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All Music Guide:
Inez Andrews's powerful contralto voice has been among gospel's greatest since her days with The Caravans in the late '50s. Andrews's nickname, "Songbird," was taken by Don Robey when he formed a gospel subsidiary label of his Backbeat/Peacock operation. Andrews was among the first gospel artists he signed. She later recorded for Savoy and Spirit Feel. Her most recent release was Raise up a Nation with The Thompson Community Singers in 1991 for Word/Epic. Headline News, a collection of some of her finest solo work in the '70s, was released in 1999.
Wikipedia:
Inez Andrews (born April 14, 1929 in Birmingham, Alabama) is an American gospel singer and recording artist.
Biography
In 1957, Andrews became a member of the gospel group The Caravans; she auditioned for Albertina Walker (Queen Of Gospel Music) and Dorothy Norwood, and they sent for her in Chicago. She has resided there, and used Chicago as a base for her performing career, to this day.
Along with Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, James Cleveland, Shirley Caesar, Cassietta George, Josephine Howard, Eddie Williams, James Herndon, and Delores Washington, she became one of the major stars of gospel's golden age. The Caravans produced songs such as "Lord Keep Me Day By Day", "Remember Me" "I Won't Be Back" and several other hits in which Andrews was lead vocalist, including "Mary Don't You Weep", "I'm Not Tired Yet", "Make It In", "He Won't Deny Me" and "I'm Willing".
She released a reunion album with The Caravans, Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, and original soprano Delores Washington, entitled Paved the Way.
Solo career
After a stellar career with the Caravans, she left the group in 1962 and had huge success with her crossover hit, "Lord Don't Move the Mountain". Andrews has recorded on many labels since the 1950s and has many albums and hit songs to her credit, some of which she composed herself.
Personal life
She is a dedicated Christian and family person and raised seven children during her career in gospel music.
Honors and awards
In 2002, she was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame.
