A Voice Undefeated (Hardback) - Common

by Collin Raye

When Collin Raye's powerful, golden voice dazzled the country music scene in 1991 with his Number One hit single "Love, Me," country music listeners fell in love with one of the great voices of our time. A new star was rising, and Collin's success continued throughout the nineties with over eight million records sold. Raye's autobiography, A Voice Undefeated, gives readers a down-to-earth account of the author's personal and professional life. From his childhood in Arkansas and Texas through his days with the Wray Brothers Band in Oregon and Reno to his rise to international stardom, this book is both a journey to the top of the music world and an intimate diary of a soul that has suffered great professional and personal losses. Many who love Collin Raye, the successful country music artist, don't know much about Collin Raye, the man, and the many trials he has endured with faith and courage. Most recently his beloved nine-year-old granddaughter, Haley, died in 2010 from an undiagnosed neurological disease. Since Haley's death, Collin has become an advocate for the sick and disabled and has established the Haley Bell Bless d Chair Foundation to provide wheelchairs to families with special needs children. This is a remarkable, inspirational story told by the man who lived it. It is a story of faith, of struggle, of suffering, of profound love, and ultimately of triumph in the midst of tragedy. Includes 32 pages of color photos. Includes DVD of never-before-seen personal interview and two songs written by Collin, "Undefeated" and "She's With Me," that are intimate to his story.

Genres: Biography, Memoir, Nonfiction, Music, Religion

Hardcover

First published March 15, 2014

About the author

Platinum selling comtemporary country star famous for his rock influenced, heart felt ballads, and socially conscience songs mainly in the 1990's. His debut album in 1991 produced one of his most popular songs, Love Me, which is popular at funerals and in 1992, his single In This Life was a top hit and has become popular at weddings.

Facts from Raye's Twitter account: 5 Certified Platinum Albums, 24 top ten hits, 15 #1 hits, 10 nominations for Male Vocalist of the Year.

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read few autobiographies, but it's a wonderful teaching tool, learning from another's life. Floyd Wray - latter Collin Raye - had a life worth recounting. To watch him grow as a person, through so many ups and downs, inspires my own life. Gaining insight into the Nashville and country music world was very interesting. It's not easy to be a star! This book is well worth the time to read. It comes with a CD which I haven't listened to yet, but am very interested to hear now. I also didn't follow his career, but now I'd like to hear his albums. It's different when you know what the artist had in mind with each song and album. Random thoughts here, but do read this book!

[William F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fatherhood, Catholics and trying to do Gods work, yes it can be done.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Collin Raye's music during the late nineties and sometimes wondered what had happened to him. Recent searching for his latest CD titles on Amazon led me to this autobiography. Some of his songs had made me wonder if they had a second, spiritual meaning and I was happy to discover this was true. This memoir displays Collin Raye's strong faith in God in both his success and his failures. The hardest time of his life--watching his young granddaughter waste away and die from a mysterious neurological disease that doctors could never diagnose--is described with such pain and honesty it is almost difficult to read. Yet his faith and belief in God's mysterious purposes is unwavering. This is an incredibly inspirational book.

[jj Grilliette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collin Raye is very open about things. Heartbreaking with his granddaughter.

[Michelle Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great perspective on the trials of rising to stardom, balancing faith and family, and staying true to oneself. This was an easy and emotional read from one country music’s biggest stars.

[Neil White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this reflection on Collin Raye's life and career. This is looking at his life through the lens of his faith and the tragedies which had a shaping influence on his life.

[Wynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book description provided gives much of the book away. The majority of the book is about his joyful granddaughter Haley. It covers her mysterious disease and eventual death. Raye's heartbreaking grief over Haley lead him to his life's purpose and a stronger faith in God. Regardless of his monumental success and rapid decline in Nashville, Raye is first a father and grandfather. (This is not a cheatin', drinkin', name droppin' country music memoir.)

Sad and inspirational, especially if you ever doubt faith.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read on country singer Colin Raye, not only on his musical career, but also his personal life. This book chronicles his life and the ups and downs including his conversion to Catholicism, his struggles both personally and in his career after his divorce, along with illness of his granddaughter.

For those who are seeking faith and a tale of not giving up, this is the book for you.

[TW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational.

[Georgette Belisle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiography is filled with real life situations. A strong but somewhat surface witness of a Catholic convert. His faith is enough for him and apparently he feels no need to explain.