Ray Boltz
Encyclopedia
Ray 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. They have four children.
Boltz was virtually unknown when he wrote "Thank You", which won the Song of the Year
prize at the 1990 GMA Dove Awards. 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 and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida
.
In a September 2008 interview with the Washington Blade, Boltz came out
of the closet and announced he was gay
Since then, Boltz has performed at several churches of the Metropolitan Community Church
, a gay-affirming
Christian denomination.
In 2010, he released the album True, which won Album of the Year at the OUTMusic Awards.
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.
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
, 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
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
in 2008. They have four children.
Boltz was virtually unknown when he wrote "Thank You", which won the Song of the Year
Dove Award for Song of the Year
The following is a list of recipients of the GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year:* 2011 "Sometimes I Cry" * 2010 "By Your Side" * 2009 "Give Me Your Eyes" * 2008 "East to West"...
prize at the 1990 GMA Dove Awards. 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
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. After the release of Songs from the Potter's Field in 2002, and his last tour in 2004, Boltz retired from the music industry and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, on the Atlantic coast. It is the county seat of Broward County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,521. It is a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which was home to 5,564,635 people at the 2010...
.
In a September 2008 interview with the Washington Blade, Boltz came out
Coming out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
of the closet and announced he was gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
Since then, Boltz has performed at several churches of the Metropolitan Community Church
Metropolitan Community Church
The Metropolitan Community Church or The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches is an international Protestant Christian denomination...
, a gay-affirming
LGBT-welcoming church programs
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender affirming religious groups are religious groups that welcome LGBT members and do not consider homosexuality to be a sin. They include entire religious denominations, as well as individual churches and synagogues...
Christian denomination.
In 2010, he released the album True, which won Album of the Year at the OUTMusic Awards.
Discography
- 1986 Watch the LambWatch the LambWatch the Lamb was an album recorded by Ray Boltz in 1986. It was produced by Steve Millikan.-Track listing:#"What was I supposed to be"#"Touching Him"#"It's not enough"#"Watch the Lamb"#"I've Come to Serve"#"6 A.M. Blues"#"Break the Yoke"#"Behold"...
- 1988 Thank You
- 1989 The Altar
- 1991 Another Child to Hold
- 1992 Seasons Change
- 1994 Allegiance
- 1994 Moments for the Heart (RIAA Gold Certified)
- 1995 The Concert of a Lifetime (live, RIAA Gold Certified)
- 1996 No Greater Sacrifice
- 1997 A Christmas Album: Bethlehem Star
- 1998 Honor and Glory
- 2000 The Classics
- 2001 Moments for the Heart, Vol. 1 & 2
- 2001 Concert of a Lifetime for Kids [live]
- 2002 Songs from the Potter's Field
- 2004 The Unchanging Story
- 2010 True
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 YearDove Award for Song of the Year
The following is a list of recipients of the GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year:* 2011 "Sometimes I Cry" * 2010 "By Your Side" * 2009 "Give Me Your Eyes" * 2008 "East to West"...
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.
External links
- Ray Boltz — official website
- My Heart Goes Out Carol Boltz blog
- http://hanxter.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/full-ray-boltz-article/ Blog post of the original article