Collin Raye…….Born Floyd Elliot Wray on August 22, 1960 in De Queens, 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. 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, That’s My Story: The Undefeated Life of Collin Raye, is set for release in early
2014. He currently resides in Nashville, TN with his daughter, Britanny and granddaughter, Mattie.
