Tauren Wells

Tauren Gabriel Wells (born April 7, 1986) is an American Contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter and pastor from Houston, Texas. Wells was the frontman of former Christian band Royal Tailor. He was a founding member of Royal Tailor along with DJ Cox and Blake Hubbard while they were attending Indiana Bible College, a Oneness Apostolic college, in 2004. Jarred Ingram later joined. Wells toured with Christian band Casting Crowns in 2012.

2016–2018: Undefeated EP and Hills and Valleys In 2016, Wells signed with Reunion Records as a solo artist and released his first single "Undefeated" in May, featuring rapper KB. It served as the soundtrack for Dude Perfect's "World Records Edition" video on YouTube. Wells released his second single "Love Is Action" in August and his first EP, titled Undefeated EP, on September 12. "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. His first studio album Hills and Valleys was released digitally on June 23, and physically on July 21. The fourth single, "When We Pray", was released on October 20 and peaked at No. 7. He was featured on Crowder's "All My Hope". The single peaked at No. 3 on the Christian Songs chart and No. 1 on the Christian Airplay chart, becoming his first number one. In mid-2017, he accompanied American singers Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey on their All the Hits Tour as the opening act.

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 the same year, he also became a worship leader at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.

The fifth single, "Known", was released on June 23, 2018. The song peaked at No. 3 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart, becoming his fourth Top 10 single from that chart. It topped multiple Christian radio charts including Christian Airplay and Christian AC Songs, and it was nominated for the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. It was also nominated for Top Christian Song at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.

2019–2023: Citizen of Heaven, Joy in the Morning and Take It All Back In January 2020, Wells released his second studio album Citizen of Heaven. The album was supported by lead single "Like You Love Me", accompanied by "Famous For (I Believe)", featuring Bethel Music singer Jenn Johnson. A music video for "Millionaire (Good Like That)", featuring Kirk Franklin, released on August 24. "Famous For (I Believe)", which had its own EP released in December 2020, topped the Billboard Christian Airplay chart in January 2021, and received a nomination along with Citizen of Heaven at the 63rd Grammy Awards that same year. He released Citizen of Heaven LIVE on April 16, 2021, through Essential Records. To accompany the album, he released four music videos which were recorded during Citizen of Heaven 's launch event at Lakewood Church in January 2020.

On February 25, 2022, Wells released "Fake It", featuring Christian rapper Aaron Cole, as the lead single to his third studio album Joy in the Morning, which was released on June 10, 2022. "Empty" and "Come Home" was released as singles.

2023–present: Lead pastor at Church of Whitestone

In April 2023, Wells revealed plans to launch a church in 2024 with his wife Lorna. In 2024, the Church of Whitestone was launched in Austin, Texas, where they both serve as lead pastors. In 2024, he announced an upcoming book.

On November 1, 2024, Wells released a single titled "Making Room". It was announced that this would be the title track of an upcoming album.

Personal life

Wells married his wife Lorna Brittany (née Macey) Wells in 2011. 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. Together, they have four sons. The oldest, Kanaan, was born in 2013. Their second son, Lawson Mayer, was born in 2016. Their third son, Navy Elliot, was born in 2018. Their fourth son, Banner Paul, was born in 2021. The family lives in Austin, Texas.

Released: June 23, 2017 Label: Reunion Records Format: CD, digital download

Released: January 24, 2020 Label: Reunion Records Format: CD, digital download, streaming

Released: June 10, 2022 Label: Capitol CMG Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Released: May 1, 2026 Label: Sparrow/Capitol CMG Format: Digital download, streaming

Live albums + List of live albums Title Album details Citizen of Heaven (Live) Released: April 16, 2021 Label: Essential Records Format: CD, digital download, streaming Here Comes the Church Releasing: October 2, 2026 Label: Sparrow/Capitol CMG Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Extended plays + List of EPs, with selected chart positions Title EP details Peak chart positionsUSChrist USChrist. USChrist.Air USChrist. AC USChrist.Digital NZHot "Undefeated" 2016 — — — — —— Hills and Valleys "Love Is Action" — 49 30 — —— "Hills and Valleys" 2017 — 3 8 12 3— RIAA: Platinum "When We Pray" — 7 2 2 19— "Known" 2018 — 3 1 1 5— RIAA: Platinum "God's Not Done with You" 2019 — 6 2 2 10— RIAA: Gold "Until Grace" — 11 7 8 18— "Millionaire (Good Like That)" — — — — —— "All God's Children" — 29 — — 11— "Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)" 2021 — 20 50 — 18— "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" — — — — —— "Fake It" 2022 — 16 17 17 15— Joy in the Morning "Joy in the Morning" — 27 27 — 631 "Something Better" 2023 — 12 14 22 —— "Take It All Back" — 3 1 1 1— RIAA: Gold "Making Room" 2024 — 45 — — — — Breathe on It "Thank You For the Cross" 2025 — — — — — — "Fight Like Heaven" — — — — — — "Soul on Fire" — — — — — — "The Church Is on Fire" — — — — — — Breathe on It "Here Comes the Church" — — — — — — "Second to None" — — — — — — "Breathe on It" 2026 — 10 5 9 — — Breathe on It "Bless Your Name" — 31 — — — — "Sunday Morning" — — — — — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart

As featured artist

Other charted songs As lead artist Single Year Chart positions Album USChrist "Famous For (I Believe)" (featuring Jenn Johnson) Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song Citizen of Heaven Best Contemporary Christian Music Album 2022 "Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)" Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song 2022 Citizen of Heaven (Live) Best Contemporary Christian Music Album 2026 Let the Church Sing Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

Billboard Music Awards

"Known" Top Christian Song

"Famous For (I Believe)" Top Christian Song GMA Dove Awards

Royal Tailor (as former frontman)

Tauren Wells

"Known" Song of the Year Tauren Wells Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year "Known" Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year

Tauren Wells Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year Citizen of Heaven Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year Citizen of Heaven Short Form Video of the Year

"Famous For (I Believe)" Song of the Year Tauren Wells Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year "Famous For (I Believe)" Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year

"Fake It" Short Form Video of the Year (Performance)

"Sunday Morning" Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year Breathe on It Worship Album of the Year