Floyd Elliot Wray (born August 22, 1960), known professionally as Collin Raye and previously as Bubba Wray , is an American country music singer. He initially recorded as a member of the band The Wrays between 1983 and 1987. He made his solo debut in 1991 as Collin Raye with the album All I Can Be , which produced his first Number One hit in " Love, Me ". All I Can Be was the first of four consecutive albums released by Raye to achieve platinum certification in the United States for sales of one million copies each. Raye maintained several Top Ten hits throughout the rest of the decade and into 2000. 2001's Can't Back Down was his first album that did not produce a Top 40 country hit, and he was dropped by his record label soon afterward. He did not record another studio album until 2005's Twenty Years and Change , released on an independent label.
37-551: Between 1991 and 2007, Raye charted 30 singles on the U.S. country charts; he has also charted twice on the Adult Contemporary format as a duet partner on two Jim Brickman songs. Four of Raye's singles have reached Number One on the Billboard country music charts: 1992's "Love, Me" and "In This Life", 1995's "My Kind of Girl", and 1998's "I Can Still Feel You". He has also recorded a total of 11 studio albums, counting
74-595: A Dove Award from the Gospel Music Association . He later produced several other Christmas-themed albums, Peace (2003), Christmas Romance (2006), Homecoming (2007), and The Hymns and Carols of Christmas (2008); and his two albums Grace (2005) and Faith (2008) concentrated on arrangements of well-known Christian music. During his career, four albums have sold over 500,000 copies; By Heart (1995), Picture This (1997), The Gift (1997), and Destiny (1999), qualifying them as Gold records in
111-474: A Christmas album and a compilation of lullabies, in addition to releasing a Greatest Hits compilation, a live album, and a live CD/DVD package. Floyd Elliot Wray was born in De Queen, Arkansas . His mother, Lois Wray, was a local musician; in the 1950s, she served as an opening act for several Sun Records artists, including Jerry Lee Lewis , Elvis Presley , Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins . Later, she became
148-401: A live performance of "In This Life". The second-season episode, entitled "Country Justice", was directed by David Winning . The album produced three additional Top Ten country hits in " I Want You Bad (And That Ain't Good) ", " Somebody Else's Moon ", and " That Was a River ", in addition to achieving his second platinum certification. Extremes , Raye's third album, was released in 1993. It
185-555: A peak of number 21. The album's sixth and final single was " On the Verge ", at number 2. In 1996, Raye also released a Christmas album titled Christmas: The Gift . He also appeared on Stars and Stripes Vol. 1 , a Beach Boys album featuring lead vocals by country musicians. A year later, his first Greatest Hits package was issued; titled The Best of Collin Raye: Direct Hits , it comprised several of his hit singles from
222-637: A peak of number 70 from unsolicited airplay. Direct Hits received a gold certification from the RIAA for selling 500,000 copies in the United States. The Walls Came Down was the title of Raye's fifth studio album. Released in 1998, it produced his fourth and final Billboard number 1 single in " I Can Still Feel You ". " Someone You Used to Know " and the Radney Foster -penned " Anyone Else " were both Top Five hits as well. "Start Over Georgia",
259-490: A record label at the time, he entered the Adult Contemporary charts for the third time in 2003, as a duet partner on Jim Brickman's single "Peace (Where the Heart Is)". Raye released a live album, Live at Billy Bob's Texas , in 2004, and a promotional single titled "World History 101" in 2005. In 2005, Raye signed to the independent Aspirion label, releasing his Twenty Years and Change album. Two singles were released from
296-439: A severe but undiagnosed brain disorder. Raye released his autobiography A Voice Undefeated in 2014. Raye is known primarily for his country pop ballads, such as "Love, Me" (a popular choice at funerals) and "In This Life" (one of the most popular wedding songs of the 1990s). Raye is also known for dealing with social issues in his material. "Little Rock", for example, tells of a recovering alcoholic; its music video included
333-621: A solo musician in her own right; she would occasionally bring both Collin and his brother Scott (known professionally as Scotty Wray, died February 2022) onstage to sing harmony vocals. By the 1980s, the two brothers began a country-rock band called the Wray Brothers Band, in which Collin assumed the stage name Bubba Wray. The Wray Brothers Band performed primarily in the state of Texas ; Corvallis, Oregon; and later in Reno, Nevada ; eventually releasing singles on independent labels. By 1986,
370-719: A talent competition hosted by the WGCL "G98" radio station. Another high school friend named Meg Tippett convinced Brickman to join the Heights Youth Theatre as accompanist, which grew into four years as musical director. Brickman studied composition and performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music while taking business classes at Case Western Reserve University . In 1980, Brickman founded his own advertising music company called The Brickman Arrangement, writing commercial jingles for many companies across
407-456: Is an American pop songwriter, pianist and radio host. Brickman has earned two Grammy nominations for his albums Peace (2003) for Best Instrumental, and Faith (2009) for Best New Age Album. He won a Canadian Country Music Award , a Dove Award presented by the Gospel Music Association , and was twice named Songwriter of the Year by SESAC . Billboard lists 22 of his albums reaching No. 1 on
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#1732791896771444-425: Is sometimes classified in the new-age genre, although Brickman considers his style to be broader than that. In May 2006, Brickman left Windham Hill and signed with Savoy Label Group (SLG) to release music under his own Brickman Music Group imprint. The album Escape was his first release distributed by SLG, following Pure Jim Brickman , a career-spanning compilation from Windham Hill. In 2015, Brickman released
481-621: The Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. Raye's first album, also titled All I Can Be , was released soon afterward. The follow-up single, a ballad co-written by Skip Ewing and titled " Love, Me ," reached number 1 on the country music charts in early 1992, holding the peak position for three weeks. All I Can Be was then certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album's final single
518-880: The PBS specials My Romance: An Evening with Jim Brickman (2000), Love Songs & Lullabies (2002), The Disney Songbook (2005), and Beautiful World (2009). He has appeared on various TV shows such as Good Morning America and Live with Regis and Kathie Lee . Brickman grew up in Cleveland. He has a residence there as well as in New York City. Brickman appeared on the September–October 2013 cover of Making Music Magazine to discuss his life and career. Brickman founded Brickhouse Direct (BHD) in 2003 to provide internet marketing and e-commerce solutions. They specialized in promoting new acts and reinvigorating
555-598: The Ten Commandments . In the song's music video, a telephone number for the child abuse hotline ChildHelp USA was included. Raye was raised as a Southern Baptist but became a Catholic when he was 23 years old. On February 17, 2016, Raye performed at the "Two Nations, One Faith" celebration at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas , prior to the stadium's simulcast of the Mass celebrated by Pope Francis just across
592-527: The 2009 Grammy Award for Best New Age Album. Brickman composes a variety of music, and is known for his success in radio's adult contemporary format. He has collaborated with artists from all genres with songs like "Love of My Life" with Michael W. Smith , "You" with Jane Krakowski , "Never Alone" with country group Lady A , "After All These Years" with Anne Cochran , and "Never Far Away" with Christian contemporary group Rush of Fools , among others. Because of his long association with Windham Hill, his work
629-685: The Mexican border in Ciudad Juarez . Raye married a woman named Connie in 1980; they later got divorced. They have a daughter, Brittany (born February 10, 1983), and a son, Jacob (born March 31, 1985). Raye lives in Nashville with his daughter and granddaughter. In 2011, Raye became the national spokesperson for the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network . Jim Brickman James Merrill Brickman (born November 20, 1961)
666-850: The New Age chart, and 16 of his songs reaching Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Four of his albums were certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Since 1997, he has hosted his own radio show, The Jim Brickman Show , which is carried on radio stations throughout the United States. Brickman has collaborated with Lady A , Johnny Mathis , Kenny Rogers , Michael W. Smith , Leslie Odom Jr. , Martina McBride , Megan Hilty , Donny Osmond , Delta Goodrem , Olivia Newton-John , Carly Simon , John Oates , Five for Fighting , Michael Bolton , Gerald Levert , Jane Krakowski , Richie McDonald , Sandi Patty , Mat & Savanna Shaw , and many others. Brickman
703-413: The United States. In November 2005, three of Brickman's albums, The Disney Songbook (2005), Grace (2005) and Greatest Hits (2004), held the top three spots on Billboard 's New Age chart. He also received a Grammy nomination in 2003, an SESAC "Songwriter of the Year" award, and a Canadian Country Music Award for "Best Vocal/Instrumental Collaboration". The 2008 album Faith was nominated for
740-640: The Windham Hill label in 1995. The following year, the CD's title track, "By Heart", became his first top 20 adult contemporary (AC) hit. In 1997, Brickman released the album Picture This , adding a vocal performance, " Valentine ", sung by Martina McBride . By the end of the year, Brickman issued the first of many Christmas CDs, The Gift , with the title song featuring Collin Raye and Susan Ashton , topping three different charts; for this album, Brickman received
777-643: The album were the Top 10 hits " Man of My Word ", " My Kind of Girl ", and " If I Were You ". "My Kind of Girl" became Raye's third number 1 hit, while the other two singles reached Top 10 as well. Also in 1993, he was nominated by the Academy of Country Music for Top New Male Vocalist, along with Billy Ray Cyrus and Tracy Lawrence , but lost to Tracy. I Think About You was the title of Raye's fourth album. Released in 1995, it produced six singles overall and became Raye's fourth consecutive platinum-certified album. Of
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#1732791896771814-690: The album, although neither single charted. The same year, Raye appeared in television commercials for Fruit of the Loom underwear, in which he sang the jingle "You Can't Over-Love Your Underwear". Another studio album, Fearless , was released in 2006 on Country Roads Records, although it did not produce any singles. In 2007, a CD/DVD combination titled The Power in You was released, followed by an EP titled Selected Hits . The latter includes "That's My Story", "Little Rock", "I Think About You", and "Love, Me", as well as two new tracks: "A Soldier's Prayer" and "Quitters",
851-410: The band (which had shortened its name to The Wrays ) signed to Mercury Records , releasing four singles. After the singles performed poorly on the charts, The Wrays disbanded. After altering the spelling of his last name to Raye, he was signed to a record deal with Epic Records in 1990. His debut single, "All I Can Be (Is a Sweet Memory)", entered the charts in 1991, reaching a peak of No. 29 on
888-570: The careers of veteran musicians. In 2005, Brickhouse bought the online marketing firm Viawerk, bringing Viawerk co-founder Rod Flauhaus on board as partner. Flauhaus co-wrote the album Homecoming . Brickman's younger brother Michael served as president of Brickhouse. Brickhouse marketing clients included, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Richie McDonald (Lonestar), Point of Grace and many others. The label also published works by saxophonist Dave Koz , comedian Anita Renfroe , singer Chris Sligh and singer Mark Masri . Brickman's own 2012 album Blessings
925-525: The country such as McDonald's , Pontiac , City of Cleveland, Ohio Lottery, and Isuzu . Brickman signed to Windham Hill Records in 1994 and released his first album, No Words featuring the song "Rocket to the Moon" which became his first solo instrumental to be ranked on the Billboard charts. The songs "Angel Eyes" and "If You Believe" gained radio airplay from Brickman's second release, By Heart on
962-722: The first album in the Soothe series for relaxation, meditation, yoga and massage. Soothe, Vol. 1 came with an audiobook. Three more volumes in the series followed through 2019. Making its debut in January 1997, Your Weekend with Jim Brickman is a four-hour radio show that has been heard across the US featuring music blended with celebrity interviews, lifestyle features and entertainment reports. In 2018, The Jim Brickman Show Podcast debuted on Pandora. Two years later, his podcast moved to Spotify as The Brickman Bedtime Story . Brickman filmed
999-700: The fourth single (co-written by Raye's brother), peaked at No. 39. Also included on The Walls Came Down was a ballad entitled "The Eleventh Commandment", in which Raye addressed the issue of child abuse . Although not released as a single, "The Eleventh Commandment" was made into a music video, which featured a number for a child abuse hotline at the end. The same year, he appeared on compilation CD Tribute To Tradition (released on Columbia label) with cover versions of "Cold Cold Heart" (country classic recorded by Hank Williams in 1957) and "Honky Tonk Heroes (Like Me)" (a major hit for Waylon Jennings in 1973, written by Billy Joe Shaver ). Raye duets with Joe Diffie on
1036-507: The latter of which was co-written by Canadian country singer George Canyon . Both of the new tracks were released as singles in 2007, and the former peaked at No. 59 on Hot Country Songs. Raye's next album, Never Going Back , was released on April 28, 2009, on the Saguaro Road label. Its first single is "Mid-Life Chrysler". It also includes the track "She's With Me," which is a tribute to Raye's granddaughter, Haley, who died from
1073-437: The latter song. In late 1999, Raye sang backing vocals on Phil Vassar 's debut single " Carlene ". Raye released two albums in 2000: Counting Sheep , an album consisting of lullabies for his children, and Tracks . The first single release from Tracks , " Couldn't Last a Moment ", was a top 5 hit on the country charts. "Tired of Loving This Way", which followed, was a duet with singer and actress Bobbie Eakes . Although it
1110-406: The number for Al-Anon , as a means of public service announcement. "What If Jesus Comes Back Like That", from his I Think About You album, is a power ballad that poses questions about the return of Jesus Christ in the modern world. In "The Eleventh Commandment", a track from The Walls Came Down , Raye addresses child abuse, suggesting "honor thy children" as an eleventh commandment to accompany
1147-459: The past five years, as well as four new songs, of which three released as singles. " What the Heart Wants " and " Little Red Rodeo " both reached Top Five on the country music charts, while "The Gift", a collaboration with Jim Brickman and Susan Ashton , was a top 5 hit on the Adult Contemporary charts. The album also included a cover of Journey 's " Open Arms ", with Raye's version reaching
Collin Raye - Misplaced Pages Continue
1184-529: The singles, the first three all reached Top 5: " One Boy, One Girl ", " Not That Different ", and the title track , whose music video won a Video of the Year award from the Academy of Country Music . While "Not That Different" was climbing the charts, the album track " What If Jesus Comes Back Like That " received unsolicited airplay which brought it as high as number 57. After "I Think About You", " Love Remains " peaked at number 12, followed by an official release of "What If Jesus Comes Back Like That" which achieved
1221-485: Was " Every Second ," which peaked at No. 2 on Billboard . Raye's second album, titled In This Life , was released in 1992. The album's title track , which served as its lead-off single, spent two weeks at number 1 and crossed over to the Adult Contemporary charts with a peak of number 21. In late 1992, Raye made an appearance on the Carl Weathers television drama series " Street Justice ", where he gave
1258-488: Was Raye's first single to miss the Top 40 entirely, it provided Eakes with her only appearance on the country music charts. "She's All That" and "You Still Take Me There" were also released, but they failed to make top 40 as well. Can't Back Down , Raye's last album for Epic, was released in 2001. Neither of the album's two singles entered Top 40 on the country music charts. Because of a conflict with his label, Raye asked out of his contract that year. Although he did not have
1295-547: Was born and raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio , and began playing piano at the age of five. His Jewish parents took him to services at Suburban Temple-Kol Ami in nearby Beachwood, where Brickman was confirmed in his teens. He attended Shaker Heights High School , and he performed on piano with the high school orchestra. He heard fellow student Anne Cochran sing in a musical, and introduced himself, asking her to join him in performing piano-vocal material. Together, they won
1332-467: Was his first to be produced by Paul Worley and Ed Seay, the latter of whom would serve as Raye's co-producer until 2000. The lead single, " That's My Story ", was co-written by Lee Roy Parnell , who recorded for Arista Nashville at the time. Following it was " Little Rock ", a song about a recovering alcoholic. The song's accompanying music video also promoted Al-Anon , an international support group for friends and family of alcoholics. Also released from
1369-580: Was released on the Brickhouse Direct label. If I Were You (Collin Raye song) " If I Were You " is a song written by John Hobbs and Chris Farren , and recorded by American country music singer Collin Raye . It was released in April 1995 as the fifth and final single from his album Extremes . It peaked at #4 both in the United States and in Canada. The song is not to be confused with
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