Ed Crawford
With over 35 years of full-time Gospel ministry, Ed Crawford will add his newest
solo titles “Heart of the Matter,” and “Original Recipes” to the list of over 40
recording projects in which he has already been involved. Fondly referred to as
a “Gentle Giant of Gospel Music,” he is best known for his role in reorganizing
the Singing Americans in 1978 and for his position as baritone singer for The
Kingsmen from 1979-1989. Founding Ed Crawford Ministries in 1990, he spent the
next 12 years ministering as a solo evangelist in churches throughout the
nation. His most recent affiliation was to The Mystery Men Quartet – a group he
started in 2002. After nearly 10 years of group ministry, Ed is ministering
once again in the vein of full time solo evangelism where he is bringing his
Southern Gospel artistry to the people through the Word and song.
Ed Crawford’s baritone vocals have been heard in performances throughout the
United States and abroad including the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, and Mexico.
He has performed on the stages of The Grand Ole Opry, the National Quartet
Convention, and at the opening of the World’s Fair with then President Ronald
Reagan. Ed has also performed for television audiences of Great American
Gospel, TBN, PTL, Crook and Chase, The Ralph Emery Show, Gospel Country, and the
Music City Showcase. In addition, he has been involved with concerts such as
the Bonifay Florida All Night Singing, Lions Club All Night Singing in Waycross
GA, World’s Largest All Night Indoor Singing in Tuscaloosa, AL, and the
Shriners’ Benefit Concert in Columbia, SC, to name a few.
He has collaborated with such notable world evangelists as Bill Stafford of
Chattanooga, TN, Bill Sturm of Tulsa, OK, Greg Casto of Cleveland, TN, and Sonny
Holland of Clinton, LA. Other denominational leaders with whom Ed has ministered include Dr. Laurence Rhoades of West Union,
OH., Dr. John Phillips of West Chester, Scotland, Dr. Jerry Spencer from Dothan,
AL, and former ambassador Bill Riddick, all of whom Ed considers his mentors and
models for his personal life and ministry.
When considering Ed Crawford’s talent and his lifelong devotion to the music
industry and to furthering the Gospel through Word and song, that he has
received numerous forms of recognition is no surprise. As a founding and
charter member of the United States Association of Gospel Entertainers and
Musicians (USAGEM), he is the 2005 recipient of the prestigious USAGEM Diamond
Award, and was voted USAGEM’s 2006 Male Vocalist of the Year. In addition, Ed
was nominated the 1984 GMA Male Vocalist of the Year and he subsequently
received eight consecutive nominations as the Singing News Baritone of the Year.
Aside from recognition for his vocal abilities, Ed has also been bestowed what
he considers perhaps the highest honor by having been named 1984’s Gentleman of
Gospel Music, a title that has followed him now for over 25 years.
solo titles “Heart of the Matter,” and “Original Recipes” to the list of over 40
recording projects in which he has already been involved. Fondly referred to as
a “Gentle Giant of Gospel Music,” he is best known for his role in reorganizing
the Singing Americans in 1978 and for his position as baritone singer for The
Kingsmen from 1979-1989. Founding Ed Crawford Ministries in 1990, he spent the
next 12 years ministering as a solo evangelist in churches throughout the
nation. His most recent affiliation was to The Mystery Men Quartet – a group he
started in 2002. After nearly 10 years of group ministry, Ed is ministering
once again in the vein of full time solo evangelism where he is bringing his
Southern Gospel artistry to the people through the Word and song.
Ed Crawford’s baritone vocals have been heard in performances throughout the
United States and abroad including the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, and Mexico.
He has performed on the stages of The Grand Ole Opry, the National Quartet
Convention, and at the opening of the World’s Fair with then President Ronald
Reagan. Ed has also performed for television audiences of Great American
Gospel, TBN, PTL, Crook and Chase, The Ralph Emery Show, Gospel Country, and the
Music City Showcase. In addition, he has been involved with concerts such as
the Bonifay Florida All Night Singing, Lions Club All Night Singing in Waycross
GA, World’s Largest All Night Indoor Singing in Tuscaloosa, AL, and the
Shriners’ Benefit Concert in Columbia, SC, to name a few.
He has collaborated with such notable world evangelists as Bill Stafford of
Chattanooga, TN, Bill Sturm of Tulsa, OK, Greg Casto of Cleveland, TN, and Sonny
Holland of Clinton, LA. Other denominational leaders with whom Ed has ministered include Dr. Laurence Rhoades of West Union,
OH., Dr. John Phillips of West Chester, Scotland, Dr. Jerry Spencer from Dothan,
AL, and former ambassador Bill Riddick, all of whom Ed considers his mentors and
models for his personal life and ministry.
When considering Ed Crawford’s talent and his lifelong devotion to the music
industry and to furthering the Gospel through Word and song, that he has
received numerous forms of recognition is no surprise. As a founding and
charter member of the United States Association of Gospel Entertainers and
Musicians (USAGEM), he is the 2005 recipient of the prestigious USAGEM Diamond
Award, and was voted USAGEM’s 2006 Male Vocalist of the Year. In addition, Ed
was nominated the 1984 GMA Male Vocalist of the Year and he subsequently
received eight consecutive nominations as the Singing News Baritone of the Year.
Aside from recognition for his vocal abilities, Ed has also been bestowed what
he considers perhaps the highest honor by having been named 1984’s Gentleman of
Gospel Music, a title that has followed him now for over 25 years.
