Beverly Crawford
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Beverly Crawford is an African-American gospel vocalist who is most well-known for singing with the New Life Singers on Bobby Jones Gospel on the Black Entertainment Network (BET) and for having well-known songs such as "Higher in the Lord", "Praise Jehovah", and "Run to the Water".
[edit] Early life
Born in the early 1960s in Gainesville, Florida, she is one of seven children born to a pastor. She began singing at the age of three and joined her sisters as part of the Camp Sisters.
[edit] Early career
In the late 1980s, her husband, Todd Crawford recorded a homemade video of her and her sisters singing and submitted copies to several gospel companies, with Bobby Jones Gospel the only one responding. Being impressed with the sisters, Bobby Jones invited them to sing on his show, and after about a couple of visits, he invited Beverly to join his group, New Life.
Beverly stayed on the show for 6 years, where she was a favorite every week. She began her solo career in 1995 with the release of Jesus, Precious King on Warner Alliance Records (now defunct), followed 3 years later with Now That I'm Here, which includes the hit title song and "Just As Soon (I'll Be Shouting). The latter album was nominated for a Grammy in 1999.
In 2001, Crawford released a studio album (except for 1 live song) entitled Beverly on Dexterity Records (the label of the prominent minister Bishop T.D. Jakes) and in 2003 returned to the live church setting with Live Family and Friends which includes "Higher in the Lord", "Hold On" and featured guest such as Bobby Jones, Shirley Murdock, Melvin Williams of the Williams Brothers, and her daughter Latrina Crawford.
Crawford is known for her highly energetic performances, her down-home manner and her versatile style, being able to sing both traditional, hard-hitting songs and soft, melodic ballads.
[edit] References
- www.beverlycrawford.net
- Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia, by Bil Carpenter, "Beverly Crawford", p.105
