Sherman Andrus

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Sherman Andrus is probably best known as the man who broke the "color barrier" in Southern gospel music by becoming the first African-American lead singer of a Southern Gospel quartet while lead singer for The Imperials from 1972-1976.

Andrus began in gospel music with the popular contemporary Christian music act Andrae Crouch and the Disciples in 1964. Andrus would tour with the group through 1970.^[1]

Andrus joined the Imperials in February 1972, replacing the departing Greg Gordon. He recorded as co-lead singer along with Terry Blackwood for their albums Imperials (1972),Imperials LIVE (1973),Follow the Man with the Music (1974),No Shortage (1975) and 1976's Just Because before joining Blackwood in a new duo Andrus, Blackwood and Company. That pairing would release 6 albums from 1977-1984. Andrus continues to record today as a solo artist.