Crystal is a contemporary Christian singer who grew up singing in her father's church. She started her career at the age of 15, when she starred in the Christian musical, HiTops. During the production of this musical, she hooked up with a band known as "The Lifters." She traveled with them, singing at the end of their gigs. The group was signed on with Frontline records, Crystal included. They then changed their name to "Wild Blue Yonder" and released one album before disbanding. The label gave Crystal the opportunity to stay on as a solo artist. She took it. Crystal is releasing albums to this day. In 1989, Crystal was nominated by Cash Box Magazine as Best New Artist of the year. That year she also began appearing with evangelist Greg Laurie at Southern California's Harvest Crusade which she's done every year since. In 1992, she and her husband Brian Ray, started a record company together called Metro One. They wanted to create a label that would not conform to the standards of current day Christian music labels. Metro One represents a diverse group of Christian talent including hip-hop artists, rock-a-billy bands and alternative rock bands. Crystal writes many of her own songs, as does Brian, and she often directs the art work for her albums. Crystal also wrote a devotional book! It's called Gold: A Devotional, and it was published in 1998 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publishers.
In 1992 Crystal took on a new challenge and worked in television as one of the original cast members of Roundhouse, for which she helped originate the theme song. After the first season, Crystal left the show (much to everyone's dismay) to pursue her Christian ministry. Also in 1992, Crystal shot her first video for #1 Christian chart hit, "I Now Live."
On 12/23/93 Crystal and Brian had a baby boy named Solomon Wesley. Their second child, Isabella Marie was born 3/29/96.
Crystal is often spotted singing on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, and appears at various events around the country. She has been interviewed by CCM, Brio, Diamante and Release magazine. Crystal is a spokesperson for "Wycliffe Bible Translators," as well as "Feed the Children." She often does west coast tours to raise money for these causes. In 1994 she held a "Bride" concert in Anaheim, which was filmed and released onto video tape: Crystal Lewis on Film. Crystal has hosted many episodes of TBN's Real Videos. Crystal has appeared on a Billy Graham television special, Peace for a Fragile World, as well as a Luis Palau television special which aired on PAX TV. Crystal's song "People Get Ready... Jesus is Coming" was the #1 CCM song of 1996! And ASCAP awarded Crystal Christian Song of the Year in 1998 and in 2000. Crystal went on "The Big Voice Tour" in 1997 with Bryan Duncan, Anointed and Israel. That concert is now out on a video, One Voice. I caught Crystal on "The Young Messiah" tour singing classic Christmas tunes such as; "O Holy Night," "For Unto Us A Child Is Born," and "Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain." She has also toured with Avalon. There's been a selection of early Crystal CDs (Beyond the Charade, Joy, and Let Love In) re-released Classic Crystal from Metro One... check your local Christian bookstores! Congratulations to Crystal for winning 1998 Dove awards for best Spanish language album (1st year for that category) and for FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR! This award in this category is quite an honor, it was wonderful to see Crystal (broadcast live on TNT) accept this award from Andy Griffith when she was so completely stunned. It was wonderful to share that moment with her. (Ah, the wonders of modern technology and basic cable.) Crystal also performed with Kirk Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Bono and others at the 1999 Grammy Awards in a performance she considers a highlight in her life. The song they sang, "Lean on Me" was nominated for song of the year. All record sales of that song went to the churches that were burnt down due to racial intolerance. You can catch Crystal on tour with the rock-a-billy group she sings with, The Screamin' Rays and on their album, Attack of the Screamin' Rays. The Screamin' Rays were created by Chris Brigandi who also put The Lifters together! Crystal signed with Interscope Records for the mainstream distribution of her albums, Fearless, and More. Interscope was immensely interested in her talent and gave her the opportunity to produce a mainstream album for them and she would be pushed by the label to the public as a new pop diva. They gave her a time frame of a month however to put it all together and after much deliberation Crystal decided to turn them down because she couldn't write the songs in that period of time and she didn't want to relinquish any artistic control over what she sang, or compromise the content of her message. In October 2000, Crystal released her first greatest hits album in Spanish, La Coleccion, and her first Christmas album, Holiday! which CCM Magazine named the 5th best Christmas CD of all time. Also in 2000, Crystal starred as Mary in a Christmas musical called, Child of the Promise written by Michael & Stormy Omartian and featuring an all-star cast. In June Crystal performed in the March for Jesus Festivals in Brazil for over a million people! Congrats to Crystal for her 2000' Grammy nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album (Fearless). Listen for Crystal singing "Someday" on the Dove Award nominated Kingdom Come feature film soundtrack! Also, look for Crystal's newest greatest hits album, More. It features 3 new songs and a bonus DVD with all of her music videos and a documentary! Crystal has also released a More Live DVD featuring live concert footage, a new documentary and other goodies. There is also a More Live CD featuring the music recorded at the very same concert. Crystal recently recorded the voice of cartoon character "Star" for a new children's video series, MusicLand Band. You can order the MusicLand Band video or CD by calling (714) 516-1614. Crystal has had some very exciting gigs recently! She performed at a luncheon for government officials at the J.W. Marriott in Washington, DC and also attended a briefing at the White House the very same day. She also performed at Carnegie Hall in an event called "A Night of Encouragement" to benefit victims and rescue workers from 9/11 as well as to raise money to launch the Encourage America Counseling and Media Center that is to be located near Ground Zero. Also for 9/11, Crystal sang on the all-star anthem single and special, "In God We Trust." And she performed once again with Kirk Franklin on a BET "Celebration of Gospel" special and on his newest album on a song called, "The Blood Song." Crystal recently released a "Vocal Performance Kit" for aspiring singers. The kit contains a booklet full of tips and warm-ups written by Crystal, as well as 2 CDs of her 11 best selling tracks. One of those tracks is "When God's People Pray," a song Crystal wrote in the days following the terrorist attacks on our nation - the very same day of her 32nd birthday. The kit is now available for purchase from her Official Website and hopefully can be found at your local Christian bookstore. Crystal recently released her second hymns album in English and Spanish, entitled, Holy, Holy, Holy and Santo, Santo, Santo. Stay tuned for the latest news.
Birthdate: 9/11/69. Middle name: Lynn. Mom: Mary. Dad: Reverend Holland. Sisters: Candace and Cassandra. Grandparents: Rev. Roy and Mae Partain. Her favorite book is: Piercing The Darkness by Frank E. Peretti. Her favorite subject in school was writing. Favorite singers: Sade, Andre Crouch, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Sting. Color: green. She's a big baseball fan, and actually got to sing the National Anthem for the Anaheim Angels, as well as the NY Mets on opening day 2002! Crystal currently resides in Newport Beach. In high school, Crystal was a cheerleader and Homecoming princess, 2 years in a row. Crystal and Brian were married on April 8, 1989, to Crystal's recording of "Have Thine Own Way Lord."
