Ray Boltz

By Kim Jones, About.com Guide

Ray Boltz

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Ray Boltz Born:

June 1953 - Muncie, IN

Ray Boltz was the middle child of three children (a fourth died shortly after birth).
Parents: William and Ruth Boltz

Ray Boltz Quote:

"I don't want to be a spokesperson, I don't want to be a poster boy for gay Christians, I don't want to be in a little box on TV with three other people in little boxes screaming about what the Bible says, I don't want to be some kind of teacher or theologian — I’m just an artist and I’m just going to sing about what I feel and write about what I feel and see where it goes."

From Washington Blade article

Ray Boltz's Early Years:

As a child and teen, Ray’s religious experience centered around a small country Methodist church in Muncie, Indiana. 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.

As a regular at Jacob's Well, Ray met Carol Brammer at its upstairs Christian bookstore later that year. They attended Bible studies together and eventually wed in 1975.

Ray worked for the Indiana state highway department and drove a snowplow while putting himself through college. He would sing and write music on weekends. After graduating from Ball State University with a degree in business and marketing, he spent the next 5 years working at a manufacturing plant and playing at Sunday night services, youth meetings and prisons.

In 1986 he quit his job and went into music full time, releasing Watch the Lamb. Since then he has sold more than 4 million albums, had 12 No. 1 hits on Christian radio and won 3 Dove awards.

Ray Boltz quietly retired from Christian Music in 2004.

Ray Boltz Shocking Life Change:

After 33 years of marriage and 4 children - Karen, Philip, Elizabeth and Sara - Ray and Carol Boltz quietly separated and he moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (in 2005). In September 2008 the why behind it became clear ... Ray Boltz officially came out as a gay man through an article in the Washington Blade.

Boltz performed new music 10 days later at the GLBT friendly Metropolitan Community Church in Washington. Nearly all the new material he sang in his roughly 75-minute set addressed the gay experience. It was reported by the Blade that the audience responded with a standing ovation to the clear, pro-gay message.

Ray Boltz Today:

Today (2010), Ray Boltz is at peace with his identity and his faith. In an interview with the New York Times, he said, "I don’t believe God hates me anymore. I always thought if people knew the true me, they’d be disgusted, and that included God. But for all the doubts, there’s this new belief that God accepts me and created me, and there’s peace."

Boltz still lives in south Florida with his partner and booking manager, Franco Sperduti. He released his first album since coming out in April and the songs center around being gay and Christian.