The Inspiring Journey of Brandon Lake: From Local Worship Leader to Grammy-Winning CCM Star Christian music (CCM) star Brandon Lake has come a long way since his humble beginnings as a young worship leader in Charleston, S.C.. Before topping Billboard’s Christian Airplay charts and winning prestigious Grammy Awards, he had a dream of recording his own album. His unique approach to achieving this goal set him apart from others in the industry.
“I launched a GoFundMe campaign with a quirky twist: ‘If you pledge a certain amount, I’ll tattoo your name on my leg,’” Lake recalls, now 34, sitting comfortably on stage at the Seacoast Church sanctuary where he began leading worship as a teenager. Pointing to his left leg, he adds, “I’ve tattooed 22 last names of incredible supporters who made this dream a reality.”
In 2016, Lake released the product of that campaign, Closer, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey. His exceptional songwriting talent, powerful, emotive vocals, and willingness to tackle challenging subjects like anxiety and mental health in his music have propelled him to the forefront of the CCM landscape. Over the years, he has released four additional albums, achieving an impressive 43 entries on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart, including the 31-week No. 1 hit “Praise” in 2023, recorded in collaboration with Elevation Worship.
While he remains devoted to the Christian music market, Lake is also keenly aware of the broader music scene. He made his Billboard Hot 100 debut in November 2024 with his first crossover hit, the deeply resonant “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” which debuted at No. 51. In February, he partnered with country sensation Jelly Roll, known for his unique style, to create a collaborative version of this impactful song.
“I wanted to share this song with someone who truly understands the struggles depicted in it, someone who has lived through similar hardships,” Lake explains. “Seeing Jelly Roll take this message and help us reach so many lives is incredibly fulfilling. We are living in a perfect time for collaborations like this… The reality is, we all have our struggles; some just mask them better than others. Everyone is on their own journey.”
Will Crooks
Brandon Lake’s entry into the Hot 100 coincides with a significant surge in the popularity of CCM on mainstream charts. This year, “Hard Fought Hallelujah” and fellow artist Forrest Frank’s “Your Way’s Better” both achieved notable chart positions, marking the first instance in over ten years that two CCM tracks appeared on the Hot 100 simultaneously. The last non-holiday song from a primarily CCM artist to reach this milestone was Lauren Daigle’s “You Say” in 2019.
This impressive resurgence is part of a broader trend of increasing consumption of CCM music over the past 18 months. According to Luminate, during the first half of 2024, track-equivalent album sales, streaming-equivalent albums, and on-demand audio for the genre grew by 8.9%. This growth positioned CCM as the fourth fastest-growing musical genre, following pop, Latin, and country. The genre’s evolving sound and the rise of collaborations between CCM and secular artists have greatly contributed to its integration into mainstream playlists. Over the last five years, Spotify reported a remarkable 60% global growth rate for CCM and a 50% growth rate in the United States, as artists previously limited to the genre began to break into the wider music landscape.
At the heart of this upward trajectory is a new generation of CCM artists like Lake, Frank, Josiah Queen, and Seph Schlueter. These artists thrive on crossing genre boundaries: for instance, Frank blends pop and hip-hop influences, while Lake infuses worship lyrics with diverse sounds such as rock, blues, and country. They are also digital natives, adept at leveraging the power of social media and streaming platforms to broaden their audience. A viral TikTok dance clip, for example, significantly boosted streaming numbers for Frank’s “Your Way’s Better.”
In the first half of 2024, Lake ranked among Luminate’s top five CCM artists, and his popularity has continued to soar. At the recent CMA Fest, held from June 5-8, a social media clip of him performing “Hard Fought Hallelujah” alongside Jelly Roll garnered over a million views. Additionally, a video showcasing the audience singing Lake’s hit “Gratitude” a cappella during another CMA Fest appearance received more than 3 million views within just 48 hours. The success of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” has elevated Lake’s profile, allowing his faith-driven message to reach broader, mainstream audiences like never before, performing on platforms such as American Idol, sharing the stage with Jelly Roll at Stagecoach in front of 75,000 fans, and taking the stage at the Grand Ole Opry and CMA Fest.
Lake attributes much of his success to collaboration. His debut album Closer gained traction within the church and worship music communities, connecting him with influential songwriters such as Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Nate Moore, and Tony Brown of Maverick City Music, with whom he co-wrote the Grammy-nominated song “This Is a Move” in 2019. His collaborations with worship music collectives like Maverick City Music, Bethel Music, and Elevation Worship have significantly enriched his musical style. His 2021 album, House of Miracles, showcased this evolution with tracks like the soulful rock anthem “I Need a Ghost.”
Later that same year, Elevation Worship’s “Graves Into Gardens,” which Lake co-wrote and performed, soared to the top of the Christian Airplay chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. “That’s when everything changed for me,” he recalls. “I started receiving requests for concerts and collaborations from all directions — it’s hard to remember how many collaborations I’ve done since then. At that moment, I didn’t even have a manager. (I’ve been with the reputable Breit Group since 2021.) I kept track of all my performance requests in my Notes app, which my manager now has framed as a testament to our growth. I learned so much from being around my musical heroes.”
In 2023, Lake solidified his reputation as a solo hit-maker when “Gratitude” dominated the Hot Christian Songs chart for an impressive 28 weeks. He has continued to achieve success with both solo projects and collaborations, including “Fear Is Not My Future” with Maverick City Music and “Love of God” with Phil Wickham, with plans to tour arenas and stadiums with the latter this summer. On June 13, he released his fifth studio album, King of Hearts, through Provident Entertainment.
The new album showcases Lake’s commitment to exploring diverse genres, including country tracks like “Daddy’s DNA” and “Spare Change,” gospel songs such as “I Know a Name” featuring the renowned CeCe Winans, and hard rock tracks like “Sevens.” The album also features collaborations with writer-producer Hank Bentley and Christian rapper Hulvey, among others.
Amid the anticipation surrounding the release of King of Hearts, Lake embarked on another significant project. In early 2025, the supergroup Sons of Sunday, featuring Lake, Nate Moore, Steven Furtick, Pat Barrett, Chris Brown, and Leeland Mooring</b), made its debut. The group has already achieved four entries on the Hot Christian Songs chart, with their self-titled album debuting at No. 3 on the Top Christian Albums chart upon its release in May.
“My most cherished creations have always come from collaboration and community, and I see that as a vital part of my future,” Lake shares. “I’m eager to work with anyone who shares my vision and values.”
Will Crooks
As his career continues to flourish, Lake remains grounded in his South Carolina roots. Instead of relocating to Nashville, the heart of the CCM industry, Lake resides with his wife, Brittany, and their three sons on a picturesque rural property just outside Charleston, which also houses a variety of animals, including cows, mini-donkeys, and two dogs. Much of the recording for King of Hearts took place in a three-room studio owned by his long-time collaborator and producer Micah Nichols. Even while on tour, Lake prioritizes staying connected to his hometown, concluding the first leg of his headlining tour in 2022 with two sold-out shows at Seacoast Church. Next May, he will wrap up his extensive 48-city King of Hearts tour at Charleston’s 12,000-seat Credit One Stadium.
Regardless of the venue size or location, Lake’s mission remains consistent. “When I tour and present a grand production with sophisticated lights and sound, my core intention is simply to have a church experience — albeit with a few more lights for dramatic moments,” he chuckles. “It’s entertaining, but ultimately, I want people to walk away saying, ‘I attended the King of Hearts tour, and my life has been transformed forever.’”
Reflecting on Your First Performance: What Stands Out?
“I’ve been involved in [Seacoast Church] since I was around 13 or 14 years old. The community supported me, providing countless opportunities to learn, fail, and grow. It all began when someone heard me singing in a small group and invited me to perform. My first experience on stage was at church, and I vividly remember feeling incredibly vulnerable, a sensation I still encounter today. It’s a love-hate relationship every time I step onto the platform, especially during tours — I feel the weight of the night upon my shoulders, but I remind myself that it’s not about me. People are coming to connect with these songs and have a genuine experience with God.
Transitioning from Local Worship to Touring with Bethel Music: Your Experience
The leap from leading worship at my local church to performing on tour in front of thousands of people was a dream realized, and it happened remarkably fast. I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with my musical heroes during that time. However, returning home from such a high experience led to an unexpected low; I found myself facing feelings of depression, anxiety, and panic attacks for the first time in my life. This transition taught me valuable lessons about mental health, leading to the creation of my album Help! in 2022. I had to relearn the importance of approaching God first to navigate my feelings and experiences.
Over the past few years, I’ve learned how to tour, record, and balance my family life with my career in a healthy manner. I only tour on weekends for a reason. My wife and I carefully discuss each opportunity to ensure we are aligned as a family. I want to be able to tour at 50 years old, which is why I work with a health coach and a performance coach. I’m committed to nurturing my physical and mental well-being across all facets of my life.
Diving into Diverse Genres: The Significance of King of Hearts
Exploring various musical genres was not an initial goal for me, but rather a natural result of absorbing influences from those around me. Growing up, I was surrounded by Christian music and singer-songwriter James Taylor. I’d rush home from school to watch CMT. Country music was a staple in my upbringing, and I later discovered my love for rock. I even had a metal garage band for a time, which allowed me to appreciate all music genres. Now, when I write songs, my focus has shifted from “What should this sound like?” to “What emotions am I feeling right now?”
Creating the Rock Anthem “Sevens”: Behind the Scenes
After attending a concert by Royal Blood and Queens of the Stone Age, I felt inspired to create a big-riff rock anthem. A few days later, I picked up my guitar and began jamming with [writer-producer] Micah [Nichols]. The chorus you hear on the album is the demo vocal recorded that very day. In fact, about 70% of King of Hearts features demo vocals, capturing the raw energy of creation.
The Collaboration with Jelly Roll on “Hard Fought Hallelujah”: How It Came Together
After I released the original version of “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” I felt it was too meaningful to keep to myself. Considering the song’s narrative, I thought of Jelly Roll as someone who would resonate with the message. His story is incredibly inspiring, and I remember being moved by his performance of “Believe” with Brooks & Dunn. It gave me the courage to reach out to him. Interestingly, he had already discovered the song on TikTok and loved it. When we spoke, we spent the first hour not discussing music but forming a genuine friendship, connecting over life, parenting, touring, and family. It’s clear why he’s so successful; his talent is remarkable, but even more, he’s an amazing person.
Staying Rooted in Charleston: The Temptation to Move to Nashville
While I have great affection for Nashville, I prefer it as a home away from home. Charleston is where my roots are deeply planted, and being surrounded by those who have known the 15-year-old Brandon gives me a sense of belonging. My goal is to create music that inspires faith and hope, and the people I interact with here truly understand that mission, making it essential for me to remain in Charleston.
Navigating Criticism in the Evolving CCM Landscape
Throughout history, shifts in any genre can lead to discomfort or skepticism, especially when it diverges from traditional paths. Some may perceive it as an either-or situation based on social media metrics alone. However, I view my music as a lifestyle and a means to express teachings that resonate through melodies. No matter where this connection occurs, my aim remains to reach as many people as possible.
The Resurgence of CCM on the Billboard Hot 100: Insights into the Genre’s Popularity
I believe the surge in popularity for Christian music today stems from an increased hunger for authenticity and truth. The fact that American Idol dedicated an entire night to music around Easter highlights a collective yearning for uplifting content. My motivation comes from the countless testimonies I receive; artists like Forrest Frank and Josiah Queen share similar experiences, constantly inspired by the impact of their music. People are seeking something real, not just entertainment; they long for a genuine encounter with the divine. There’s nothing more authentic than the presence of God.
