Brandon Lake Breaks Boundaries on ‘Idol’ and ‘Kimmel’

Over the past year, Brandon Lake has found himself on stages and screens that few Christian artists have ever reached — and he’s doing it while keeping faith at the center of it all.

Whether it's singing alongside Jelly Roll on American Idol’s Easter special, performing at the Grand Ole Opry, or appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Lake is pushing beyond the traditional boundaries of contemporary Christian music (CCM). These high-profile appearances, including a moving performance of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Jelly Roll, have not only opened new doors but shown that faith-filled music resonates far beyond church walls.

“When I say yes — even when I’m afraid — I see God use it to reach people,” Lake said in an interview with The Tennessean. “I never set out to be an artist. I just wanted the songs to be known. I wanted them to help people.”

And they have. “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” Lake’s powerful ballad of hard-won faith, has become a breakout crossover hit. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped Christian and Gospel charts for over 22 weeks. Featuring Jelly Roll, the song is Lake’s biggest streaming debut ever, currently racking up more than 8.5 million global streams each week.

But that’s just the beginning.

Lake’s newest single, “Daddy’s DNA” — a soulful take on the prodigal son story — debuted at No. 1 on iTunes’ All Genre chart. Jelly Roll even called it “song of the year.” Lake performed it live during American Idol’s May 2025 finale, marking his second appearance on the show in just a few months.

Between co-hosting the K-LOVE Fan Awards, leading multiple award nominations, and being featured in the documentary For The One (chronicling his tour with Phil Wickham), Lake has become one of the most visible and celebrated voices in Christian music today.

Yet, through it all, he remains grounded — both personally and spiritually. A husband and father of three young boys, Lake lives with his family on a rural farm outside Charleston, S.C., far from the spotlight of Nashville. It's where he draws inspiration, records music, and leads a faith-driven life that fuels his creative work.

“I was raised in the South, on Christian and country music,” he said. “This new record lets me bring those roots alive in new ways.”

That record — King of Hearts — arrives June 13. It blends country, rock, pop, and worship into a dynamic and deeply personal album. “There’s something for everyone here,” Lake said. And early fan response proves him right: songs like “That’s Who I Praise” and “Hard Fought Hallelujah” gained traction even before they were officially released, thanks to viral Instagram clips and overwhelming fan demand.

Lake’s social media has become more than a platform — it’s a testing ground for new music. He often shares unfinished clips, inviting listeners into the creative process. One such post led to “That’s Who I Praise” topping iTunes' All Genre chart, even beating out tracks from Shaboozey, Jelly Roll, and Luke Combs.

“Sometimes a lyric and melody come together and feel like they’ve never existed before — that’s what I chase,” Lake said.

That hunger for honest, boundary-breaking expression is also what fuels his upcoming King of Hearts arena tour. Launching October 2, the 48-city tour has already seen sold-out shows before tickets officially went on sale. Lake was stunned — in Atlanta, the first show sold out in under 30 minutes, prompting him to add a second date.

“It’s humbling,” he shared. “I feel the weight of responsibility, but also this incredible sense of honor. I want every person who walks into those venues to leave changed. That’s the goal.”

And while there’s no Nashville stop on the King of Hearts tour, fans there can catch him during the sold-out Summer Worship Nights show at Bridgestone Arena on July 20.

For Lake, it’s never been about the spotlight. It's about writing songs that carry truth — even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it stretches him.

“I’m still shaking in my boots half the time,” he admitted with a laugh. “But I just keep showing up. I trust that God is doing something bigger than me through these songs.”

Adapted from an article by Melonee Hurt for The Tennessean
https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/05/20/brandon-lakes-journey-spans-singing-in-church-to-selling-out-arenas/83126533007/