User:Anthony "Shep" Crawford

Anthony ‘Shep’ Crawford. Producer, Songwriter, Composer, Arranger, Innovative, Dynamic, Ingenious. In short, Brilliance! Over a relatively short span of time, Shep is well respected with credits that include work with Luther Vandross, Kelly Price, Faith Evans, Deborah Cox, Yolanda Adams, Boys II Men, Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston, Karen Clark, Tamia, and Wynona Judd to name a few. With riveting lyrics, infectious harmonies and hypnotic rhythms, Shep has an uncanny ability to captivate listeners.

At the tender age of eight Shep began his musical voyage by way of the piano. With the church serving as a concrete foundation and a solid backbone, his steps have always been surefooted. Today, Shep creatively taps into those roots and creates a perfect balance of ‘gospel flavor’ in the R&B genre.

Shep Crawford surfaced into the music industry in 1995 as the man behind multi-platinum Def Jam recording artist, Montell Jordan in the position of Music Director. Earning producer and songwriter’s credit on ten songs of the artist’s first three albums, the experience has become a mere milestone on a long journey to come. In 1998 the two paired up to pen the multi-platinum selling hit record, “Nobody Suppose To Be Here”, on Deborah Cox’s, ‘One Wish’ sophomore project. The record became the longest running No.1 Single in the history of the ‘Hot R&B Singles’ and ‘Single Sales’ on the Billboard Charts with a 14 week run.

That run initiated a sharp turning point for Crawford. And the number ones and top ten hits came pouring in. “Stranger In My House” & “Me” (Tamia); “Id Rather” (Luther Vandross); “Incomplete” (Sisqo); “We Can’t Be Friends” (Deborah Cox featuring R.L.); As We Lay, and “It’s My Time (Kelly Price). Shep has been acknowledged for many awards including the Lady of Soul, Dove, Billboard, American Music, ASCAP and subsequently along came the Grammy’s for albums including, “At Last” (Gladys Knight); “The Experience” (Yolanda Adams) and “Dance with My Father” (Luther Vandross).

With songwriter and producer credits sound, Shep embarked on his own empire. Founding 45 Live Records in 2001 with former manager Erica Grayson, he signed his first artist, “Onitsha” in a co-venture one off with record label Still Waters, a division of Hidden Beach. On Onitsha’s debut album entitled ‘Church Girl’. Shep stayed true to form combining reminiscent, old school musical grooves and riffs over Onitsha’s sweltering, down to earth, sultry alto gospel vocals, melodies and lyrics.

The question could be posed, “What makes Shep Crawford a standout and unique force in this game?” Well, uncommon of other prolific producers, Shep has the remarkable knack of articulating the true spirit and soul of woman in his lyrics. When asked how he creates this magic he answers, “Listening to my sisters’ drama (lol)!”

In 2010 Shep Crawford acknowledged his call to pastorship and formally organized The Experience Christian Ministries (E.C.M.). Sunday morning worship services began on October 31, 2010. In a short period of time God has blessed him with a fast-growing membership of over 600 people in which he has divided into two Sunday morning services held at 9:07 & 11:07 a.m. Pastor Shep is committed to preaching the Word, sharing the Gospel, spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ, seeking the ‘unchurched’ and restoring weary saints who have become exhausted and grown tired of traditional church.

Whether it is producing/writing or preaching/teaching, God will always get the glory through the talents he has blessed Shep Crawford with!