Album (1985) which he co-produced and performed.

Memorabilia Items on Display:

Song Book: 25 Of Andraé Crouch’s Greatest songs (including “My Tribute”) together for the first time in one book. Released in 1977 by Manna Music, Inc.

Shirt, Tam & Scarf: The signature Black Tam that Andraé was known for as well as a performance shirt and scarf worn by him.