Crystal Lewis
Encyclopedia
Crystal Lewis is an American contemporary Christian
/Gospel
vocalist, songwriter and author.
) grew up singing in her father's church. In 1984, at the age of 15, Lewis auditioned for a children's musical called Hi Tops
, written and produced by Ernie and Debbie Rettino
, creators of Psalty, the Singing Song Book. Lewis passed the audition and was able to go into the studio and participate in the Soundtrack
recording with the rest of the cast members. While working with the musical, Lewis met a member of the rockabilly
band, The Lifters. After becoming friends with the members of that band, Lewis was asked to join. Soon after, the band changed its name to Wild Blue Yonder. Lewis also met her husband, Brian Ray, through her association with the band.
Wild Blue Yonder was together for two years and recorded a single full length album Wild Blue Yonder
, produced by Daniel Amos
frontman Terry Scott Taylor
, for Frontline Records
in 1986. She would also sing on D.A.'s album Fearful Symmetry
in 1986, and Taylor's solo album A Briefing for the Ascent
in 1987. After Wild Blue Yonder disbanded, Frontline offered Lewis a solo recording contract at the age of 17. Beyond The Charade
, her first solo project, was released in 1987.
in 1988, Let Love In
in 1990, and her first greatest hits project Simply The Best
in 1991, before starting her own record label, Metro 1 Music in 1992 with a distribution deal through Diamante Music Group
.
In 1992, Lewis joined the original cast of the Nickelodeon
sketch comedy series, Roundhouse
(for which she helped originate the theme song). After season one, she left the show to pursue her music career.
Her next solo project, Remember, was recorded and released on Metro 1 label in 1992, followed by The Bride in 1993, and Hymns: My Life in 1995. The Bride was listed at # 97 in the 2001 book, CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music
. Her second greatest hits collection
released that year landed Lewis in the # 1 spot on the Pop/Dance charts with her rendition of "Shine Jesus Shine."
. Ashes was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America
, and the song "People Get Ready...Jesus Is Comin' " was the # 1 song of the year (1996) in Christian Radio. The album also won an ASCAP award for "Beauty For Ashes" as the most played song (1997). The album contained four # 1 radio singles: "People get ready...Jesus is Comin' ", "Beauty of the Cross", "God's been good to me", and "Beauty for Ashes."
Gold
was released in 1998 and gave Lewis two # 1 hits, "Lord, I Believe in You" and "Not the Same". Gold & Beauty for Ashes have collectively sold nearly 1,000,000 copies to date. Crystal wrote a companion devotional to go along with the Gold album entitled Gold: A Devotional. The devotional revolves around Lewis' personal experiences and thoughts in relation to the songs found on Gold. Gold was later re-issued that same year with a new recording of "Lean on Me" (lead vocals by Crystal Lewis), which originally appeared on Kirk Franklin's
album The Nu Nation Project that included "Lean on Me" featuring Mary J. Blige
, R.Kelly, Bono
, Crystal Lewis and The Family. That same year, Crystal won Dove Awards for "Female Vocalist of the Year" and "Spanish Language Album of the Year" for La Belleza de la Cruz. Lewis also joined Franklin along with Gerald Levert
, Mary J. Blige
, and Bono
on stage at the 1999 Grammy Awards for a performance of "Lean on Me."
Lewis returned to her Rockabilly
roots briefly in 1999 by joining long time friends/musicians Gene Eugene
and Chris Brigandi (among others) to release The Attack of the Screamin' Rays. The live project Live @ The Woodlands, recorded live in Houston, Texas
on November 6, 1998, was also released that year. In 1999 she was also featured in a song on The O.C. Supertones
' album, Chase the Sun. Crystal picked up two more Dove awards in 1999 for "Special Event Album" for her contribution to the project Exodus, and "Spanish Language Album" for Oro. In 2000, Lewis released Fearless
, which was nominated for "Best Christian Pop Album of the Year" at the 2000 Grammy Awards. The song "Only Fools" from that album was voted song of the year by ASCAP. Her first Christmas album, Holiday! A Collection of Christmas Classics
, went on to be voted the 5th Best Christmas album of all-time by CCM Magazine
was released in 2001. A second live project, More Live
, recorded at the Sun Theater in her hometown of Anaheim, California
on November 17, 2001, was released in 2002—along with another collection of hymns and gospel standards, Holy, Holy, Holy. See was released in 2005, and, the children's project, Joyful Noise (Songs For Kids!) was released in 2006. Her latest Christmas offering, Peace on Earth, available exclusively through iTunes, was released in 2009. Her new album entitled Plain and Simple was released on June 7, 2011.
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
/Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
vocalist, songwriter and author.
Early years
Lewis (b. Crystal Lynn Lewis in Corona, CaliforniaCorona, California
Corona is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 152,374, up from 124,966 at the 2000 census...
) grew up singing in her father's church. In 1984, at the age of 15, Lewis auditioned for a children's musical called Hi Tops
Hi-Tops (film)
Hi-Tops is a 1985 Christian movie musical about the lives of several high school students and a trio of angels who are sent to Earth to experience and study peer pressure...
, written and produced by Ernie and Debbie Rettino
Debby Kerner & Ernie Rettino
Debby Kerner & Ernie Rettino are American best known as the creators of the characters from the Psalty the Singing Song Book in the Kids' Praise! series of Christian children's musical albums. Together, they have also created Solomon the Supersonic Salamander, and Hi-Tops .Debby started off as a...
, creators of Psalty, the Singing Song Book. Lewis passed the audition and was able to go into the studio and participate in the Soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
recording with the rest of the cast members. While working with the musical, Lewis met a member of the rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
band, The Lifters. After becoming friends with the members of that band, Lewis was asked to join. Soon after, the band changed its name to Wild Blue Yonder. Lewis also met her husband, Brian Ray, through her association with the band.
Wild Blue Yonder was together for two years and recorded a single full length album Wild Blue Yonder
Wild Blue Yonder (album)
Wild Blue Yonder is the first and only album by Contemporary Christian band Wild Blue Yonder. It is the first official album of Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis who was fifteen at the time of the album's release. She left the band after two years to pursue a solo career. Chris Brigandi...
, produced by Daniel Amos
Daniel Amos
Daniel Amos is a rock band formed in 1974 by Terry Scott Taylor on guitars and vocals, Marty Dieckmeyer on bass guitar, Steve Baxter on guitars and Jerry Chamberlain on lead guitars. Current members include bassist Tim Chandler, guitarist Greg Flesch and drummer Ed McTaggart...
frontman Terry Scott Taylor
Terry Scott Taylor
Terry Scott Taylor is an American songwriter, record producer, writer and founding member of the bands Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies . Taylor is also a member of the roots and alternative music group, Lost Dogs. He is currently based in San Jose, California, USA.Taylor is highly regarded for...
, for Frontline Records
Frontline Records (1980s)
Frontline Records was a Christian record label founded in 1986 by James Kempner. The label focused primarily on modern rock, rap, and hip-hop...
in 1986. She would also sing on D.A.'s album Fearful Symmetry
Fearful Symmetry (album)
Fearful Symmetry is a 1986 album by rock band Daniel Amos, released on Frontline Records.Fearful Symmetry is a lush, synthesizer driven pop album, lyrically wrapped in puzzles that the listener has to decipher...
in 1986, and Taylor's solo album A Briefing for the Ascent
A Briefing for the Ascent
A Briefing for the Ascent is the title of the second solo album by Daniel Amos frontman, Terry Scott Taylor, released in 1987 on Frontline Records....
in 1987. After Wild Blue Yonder disbanded, Frontline offered Lewis a solo recording contract at the age of 17. Beyond The Charade
Beyond The Charade (Crystal Lewis album)
Beyond The Charade is the solo debut album by Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis.This is the very first album by Christian Pop singer Crystal Lewis. Although she previously recorded an album with her band, Wild Blue Yonder...
, her first solo project, was released in 1987.
Metro 1 and television appearances: 1992–1995
Lewis went on to record three more albums for Frontline, JoyJoy (Crystal Lewis album)
Joy is the second album by Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis.This is the second album by Christian Pop singer Crystal Lewis. It features her debut single "You Didn't Have to Do it".- Track listing :# "Leave it Up to Him" 3:17...
in 1988, Let Love In
Let Love In (Crystal Lewis album)
Let Love In is a solo album by Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis.This is the last studio album from Crystal Lewis on Frontline Records...
in 1990, and her first greatest hits project Simply The Best
Simply the Best (Crystal Lewis album)
Simply The Best is the first greatest hits album by Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis.This album was made after her only band album, Wild Blue Yonder, and her first three solo albums Beyond the Charade, Joy, and Let Love In...
in 1991, before starting her own record label, Metro 1 Music in 1992 with a distribution deal through Diamante Music Group
Diamante Music Group
Diamante Music Group was a Newport Beach, California based independent record label distributor active from 1993 through 2004. During its heyday, Diamante was home to several dozen small independent record labels, some of whose artists later gained worldwide recognition.Among such were Rescue...
.
In 1992, Lewis joined the original cast of the Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
sketch comedy series, Roundhouse
Roundhouse (TV series)
Roundhouse is an American sketch comedy television series that aired on Nickelodeon from August 15, 1992 through January 27, 1996.-Background:...
(for which she helped originate the theme song). After season one, she left the show to pursue her music career.
Her next solo project, Remember, was recorded and released on Metro 1 label in 1992, followed by The Bride in 1993, and Hymns: My Life in 1995. The Bride was listed at # 97 in the 2001 book, CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music
CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music
CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music is the title of a book, edited by Thom Granger and published in 2001 by Harvest House Publishers....
. Her second greatest hits collection
Greatest Hits (Crystal Lewis album)
Greatest Hits is the second compilation album by Crystal Lewis, released in 1995.-Track listing:#Come Just As You Are #Frustrated #Precious Lord #Bloodstained Pages...
released that year landed Lewis in the # 1 spot on the Pop/Dance charts with her rendition of "Shine Jesus Shine."
Rise to fame and commercial success: 1996–2000
Beauty For Ashes was released in 1996, the first album from Metro 1 Music to be distributed through a new arrangement with Myrrh RecordsMyrrh Records
Myrrh Records, also known as Myrrh Worship, is a Christian music record label. According to Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music, the label was instrumental in developing a popular following for Contemporary Christian music as the label that first published music by Barry McGuire, 2nd Chapter of...
. Ashes was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
, and the song "People Get Ready...Jesus Is Comin' " was the # 1 song of the year (1996) in Christian Radio. The album also won an ASCAP award for "Beauty For Ashes" as the most played song (1997). The album contained four # 1 radio singles: "People get ready...Jesus is Comin' ", "Beauty of the Cross", "God's been good to me", and "Beauty for Ashes."
Gold
Gold (Crystal Lewis album)
Gold is the 8th studio solo album by Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis.This album was released in 1998. It features two #1 hits, "Lord I Believe in You" and "Not the Same." Gold was later re-issued that same year with a new recording of "Lean on Me" , which originally appeared on Kirk...
was released in 1998 and gave Lewis two # 1 hits, "Lord, I Believe in You" and "Not the Same". Gold & Beauty for Ashes have collectively sold nearly 1,000,000 copies to date. Crystal wrote a companion devotional to go along with the Gold album entitled Gold: A Devotional. The devotional revolves around Lewis' personal experiences and thoughts in relation to the songs found on Gold. Gold was later re-issued that same year with a new recording of "Lean on Me" (lead vocals by Crystal Lewis), which originally appeared on Kirk Franklin's
Kirk Franklin
Kirk Dwayne Franklin is an American Gospel music musician, choir director, and author, and is most notably known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God's Property and One Nation Crew .- Early years :...
album The Nu Nation Project that included "Lean on Me" featuring Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
, R.Kelly, Bono
Bono
Paul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
, Crystal Lewis and The Family. That same year, Crystal won Dove Awards for "Female Vocalist of the Year" and "Spanish Language Album of the Year" for La Belleza de la Cruz. Lewis also joined Franklin along with Gerald Levert
Gerald Levert
Gerald Levert was an American R&B singer. Gerald Levert sang with his brother, Sean Levert, and friend Marc Gordon in the R&B trio LeVert. He was also a part of LSG, an R&B supergroup comprising Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill, and Levert...
, Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
, and Bono
Bono
Paul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
on stage at the 1999 Grammy Awards for a performance of "Lean on Me."
Lewis returned to her Rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
roots briefly in 1999 by joining long time friends/musicians Gene Eugene
Gene Eugene
Gene "Eugene" Andrusco was a Canadian born actor, record producer, engineer, composer and musician. Andrusco was best known as the leader of the funk/rock band Adam Again, a member of The Swirling Eddies and as a founding member of the roots music supergroup Lost Dogs.-Acting:Andrusco was a child...
and Chris Brigandi (among others) to release The Attack of the Screamin' Rays. The live project Live @ The Woodlands, recorded live in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
on November 6, 1998, was also released that year. In 1999 she was also featured in a song on The O.C. Supertones
The O.C. Supertones
The Orange County Supertones is a Christian ska band hailing from Orange County, California. The band was signed to Tooth & Nail Records before becoming an independent band for its final tour...
' album, Chase the Sun. Crystal picked up two more Dove awards in 1999 for "Special Event Album" for her contribution to the project Exodus, and "Spanish Language Album" for Oro. In 2000, Lewis released Fearless
Fearless (Crystal Lewis album)
Fearless is the 9th studio solo album by Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis.The album was nominated for a Grammy in 2001. Lewis was previously nominated for her contribution to the Kirk Franklin song "Lean On Me" in 1998. Fearless takes a decidedly more mainstream approach to the artists...
, which was nominated for "Best Christian Pop Album of the Year" at the 2000 Grammy Awards. The song "Only Fools" from that album was voted song of the year by ASCAP. Her first Christmas album, Holiday! A Collection of Christmas Classics
Holiday! A Collection of Christmas Classics (Crystal Lewis album)
Holiday! A Collection of Christmas Classics is a holiday album by Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis.This album is the first Christmas Album by Crystal Lewis...
, went on to be voted the 5th Best Christmas album of all-time by CCM Magazine
CCM Magazine
CCM Magazine was a monthly magazine published by Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications. It was first published in July 1978, and it has always been a Christian music magazine. On January 16, 2008, Salem announced that the April 2008 issue would be the final printed issue of the...
Other projects: 2001–present
Crystal's third compilation project MoreMore (Crystal Lewis album)
-Track listing:#More #I Guess #People Get Ready...Jesus is Comin' #Lord I Believe in You #Only Fools #The Beauty of the Cross #Lean On Me...
was released in 2001. A second live project, More Live
More Live
- Tracklisting :# More# Satisfied# Not the Same# Medley # Like a Child# Glorify# So Come# God's Been Good to Me# Tomorrow# One Man# When God's People Pray# Lord I Believe in You# People Get Ready...Jesus is Comin'...
, recorded at the Sun Theater in her hometown of Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
on November 17, 2001, was released in 2002—along with another collection of hymns and gospel standards, Holy, Holy, Holy. See was released in 2005, and, the children's project, Joyful Noise (Songs For Kids!) was released in 2006. Her latest Christmas offering, Peace on Earth, available exclusively through iTunes, was released in 2009. Her new album entitled Plain and Simple was released on June 7, 2011.
Personal life
Lewis lives in northwestern Montana with husband Brian, with whom she has two children. Her daughter, Izzi Ray, is also a singer/songwriter and is currently in the studio recording her debut album. Her son, Solomon Ray, is also pursuing a career in music having recently wrapped production on his mother's new release Plain and Simple.Discography
- 1987: Beyond the CharadeBeyond The Charade (Crystal Lewis album)Beyond The Charade is the solo debut album by Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis.This is the very first album by Christian Pop singer Crystal Lewis. Although she previously recorded an album with her band, Wild Blue Yonder...
- 1988: JoyJoy (Crystal Lewis album)Joy is the second album by Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis.This is the second album by Christian Pop singer Crystal Lewis. It features her debut single "You Didn't Have to Do it".- Track listing :# "Leave it Up to Him" 3:17...
- 1990: Let Love InLet Love In (Crystal Lewis album)Let Love In is a solo album by Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis.This is the last studio album from Crystal Lewis on Frontline Records...
- 1992: RememberRemember (Crystal Lewis album)Remember is the fourth studio solo album by Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis.This album was released in 1992. It is the first full length album under her own Label, Metro 1 Music.It is also her first album that was released in Spanish as Recuerda.- Track listing :# I Now Live # Never #...
- 1993: The Bride
- 1995: Hymns: My Life
- 1996: Beauty For Ashes
- 1998: GoldGold (Crystal Lewis album)Gold is the 8th studio solo album by Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis.This album was released in 1998. It features two #1 hits, "Lord I Believe in You" and "Not the Same." Gold was later re-issued that same year with a new recording of "Lean on Me" , which originally appeared on Kirk...
- 2000: FearlessFearless (Crystal Lewis album)Fearless is the 9th studio solo album by Contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis.The album was nominated for a Grammy in 2001. Lewis was previously nominated for her contribution to the Kirk Franklin song "Lean On Me" in 1998. Fearless takes a decidedly more mainstream approach to the artists...
- 2002: Holy, Holy, Holy
- 2005: See
- 2006: Joyful Noise (Songs For Kids!)
- 2011: Plain and Simple