Inez Andrews' powerful contralto voice was among gospel's greatest since her days with the Caravans in the late '50s. Andrews' nickname, "Songbird," was coined by Don Robey when he formed a gospel subsidiary label of his Backbeat/Peacock operation. Andrews was among the first gospel artists he signed. She later recorded for Savoy and Spirit Feel. Her last release was Shine on Me in 1991 for MCA. Headline News, a collection of some of her finest solo work in the '70s, was released in 1999. Inez Andrews died in December 2012 in Chicago at the age of 83. ~ Ron Wynn