Crystal Lewis
Crystal Lynn Lewis (born September 11, 1969) is an American contemporary Christian and gospel vocalist, songwriter, and author.
Crystal Lewis | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Crystal Lynn Lewis |
| Also known as | Crystal Lewis Ray |
| Born | September 11, 1969 Corona, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Contemporary Christian, gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, author |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Labels |
|
| Associated acts | Wild Blue Yonder, the Screamin' Rays, the Lifters |
| Website | www |
Biography
Early years
Crystal Lewis was born in Corona, California and grew up singing in her father's church.[1][2] In 1984, at age 15, she auditioned for a children's musical called Hi Tops, written and produced by Ernie and Debby 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 on the musical, Lewis met a member of the rockabilly band The Lifters. After becoming friends with the band members, Lewis was asked to join. Soon after, the band changed its name to Wild Blue Yonder. In 1992, Crystal worked in the sketch comedy television series Roundhouse, that aired on Nickelodeon.[3]
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. Lewis 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.
Personal life
Lewis previously lived in Montana with then-husband Brian Ray, with whom she has two children, who were homeschooled.[2] Lewis and Ray divorced after 28 years of marriage, and she now lives in California.[4] Her daughter, Isabella (Izzi Ray), is also a singer/songwriter, and released her self-titled debut album on February 12, 2012, followed by her remixes EP on October 22, 2013. Her son Solomon is also pursuing a career in music, having produced his mother's 2011 release Plain and Simple.
Discography
- Beyond the Charade (1987)
- Joy (1988)
- Let Love In (1990)
- Remember (1991)
- Recuerda (Spanish version of Remember) (1991)
- The Bride (1993)
- La Esposa (Spanish version of The Bride) (1994)
- Hymns: My Life (1995)
- Himnos De Mi Vida (Spanish version of Hymns: My Life) (1995)
- Beauty for Ashes (1996)
- La Belleza De La Cruz (Spanish version of Beauty for Ashes) (1996)
- Gold (1998)
- Oro (Spanish version of Gold) (1998)
- Live At The Woodlands (1999)
- Fearless (2000)
- Holiday! a Collection of Christmas Classics (2000)
- Holy, Holy, Holy (2002)
- Santo, Santo, Santo (Spanish version of Holy, Holy, Holy) (2002)
- See (2005)
- Joyful Noise (Songs for Kids!) (2006)
- Home for the Holidays (2010)
- Plain and Simple (2011)
- Crystal Lewis (2015)
- Suéltalo (Spanish version of her eponymous album, Crystal Lewis) (2017)
- Rhapsody (2019)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Hi-Tops | Lily from the Valley | |
| 2005 | The 7th Commandment | Lil Regina | Short film |
| 2010 | The Wylds | The Gatekeeper | |
| 2013 | Treasure State | Joan Hogue |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Colby's Clubhouse | N/A | Episode: "Crystal Is a Guest" |
| 1992 | Roundhouse | Various | 13 episodes |
| 2015 | Praise the Lord | Herself / Performer | Episodes: "Episode dated April 1, 2015" and "Episode dated September 17, 2015" |
Awards and nominations
GMA Dove Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Female Vocalist of the Year | Won | |
| Spanish Language Album of the Year | La Belleza de la Cruz | Won | |
| 1999 | Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Spanish Language Album of the Year | Oro (tie with Sandi Patty) | Won | |
| Special Event Album of the Year | Exodus (shared with dcTalk, Jars of Clay, Sixpence None the Richer, Cindy Morgan, Chris Rice, The Katinas, Third Day, Michael W. Smith) | Won | |
| 2017 | Song of the Year | "Even If" (shared with Bart Millard, Ben Glover, David Garcia, Tim Timmons)[5] | Nominated |
| Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year | "Even If"[5] | Nominated |
Others
| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Young Artist Awards | Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Youth Series or Variety Show | Roundhouse (shared with cast) | Won |
| 1999 | Soul Train Music Awards | Best R&B/Soul Single – Male | "Lean on Me" (as featured artist) | Nominated |
| Grammy Awards | Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated | ||
| 2001 | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album | "Fearless" | Nominated |
References
- "CrystalLewis.com: Autobiography". metro one inc. Archived from the original on May 9, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2008.
- "Crystal Lewis: Priority And Payoff". CCM.
- "bio". crystal lewis. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- "Life After Divorce ft. Crystal Lewis - Dinner Conversations". Dinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer via YouTube. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
- "Dove Awards 2017 nominees".
External links
Authority control  |
|---|