Crystal Lewis Explained

Crystal Lewis
Birth Name:Crystal Lynn Lewis
Alias:Crystal Lewis Ray
Birth Date:11 September 1969
Birth Place:Corona, California, U.S.
Instrument:Vocals
Genre:Contemporary Christian, gospel, jazz, pop rock, contemporary worship[1]
Occupation:Singer
Years Active:1986–present
Associated Acts:Wild Blue Yonder, the Screamin' Rays, the Lifters

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

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.

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

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

See main article: Crystal Lewis discography.

[16] [17] [18]

Filmography

Film roles!Year!Title!Role!Notes
1985Hi-Tops Lily from the Valley
2005The 7th CommandmentLil ReginaShort film
2010The WyldsThe Gatekeeper
2013Treasure StateJoan Hogue
Television roles!Year!Title!Role!Notes
1984Colby's ClubhouseN/AEpisode: "Crystal Is a Guest"
1992RoundhouseVarious13 episodes
2015Praise the LordHerself / PerformerEpisodes: "Episode April 1, 2015" & "Episode September 17, 2015"

Awards and nominations

GMA Dove Awards

YearCategoryNominated workResult
1998Female Vocalist of the Year
Spanish Language Album of the YearLa Belleza de la Cruz
1999Female Vocalist of the Year
Spanish Language Album of the YearOro
Special Event Album of the YearExodus)
2017Song of the Year"Even If" [19]
Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year"Even If"

Additional awards

YearAssociationCategoryWorkResult
1993Young Artist AwardsRoundhouse (shared with cast)
1999Soul Train Music Awards"Lean on Me" (as featured artist)
Grammy AwardsBest R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
2001Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel AlbumFearless

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Crystal Lewis Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More . . July 10, 2022.
  2. Web site: Exclusive: Crystal Lewis tells JesusWired about life, faith and returning to music . Jesus Wired . March 22, 2019 . July 10, 2022.
  3. Web site: Crystal Lewis - Greatest Hits Album Reviews, Songs & More . . July 10, 2022.
  4. Web site: 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 . July 10, 2022.
  5. Web site: CrystalLewis.com: Autobiography . Metro 1 Inc. . July 6, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090509105311/http://crystallewis.com/2008/sub_facts.html . May 9, 2009 .
  6. Web site: Crystal Lewis: Priority And Payoff . September 16, 2015 . CCM.
  7. Web site: Wild Blue Yonder Featuring Crystal Lewis – Wild Blue Yonder – 1986/1995 . Real 80s CCM . January 2, 2021 . July 10, 2022.
  8. Web site: A Conversation with Crystal Lewis. July 16, 2021. July 10, 2022.
  9. Web site: bio. crystal lewis. May 31, 2017. October 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181008073904/http://www.crystallewis.com/bio. dead.
  10. Web site: Crystal Lewis Biography, Songs & Albums . . July 10, 2022.
  11. Web site: World Premiere! Crystal Lewis is "Dancing Through Tunnels" . . May 31, 2018 . July 10, 2022.
  12. Web site: Together We Can . . July 10, 2022.
  13. Web site: Life After Divorce ft. Crystal Lewis - Dinner Conversations. May 12, 2019 . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/eVlFX1iD9bw . 2021-12-14 . live. Dinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer via YouTube . May 14, 2019 .
  14. Web site: Izzi Ray Credits . . July 10, 2022.
  15. Web site: Solomon Ray Credits . . July 10, 2022.
  16. Web site: Crystal Lewis Discography - Artist Database . Jesus Freak Hideout . July 10, 2022.
  17. Web site: Crystal Lewis Albums and Discography . . July 10, 2022.
  18. Web site: Crystal Lewis Credits . . July 10, 2022.
  19. Web site: Dove Awards 2017 nominees . . August 9, 2017.