Brandon Lake believes the country and Christian genres share a lot of musical DNA.
And while anyone who listens to worship music knows that it has certainly has developed its own distinct (rather cookie-cutter) sound, at the end of the day, “Christian” music technically isn’t a “genre” in terms of musical style… it’s the lyrical content that makes it “Christian,” right? You could make rap, pop, R&B, rock or country music, and if you’re singing exclusively about Jesus, you’re probably gonna get the “Christian” label thrown in front of the genre. But despite those technicalities… “Christian” music has developed its own genre, its own industry and its own awards shows…. it’s own “scene” if you will.
But with all of this talk about artists switching over to country (Beyoncé, Post Malone, etc.), yet not much has been said about Brandon Lake. I suppose Christian to country isn’t a huge move musically, but nonetheless, the artist behind the hit song “Gratitude” has been working with plenty of country artists lately – and has even made some country music of his own.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast, Brandon Lake spoke about the similarities between the two genres, and how his next project will lean more country:
“I think the foundations of Christian music and country music are largely the same. It’s faith, family, and freedom. Those are some big pillars to those genres, I would say. Also, I think a lot of people that listen to country music listen to Christian music. I hate that Christian music is defined as a genre… I more so identify as a believer who makes music.
That’s what this next record is gonna be. It’s gonna be a song about how much I love my wife, and a song about my kids. And a song that’s like, ‘Dude, don’t give up. God’s for you. You’re gonna get through this season of hell right now.'”
Lake also touched on how his crossover success with “Hard Fought Hallelujah” was what really pushed him into the country music space. The Christian artist says he – and his fans – have Jelly Roll to thank for jumpstarting his country era:
“I didn’t think I could step into the country space. I wasn’t trying to do that. Jelly Roll just brought me everywhere. And everybody was like, ‘It’s so cool that you’re going country.’ I was like, ‘Oh, am I?’ I wasn’t trying to make a move. And then I write this song one day or just write any kind of song and I write this song, ‘When a Cowboy Prays.’ I’m like, ‘Man, this sounds like Cody Johnson.'”
Funny enough, thousands of fans also felt that way when he posted that teaser.
Then, as many of you likely know, he and CoJo got together and released their “When A Cowboy Prays” collaboration, proving that Lake’s entry into country wasn’t just a one-off. But at the same time, the Christian artist wasn’t ever trying to prove anything. He says that it has all organically happened, and is probably a product of his own upbringing (he grew up going to church, then coming home and turning on CMT):
“I’m (personally) a collaboration of Christian and country music. And I guess the industry is just showing me, proving it to me as the one who is stepping in, this isn’t a leap across the pond. This is all in one.”
And the responses from both the country music and Christian music fanbases prove that to be true.
You can hear Brandon Lake speak more about his upcoming country album and his crossover into the genre in the interview below:
