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Clay Crosse

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Clay Crosse
Birth nameWalter Clayton Crossnoe
Born (1967-02-11) February 11, 1967 (age 57)
OriginMemphis, Tennessee
GenresContemporary Christian, inspirational
InstrumentVoice
Years active1994–present
LabelsReunion

Clay Crosse (born Walter Clayton Crossnoe, February 11, 1967) is a contemporary Christian music artist. He has won four GMA Dove Awards, and is probably best known for the single "I Surrender All."

Music career

Clay Crosse grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. He became a Christian at the age of 13.[1] He married his high school sweetheart, Renee Kennedy. Initially, Clay worked as a courier for FedEx for six years.[2] Clay then released his first album, My Place Is With You, in 1994. "I Surrender All" was the most successful single from the album.[1][2] With the success of his musical career, Clay was able to leave FedEx and concentrate on music full-time in 1994.[2]

Crosse became known for singles such as "I Surrender All" "Midnight Cry" He Walked A Mile" "Saving The World" and "I Will Follow Christ." . He won the Dove Award for "New Artist of the Year" at the 25th GMA Dove Awards in 1994. Clay's music has a pop style. Nine songs from his first four albums became No. 1 singles.[3] During this period, his He Walked A Mile won the 1997 CCM Adult Contemporary Song of the Year. In 1999, his song ""I Will Follow Christ" won the Dove Award for Inspirational song Of the Year.[4] He collaborated on the song with Bob Carlisle and BeBe Winans.

Following his initial success, Clay went through a time of contemplation and reckoning in his life, one that he describes as "the greatest time of spiritual growth I had ever experienced." After experiencing difficulties with his singing voice, Clay hired a vocal coach, Chris Beatty.[2] At his first appointment with the vocal coach, Mr. Beatty questioned him about his spiritual life. After praying with the coach that day, Crosse confessed to his wife that he had been struggling with his thought life and that pornography had played a role.[2] It took one year for his relationship with his wife to fully heal.[citation needed] Later, Clay stated that he was thankful that God protected and strengthened he and Renee's marriage during this time.[2] 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 growth.[1] Touring with Jaci Velasquez, he spoke to teenagers encouraging sexual abstinence before marriage.[5] He also worked in conjunction with the national student movement, "True Love Waits."[6] Clay states "During this life-changing time for me there was a clear change in my career. What was once a focus on 'Christian entertainment' was now a genuine calling to the ministry. With this change, Clay began serving in local ministry. 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). This was Clay's first staff position at a local church. During this time, Clay signed a deal with the TAG Artist Group to release the CD and DVD Eternity with You: Live Worship.[7] The release of the CD and DVD coincided with the publication of his book, I Surrender All. In 2007, he released the single "Believe".[8]

In 2010 Clay became worship pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Arlington, Tennessee, and in 2013 he took his first full-time pastoral position as he became worship pastor at First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Personal life

Clay married Renee Kennedy in 1990. They have four children, Shelby (1993), Savannah (1997), Garrett, (1999, adopted from China in 2007), and Sophie (2005, adopted from China in 2005).

Clay and Renee Crosse co-wrote a book with Mark Tabb titled, I Surrender All. Clay also authored the book Dashboard Jesus. Renee has authored the books Rare Girl and Reclaiming Stolen Intimacy. Currently, Clay and Renee run the Holy Homes ministry.[citation needed]

Discography

Clay Crosse has released a total of ten albums: seven studio albums, two compilation albums, one live worship album, and one Christmas album.[9][10]

Albums

  • 1993: My Place Is With You (Reunion)
  • 1995: Time To Believe (Reunion)
  • 1997: Stained Glass (Reunion) – #141 on the Billboard 200
  • 1999: I Surrender All: The Clay Crosse Collection, Vol. 1 (Reunion) – compilation
  • 2000: A Different Man (Reunion)
  • 2002: Christmas With Clay Crosse (Butterfly)
  • 2005: Eternity With You: Live Worship[11] (TAG Artist Group) – CD/DVD live worship album
  • 2005: Simply Clay Crosse (Brentwood Music) – compilation
  • 2009: Anthems (HolyHomes)
  • 2011: Everytime I Feel the Spirit (HolyHomes)
  • 2012: Rededication (Ccm Forever Music)

Singles

  • 1993: "My Place Is With You"
  • 1994: "I Surrender All"
  • 1994: "I Call Your Name"
  • 1995: "His Loves Comin' Over Me"
  • 1995: "His Love Is Strong"
  • 1995: "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power"
  • 1996: "The Rock"
  • 1996: "Time to Believe"
  • 1997: "Saving the World"
  • 1997: "He Walked a Mile"
  • 1998: "Must Have Been Your Hands"
  • 1998: "Sold Out Believer"
  • 1998: "He Ain't Heavy"
  • 1999: "I Will Follow Christ" (with BeBe Winans and Bob Carlisle)
  • 2000: "More Like You"
  • 2001: "Arms of Jesus"
  • 2001: "Sinner's Prayer"
  • 2001: "No Fear"
  • 2007: "Believe"

Awards

Clay Crosse has won four Dove Awards.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c Clay Crosse Music page at Christianity Today
  2. ^ a b c d e f CBN.com: Clay and Renee Crosse - Keeping Secrets Archived 2007-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Clay Crosse BIO at ChristianMusic.com Archived 2007-07-06 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Mark Allan Powell (2002). "Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music". Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.
  5. ^ FEATURE: Living Proof - Teens
  6. ^ About True Love Waits
  7. ^ About.com: Clay Crosse Signs Deal With TAG Artist Group
  8. ^ Rolling Stone: Clay Crosse - Believe
  9. ^ Clay Crosse Discography at Billboard.com
  10. ^ Vh1.com : Clay Crosse albums
  11. ^ Clay Crosse Discography at Yahoo! Music
  12. ^ GMA Dove Awards History - Search page Archived 2007-10-24 at the Wayback Machine
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