Sometimes, the next big wave in country music does not come from Nashville insiders. Sometimes it comes from a guy who just wants to reach the man in the back row of church who is trying to believe again.
Brandon Lake, one of the biggest names in Contemporary Christian music, is leaning all the way into country. After a string of high-profile collaborations, including the chart-topping “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Jelly Roll and “When A Cowboy Prays” with Cody Johnson, Lake has confirmed that he is officially working on a country album. This is not just a casual crossover. According to Lake, he and a crew of country and Christian songwriters wrote more than 43 songs in five days during a creative retreat in Nashville. That number is not only impressive, but it also signals serious intent.
Lake shared a behind-the-scenes video of the writing sessions that featured heavy hitters like Lainey Wilson, HARDY, Thomas Rhett, Bailey Zimmerman, Dan and Shay, and Russell Dickerson. He also included Christian artists and writers such as Benjamin William Hastings, Trannie Anderson, and Jacob Sooter. This lineup is a mix of mainstream country and faith-based talent, all gathered together and working toward something bigger than just another album release.
In a recent interview, Lake said this next chapter of music has a clear focus. He wants to connect with people who feel out of place in church, especially the “Bubbas” as he calls them. These are the ones who may have grown up around faith but now feel like they no longer belong in the pews. “They got dragged to church, if even,” he said. “They’re on the back row, trying to figure it out.” That is who he is singing to.
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And that message is not just lip service. He said his time working with Jelly Roll showed him how powerful honesty and spiritual searching can be in music. That experience inspired him to pursue this new project not only with ambition but also with a clear purpose. “God put a dream in my heart to start loving on and encouraging those leading in the country music space,” he wrote on Instagram. The video ends with a simple promise that says “To be continued.”
Lake’s move into country is coming at an interesting time. The genre is going through a cultural shift, where faith and vulnerability are becoming rising themes. Artists like Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Zach Williams, and even Morgan Wallen have all touched on spiritual struggle, prayer, and redemption in songs that are reaching far beyond Sunday morning crowds. It is no secret that much of country’s fanbase shares values rooted in faith, family, and resilience. Lake sees that connection, and instead of forcing his way in, he is arriving with music that already fits. It is sincere, raw, and rooted in truth.
There is no album release date yet, and no word on how many of the 43 songs will make the final cut. And yes, crossovers like this can be tricky. Some country fans may be hesitant to embrace a Christian artist entering their space, while some faith audiences might find the grit of country too unpolished. But Lake is not trying to play it safe. He is following the same path that helped “Hard Fought Hallelujah” become a hit by blending country honesty with spiritual hope.
Whatever comes next, this much is clear. Brandon Lake is not just testing the waters of country. He is stepping through the front door with a guitar in hand, faith in his heart, and a whole stack of songs ready to reach the folks who need them most.
