Spotlight On Collin Raye at the Higley
Center for the Performing Arts Photos by
Glenda S. Paradee
Ten times nominated as
Country Music's Male Vocalist of the Year, Collin Raye performed at
the Higley Center for the Performing Arts on January 23, 2015.
Raye still has his voice and sounded just like his records.
The audience really enjoy his show. He sang all his hits
including "Little Rock", "In This Life", "That's My Story", "I Think
About You", "One Boy, One Girl", A favorite part
of the show is when he performed "She's With Me". Another
great part of the concert is when he told the story about meeting
Glen Campbell and that he was a big fan of his. He then sang a
couple of Glen Campbell songs, "Galveston", and "Rhinestone Cowboy".
He did a great tribute to Glen Campbell.
He ended his show with a well deserved standing ovation. He
put on a great show.
More on Collin Raye:
Born Floyd Elliot Wray on August 22, 1960 in De Queen, Arkansas,
country artist Collin Raye was one of the true hit makers of the
1990's. Collin still continues to crank out soulful, heartfelt
material with the honesty and richness that is signature to his
vocals alone. With 24 top ten records, 16 #1 hits, and having been a
10 time male vocalist of the year nominee (5 CMA and 5 ACM), this
truly electrifying performer of his era remains one of the great
voices of our time.
Collin Raye is nothing if not passionate. His soulful delivery
has set country standards in such searing ballads as "Love, Me," "In
This Life," "Not That Different" and "If I were you". Always an
energizing showman, he has also blazed through such vivid rockers as
"My Kind of Girl," "That's My Story," "I Can Still Feel You" and "I
Want You Bad."
Collin shot to fame with "Love, Me" in 1991. Listeners were so
moved by this golden and pure voice that this song set the
cornerstone for a career built on meaningful and emotional songs
that have often been used for weddings, anniversaries, memorial
services and funerals. When "Little Rock", an anthem for those
struggling with addition recovery, hit the chart in 1994, its video
led to over 100,000 phone calls to Alcoholics Anonymous from folks
seeking help in their addictions. "Not That Different" was a song
that pleaded for tolerance. "In This Life" became a wedding
favorite, and "I Think About You" won awards for its song and video
which exposed the exploitation of women and children.
Collin Raye has consistently used his stardom to advance social
causes. Among the organizations he has supported are Boys Town,
First Steps, Al-Anon, Special Olympics, Country Cares About AIDS,
Catholic Relief Services, Parade of Pennies, Vanderbilt Children's
Hospital, The Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence, The
Emily Harrison Foundation, Childhelp USA, Silent Witness National
Initiative, Easter Seals, The Life and Hope Network, and Make a
Difference Day. It came as no surprise when in 2001 at the Country
Radio Seminar, Clint Black presented Collin Raye with the
organization's Humanitarian of the Year award in recognition of
Collin's issue-oriented music and his tireless charity work.
The Man who has topped the charts with such great songs as "On
the Verge," "One Boy, One Girl," "What the Heart Wants," "Every
Second", "That Was a River", "Anyone Else", and "If I were you"
continues to touch hearts across the globe in both traditional and
new ways . Collin Raye's new outreach is very personal. In 2010,
after the loss of his precious 10 year old grandchild, Haley, Collin
and his daughter Britanny (Haley's mother) established The Haley
Bell Blessed Chair Foundation to honor her memory. The Foundation
supports and assists families of the cognitively and physically
disabled with a primary emphasis on supplying wheelchairs and other
necessary medical equipment to elevate the quality of life for the
disabled family member in need. Collin wrote a very special song for
Haley called, "She's with me", which carries a powerful message for
families of special needs children. Additionally, in 2011 Collin
released his first inspirational album, His Love Remains, which
quickly shot to #1 on Amazon for inspirational and religious music.
In 2013, Collin released his latest album, "Still on the Line",
which is a tribute album to his longtime friend and country music
legend, Glen Campbell, who continues to battle Alzheimer's Disease.
The album, featuring Ricky Skaggs and Billy Dean, includes classic
Glen Campbell hits. Collin continues to perform his traditional
country music across America and abroad and has added Christian and
Catholic concerts to his tour schedule as well. His autobiography, A
Voice Undefeated, was released April 2014. He currently resides in
Nashville, TN with his daughter, Britanny and granddaughter,
Mattie.
Thanks for the Music
Collin!
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