The Best of Collin Raye: Direct Hits
Encyclopedia
The Best of Collin Raye: Direct Hits is the title of country singer Collin Raye
's first greatest hits
album. Released by Epic Records
, the album contains the greatest hits from his first studio albums plus several new tracks.
Among the new recordings were three singles. "What the Heart Wants" and "Little Red Rodeo
" were both Top 5 hits on the country charts. "The Gift", a collaboration with Jim Brickman
and Susan Ashton
, was released only to the adult contemporary format. Also included on the album is a cover of rock band Journey
's ballad "Open Arms
".
Collin Raye
Floyd Collin Wray Floyd Collin Wray Floyd Collin Wray (born August 22, 1959 or 1960,Although multiple online sources all indicate Raye's date of birth as 1959, Raye's MySpace lists his date of birth as 1960. Furthermore, the 2004 Deseret News article cited in this article indicates the singer as...
's first greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
album. Released by Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, the album contains the greatest hits from his first studio albums plus several new tracks.
Among the new recordings were three singles. "What the Heart Wants" and "Little Red Rodeo
Little Red Rodeo
"Little Red Rodeo" is a single by American country music artist Collin Raye. It was released in December 1997 as the third and final single from his CD, The Best of Collin Raye: Direct Hits, it was a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart....
" were both Top 5 hits on the country charts. "The Gift", a collaboration with Jim Brickman
Jim Brickman
Jim Brickman is an American songwriter and pianist. He has been named the most charted male Adult Contemporary artist to date, with six of his albums receiving Gold and Platinum status. He is known for his solo piano compositions, pop-style instrumentals, and vocal collaborations with artists...
and Susan Ashton
Susan Ashton
Susan Ashton is a best-selling and award-winning American Contemporary Christian Music and country music artist who topped the Christian charts throughout the 1990s...
, was released only to the adult contemporary format. Also included on the album is a cover of rock band Journey
Journey (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
's ballad "Open Arms
Open Arms (Journey song)
"Open Arms" is a popular song originally recorded by American rock band Journey, and released as a single from their 1981 album, Escape. Co-written by band members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, the song is a power ballad whose lyrics are an empowering plea to a lover to forgive past wrongdoings...
".
Track listing
- "Little RockLittle Rock (Collin Raye song)"Little Rock" is a song written by Tom Douglas and recorded by American country music singer Collin Raye. It was released in March 1994 as the second single released from his CD, Extremes, it peaked at number 2 on the U.S...
" (Tom DouglasTom Douglas (songwriter)Thomas Stevenson "Tom" Douglas is an American country music songwriter. Active since the early 1990s, he has written Top Ten hits for John Michael Montgomery, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Collin Raye and others....
) – 3:58 - "I Think About YouI Think About You (song)"I Think About You" is the title of a song written by Don Schlitz and Steve Seskin, and recorded by American country music singer Collin Raye. It was released in February 1996 as the third single from his 1995 album of the same name...
" (Don SchlitzDon SchlitzDonald Alan "Don" Schlitz, Jr. is a country music songwriter. For his songwriting efforts, Schlitz has earned two Grammys, as well as four ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year awards...
, Steve SeskinSteve SeskinSteve Seskin is an American songwriter whose compositions have been recorded by Alabama, Kenny Chesney, Peter Frampton, Waylon Jennings, Brian McComas, Neal McCoy, Tim McGraw, John Michael Montgomery, Colin Raye, Tebey and Mark Wills...
) – 3:27 - "Not That DifferentNot That Different"Not That Different" is the title of a song written by Karen Taylor-Good and Joie Scott, and recorded by American country music singer Collin Raye. It was released in November 1995 the second single from his 1995 album, I Think About You...
" (Karen Taylor-GoodKaren Taylor-GoodKaren Taylor-Good is an American singer-songwriter. Taylor-Good and her then-husband, Bill Taylor, started the Mesa Records label in 1982. Her first single, "Diamond in the Rough," reached the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart early that year...
, Joie Scott) – 3:56 - "That's My StoryThat's My Story (song)"That's My Story" is a single by American country music artist Collin Raye. It was the first single released from his 1994 CD, Extremes.-Chart performance:...
" (Lee Roy ParnellLee Roy ParnellLee Roy Parnell is an American country music artist. Active since 1990, he has recorded eight studio albums, and has charted more than twenty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts...
, Tony Haselden, C. Alex Hawkins) – 3:09 - "If I Were YouIf I Were You (Collin Raye song)"If I Were You" is a single by American country music singer Collin Raye. It was the fifth and final single released from his 1993 album, Extremes. It peaked at #4 both in the United States and in Canada...
" (John Hobbs, Chris Farren) – 4:06 - "One Boy, One GirlOne Boy, One Girl"One Boy, One Girl" is a single by American country music singer Collin Raye. It was the first single released from his 1995 album, I Think About You. It peaked at #2 in the United States and #4 in Canada. It also peaked at #87 on the Billboard Hot 100....
" (Mark Alan Springer, Shaye Smith) – 4:05 - "In This LifeIn This Life (Collin Raye song)"In This Life" is the title of a song written by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin, and recorded by American country music singer Collin Raye that reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart...
" (Mike Reid, Allen ShamblinAllen ShamblinAllen Shamblin is a country music songwriter who was born in Tennessee, and was brought up in Texas.After graduating from Sam Houston State University he worked in Austin as a real estate appraiser. In 1987, he quit his job and moved to Nashville to pursue a career as a song writer. He supported...
) – 3:12 - "My Kind of GirlMy Kind of Girl"My Kind Of Girl" is a single by American country music singer Collin Raye that reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It was the fourth single released from his CD, Extremes.-Chart performance:...
" (Debi Cochran, John Jarrard, Monty Powell) – 3:56 - "That Was a RiverThat Was a River"That Was A River" is a single by American country music singer Collin Raye that peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It was the fourth and final single released from his CD, In This Life.-Chart performance:...
" (Susan Longacre, Rick Giles) – 3:48 - "What the Heart WantsWhat the Heart Wants"What the Heart Wants" is a single written by Michael Dulaney and recorded by American country music singer Collin Raye. Released in June 1997 as the first single released from his compilation CD, The Best of Collin Raye: Direct Hits, it peaked at #2 on the U.S...
" (Michael Dulaney) – 3:461 - "The Gift" (Douglas, Jim Brickman) – 3:441
- feat. Jim BrickmanJim BrickmanJim Brickman is an American songwriter and pianist. He has been named the most charted male Adult Contemporary artist to date, with six of his albums receiving Gold and Platinum status. He is known for his solo piano compositions, pop-style instrumentals, and vocal collaborations with artists...
and Susan AshtonSusan AshtonSusan Ashton is a best-selling and award-winning American Contemporary Christian Music and country music artist who topped the Christian charts throughout the 1990s...
- feat. Jim Brickman
- "Open ArmsOpen Arms (Journey song)"Open Arms" is a popular song originally recorded by American rock band Journey, and released as a single from their 1981 album, Escape. Co-written by band members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, the song is a power ballad whose lyrics are an empowering plea to a lover to forgive past wrongdoings...
" (Jonathan CainJonathan CainJonathan Cain is an American musician, best known for his work with The Babys, Journey and Bad English.-Early life:...
, Steve PerrySteve Perry (musician)Stephen Ray "Steve" Perry is an American singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Journey from 1977–1987 and 1995–1998. Perry had a successful solo career throughout the late 1980s and early '90s.Perry's voice has garnered acclaim from musical peers and music...
) – 3:221 - "Little Red RodeoLittle Red Rodeo"Little Red Rodeo" is a single by American country music artist Collin Raye. It was released in December 1997 as the third and final single from his CD, The Best of Collin Raye: Direct Hits, it was a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart....
" (Charlie Black, Phil VassarPhil VassarPhil Vassar is an American country music artist. Vassar made his debut on the country music scene in the late 1990s, co-writing singles for several country artists, including Tim McGraw , Jo Dee Messina , Collin Raye , and Alan Jackson Phil Vassar (born May 28, 1964 in Lynchburg, Virginia) is an...
, Rory Michael BourkeRory Michael BourkeRory Michael Bourke is a country music songwriter born July 14, 1942 in Cleveland, Ohio.Bourke moved to Nashville in 1964 and worked for a period in the promotional department of Mercury Records....
) – 3:231 - "Love, MeLove, Me"Love, Me" is the title of a single released in 1991 by American country music artist Collin Raye. In January of 1992, the single became Raye's first Number One single on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts; the same year, the song received a Song of the Year nomination from the...
" (Skip EwingSkip EwingDonald Ralph "Skip" Ewing is an American country music singer and songwriter. Active since 1988, Ewing has recorded nine studio albums, and has charted fifteen singles on the Billboard country charts.-Career:...
, Max T. BarnesMax T. BarnesMax T. Barnes is a country music singer, songwriter, studio musician, and producer. He is the son of songwriter Max D. Barnes. He has written songs on albums that have sold over 20 million records. He currently writes for Ray Stevens Music publishing and lives in Hendersonville,...
) – 3:54
- 1Previously unreleased track.
Production
- "Love, Me" produced by Jerry FullerJerry Fuller-Biography:Jerry Fuller was born in Fort Worth, Texas to a musical family, his father having been a singer with Bob Wills' Light Crust Doughboys. Jerry Fuller and his brother Bill performed as a duo in their home state, recording for the local Lin label, before Jerry branched out on his own and...
and John Hobbs - "In This Life" and "That Was a River" produced by Garth FundisGarth FundisGarth Fundis is an American country music record producer. Active since the 1970s, Fundis has produced albums for several country artists, including Alabama, Don Williams, Trisha Yearwood, Sugarland, and Keith Whitley. Fundis has also served as a judge on the Colgate Country Showdown.-References:...
and John Hobbs - "The Gift," "Open Arms," "Little Red Rodeo" produced by Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Paul WorleyPaul WorleyPaul Worley is an American record producer and session guitarist, known primarily for his work in country music. Formerly a vice president at Sony BMG, he later joined the staff of Warner Bros. Records' Nashville division as chief creative officer...
and Collin Raye - All other tracks produced by Paul Worley, John Hobbs and Ed Seay
Personnel
The following musicians perform on tracks tracks 10 through 13:- Susan AshtonSusan AshtonSusan Ashton is a best-selling and award-winning American Contemporary Christian Music and country music artist who topped the Christian charts throughout the 1990s...
– background vocals on "The Gift" - Larry ByromLarry ByromLarry Byrom is an American guitarist who has written, recorded, and toured with acts like Steppenwolf, Ratchell, Neil Young, Steve Winwood, Peter Frampton, Eddie Rabbit and Tanya Tucker.- References :...
– electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
on "The Gift," "Open Arms" and "Little Red Rodeo" - Joe Chemay – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
on all tracks, background vocals on "What the Heart Wants," "Open Arms" and "Little Red Rodeo" - Larry Franklin – fiddleFiddleThe term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
on "Open Arms" and "Little Red Rodeo" - Paul FranklinPaul Franklin (musician)Paul Franklin is an American multi-instrumentalist, known mainly for his work as a steel guitarist. He began his career in the 1970s as a member of Barbara Mandrell's road band; in addition he toured with Mel Tillis and Jerry Reed. He has since become a prolific session musician in Nashville,...
– steel guitarSteel guitarSteel guitar is a type of guitar or the method of playing the instrument. Developed in Hawaii in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a steel guitar is usually positioned horizontally; strings are plucked with one hand, while the other hand changes the pitch of one or more strings with the use...
and DobroDobroDobro is a registered trademark, now owned by Gibson Guitar Corporation and used for a particular design of resonator guitar.The name has a long and involved history, interwoven with that of the resonator guitar...
on "What the Heart Wants" - Sonny Garrish – steel guitar on "The Gift," "Open Arms" and "Little Red Rodeo"
- Steve Gibson – mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
on "What the Heart Wants" - John Hobbs – keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
on "What the Heart Wants" and "The Gift" - Dann HuffDann HuffDann Huff is an American musician, session musician, singer-songwriter and producer. For his work as a producer in the Country music genre he has won several awards including the Musician of the Year award in 2001 and 2004 at the Country Music Association Awards and the Producer of the Year award...
– electric guitar on "What the Heart Wants" and "The Gift" - Paul Leim – drums
- Anthony Martin – background vocals on "What the Heart Wants"
- Gene Miller – background vocals on "What the Heart Wants," "Open Arms" and "Little Red Rodeo"
- Steve Nathan – pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
on "Open Arms" and "Little Red Rodeo" - John Wesley RylesJohn Wesley RylesJohn Wesley Ryles is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1968 with the single "Kay", a Top Ten hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts, and the title track to his debut album for Columbia Records.Ryles later recorded one album, Reconsider Me, for the Plantation label,...
– background vocals on "What the Heart Wants" - Will Smith – autoharpAutoharpThe autoharp is a musical string instrument having a series of chord bars attached to dampers, which, when depressed, mute all of the strings other than those that form the desired chord. Despite its name, the autoharp is not a harp at all, but a chorded zither. -History:There is debate over the...
on "What the Heart Wants" - Billy Joe Walker, Jr. – acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
on all tracks, electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
on "Open Arms" and "Little Red Rodeo" - Biff Watson – acoustic guitar on "What the Heart Wants," "Open Arms" and "Little Red Rodeo"
- Dennis Wilson – background vocals on "What the Heart Wants," "Open Arms" and "Little Red Rodeo"
- Paul WorleyPaul WorleyPaul Worley is an American record producer and session guitarist, known primarily for his work in country music. Formerly a vice president at Sony BMG, he later joined the staff of Warner Bros. Records' Nashville division as chief creative officer...
– acoustic guitar on "What the Heart Wants"
Chart performance
| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 4 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 33 |
| Canadian RPM Country Albums | 3 |
| Canadian RPM Top Albums | 70 |