AWOE MAGAZINE - RAY PETERS INTERVIEW

 

HOME| MUSIC REVIEWS | CONCERT CONNECTION | ANNOUNCEMENTS |
SUBSCRIBE | DEVOTIONAL| JMA CONSULTING



Jen G: Ray, your new album I BOLDLY COME is a classic gospel worship cd! I especially enjoyed Days of Elijah, a very popular song I’ve heard by Judy Jacobs. I’ve heard a lot of people try to sing it to that level, but you seriously put your own fire into it!
So the first question is how did you choose the five worship songs featured on your album?

Ray Peters: I wanted to create an album that reflects a timeline of walking intimately with God through life. Of course the walk starts with salvation. We learn the importance of praise and adoration and entering into God’s presence through our time alone in prayer and the Word. We all have to deal with the pressures of life and make mistakes along the way but by God’s grace he is faithful to forgive and will bear the load for us and will walk side by side with us until he calls us home to heaven.
The 5 songs that I wrote on the album were all written within 6 months from the time I started recording. Talk about the timing of the Holy Spirit. The other songs are recognizable but I wanted to put my own arrangement to them to fit my style.

Jen G: I BOLDLY COME is actually a song on your album I’m assuming you wrote, so could you tell me why did you write that song? What does boldly coming to God mean to you?

Ray Peters: I was reading Psalm 91 one day and the phrase “those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High” caught my attention. I saw all the promises that followed and they all came from heeding to that phrase. As I was meditating more on dwelling in the secret place, I was led to Hebrews and it hit me, wow, I can enter boldly into the presence of God by His grace and in the same way the priests entered in to offer the sacrifice, I can enter in through faith in the sacrifice that Jesus made. That revelation brings new life to your quiet time.So the words just seemed to flow from the Holy Spirit when writing that song. As far as depth, that song is probably the one that I am most thankful for. When I sing that song in concert, it seems that the Holy Spirit turns the light on for the audience and they realize, “Wow, I too can enter into God’s presence.”

Jen G: RUN TO THE CROSS is probably my favorite because it’s very transparent to revealing your heart. Yet very relatable to anyone whose feeling lost, it really gives that reality that we can always go to Jesus. When I need mercy and need grace… when I feel hope is lost, I can find sweet forgiveness when I run to the cross…the lyrics are so powerful! Is there a story behind this song?

Ray Peters: The story is this. I have been there, done that, got a t-shirt. I have been broke, busted, disgusted, you name it. When writing that song, I thought of the times I had told my wife, “I feel like running away from it all!” I thought of the times when I felt like “Man, I keep messing up all the time, how can I do anything to grow the kingdom of God?” Then I thought of the sorrow David had for his sin in Psalm 51 and yet God still kept his plan of bringing the Messiah thru the line of David. As the old hymn says, “burdens are lifted at Calvary” and that they are lifted only when I run to the Cross and not away from it. It is definitely a song that can relate to everyone and that’s what I want. My burden is for the hurting, the people that have made mistakes and are down on their luck and my message is “there’s room at the Cross for you!”

Jen G: Where does the inspiration and creativity come from to present not only great Southern Gospel Music, but Contemporary and traditional praise & worship too?

Ray Peters: I love all styles of music. I grew up in Southern Gospel listening to groups like the Gaither Vocal Band, The Cathedrals, Gold City, you name it. As I became a teenager, I fell in love with the styles of Steven Cutis Chapman, Michael W Smith and Kirk Franklin as well.
So I have always kept a balance in the styles of music that I listened to and sang. I appreciate the great hymns of the faith and yet still love the new stuff as well. Taking that into consideration, I want to create music that appeals to young and old alike. I want to be fresh and hip but also want to show respect to those who have paved the way for us.

Ray Peters Interview Page 2

DISCLAIMER

AWOE MAGAZINE©2005-2008.
All Rights Reserved.
Site Designed by ArtstaDesign.com

Visit Our Sponsors

Do You Need
Health Insurance?

Don't wait until you do!
Health Insurance for Individuals, Families, Children, College Students, Sole Proprietors & Small Businesses!
Click Here For
FREE QUOTE!


Christian Toys Online