Andrus, Blackwood and Company
Encyclopedia
Andrus, Blackwood, and Company were one of the first racially integrated groups in Contemporary Christian Music
releasing 6 albums between 1977 and 1984. The group was composed of two former members of The Imperials
, Sherman Andrus
and Terry Blackwood
as co-lead vocalists. Rounding out the groups first touring band in 1977 were Rocky Laughlin on bass, Tim Marsh on drums, Bob Villareal on guitar and backing vocals and Karen Voegtlin on keyboards and backing vocals. Other alternating band members between 1978-1986 included Billy Blackwood (cousin of Terry Blackwood) on drums, John Mays on bass, Jeff Chambers on guitars, Randy Dennis on keyboards, David Ennis (later with country group 'Restless Heart') on keyboards, Gerritt Wilson on Synths, David Hassell on keyboards and vocals, Mark Burchfield on bass. David Hassell also worked as office manager and tour manager for the group. The groups final performance came in June 1986 at Six Flags theme park in Chicago, IL.
At the time the two left the Imperials it was one of the most commercially successful acts in CCM. While not songwriters themselves, Andrus and Blackwood were good judges of what CCM radio wanted developing relationships with Bruce Hibbard, Hadley Hockensmith, Phil Johnson and Tim Sheppard among others. It paid off with a top 10 title track to their 1979 sophomore double-album Following You. During the group's tenure, they placed 8 hits on the Christian radio charts including 3 #1 hits, "Jesus, You're So Wonderful" (20 weeks,1980-1981).,"Soldier of the Light" (23 weeks,1981). and "Step Out of the Night" (4 weeks,1983). The group appeared as headliners for every major Christian music festival
during the late 70's - mid 80's and were guests at Disney's Night of Joy, headliners for the Kentucky State Fair, and guests on PBS's Austin City Limits musical TV program in 1983.
Andrus and Blackwood now occasionally perform in group now called "Elvis' Imperials" with another former Imperials member, Joe Moscheo.
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
releasing 6 albums between 1977 and 1984. The group was composed of two former members of The Imperials
The Imperials
The Imperials are an American Christian music group that has been around for over 45 years. Originating as a southern gospel quartet, the innovative group would become pioneers of contemporary Christian music in the 1960s. There have been many changes for the band in membership and musical styles...
, Sherman Andrus
Sherman Andrus
Sherman Andrus is an American Gospel singer, who is probably best known as the man who broke the "color barrier" by becoming the first African-American lead singer of a mainstream Christian music group...
and Terry Blackwood
Terry Blackwood
Terry Blackwood is a contemporary Christian musician who is best known as lead singer for Christian pop act The Imperials. He was with the group for nearly a decade, joining in 1967 and remaining with them through 1976...
as co-lead vocalists. Rounding out the groups first touring band in 1977 were Rocky Laughlin on bass, Tim Marsh on drums, Bob Villareal on guitar and backing vocals and Karen Voegtlin on keyboards and backing vocals. Other alternating band members between 1978-1986 included Billy Blackwood (cousin of Terry Blackwood) on drums, John Mays on bass, Jeff Chambers on guitars, Randy Dennis on keyboards, David Ennis (later with country group 'Restless Heart') on keyboards, Gerritt Wilson on Synths, David Hassell on keyboards and vocals, Mark Burchfield on bass. David Hassell also worked as office manager and tour manager for the group. The groups final performance came in June 1986 at Six Flags theme park in Chicago, IL.
At the time the two left the Imperials it was one of the most commercially successful acts in CCM. While not songwriters themselves, Andrus and Blackwood were good judges of what CCM radio wanted developing relationships with Bruce Hibbard, Hadley Hockensmith, Phil Johnson and Tim Sheppard among others. It paid off with a top 10 title track to their 1979 sophomore double-album Following You. During the group's tenure, they placed 8 hits on the Christian radio charts including 3 #1 hits, "Jesus, You're So Wonderful" (20 weeks,1980-1981).,"Soldier of the Light" (23 weeks,1981). and "Step Out of the Night" (4 weeks,1983). The group appeared as headliners for every major Christian music festival
Christian music festival
A Christian music festival is a music festival held by the Christian community, in support of performers of Christian music...
during the late 70's - mid 80's and were guests at Disney's Night of Joy, headliners for the Kentucky State Fair, and guests on PBS's Austin City Limits musical TV program in 1983.
Andrus and Blackwood now occasionally perform in group now called "Elvis' Imperials" with another former Imperials member, Joe Moscheo.
Discography
| Year | Album | Record Label | Record Producer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Grand Opening | Greentree | Phil Johnson |
| 1978 | Following You | Greentree | Phil Johnson |
| 1980 | Live | > | |
| 1981 | Soldiers of the Light | > Phil Johnson | |
| 1982 | Step Out of the Night | Greentree | Phil Johnson |
| 1984 | Holiday | > John Rosasco | |
| 1984 | Best of Andrus, Blackwood and Company | Greentree | Phil Johnson |