Tauren Wells | |
|---|---|
 Wells in 2016. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Tauren Gabriel Wells |
| Born | April 7, 1986 Battle Creek, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | multi-genre,[1] CCM |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Capitol, Reunion |
| Spouse(s) |
Lorna Macey (m. 2011) |
| Website | taurenwells |
Tauren Gabriel Wells is an American singer, songwriter, and multi instrumentalist from Houston, Texas who is known for making contemporary Christian music.[2]
Biography
Wells was a founding member of Royal Tailor along with DJ Cox and Blake Hubbard while they were attending Indiana Bible College in 2004.[3] Jarred Ingram later joined.
In 2016, Wells signed to Provident Label Group - Reunion Records as a solo artist,[4] and he released his first solo single, "Undefeated", in May 2016.[5] It marked a distinct shift from the glossy pop rock sound of Royal Tailor to a more electronic sound. It also featured Reach Records rapper KB and served as the soundtrack for Dude Perfect's "World Records Edition" video on YouTube. Wells released his second solo single, "Love Is Action", in August 2016[6] and his first solo EP, Undefeated EP, on September 12, 2016.[7] "Love Is Action" was No. 1 on Christian Hot AC/CHR Radio for nine weeks.
In January 2017, Wells released "Hills and Valleys", which reached No. 8 on the Christian Airplay Chart and No. 3 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.[8] The full-length Hills and Valleys was released digitally on June 23 and was released physically on July 21.[9] The fourth single, "When We Pray", was released on October 20, 2017;[10] it peaked at No. 7.[11] He was featured on Crowder's "All My Hope".[12] The single peaked at No. 3 on the Christian Songs chart and No. 1 on the Christian Airplay chart, becoming his first number one.[13]
In 2018, Wells received Grammy nominations for Best Contemporary Christian Performance/Song and Contemporary Christian Album of the Year, but did not win either.
In 2018, he became a worship leader at Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas.[14]
The fifth single, "Known", was released on June 23, 2018.[15] The song peaked at No. 3 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart, becoming his fourth Top 10 single from that chart.[16] It was a huge success on Christian radio, reaching number one on multiple charts including Christian Airplay and Christian AC Songs. It was nominated for the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.[17] It was also nominated for Top Christian Song at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.
In late 2019, he released "Miracle", "Perfect Peace", and "Like You Love Me" leading up to Citizen of Heaven, which was released in 2020. It also featured the songs "Famous for (I Believe)", "Millionaire (Good Like That)", and "Close".
In early 2022, he released "Fake It", "Empty", and "Come Home" which were all singles leading up to the release of his 3rd studio album, titled Joy in the Morning.
In April 2023, Wells announced that he and his family were launching a new church in Georgetown, Texas called Church of Whitestone in 2024.[18] [19]
On August 18, 2023, Wells released his third EP Take It All Back.[20]
Personal life
Wells married his wife Lorna Brittany (née Macey) Wells in 2011.[21][22] Wells served on the staff of his father-in-law's church in Houston known as Royalwood Church until 2018. Wells and his wife Lorna started the Prisma Worship Arts School, to train musicians.[23] Together, they have four children.[24][25]
Through the school, Prisma offers private coaching in piano, drums, guitar, bass, voice, violin, viola, and cello.[26]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [27] |
US Christ [28] | |||
| Hills and Valleys |
|
— | 5 | |
| Citizen of Heaven[29] |
|
169 | 3 | |
| Joy in the Morning |
|
— | 3 | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart | ||||
Live albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Citizen of Heaven (Live) |
|
Extended plays
| Title | EP details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Christ [28] | ||
| Undefeated EP |
|
33 |
| Conocido EP |
|
— |
| Take It All Back EP |
|
— |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart | ||
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Bubb. [31] |
US Christ. [31] |
US Christ. Airplay [32] |
US Christ. AC [33] |
US Christ. Digital [34] | ||||
| "Undefeated" (featuring KB) |
2016 | — | — | — | — | — | Hills and Valleys | |
| "Love Is Action" | — | 49 | 30 | — | — | |||
| "Hills and Valleys" | 2017 | — | 3 | 8 | 12 | 3 | ||
| "When We Pray" | — | 7 | 2 | 2 | 19 | |||
| "Known" | 2018 | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| |
| "God's Not Done with You" | 2019 | — | 6 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| |
| "Like You Love Me" | — | 17 | 14 | 11 | — | Citizen of Heaven | ||
| "Famous For (I Believe)" (featuring Jenn Johnson) |
2020 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| |
| "Until Grace" (with Rascal Flatts) |
— | 11 | 7 | 8 | 18 | |||
| "Millionaire (Good Like That)" (with Kirk Franklin) |
— | — | — | — | — | |||
| "All God's Children" | — | 29 | — | — | 11 | non-album single | ||
| "Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)" (with H.E.R.) |
2021 | — | 20 | 50 | — | 18 | ||
| "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Fake It" (featuring Aaron Cole) |
2022 | — | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | Joy in the Morning | |
| "Joy in the Morning" | — | 27 | 27 | — | 6 | |||
| "Something Better" (with Blanca) |
2023 | — | — | — | — | — | non-album single | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart | ||||||||
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ [31] |
Christ Airplay [32] |
US Christ. AC [33] |
US Christ. Digital [34] | |||
| "All My Hope" (Crowder featuring Tauren Wells) |
2017 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | non-album single |
| "War Cry" (Social Club Misfits featuring Tauren Wells) |
2018 | 32 | 27 | — | — | Into the Night |
| "Echo" (Elevation Worship featuring Tauren Wells) |
18 | 11 | 9 | 17 | Hallelujah Here Below | |
| "O Holy Night" (Tommee Profitt featuring Tauren Wells) |
2020 | 34 | 27 | 11 | — | The Birth of a King |
| "Like You" (Aaron Cole featuring Tauren Wells and TobyMac) |
2021 | — | — | — | — | Two Up Two Down |
| "Deeper" (TobyMac featuring Tauren Wells) |
2022 | — | — | — | — | Life After Death |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart | ||||||
Promotional singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ [31] |
Christ Airplay [32] | |||
| "Miracle" | 2019 | 38 | — | Citizen of Heaven[38] |
| "Close" (featuring Steven Furtick) |
43 | 28 | ||
| "Perfect Peace" | — | — | ||
| "Trenches" (with Donald Lawrence & Company) |
2020 | 41 | — | non-album single |
| "Empty" | 2022 | 48 | — | Joy in the Morning |
| "Come Home" | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart | ||||
Other charted songs
As lead artist
| Single | Year | Chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ [31] |
NZ Hot [39] | |||
| "Citizen of Heaven" | 2020 | 48 | — | Citizen of Heaven |
| "Joy in the Morning" | 2022 | 33 | 31 | Joy in the Morning |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart | ||||
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ [31] |
US Christ. Digital [34] | |||
| "Never Lost" (Elevation Worship featuring Tauren Wells) |
2020 | 31 | 17 | Graves into Gardens |
Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Black & White (with Royal Tailor) | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album | Nominated |
| 2015 | Royal Tailor (with Royal Tailor) | Nominated | |
| 2018 | "Hills and Valleys" | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song | Nominated |
| Hills and Valleys | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album | Nominated | |
| 2019 | "Known" | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song | Nominated |
| 2020 | "God's Not Done With You (Single Version)" | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song | Nominated |
| 2021[40] | "Famous For (I Believe)" (featuring Jenn Johnson) | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song | Nominated |
| Citizen of Heaven | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album | Nominated | |
| 2022 | Citizen of Heaven (Live) | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album | Nominated |
Billboard Music Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019[41] | "Known" | Top Christian Song | Nominated |
| 2021 | "Famous For (I Believe)" (with Jenn Johnson) |
Top Christian Song | Nominated |
GMA Dove Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Royal Tailor (as former frontman) | New Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2017 | Tauren Wells | Won | |
| 2019 | "Known" | Song of the Year | Nominated |
| Tauren Wells | Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| "Known" | Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2020 | Tauren Wells | Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year | Won |
| Citizen of Heaven | Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year | Won | |
| Citizen of Heaven | Short Form Video of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2021 | "Famous For (I Believe)" | Song of the Year | Nominated |
| Tauren Wells | Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| "Famous For (I Believe)" | Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year | Won | |
| 2022 | "Fake It" (featuring Aaron Cole) |
Short Form Video of the Year (Performance) | Won |
References
- ↑ "Tauren Wells talks new album, TobyMac tour and 'unbelievable' moments". January 29, 2020.
- ↑ "Royal Tailor front man Tauren Wells announces solo project". CCM Magazine. August 19, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
- ↑ Cherrie, Chrysta. "Royal Tailor : Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
- ↑ "Tauren Wells Steps into New Solo Project, Out of Royal Tailor". NewReleaseToday.com.
- ↑ "News: Royal Tailor Frontman Tauren Wells Announces Solo Project, Signs Deal With Provident Label Group | Freeccm.com". Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ↑ "Former Royal Tailor Frontman TAUREN WELLS Goes Solo with New Single Love Is Action". PathMegazine.com. August 22, 2016.
- ↑ "Tauren Wells Releases Debut Solo EP Undefeated". NewReleaseToday.com.
- ↑ Asker, Jim (May 17, 2017). "'Idol' Alums Mandisa & Jasmine Murray Shine in Christian Airplay Chart's Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ↑ "Hills and Valleys (Deluxe Edition) - Tauren Wells". iTunes Store. June 23, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ↑ "Tauren Wells - When We Pray (Official Music Video)". iTunes Store. October 20, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ↑ "Mandisa & tobyMac Hit Top 10 on Hot Christian Songs Chart". Billboard. January 25, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ↑ "Crowder - All My Hope ft. Tauren Wells". October 19, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Crowder, Tauren Wells & Koryn Hawthorne Hit No. 1 on Christian/Gospel Charts". Billboard. March 15, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ↑ Jeannie Law, Singer Tauren Wells Stepping Into Call to Preach, Begins Speaking at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church, christianpost.com, USA, September 26, 2018
- ↑ "Known - Tauren Wells". iTunes Store. June 23, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ↑ "Elevation Worship & Houghton Debut on Christian, Gospel Charts". Billboard. October 11, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ↑ Lynch, Joe (December 7, 2018). "Grammys 2019 Nominees: The Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ↑ https://www.yourwhitestone.org/
- ↑ "Instagram".
- ↑ Caela Griffin (August 18, 2023). "Tauren Wells 'Takes It All Back' with New EP Out Today". Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ↑ "Tauren Wells Celebrates 11 Years Married". 20thecountdown.com. January 28, 2022.
- ↑ "Lorna & Tauren's Wedding". youtube.com.
- ↑ "Royal Tailor Frontman Tauren Wells Announces Solo Project, Signs Deal With Provident Label Group". GospelMusic.org. August 19, 2016.
- ↑ "Tauren Wells praising God for birth of son". chvnradio.com.
- ↑ "Tauren Wells and Wife Lorna Fought for Their Love and Marriage". hollywoodmask.com. December 12, 2021.
- ↑ "prisma". prisma. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
- ↑ "Tauren Wells – Chart history (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- 1 2 "Tauren Wells – Chart history (Christian Top Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- ↑ "JFH News: Six-Time GRAMMY® Nominee Tauren Wells' Critically Acclaimed Sophomore Album Citizen of Heaven Available Now". JesusFreakHideout. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ↑ "JFH News: Tauren Wells' New Album 'Citizen of Heaven' To Release Jan. 24, 2020". JesusFreakHideout. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Tauren Wells Chart History (Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- 1 2 3 "Tauren Wells Chart History - Christian Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
- 1 2 "Tauren Wells Chart History (Christian AC Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
- 1 2 3 "Tauren Wells Chart History (Christian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
- ↑ "American certifications – Tauren Wells". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
- ↑ "American single certifications – Tauren Wells – Known". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- 1 2 "American single certifications – Tauren Wells – God's Not Done With You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ↑ Clarks, Jessie (October 11, 2019). "Tauren Wells Drops "Close" From Upcoming Sophomore Album". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
- ↑ "2021 GRAMMYs: Complete Nominees List". GRAMMY.com. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- ↑ Warner, Denise. "Cardi B Leads 2019 Billboard Music Awards Nominations With 21". Billboard.com. Retrieved March 4, 2019.