Anointed : then and now...
Anointed is a Contemporary Christian music duo from Columbus, Ohio, known for their strong vocals and harmonies, featuring siblings Steve Crawford and Da'dra Crawford Greathouse, along with former members Nee-C Walls (who left the group in 2001) and Mary Tiller (who left in 1995). Their musical style includes elements of R&B, pop, rock, funk, and piano ballads. The group has won seven Dove Awards, two Stellar Awards and three Grammy Award nominations. The group has also been featured on several Christian compilation albums such as Real Life Music, 1996 and WOW The 90s.
“In 1995 Anointed released their second album, "The Call", which would go on to become one of the best selling and popular contemporary Christian albums of the 1990s. The album won three Dove Awards, a Stellar award and a Grammy nomination."
Anointed was formed in 1988. They were all still in high school at that time. Their debut, Spiritual Love Affair, was released in 1993 and distributed by Myrrh Records, a subsidiary of Word.
In 1995 Anointed released their second album, The Call. This album would go on to become their best selling album to date, and to this day it is one of the best selling and popular contemporary Christian albums of the 1990s. The album won three Dove Awards, a Stellar award and a Grammy nomination. The group released Under the Influence in October 1996. After the release of the group's fourth album in 1999, an extended tour followed. Both Da'dra and Steve were physically exhausted and uncertain as to their next move. The duo then enrolled in a two-year ministerial program at their church for spiritual enrichment and a deeper knowledge of the Bible.
In 2001, the duo felt refreshed in body and spirit and decided to continue their musical career. If We Pray was released early fall 2001, but because of health reasons and under promoting by the group and their record label, the album failed to gather the attention that the previous Anointed releases had. In 2002, Anointed and Word Records parted ways. Following this, the band was signed on to the Sony Urban label and Now Is The Time was released on April 5, 2005. Steve and Da'dra are part of the praise and worship team at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Steve and Da'dra started writing the new album in March 2010, with a scheduled release date in 2012.
Albums Include: 1993: Spiritual Love Affair (Sony Music/Epic Records/Word Records) debut studio album 1995: The Call (Sony/Epic/Myrrh) 1996: Under The Influence (Sony/Epic/Myrrh) 1999: Anointed (Myrrh/Word) 2001: If We Pray (Word Records) 2003: The Best Of Anointed (Word Records) compilation album 2005: Now Is The Time (Sony Urban Gospel) 2012: Face To Face (Sony Music/Columbia Records)
Single Include: 1994: It's in God's Hands Now (Sony BMG) 1996: Under the Influence (Sony BMG) 2004: Gonna Lift Your Name (Sony Music/Columbia Records) 2012: Face To Face (Sony Music/Columbia Records)
Other Contributions Include: "Beautiful" – special contribution to a Left Behind soundtrack "Second Chances", song featured on the soundtrack of the Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie "Waiting In The Wings" (1996), song from Under The Influence featured on the compilation album Real Life Music[6] "The Word" (1998), featured on the compilation album Songs From The Book "United We Stand" with Brian Duncan (1994), featured on the compilation album Unforgettable Duets Vol 1[6] "One Voice" (1998), featured on the compilation album Songs From The Book[6] "The Word Was Made Flesh" (1996), featured on the compilation album Emanuel "Never Be Another" (2000) featured on the album Cool By George Duke "The Covenant" (1994), featured on the compilation album My Utmost For his Highest "Crown Him With Many Crowns" (1994), featured on the album I'll Lead You Home by Micheal W. Smith "Joyfull, Joyfull" with Micheal W. Smith(1994), featured on the compilation album My Utmost For his Highest "Send Out A Prayer" (1997), featured on the compilation album Keep The Faith Collection "Power Of Prayer"
GMA Dove Awards: 1996: Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for The Call 1996: Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for "The Call" (from the album The Call) 1996: Urban Recorded Song of the Year for "It's In God's Hands Now" (from The Call) 1997: Urban Recorded Song of the Year for "Under the Influence" (from the album Under the Influence) 1998: Special Event Album of the Year for God With Us: A Celebration of Christmas Carols and Classics (along with Michael W. Smith, Twila Paris, Sandi Patty, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Willis, Steve Green, Cheri Keaggy, Avalon, Out of the Grey, Ray Boltz, Clay Crosse, CeCe Winans, Larnelle Harris; Norman Miller) 2000: Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for Anointed 2000: Urban Recorded Song of the Year for "Anything Is Possible" (from Anointed)
Nominations 2006: Urban Contemporary Album of the Year, Now Is The Time 2006: Urban Recorded Song of the Year, "Gonna Lift Your Name" (from Now Is The Time)
Stellar Awards 1994: Best New Artist 1996: Album of the Year for The Call
Grammy Award nominations 1996: Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year – The Call 1998: Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year – Under The Influence 2000: Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year – Anointed