Clay Crosse
Encyclopedia
Clay Crosse is a Dove award winning CCM
artist. He is probably best known for the single "I Surrender All."
. He became a Christian
at the age of 13. He married his high school sweetheart, Renee. Initially, Clay worked as a courier for FedEx
for six years. Clay released his first album, My Place Is With You, in 1995. "I Surrender All" was the most successful single from the album. With the success of his musical career, Clay quit his job.
Crosse became known for singles such as "I Surrender All" and "My Place Is With You". He won the Dove Award for "Best New Artist of the Year" at the 25th GMA Dove Awards
in 1994. Clay's music has a pop style. Eight songs from his first four albums became No. 1 singles. During this period, his He Walked A Mile won the 1997 CCM Adult Contemporary Song of the Year. In 1998, his song "Sold Out Believer" reached No. 15 on the Christian music charts. He also collaborated with Bob Carlisle
and BeBe Winans
on "I Will Follow Christ".
Following a personal struggle with pornography, Crosse lost his voice. Reportedly, he was not sick but he was unable to sing. A vocal coach he hired to help him questioned him about his personal life. After praying with the coach one day, Crosse confessed his struggles to his wife. It took one year for his relationship with his wife to improve. Later, Clay stated that he was able to sing, although not as well as before. With the changes in his personal life, Clay released A Different Man in 1999. The songs "98", "Sinner's Prayer" and "Arms of Jesus" were written reflecting his personal struggles. Touring with Jaci Velasquez
, he spoke to teenagers on sexual abstinence before marriage. The two singers worked in conjunction with the national student movement, True Love Waits to promote sexual purity.
After the release of Christmas with Clay Crosse, Clay served as worship pastor for The Love of Christ (TLC) Community Church in Memphis under head pastor Dana Key (of the Christian Rock group DeGarmo and Key). During this time, the release of a live worship album was conceptualized. Clay signed a deal with the TAG Artist Group to release the CD and DVD Eternity with You: Live Worship. The release of the CD and DVD coincided with the publication of his book, I Surrender All. In 2007, he released the single "Believe".
. This ultimately started eroding the foundations of his marriage. Then in 1998, Crosse had a life-changing experience on a flight home from Seattle and this consequently led to the release of his next album A Different Man. Following this, his wife Renee began accompanying him on tours and the couple began sharing their experience of an improved marriage.
Clay and Renee Crosse also co-wrote a book with Mark Tabb titled, I Surrender All: Rebuilding a Marriage Broken by Pornography.
Currently, Clay and Renee run the Holy Homes ministry.
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
artist. He is probably best known for the single "I Surrender All."
Music career
Clay Crosse grew up in Memphis, TennesseeMemphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
. He became a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
at the age of 13. He married his high school sweetheart, Renee. Initially, Clay worked as a courier for FedEx
FedEx
FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
for six years. Clay released his first album, My Place Is With You, in 1995. "I Surrender All" was the most successful single from the album. With the success of his musical career, Clay quit his job.
Crosse became known for singles such as "I Surrender All" and "My Place Is With You". He won the Dove Award for "Best New Artist of the Year" at the 25th GMA Dove Awards
25th GMA Dove Awards
The 25th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 28, 1994 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1993. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Amy Grant.-Award recipients:*Artist of the Year...
in 1994. Clay's music has a pop style. Eight songs from his first four albums became No. 1 singles. During this period, his He Walked A Mile won the 1997 CCM Adult Contemporary Song of the Year. In 1998, his song "Sold Out Believer" reached No. 15 on the Christian music charts. He also collaborated with Bob Carlisle
Bob Carlisle
Bob Carlisle is a Grammy Award and Dove Award-winning American musician who performs Christian music. He performed with several bands, most notably Allies and Billy Thermal, before launching a solo career...
and BeBe Winans
BeBe Winans
Benjamin "BeBe" Winans is a gospel and R&B singer. He is a member of the noted Winans family, most members of which are also gospel artists.-The PTL Club:...
on "I Will Follow Christ".
Following a personal struggle with pornography, Crosse lost his voice. Reportedly, he was not sick but he was unable to sing. A vocal coach he hired to help him questioned him about his personal life. After praying with the coach one day, Crosse confessed his struggles to his wife. It took one year for his relationship with his wife to improve. Later, Clay stated that he was able to sing, although not as well as before. With the changes in his personal life, Clay released A Different Man in 1999. The songs "98", "Sinner's Prayer" and "Arms of Jesus" were written reflecting his personal struggles. Touring with Jaci Velasquez
Jaci Velasquez
Jacquelyn Davette Velasquez is an American Contemporary Christian and Latin Pop singer—in both English and Spanish languages....
, he spoke to teenagers on sexual abstinence before marriage. The two singers worked in conjunction with the national student movement, True Love Waits to promote sexual purity.
After the release of Christmas with Clay Crosse, Clay served as worship pastor for The Love of Christ (TLC) Community Church in Memphis under head pastor Dana Key (of the Christian Rock group DeGarmo and Key). During this time, the release of a live worship album was conceptualized. Clay signed a deal with the TAG Artist Group to release the CD and DVD Eternity with You: Live Worship. The release of the CD and DVD coincided with the publication of his book, I Surrender All. In 2007, he released the single "Believe".
Personal life
Crosse said that he has struggled with lustLust
Lust is an emotional force that is directly associated with the thinking or fantasizing about one's desire, usually in a sexual way.-Etymology:The word lust is phonetically similar to the ancient Roman lustrum, which literally meant "purification"...
. This ultimately started eroding the foundations of his marriage. Then in 1998, Crosse had a life-changing experience on a flight home from Seattle and this consequently led to the release of his next album A Different Man. Following this, his wife Renee began accompanying him on tours and the couple began sharing their experience of an improved marriage.
Clay and Renee Crosse also co-wrote a book with Mark Tabb titled, I Surrender All: Rebuilding a Marriage Broken by Pornography.
Currently, Clay and Renee run the Holy Homes ministry.
Discography
Clay Crosse has released a total of five studio albums, two compilation albums and one live worship album.Albums
- My Place Is With You (September 3, 1993)
- Time To Believe (January 1, 1995)
- Stained Glass (July 1, 1997) – #141 on the Billboard 200Billboard 200The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
- I Surrender All: The Clay Crosse Collection, Vol. 1 (June 1, 1999) – compilation album
- A Different Man (March 7, 2000)
- Christmas With Clay Crosse (November 5, 2002)
- Eternity With You: Live Worship (September 15, 2005) – CD/DVD live worship album
- Simply Clay Crosse (June 28, 2005) – compilation album
- Anthems (2009)
Singles
- "My Place Is With You" (1993)
- "I Surrender All" (1994)
- "I Call Your Name" (1994)
- "His Loves Comin' Over Me" (1995)
- "His Love Is Strong" (1995)
- "The Blood Will Never Lose It's Power" (1995)
- "The Rock" (1996)
- "Time to Believe" (1996)
- "Saving the World" (1997)
- "He Walked a Mile" (1997)
- "Must Have Been Your Hands" (1998)
- "Sold Out Believer" (1998)
- "He Ain't Heavy" (1998)
- "I Will Follow Christ" (1999) – with BeBe WinansBeBe WinansBenjamin "BeBe" Winans is a gospel and R&B singer. He is a member of the noted Winans family, most members of which are also gospel artists.-The PTL Club:...
and Bob CarlisleBob CarlisleBob Carlisle is a Grammy Award and Dove Award-winning American musician who performs Christian music. He performed with several bands, most notably Allies and Billy Thermal, before launching a solo career... - "More Like You" (2000)
- "Arms of Jesus" (2001)
- "Sinner's Prayer" (2001)
- "No Fear" (2001)
- "Believe" (2007)
Awards
Clay Crosse has won four Dove Awards.- 25th GMA Dove Awards25th GMA Dove AwardsThe 25th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 28, 1994 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1993. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Amy Grant.-Award recipients:*Artist of the Year...
- New Artist of the Year - 1997 Dove Awards - Special Event Album of the Year, Tribute-The Songs of Andrae Crouch (Compilation album won with CeCe WinansCeCe WinansPriscilla "CeCe" Marie Winans Love is an American Gospel singer, who has won numerous Grammy and Stellar Awards.-Early life:CeCe Winans was born in Detroit, Michigan, to David and Delores Winans, on October 8, 1964...
, Michael W. SmithMichael W. SmithMichael Whitaker Smith is a Billboard top ten Billboard Hot 100 recording artist and Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in Contemporary Christian music. Smith also has achieved a considerable amount of...
, Twila ParisTwila ParisTwila Paris Wright is a Contemporary Christian Music songwriter, author, vocalist and pianist.-Musical career:Since 1980, Twila Paris has released 22 albums, amassed 33 number one Christian Radio singles, and was named the Gospel Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year three years in a row...
, Bryan DuncanBryan DuncanBryan Duncan is an American CCM musician. he is best known for his role in the Sweet Comfort Band and subsequent solo career that, combined, spanned more than twenty-five years...
, Wayne WatsonWayne WatsonWayne Watson is a Dove Award-winning singer-songwriter in contemporary Christian music. Some of his songs have become CCM classics, including "Another Time, Another Place," "For Such a Time as This," "Friend of a Wounded Heart," "Touch of the Master's Hand," "New Lives for Old," and "Watercolour...
, The WinansThe WinansThe Winans are an American Gospel music quartet from Detroit, Michigan consisting of brothers Marvin, Carvin, Michael and Ronald Winans.-Members:Please refer to the Winans family page for more detail on the individual members.-Origins:...
, Take 6Take 6Take 6 is an American a cappella gospel music sextet formed in 1980 on the campus of Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama. The group sings in a contemporary style, integrating R&B and jazz influences into their devotional songs and has 10 Grammy wins, 10 Dove Awards, one Soul Train Award and two...
, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, First CallFirst CallFirst Call is a Contemporary Christian music group, originally consisting of Mel Tunney, Marty McCall, and Bonnie Keen. Mel's husband, Dick Tunney, acted as the arranger and producer for many of the group's early projects.-Group history:...
, Andrae CrouchAndrae CrouchAndraé Crouch is a seven-time Grammy Award-winning American gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, recording artist, record producer, and pastor.-Early years:Born Andraé Edward Crouch in San Francisco, California....
and the All Star Choir; Norman Miller, Neal Joseph; Warner AllianceWarner AllianceWarner Alliance was a Contemporary Christian imprint of Warner Music Group. Its operations were suspended in 1998. Artists on the label included Billy & Sarah Gaines, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Caedmon's Call, Donnie McClurkin, First Call, Wayne Watson, Take 6, Mid South, and the Worldwide...
) - 1998 Dove AwardsDove Awards of 1998The 29th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 23, 1998 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1997. The show was held in Nashville, Tennessee at the Bridgestone Arena...
- Special Event Album of the Year, God With Us - A Celebration of Christmas Carols & Classics (Compilation won with AnointedAnointedAnointed is a Contemporary Christian music group 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 and Mary Tiller . Their musical style includes elements of R&B, Pop, Rock,...
, Michael W. Smith, Twila Paris, Sandi PattySandi PattySandra Faye "Sandi" Patty is an American Christian music singer. For many years she was known as Sandi Patti. She has been dubbed "The Voice" by critics, because of her wide range and flexibility.-Early life:...
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, Steve Green, Cheri KeaggyCheri KeaggyCheri Keaggy is a gospel singer and songwriter, with a musical style of Contemporary Christian music. She is now divorced from her high school sweetheart Eddie Keaggy, the nephew of the CCM pioneer artist, Phil Keaggy....
, AvalonAvalon (band)Avalon is an American contemporary Christian vocal quartet who has earned multiple RIAA-certified gold records, sold four million albums, and released 22 number one Christian hits.- 1995–1997: Formation of Avalon and A Maze of Grace :...
, Out of the GreyOut of the GreyOut of the Grey is a husband-and-wife Contemporary Christian music project consisting of Scott and Christine Denté. Christine provides lead vocals, while Scott plays guitars and sings background, along with the occasional lead vocals. They have released six studio albums, one best-of compilation...
, Ray BoltzRay BoltzRay Boltz is a singer songwriter who first came to wide notice in contemporary Christian music, many of his songs tell stories of faith and inspiration. He was raised by his parents William and Ruth Boltz, and was married to his wife Carol Boltz for over 30 years prior to coming out as gay in 2008...
, CeCe WinansCeCe WinansPriscilla "CeCe" Marie Winans Love is an American Gospel singer, who has won numerous Grammy and Stellar Awards.-Early life:CeCe Winans was born in Detroit, Michigan, to David and Delores Winans, on October 8, 1964...
, Larnelle HarrisLarnelle HarrisLarnelle Steward Harris is a gospel singer and songwriter. During his 30-plus years of ministry, Harris has recorded 18 albums, won five Grammy Awards and 18 Dove Awards, and has had several number one songs on the inspirational music charts.-Early life:A native of Danville, Kentucky, Harris...
; Norman Miller; Sparrow) - 2000 Dove AwardsDove Awards of 2000The 31st Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 20, 2000 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1999. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford.-Award recipients:Song...
- Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year, I Will Follow Christ