Ray Boltz

Disclaimer: before you read this article and discography of Ray Boltz, please pray for him. We know Boltz made his choice to live the life he wants to live. We can't judge him for his choice. Leave that to God. God is the judge. Although, he's gotten some negative comments from his former listeners about his gay lifestyle, he's still a Christian nevertheless and has positive support from his friends and family. I pray that this article about him will focus on his

accomplishments as a singer and songwriter in Christian music. Thank you (no pun intended)!

Raymond Howard Boltz (born June 14, 1953) is an American retired singer and songwriter who first came to notice in contemporary Christian music. Many of his songs tell stories of faith and inspiration. He is best known for his Dove Award winning song "Thank You."

Born in Muncie, Indiana, Boltz was raised by his parents William and Ruth Boltz and is the middle of three children. As a child and teenager, Boltz's religious experience centered around a small country Methodist church in Muncie. In 1972, at age 19, he hurt his back and was hospitalized. A visiting minister invited him to Jacob’s Well, a Christian coffeehouse in the area. When Boltz recovered and was released, he visited the coffeehouse and saw the gospel group the Fisherman perform. That night changed his life and he dedicated himself to the Lord.

It was at Jacob's Well where he met Carol Brammer at its upstairs Christian bookstore later that year. They attended Bible studies together and eventually wed in 1975. Boltz graduated from Ball State University in Muncie with degrees in business and marketing. He spent the next five years working at a

manufacturing plant and playing at Sunday night services, youth meetings and prisons. In 1986, Boltz quit his job and went into music ministry full time. Boltz released his debut album Watch the Lamb and it gained notice primarily for its Easter-themed title song and "What Was I Suppose to Be?" His next release Thank You was his breakthrough album due in part for its signature title song. It won him his first Dove Award for the top prize Song of the Year.

Boltz continued to release album into 1990s up to the mid 2000s and win more Dove Awards along the way. In 2002, Boltz released, at the time, his final regular Christian album Songs From the Potter's Field and touring for the last time as a Christian artist in 2004. Boltz retired from the Christian music industry after the release of The Unchanging Story.

After 30 years of marriage, Boltz and Ruth quietly separated, when Boltz had announced to her and their four children that he came out as a gay man. Boltz moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2005 and in early 2008, Boltz and Ruth finalized their divorce. On September 12, 2008, during an interview with the Washington Blade (an LGBTQ newspaper), Boltz came out as gay. Since then,

Boltz has performed at several churches of the Metropolitan Community Church, a gay-affirming Christian denomination.

On April 15, 2010, Boltz released his final studio album True. It was his first album since he publicly came out. True focuses on themes of self-acceptance, honesty, and finding a place within faith as a gay Christian man. It won Album of the Year at the OUTMusic Awards. After that release, Boltz retired permanently from recording but does some occasional touring. Currently, Boltz is living in Fort

Lauderdale with his husband and long time manager Franco Sperduti. He has expressed that he is now at peace, stating he no longer feels he must hide his true self from God or his community. Boltz recently joined social media platforms like TikTok to share his life story, recount his journey of coming out within the Christian music industry, and connect with fans through songs and stories.

More information on Ray Boltz at Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Boltz

Discography

Watch the Lamb (1986)

Thank You (1988)

The Altar (1989)

Another Child to Hold (1991)

Moments For the Heart: The Very Best of Ray Boltz (1992) (compilation album)

Seasons Change (1992)

Allegiance (1994)

The Concert of a Lifetime (1995)

No Greater Sacrifice (1996)

A Christmas Album (1997)

Honor and Glory (1998)

The Classics...A Tribute (2000)

Moments For the Heart: The Very Best of Ray Boltz, Vols. 1 & 2 (2001) (compilation

album)

The Concert of a Lifetime: For Kids (2001)

Songs From the Potter's Field (2002)

The Unchanging Story (2004)

True (2010)

All the Best (2010) (compilation album)