Clay Crosse (born Walter Clayton Crossnoe, February 11, 1967) is a

contemporary Christian music Contemporary Christian music, also known as CCM, Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and s ...

artist. He has won four

GMA Dove Award A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards are presented annually. Formerly held in Nashville, Tennessee, the Dove Awards ...

s, and is probably best known for the single "I Surrender All."

Music career

Clay Crosse grew up in

Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the seat of Shelby County in the southwest part of the state; it is situated along the Mississippi River. With a population of 633,104 at the 2020 U.S. census, Memphis is the second-mos ...

. He became a

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

at the age of 13.Clay Crosse Music page at Christianity Today
/ref> He married his high school sweetheart, Renee Kennedy. Initially, Clay worked as a courier for

FedEx FedEx Corporation, formerly Federal Express Corporation and later FDX Corporation, is an American multinational conglomerate holding company focused on transportation, e-commerce and business services based in Memphis, Tennessee. The name "Fe ...

for six years.CBN.com: Clay and Renee Crosse - Keeping Secrets
Clay then released his first album, ''My Place Is With You'', in 1994. "I Surrender All" was the most successful single from the album. With the success of his musical career, Clay was able to leave FedEx and concentrate on music full-time in 1994. Crosse became known for singles such as "I Surrender All" "Midnight Cry" "He Walked A Mile" "Saving The World" and "I Will Follow Christ." . He won the

Dove Award A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards are presented annually. Formerly held in Nashville, Tennessee, the Dove Awards ...

for "New Artist of the Year" at the 25th GMA Dove Awards in 1994. Clay's music has a pop style. Nine songs from his first four albums became No. 1 singles. During this period, his ''He Walked A Mile'' won the 1997 CCM Adult Contemporary Song of the Year. In 1999, his song ""I Will Follow Christ" won the Dove Award for Inspirational song Of the Year. He collaborated on the song with

Bob Carlisle Robert Mason "Bob" Carlisle (born September 29, 1956) is an American Contemporary Christian music, Contemporary Christian singer and songwriter. He performed with several bands, most notably Allies (band), Allies and Billy Thermal, before launchin ...

and

BeBe Winans Benjamin "BeBe" Winans (born September 17, 1962) is an American gospel and R&B singer. He is a member of the noted Winans family, most members of which are also gospel artists. Winans has released nine albums, seven with his sister CeCe Winans, C ...

. Following his initial success, Clay went through a time of contemplation and reckoning in his life, one that he describes as "the greatest time of spiritual growth I had ever experienced." After experiencing difficulties with his singing voice, Clay hired a vocal coach, Chris Beatty. At his first appointment with the vocal coach, Mr. Beatty questioned him about his spiritual life. After praying with the coach that day, Crosse confessed to his wife that he had been struggling with his thought life and that pornography had played a role. It took one year for his relationship with his wife to fully heal. Later, Clay stated that he was thankful that God protected and strengthened he and Renee's marriage during this time. With the changes in his personal life, Clay released ''A Different Man'' in 1999. The songs "98", "Sinner's Prayer" and "Arms of Jesus" were written reflecting his personal growth. Touring with

Jaci Velasquez Jacquelyn "Jaci" Davette Velasquez (Spanish ''Jaci Velásquez'', born October 15, 1979) is an American actress and contemporary Christian and Latin pop singer and songwriter, performing in both English and Spanish. Velasquez has sold almost ...

, he spoke to teenagers encouraging sexual abstinence before marriage.FEATURE: Living Proof - Teens
/ref> He also worked in conjunction with the national student movement, "True Love Waits."
/ref> Clay states "During this life-changing time for me there was a clear change in my career. What was once a focus on 'Christian entertainment' was now a genuine calling to the ministry. With this change, Clay began serving in local ministry. Clay served as

worship Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity. It may involve one or more of activities such as veneration, adoration, praise, and praying. For many, worship is not about an emotion, it is more about a recognition ...

pastor for The Love of Christ (TLC) Community Church in Memphis under head pastor Dana Key (of the Christian Rock group DeGarmo and Key). This was Clay's first staff position at a local church. During this time, Clay signed a deal with the TAG Artist Group to release the CD and DVD ''Eternity with You: Live Worship''.About.com: Clay Crosse Signs Deal With TAG Artist Group
/ref> The release of the CD and DVD coincided with the publication of his book, ''I Surrender All''. In 2007, he released the single "Believe".Rolling Stone: Clay Crosse - Believe
/ref> Clay has served as lead worship pastor at the following churches. First Baptist Church, Bentonville, Arkansas 2013–present. Faith Baptist Church, Arlington, Tennessee 2010 - 2013. The Love of Christ Church (TLC) 2004 - 2008.

Personal life

Clay married Renee Kennedy in 1990. They have four children, Shelby (1993), Savannah (1997), Garrett, (1999, adopted from China in 2007), and Sophie (2005, adopted from China in 2005). Clay and Renee Crosse co-wrote a book with Mark Tabb titled, ''I Surrender All.'' Clay also authored the book ''Dashboard Jesus''. Renee has authored the books ''Rare Girl'' and ''Reclaiming Stolen Intimacy''.

Discography

Clay Crosse has released a total of ten albums: seven studio albums, two compilation albums, one live worship album, and one Christmas album. Clay Crosse Discography at Billboard.com/ref>Vh1.com : Clay Crosse albums
/ref>

Albums

*1993: ''My Place Is With You'' (Reunion) *1995: ''Time To Believe'' (Reunion) *1997: ''Stained Glass'' (Reunion) – #141 on the ''Billboard'' 200 *1999: ''I Surrender All: The Clay Crosse Collection, Vol. 1'' (Reunion) – compilation *2000: ''A Different Man'' (Reunion) *2002: ''Christmas With Clay Crosse'' (Butterfly) *2005: ''Eternity With You: Live Worship''Clay Crosse Discography at Yahoo! Music
/ref> (TAG Artist Group) – CD/DVD live worship album *2005: ''Simply Clay Crosse'' (Brentwood Music) – compilation *2009: ''Anthems'' (HolyHomes) *2011: ''Everytime I Feel the Spirit'' (HolyHomes) *2012: ''Rededication'' (Ccm Forever Music) *2019: ''Freewill Offering'' (Inov8 Music)

Singles

*1993: "My Place Is With You" *1994: "I Surrender All" *1994: "I Call Your Name" *1995: "His Loves Comin' Over Me" *1995: "His Love Is Strong" *1995: "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power" *1996: "The Rock" *1996: "Time to Believe" *1997: "Saving the World" *1997: "He Walked a Mile" *1998: "Must Have Been Your Hands" *1998: "Sold Out Believer" *1998: "He Ain't Heavy" *1999: "I Will Follow Christ" (with

and

) *2000: "More Like You" *2001: "Arms of Jesus" *2001: "Sinner's Prayer" *2001: "No Fear" *2007: "Believe" MArvie

Awards

Clay Crosse has won four

Dove Awards A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards are presented annually. Formerly held in Nashville, Tennessee, the Dove Award ...

.GMA Dove Awards History - Search page
* 25th GMA Dove Awards – New Artist of the Year * 1997 Dove Awards – Special Event Album of the Year, ''Tribute-The Songs of Andrae Crouch'' (compilation album won with

CeCe Winans Priscilla Marie Winans Love, known professionally as CeCe Winans, (born October 8, 1964) is an American gospel singer. She rose to prominence as a member of the duo BeBe & CeCe Winans; before launching an acclaimed solo career. Winans has been a ...

Michael W. Smith Michael Whitaker Smith (born October 7, 1957) is an American musician who has charted in both contemporary Christian and mainstream charts. His biggest success in mainstream music was in 1991 when " Place in This World" hit No. 6 on the '' ...

Twila Paris Twyla (also Twila) is a given name. Notable people with the name include: Twyla * Twyla Hansen (born 1949), American poet, a Nebraska State Poet * Twyla Herbert (1921–2009), American songwriter * Twyla King (1937-2022), American newspaper edito ...

Bryan Duncan Bryan Edward Duncan (born March 16, 1953) is an American contemporary Christian music artist. He is known for being lead singer of the group Sweet Comfort Band, solo career, and involvement with the Nehosoul Band. He is currently involved with ...

Wayne Watson Wayne may refer to: People with the given name and surname * Wayne (given name) * Wayne (surname) Geographical Places with name ''Wayne'' may take their name from a person with that surname; the most famous such person was Gen. "Mad" Antho ...

The Winans The Winans are an American gospel quartet from Detroit, Michigan consisting of brothers Marvin, Carvin, Michael and Ronald Winans. Members ''Please refer to the Winans family page for more detail on the individual members.'' About: Origins & Mus ...

Take 6 Take 6 is an American a cappella gospel music, gospel sextet formed in 1980 on the campus of Oakwood University, Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama. The group integrates jazz with spiritual and inspirational lyrics. Take 6 has received seve ...

, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir,

First Call "First Call" is a bugle call with three distinct meanings. U.S. military use At a U.S. military installation it is a pre-reveille "courtesy" signal, sounded around 05:50, originally to assemble the trumpeters to deliver the reveille that would b ...

Andrae Crouch Andrae, Andræ (Danish) or Andrä is a surname and given name, which is a variant of Andreae, itself a patronymic (via the Latin genitive case) from the personal name Andreas. Notable persons with this name include: Surname * Ahmed-Tobias Andrä ...

and the All Star Choir; Norman Miller, Neal Joseph;

Warner Alliance Warner Alliance was a contemporary Christian record label and a division of Warner Music Group. It was founded in 1989 with headquarters located in San Francisco, California. Artists on the label included Steve Taylor, Kim Boyce, Michael English, ...

) * 1998 Dove Awards – Special Event Album of the Year, ''God With Us – A Celebration of Christmas Carols & Classics'' (compilation won with

Anointed Anointing is the ritual act of pouring aromatic oil over a person's head or entire body. By extension, the term is also applied to related acts of sprinkling, dousing, or smearing a person or object with any perfumed oil, milk, butter, or oth ...

, Michael W. Smith, Twila Paris,

Sandi Patty Sandra Faye "Sandi" Patty (born July 12, 1956) is an American Christian music singer, known for her wide soprano vocal range and expressive flexibility. Biography Early life Patty was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, into a family of musician ...

Steven Curtis Chapman Steven Curtis Chapman (born November 21, 1962) is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, author, and social activist. Chapman began his career in the late 1980s as a songwriter and performer of conte ...

Chris Willis Christopher Kevin Willis (born February 26, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Although initially a gospel singer, he later received international attention for his collaborations with house music artist David Guetta ...

, Steve Green, Cheri Keaggy,

Avalon Avalon (; la, Insula Avallonis; cy, Ynys Afallon, Ynys Afallach; kw, Enys Avalow; literally meaning "the isle of fruit r appletrees"; also written ''Avallon'' or ''Avilion'' among various other spellings) is a mythical island featured in the ...

Out of the Grey Out of the Grey is a husband-and-wife Contemporary Christian music project consisting of Scott and Christine Denté. Christine provides lead vocals, while Scott plays guitars and sings background, along with the occasional lead vocals. They have r ...

Ray Boltz Raymond Howard "Ray" Boltz (born June 14, 1953) is a retired singer and songwriter who first came to wide notice in contemporary Christian music. Many of his songs tell stories of faith and inspiration. Background Raised by his parents Wil ...

Larnelle Harris Larnelle Steward Harris (born July 6, 1947) is an American gospel singer and songwriter. During his 40-plus years of ministry, Harris has recorded 18 albums, won five Grammy Awards and 11 Dove Awards, and has had several number one songs on the ...

; Norman Miller; Sparrow) * 2000 Dove Awards – Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year, ''I Will Follow Christ''

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crosse, Clay Living people 1967 births American performers of Christian music