Ray Boltz

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ray Boltz
Background information
Born June 1953 (age 60)
Muncie, Indiana, U.S.
Genres Contemporary Christian
Occupations Singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals, piano, guitar
Years active 1986–2004, 2008–present
Website RayBoltz.com

Ray Boltz (born in June 1953 in Muncie, Indiana, United States) is a singer-songwriter who first came to wide notice in contemporary Christian music. Many of his songs tell stories of faith and inspiration.

Raised by his parents William and Ruth Boltz, Boltz is the middle child of his parents' three children (a fourth child died shortly after birth). He was married to his wife Carol Boltz for 33 years (1975-2008), and they have four children (Karen, Philip, Elizabeth, and Sara).

Boltz was virtually unknown when he wrote "Thank You", which won the Song of the Year prize at the 1990 GMA Dove Awards.[1] His song "I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb" also won a Dove Award for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year at the 25th GMA Dove Awards in 1994. After the release of Songs from the Potter's Field in 2002, and his last tour in 2004, Boltz retired from the music industry. He separated from his wife in 2005 before moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with their divorce being finalized in early 2008.

On Friday, September 12, 2008, during an interview with the Washington Blade, Boltz disclosed that he was gay.[2] Since then, Boltz has performed at several churches of the Metropolitan Community Church, a gay-affirming Christian denomination.[3]

In 2010, he released the album True, which won Album of the Year at the OUTMusic Awards.[4] Boltz currently lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his partner Franco Sperduti, who is also his talent agent.

Discography

  • 1986 Watch the Lamb
  • 1988 Thank You
  • 1989 The Altar
  • 1991 Another Child to Hold
  • 1992 Seasons Change
  • 1994 Allegiance
  • 1995 The Concert of a Lifetime (live, RIAA Gold)
  • 1996 No Greater Sacrifice
  • 1997 A Christmas Album: Bethlehem Star
  • 1998 Honor and Glory
  • 2000 The Classics
  • 2001 Concert of a Lifetime for Kids [live]
  • 2002 Songs from the Potter's Field
  • 2004 The Unchanging Story
  • 2010 True

Compilation Albums

  • 1994 Moments for the Heart (RIAA Gold Certified)
  • 2001 Moments for the Heart, Vol. 1 & 2
  • 2010 All The Best

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year Album Chart Position
1995 The Concert Of A Lifetime The Billboard 200 #194
1996 No Greater Sacrifice The Billboard 200 #173
1997 A Christmas Album: Bethlehem Star The Billboard 200 #169

Awards

Boltz has been the recipient of two song awards from the Gospel Music Association's Dove Awards. "Thank You" received the 1990 Song of the Year award, and "I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb" received the 1994 award for Inspirational Song. He also was one of various artists contributing to God with Us: A Celebration of Christmas Carols & Classics, which won the 1997 award for Special Event Album.

References

  1. ↑ "Thank You Songfacts". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 2013-12-05. 
  2. ↑ DiGuglielmo, Joey (12 September 2008). "Key changes". Washington Blade. Retrieved 2009-02-19. 
  3. ↑ Lopez, Rich (2009-09-10). "Ray of Light". Dallas Voice. Retrieved 2009-01-01. 
  4. ↑ Freedman, Samuel G. (2010-05-14). "Christian Singer Resumes Career, Relieved of a Secret". The New York Times. 

External links

Authority control
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.