Michael Brandon Lake is an American contemporary Christian singer, songwriter, and worship leader. Born in Dallas, Texas, and raised in South Carolina, he learned guitar from his pastor father before leading college worship at Seacoast Church in Charleston. Lake launched his recording career in 2016 with the crowdfunded album Closer. He became a fixture in modern worship through releases with Bethel Music, Elevation Worship, and Maverick City Music. His breakout singles include the chart-topping anthems "Graves into Gardens", "Gratitude", and "Praise". His full-length albums include House of Miracles, the mental health concept project Help!, and Coat of Many Colors, which debuted at number one on the Top Christian Albums chart. Lake has received multiple Grammy and GMA Dove Awards for his solo music and songwriting. He lives in South Carolina with his wife, Brittany, and their three sons.
Brandon Lake reached number one on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart with "Graves into Gardens" and "Gratitude". He is an American singer-songwriter and worship leader. Across solo releases and work with Elevation Worship, Bethel Music, and Maverick City Music, he has earned multiple Grammy and GMA Dove Awards.
Personal life
Lake married Brittany Ann Schneider on February 5, 2011, in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. They have three sons: Blaise, Beau, and Banner.
For their tenth wedding anniversary in 2021, Lake released the five-track EP Almond Eyes as a surprise gift for his wife. His song "Gratitude" later inspired her to write the children's book Little Lion Lungs. In 2024, Lake spoke publicly about his depression and adrenaline fatigue.
Early life and independent beginnings
Lake was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. His father, Mac Lake, worked as a church plant pastor and taught him basic chord progressions on guitar. Lake then taught himself further by watching YouTube videos of songs by Third Day and Chris Tomlin. He practiced constantly. During his teenage years, he played on his church worship team before Seacoast Church in Charleston hired him to lead worship for their college ministry.
In April 2015, Lake launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund his first record. The campaign met its goal, raising $23,100 from 101 donors. That funding paid for his debut studio album, Closer, which he released independently in May 2016.
Breakthrough and collaborative hits
In January 2019, Lake signed with Bethel Music and joined their Victory Tour. He co-wrote "This Is a Move" with Tasha Cobbs Leonard, which earned a GMA Dove Award and gave Lake his first Grammy nomination.
In March 2020, Elevation Worship released "Graves into Gardens" featuring Lake on lead vocals. The track became his first number one on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart and won Top Christian Song at the Billboard Music Awards. That August, Lake released his second studio album, House of Miracles. The record reached number six on the Top Christian Albums chart and featured the single "Gratitude", which topped the Hot Christian Songs chart.
Solo albums and national tours
Lake released Help! in May 2022 as a concept album centered on mental health. In October 2023, he followed with his fourth studio album, Coat of Many Colors. The album sold 9,000 equivalent units in its first week, debuting at number one on the Top Christian Albums chart and reaching number 135 on the Billboard 200. Lead single "Praise You Anywhere" reached number one on the Hot Christian Songs chart that same week.
In 2024, Lake joined Elevation Worship on the single "Praise", which held number one on the Hot Christian Songs chart for 31 weeks. In November 2024, his single "Hard Fought Hallelujah" debuted at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 with seven million streams in its first week. He supported his releases with headlining tours, including multiple Summer Worship Nights legs alongside Phil Wickham.
Quick facts
- Lake's debut album Closer (2016) was financed by a GoFundMe campaign that raised $23,100 from 101 donors.
- He taught himself guitar by watching YouTube tutorials for songs by Third Day and Chris Tomlin.
- His father, Mac Lake, served as a church plant pastor in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
- He worked as a college ministry worship leader at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
- He released the five-track EP Almond Eyes in 2021 as a surprise tenth anniversary gift for his wife.
- His song "Gratitude" inspired his wife Brittany to publish the children's book Little Lion Lungs.
- His 2022 studio album Help! was written as a concept album addressing mental health.
- Coat of Many Colors debuted at number one on the Top Christian Albums chart and marked his first entry on the Billboard 200.
- The 2024 single "Praise", featuring Lake alongside Chris Brown and Chandler Moore, spent 31 weeks at number one on the Hot Christian Songs chart.
- His November 2024 single "Hard Fought Hallelujah" debuted at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 with seven million streams in its first week.
FAQs about Brandon Lake
What health battle has Brandon Lake discussed publicly?
In 2024, Brandon Lake spoke openly about his struggles with depression and adrenaline fatigue, themes that also shaped his 2022 concept album Help!.
Who is Brandon Lake's wife?
Brandon Lake married Brittany Ann Schneider on February 5, 2011, in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. They have three sons named Blaise, Beau, and Banner.
What was Brandon Lake's first studio album?
Brandon Lake released his debut studio album, Closer, independently in May 2016 after raising $23,100 through a crowdfunding campaign.
What was Brandon Lake's first number one Christian single?
His first number one single on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart was "Graves into Gardens", a 2020 collaboration with Elevation Worship.
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