Tauren Wells

Tauren Gabriel Wells is an American Christian pop-rock and R&B artist and a worship leader at Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas. He is the former frontman for the American Christian pop rock band Royal Tailor, which produced two albums over a five-year career, garnering two Grammy nominations and a New Artist of the Year award from the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. In 2014, Wells, along with his wife, launched the Prisma Worship Arts School, a private music academy with multiple locations in the Houston area.[2]

Tauren Wells
Background information
Birth nameTauren Gabriel Wells
BornBattle Creek, Michigan, U.S.
GenresChristian pop-rock,[1] Christian R&B[1]
Years active2004 (2004)–present
LabelsReunion
Associated actsRoyal Tailor
Websitetaurenwells.com

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)", "Millionare (Good Like That)", and "Close".

Personal life

Wells and his wife Lorna have three children, including a toddler Kanaan and son Lawson. Wells served on the staff of his father-in-law's church in Houston (Royalwood) until 2018. Wells and his wife started the Prisma Worship Arts School, to train musicians.[18] Through the school, Prisma offers private coaching in piano, drums, guitar, bass, voice, violin, viola, and cello.[19]

Discography

Studio albums
List of selected albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[20]		 US
Christ
[21]
Hills and Valleys —5
Citizen of Heaven[22]
  • Released: January 24, 2020[23]
  • Label: Reunion Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 1693

Extended plays
List of selected albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Christ
[21]
Undefeated EP
  • Released: September 12, 2016
  • Label: Reunion Records
  • CD, digital download, streaming
 33
Conocido EP
  • Released: March 8, 2019
  • Label: Reunion Records
  • Digital download, streaming
 —

As lead artist
Year Single Chart positions Certifications Album
US
Bubb.
[24]		 US
Christ.
[25]		 US
Christ.
Airplay
[26]		 US
Christ. AC
[27]		 US
Christ.
Digital
[28]
2016 "Undefeated"
(featuring KB)		 ————— Hills and Valleys
"Love Is Action" —4930——
2017 "Hills and Valleys" —38123
"When We Pray" —72219
2018 "Known" —3115
2019 "God's Not Done with You" —62210
"Like You Love Me" —171411— Citizen of Heaven
2020 "Famous For (I Believe)"
(featuring Jenn Johnson)		 153125
"Tu Poder (Creo en Ti)"
(featuring Christine D'Clario)		 ————— non-album single
"Millionaire (Good Like That)"
(featuring Kirk Franklin)		 ————— Citizen of Heaven
"Until Grace"
(featuring Rascal Flatts)		 —————
"The Worship Medley: Reckless Love / O Come to the Altar / Great Are You Lord"
(with Essential Worship featuring Davies)		 ————— non-album single
"Trenches" (Sunday A.M. version)
(with Donald Lawrence & Company)		 —41——20 non-album single
"Famous For (I Believe)" (Sunday A.M. version)
(with Jekalyn Carr, Donald Lawrence & Company)		 ————— non-album single
"All God's Children" —29——11 non-album single
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Christ
[25]		 Christ
Airplay
[26]
"All My Hope"
(Crowder featuring Tauren Wells)		 2017 3 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 Hallelujah Here Below
"O Holy Night"
(Tommee Profitt featuring Tauren Wells)		 2020 34 27 The Birth of a King

Promotional singles
Year Single Chart positions Certifications Album
US
Christ.
[25]		 US
Christ.
Airplay
[26]
2019 "Miracle" 38 — Citizen of Heaven[31]
"Close"
(featuring Steven Furtick)		 43 28
"Perfect Peace" — —

As lead artist
Year Single Chart positions Certifications Album
US
Christ
[25]
2020 "Citizen of Heaven" 48 Citizen of Heaven
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Christ
[25]		 US
Christ.
Digital
[28]
"Never Lost"
(Elevation Worship featuring Tauren Wells)		 2020 31 17 Graves into Gardens

Awards and nominations

Billboard Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019[32]"Known"Top Christian SongNominated

GMA Dove Awards

Year Nominee Award Result
2012 Royal Tailor (as former frontman) New Artist of the Year Nominated
2017 Himself Won
2019 "Known" Song of the Year Nominated
Himself Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year Nominated
"Known" Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year Nominated
2020
Himself 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

Grammy Awards

Year Nominee 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[33] "Famous For (I Believe)" (featuring Jenn Johnson) Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song Pending
Citizen of Heaven Best Contemporary Christian Music Album Pending

References
  1. "Tauren Wells talks new album, TobyMac tour and 'unbelievable' moments". January 29, 2020.
  2. News, CCM (August 19, 2016). "Royal Tailor front man Tauren Wells announces solo project". CCM Magazine. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  3. Cherrie, Chrysta. "Royal Tailor : Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  4. "Tauren Wells Steps into New Solo Project, Out of Royal Tailor". NewReleaseToday.com.
  5. "News: Royal Tailor Frontman Tauren Wells Announces Solo Project, Signs Deal With Provident Label Group | Freeccm.com". Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  6. "Former Royal Tailor Frontman TAUREN WELLS Goes Solo with New Single Love Is Action". PathMegazine.com. August 22, 2016.
  7. "Tauren Wells Releases Debut Solo EP Undefeated". NewReleaseToday.com.
  8. Asker, Jim (May 17, 2017). "'Idol' Alums Mandisa & Jasmine Murray Shine in Christian Airplay Chart's Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  9. "Hills and Valleys (Deluxe Edition) - Tauren Wells". iTunes Store. June 23, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  10. "Tauren Wells - When We Pray (Official Music Video)". iTunes Store. October 20, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  11. "Mandisa & tobyMac Hit Top 10 on Hot Christian Songs Chart". Billboard. January 25, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  12. "Crowder - All My Hope ft. Tauren Wells". October 19, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018 – via YouTube.
  13. "Crowder, Tauren Wells & Koryn Hawthorne Hit No. 1 on Christian/Gospel Charts". Billboard. March 15, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  14. Jeannie Law, Singer Tauren Wells Stepping Into Call to Preach, Begins Speaking at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church, christianpost.com, USA, September 26, 2018
  15. "Known - Tauren Wells". iTunes Store. June 23, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  16. "Elevation Worship & Houghton Debut on Christian, Gospel Charts". Billboard. October 11, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  17. Lynch, Joe (December 7, 2018). "Grammys 2019 Nominees: The Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  18. "Royal Tailor Frontman Tauren Wells Announces Solo Project, Signs Deal With Provident Label Group". GospelMusic.org. August 19, 2016.
  19. "prisma". prisma. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  20. "Tauren Wells – Chart history (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  21. "Tauren Wells – Chart history (Christian Top Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  22. "JFH News: Six-Time GRAMMY® Nominee Tauren Wells' Critically Acclaimed Sophomore Album Citizen of Heaven Available Now". JesusFreakHideout. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  23. "JFH News: Tauren Wells' New Album 'Citizen of Heaven' To Release Jan. 24, 2020". JesusFreakHideout. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  24. "Tauren Wells Chart History (Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  25. "Tauren Wells Chart History (Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  26. "Tauren Wells Chart History - Christian Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  27. "Tauren Wells Chart History (Christian AC Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  28. "Tauren Wells Chart History (Christian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  29. "American certifications – Tauren Wells". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  30. "American single certifications – Tauren Wells – Known". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 23, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  31. Clarks, Jessie. "Tauren Wells Drops "Close" From Upcoming Sophomore Album". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  32. Warner, Denise. "Cardi B Leads 2019 Billboard Music Awards Nominations With 21". Billboard.com. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  33. "2021 GRAMMYs: Complete Nominees List". GRAMMY.com. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
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