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Crystal Lewis

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Crystal Lewis
Birth nameCrystal Lynn Lewis
Also known asCrystal Lewis Ray
Born (1969-09-11) September 11, 1969 (age 55)
Corona, California, U.S.
GenresContemporary Christian, gospel, jazz, pop rock, contemporary worship[1]
OccupationSinger
InstrumentVocals
Years active1986–present
Labels
Websitewww.crystallewis.com

Crystal Lynn Lewis (born September 11, 1969) is an American contemporary Christian and jazz singer and songwriter.

Lewis has been nominated for several Grammy Awards, and has won multiple GMA Dove Awards.[2] Additionally, she has released numerous CCM chart-topping hits.[3]

Lewis reached a commercial peak with her Billboard Top 5 albums: “Let Love In” (1990), "Beauty for Ashes" (1996), "Gold" (1998) and the Grammy-nominated Fearless (2000), which inspired young future superstars like Katy Perry and Tori Kelly.[4]

Early life and career

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Crystal Lewis was born in Corona, California (where she grew up singing in her father's church).[5][6] In 1984, at the age of 15, Lewis auditioned for a children's musical film called Hi-Tops. It was written and produced by Ernie and Debby Rettino, creators of Psalty, the Singing Song Book. She passed the audition, and was able to go into the studio to participate on the soundtrack recording, with the rest of the cast members.[citation needed]

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.[7] Wild Blue Yonder was together for two years, and recorded a single full-length album, Wild Blue Yonder. It was produced by Daniel Amos front man Terry Scott Taylor, for Frontline Records in 1986. Lewis also sang 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.[5] Her first solo project, Beyond the Charade, was released in 1987. It featured the song "Breakdown", written by musician Jon Gibson. In 1988, Lewis sang a duet with Gibson called "Lost Inside of You", from his successful Change of Heart album (also released via Frontline Records).[8]

In 1992, Lewis worked in the sketch comedy television series Roundhouse, which aired on Nickelodeon.[9] In 1996, Lewis released her Myrrh Records debut, Beauty for Ashes. The album included three CCM chart-topping singles, including "People Get Ready (Jesus Is Comin')", which was honored with Song of the Year. Her next album, Gold, followed in 1998.[10] Lewis was also featured on Kirk Franklin's hit song, "Lean on Me" in 1998.[11] In 2000, Lewis returned with Fearless and the Christmas album, Holiday! A Collection of Christmas Classics.[10] In 2015, her self-titled album Crystal Lewis was released, and the soulful jazz album Rhapsody followed in 2019.[8]

In May 2022, Lewis released Together We Can, an album with guest artists and duets.[12] The pop, soul and jazz record features Ty Herndon, Nikki Leonti, Kate Flannery, Tori Kelly, Ally Brooke, Lia Booth and others. She also sings with her adult children, Solomon and Isabella. "I Can't Help It" was the debut single released from the album.[4]

Personal life

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Lewis previously lived in Montana with then-husband Brian Ray, with whom she has two children, who were homeschooled.[6] Lewis and Ray divorced after 28 years of marriage, and she now lives in California.[13]

Her daughter, Isabella (Izzi Ray), is also a singer and songwriter.[14] Her son, Solomon, also pursued a career in music. He produced his mother's 2011 release, Plain and Simple.[15]

Discography

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Main article: Crystal Lewis 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)
  • Together We Can (2022)

[16][17][18]

Filmography

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Film roles
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
Television roles
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 April 1, 2015" & "Episode September 17, 2015"

Awards and nominations

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GMA Dove Awards

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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 (tied 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)[19] Nominated
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year "Even If"[19] Nominated

Additional awards

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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

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  1. ^ "Crystal Lewis Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  2. ^ "Exclusive: Crystal Lewis tells JesusWired about life, faith and returning to music". Jesus Wired. March 22, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  3. ^ "Crystal Lewis - Greatest Hits Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "A Conversation with Crystal Lewis About Her New Single, "I Can't Help It" and New Album "Together We Can" Coming out May 13". The Hollywood Times. March 10, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "CrystalLewis.com: Autobiography". Metro 1 Inc. Archived from the original on May 9, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2008.
  6. ^ a b "Crystal Lewis: Priority And Payoff". CCM. September 16, 2015.
  7. ^ "Wild Blue Yonder Featuring Crystal Lewis – Wild Blue Yonder – 1986/1995". Real 80s CCM. January 2, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "A Conversation with Crystal Lewis". July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  9. ^ "bio". crystal lewis. Archived from the original on October 8, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Crystal Lewis Biography, Songs & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  11. ^ "World Premiere! Crystal Lewis is "Dancing Through Tunnels"". SoulTracks. May 31, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  12. ^ "Together We Can". Spotify. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  13. ^ "Life After Divorce ft. Crystal Lewis - Dinner Conversations". Dinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer via YouTube. May 12, 2019. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  14. ^ "Izzi Ray Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  15. ^ "Solomon Ray Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  16. ^ "Crystal Lewis Discography - Artist Database". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  17. ^ "Crystal Lewis Albums and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  18. ^ "Crystal Lewis Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Dove Awards 2017 nominees". The Tennessean. August 9, 2017.
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