NEWS
UPCOMING LIVE EVENTS
NIGHT OF WORSHIP!
Sunday Evenings, 7 PM
8601 NW Expressway
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
CHECK RAY's FACEBOOK LINE FOR UPCOMING CONCERTS & EVENTS
There are links at the bottom of this page to Ray's personal and Music Facebook pages.
Check for upcoming events in your area!
CURRENT NEWS:
Ray's worship song. "GOD OF MIRACLES," was the Grand Prize winner for the 2022 WRITE ABOUT JESUS Songwriter's Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Ray's song won in the Worship Category and was the Overall Winner in categories consisting of several genres including Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Christian, Children's, Pop, Print / Choral, Southern Gospel, Special Occasion / Novelty, and Worship.
Since WRITE ABOUT JESUS, Ray has had the opportunity to co-write with several award-winning songwriters. In August 2023, he co-wrote with some of Nashville's finest writers including SUE C SMITH (founder of Writer About Jesus, 20 #1 songs, 5 time Dove Award winner,) JASON COX (2022 BMI Christian Songwriter of the Year, several #1 songs), KENNA TURNER WEST (Recording artist, multi-Dove Award songwriter, 27 Song of the Years wins, 5 time Songwriter of the Year, over 50 #1 hits), NATHAN WOODARD (Dove Award winner, Grammy Nominated, several #1 and top 10 songs),
Ray sang in June 2022 at the Inspirational Country Music Association Convention and Awards show in Pigeon Forge, TN. While flying to Nashville on Southwest Airlines, he was asked to sing a song on the plane. He sang "Picture Perfect" to Jan, as they are also celebrating their 46th anniversary in June.
MUSIC BACKSTORY:
Ray got his first guitar in the second grade. It was a '59 Gibson Melody Maker and Gibson amplifier. During that year he watched the Beatles appear on Ed Sullivan. His cousin, Joey Cooper, played lead guitar for the The Shindogs. They were the host band on the new weekly national television broadcast, Shindig. He grew up and was influenced musically during the 60's music explosion. His dad played guitar and piano, his brother played drums and his sister played piano. His mother loved to dance.
Ray started his first band in the third grade. They won second place in the school talent contest, which included entries up through high school. Ray's brother was eight years older and also had a band. His brother's band won first place. Ray started playing drums in the school band in the fifth grade. He always had a band throughout elementary and high school. In fact, in high school his band was allowed to use an auditorium to practice. They kept their instruments in the auditorium. They would play music for fellow students during lunch and after school. They also played at school dances and other venues. They eventually bought a small house and moved it behind his parents house as another place to practice,
His high school sweetheart, Jan, swept him off his feet. In order to date Jan, her mother insisted he had to go to church with her on Sunday morning. The pastor asked Ray to play bass at church. They attended four proms together. Ray's band played music at some of those proms. He attended his first year of college and in the summer they were married. He became a Christian two weeks after he was married to Jan. He has playing and writing music in the church ever since. Over the last few years, he started writing Music With A Message. These songs are designed to be played in church and to reach out beyond the four walls of the church. Ray's music has streamed into over 150 countries.
SINCE 2020:
Ray was scheduled to record in Nashville in March 2020 with some of Music City's finest studio engineers and musicians. Some were 2020 ACM award winners! COVID put the brakes on Nashville studios and musicians. It is amazing that the whole world seemed like it was on pause. In response to COVID, Ray wrote "Brighter Day". See lyrics page.
Ray decided to team up with his long time producer and friends, Trent Austin and LG Hamilton with The Music Group in Edmond, Oklahoma. They have poured their heart and soul into making Ray's new songs his best ever! They have gathered an amazing team of musicians and singers. With today's technology, it is possible to utilize the best talent from Austin, Dallas, Nashville, Oklahoma and around the country on this new project.
Look forward to hearing these songs, in several genres, as each single is released:
CHRISTIAN:
"God of Miracles" (worship)
"Great Grace" (ccm/worship)
"Inside My Heart" (worship)
"Little Church" (southern gospel)
"Teach Me To Fly" (worship)
INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY:
"Can't Stop Lovin' You"
"Picture Perfect"
"A Thousand Times"
POP:
"Brighter Day"
"Wish It Was Christmas Today"
R&B:
"No Other Name"
KIDS:
"Dreamed I Went To Africa"
"Have You Seen My Unicorn?"
RE-RELEASES ON STREAMING PLATFORMS:
"Go"
"I Love Jesus"
"No Way O, Hooey!"
"Pour Out"
"You Are My Rock" and more!!
NIGHT OF WORSHIP
Ray and Jan Hollis invite you to "NIGHT OF WORSHIP" Sunday evenings, 7 pm, at 8601 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City. Enjoy passionate praise, intimate worship, a LIVE BAND and a room full of amazing people!! We look forward to seeing you there!!
SINGING IN NASHVILLE, TN
Ray sang in Nashville at an NCS event (Nashville Christian Songwriters) at the Koinonia Coffee House. This iconic Music Row venue has hosted many notable artist such as far back as and including Amy Grant, Michael W Smith, Kathy Troccoli, Second Chapter of Acts, Don Francisco, Honey Tree, Steve & Annie Chapman and Petra. Ray also sang at True Music Room, Nashville's newest downtown concert venue, at an NSAI event (Nashville Songwriters Association International).
"Mr. Ray, your heart and your song blew. Me. Away!" - Amanda
"Loved your song. Good stuff. Continued blessings on your life and ministry." - Cheri
"What an impact! Can't wait to see what the Lord does through your songs!" - Justin
"One of the most powerful moments was when God dropped in during your song." - Rebekah
"Possibly my biggest surprise of the Intensive!" - Tim
"Loved, loved, loved your songs and your heart for Jesus!' - Carolyn
RAY and JAN HOLLIS at YOUR CHURCH or EVENT
Ray has traveled coast to coast and in other countries with his music. He has sang in many kinds of venues - churches, youth camps and conferences, camp meetings, rodeo arenas, Country Music Opry's, convention centers, amusement parks, business functions and various events. Both Ray and Jan Hollis are in the process of writing a book (each). Maybe you'll be story in one of their books.
Over the years, Ray has a had the privilege of being part of events that afforded him the opportunity to be on stage with the likes of Bob Bennett, Danny Chambers, Darrell Evans, DC Talk (Toby Mac), Jamie Page, Israel Houghton, Kim Boyce, Lincoln Brewster, Newsboys, Out of Eden, Skillet and more. His favorite big name that he loves to share is JESUS! If you want more information about having Ray or Jan at your event, simply go to the CONTACT PAGE. Jan Hollis is an amazing speaker at churches and women's events.
PRAISE & WORSHIP or COUNTRY MUSIC? Yee-Haw-lelujah!!
Ray Hollis is known for writing Praise and Worship music. That genre is his heart and passion! He grew up playing rock music, learning to play the guitar at age seven. He had a band from the second grade through high school. While working on a music degree at the University of Arkansas, His voice professor said' "you sound like a country singer". Ray thought, "shut up"! Now he's finding out he likes to write country, in addition to several other musical genres.
Ray has written several songs recently in the country genre. Country writers are wordsmiths and have a way of telling a story. Jesus spoke in parables - stories. Worship Music has become incredibly popular in our culture. Still, not everyone can relate to it. As you listen to Ray's music, you will hear several styles behind the message... rock, R&B, dance, latin... yes and a little country! Yee-Haw-lelujah! The Message is never changed, only the method. How boring a world it would be if there were only one style of music!
Ray sings these new "country" songs (along with worship songs) at church and venues outside the church. Music with a Message... to encourage the churched and the unchurched.