Christian singer Brandon Lake was nominated at this year's CMAs for "Hard Fought Hallelujah", a collaboration he did with Jelly Roll in February of this year. Since the release of that song, Lake has been everywhere, receiving nine nominations at this year's DOVE awards, launching his King of Hearts album and tour, and gaining continued recognition for his work in the Christian space. What's interesting, though, is that his work with Jelly Roll has also allowed him to go further in the country music space, pursuing new collaborations.
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He even hinted at this in a post commemorating the ASCAP awards, saying, "Christian X Country Collision Incoming 2026. To God be the glory!" So, I guess this means more Country-Christian is on the way.
At the awards, Lake took home the titles of Christian Songwriter of the Year and Christian Song of the Year, alongside Shaboozey and Ashley Gorley, who also won big. In his speech, Lake shared of his reaction to the wins, "My biggest dream came true, years and years ago, this is just the overflow." He continued, saying, "This is what's on my heart: the collision of Christian and country... and uh, revival, and redneckness, if you will."
Brandon Lake's Already Got More Country Music in the Works
It would seem that Lake has already been on the rise in the country scene for quite a while, having scored new cuts with artists like Gabby Barrett and Cody Johnson, and reportedly working on songs with writers like Lainey Wilson and Emily Wiseband.
Earlier this month, Lake teased a song he wrote with Lainey, titled "The Jesus I Know Now", on Instagram. "What started as a simple co-write became something deeply spiritual," he shared. "Lainey brought such warmth, grit, and soul to the lyrics-it's one of those songs that you don't just hear, you feel. It's about grace that finds you when you least expect it and love that doesn't give up."
He even talked about blurring the lines of "genre" in his collaborations, especially when it came to "Hard Fought Hallelujah". "I think it is a crossover moment and I pray that it is. I'm trying to cross over, into any and every space that God will allow that is authentic to who I am."
Lake revealed in an interview, "I grew up on country music; I grew up on Christian music. ... And if you listen to my music, it is very diverse, you know? Quote-unquote Christian music, worship music ... it doesn't really make sense having a genre, because it's what we do with our lives. It's not a sound."
Photo By: CMA / Josh Brasted
