Andrus, Blackwood & Company was a racially integrated Contemporary Christian Music group, releasing six 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 group’s 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 and 1986 included Billy Blackwood (cousin of Terry Blackwood) on drums, John Mays on bass, Mark Hughes on bass (later with Dobie Gray and owner the world’s largest used music store, Mr Mark’s Music in Nashville (1980–90, 2000-2016-current), 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 group’s final performance came in June 1986 at Six Flags theme park in Chicago, IL.
At the time the two had 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 eight hits on the Christian radio charts including 3 No. 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 1970s to mid-1980s, including Disney’s Night of Joy, They also appeared on PBS’s Austin City Limits musical TV program in 1983.
Discography
Soldiers Of The Light/Step Out Of The Night
Benson Music 1991
Tracks: Soldier Of The Light, The Well Will Never Run Dry, God-Made Man, Close To You, I Still Do, The Other Side, Walk On Water, Give It All, The Captain & Me, You Are, No You May Out, Step Out Of The Night, Stone’s Throw Away, Live It From Day To Day, Without Love, Wake The Town, Comin’ Back, Better Than I Know Myself, More Like You & Shine (If You Care).
Musicians on the Soldiers Of The Light/Step Out Of The Night album: Sherman Andrus, Terry Blackwood, Dave Coy, Steve Gibson, Jon Goin, Hadley Hockensmith, Abraham Laboriel, Larrie Londin, Shane Keister, Farrell Morris, Joe Osborn, Smitty Price, John Raines, Steve Schaeffer, Jack Williams, David Baroni, Randy Goodrum, Wally Grant, Bruce Hibbard, Warren Peterson, John Rosasco, Keith Stegall & Keith Thomas.
The Best Of
Greentree Records 1984
Tracks: Soldier Of The Light, Step Out Of The Night, Never Be, I´m Gonna Rise, Following You, Jesus You´re So Wonderful, The Captain And Me, No You May Not, Stone´s Throw Away & God-Made Man.
Musicians on the Best Of album: Sherman Andrus, Terry Blackwood and others.
Holiday
Nissi Records 1984
Step Out Of The Night
Greentree Records 1982
Soldiers Of The Light
Greentree Records 1981
Live
Greentree Records 1980
Following You
Greentree Records 1978
Grand Opening
Greentree Records 1977