Biography
An unsung Los Angeles family ensemble known as the McCrarys delivered gospel performances before committing to Portrait Records in 1978, where they issued four singles alongside two full-length albums. Linda, Alfred, Sam, and Charity McCrary appeared on those Portrait sides, yet a fifth sibling, Howard, had joined them earlier for the 1972 gospel outing “Sunshine Day.” Standout singles from their Portrait era included “Lost in Loving You,” “Love on a Summer Night,” and “You,” the last featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica, while notable career moments encompassed opening slots for the Jacksons and a Soul Train appearance. Their sound blended fresh, hip, urban gospel elements that arrived well ahead of their era, anticipating a commercial approach that would not gain widespread traction until decades afterward.
Session and background contributions occupied much of their time as well. The group lent voices to Cat Stevens’ Back to Earth album, and members separately supported numerous artists: Linda McCrary-Campbell appeared on recordings by Andrae Crouch, Phil Driscoll, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Angela Bofill; Alfred McCrary worked with Yolanda Adams, Michael Card, Andrae Crouch, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, and additional acts; Charity McCrary contributed to projects by Gavin Christopher, Lee Garrett, and Melissa Manchester, among others. Songwriting credits belonged to all the McCrarys, though Alfred registered nearly 90 titles with B.M.I., many in partnership with Sundray Tucker, also known as Cindy Scott, making him the most active composer. Howard McCrary released the gospel album So Good for the Good News on A&M and participated in sessions with Helen Baylor, Hanne Boel, the California Raisins, and Changing Faces.
The Los Angeles McCrarys share distant kinship with Sam McCrary of the Fairfield Four and his Nashville-based family. Ann McCrary, Sam’s daughter, fronted a separate McCrary ensemble in the late ’80s and early ’90s that also included her father, and the shared given name Sam only heightened the mix-up between the two households. Discovery of the connection occurred when Howard McCrary attended a Nashville session, faced questions about the Tennessee relatives, and telephoned Alabama kin to confirm the lineage. Howard rejoined his siblings in 1980 for five singles and the album All Night Music on Capitol; the Wayne Henderson production failed to reach the label’s commercial targets, resulting in their dismissal.
Session and background contributions occupied much of their time as well. The group lent voices to Cat Stevens’ Back to Earth album, and members separately supported numerous artists: Linda McCrary-Campbell appeared on recordings by Andrae Crouch, Phil Driscoll, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Angela Bofill; Alfred McCrary worked with Yolanda Adams, Michael Card, Andrae Crouch, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, and additional acts; Charity McCrary contributed to projects by Gavin Christopher, Lee Garrett, and Melissa Manchester, among others. Songwriting credits belonged to all the McCrarys, though Alfred registered nearly 90 titles with B.M.I., many in partnership with Sundray Tucker, also known as Cindy Scott, making him the most active composer. Howard McCrary released the gospel album So Good for the Good News on A&M and participated in sessions with Helen Baylor, Hanne Boel, the California Raisins, and Changing Faces.
The Los Angeles McCrarys share distant kinship with Sam McCrary of the Fairfield Four and his Nashville-based family. Ann McCrary, Sam’s daughter, fronted a separate McCrary ensemble in the late ’80s and early ’90s that also included her father, and the shared given name Sam only heightened the mix-up between the two households. Discovery of the connection occurred when Howard McCrary attended a Nashville session, faced questions about the Tennessee relatives, and telephoned Alabama kin to confirm the lineage. Howard rejoined his siblings in 1980 for five singles and the album All Night Music on Capitol; the Wayne Henderson production failed to reach the label’s commercial targets, resulting in their dismissal.
Albums
