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.
After the group's disbandment in 2015, he released Undefeated EP in 2016, followed by his first studio album Hills and Valleys, released in June 2017. The album and its lead single "Hills and Valleys" received nominations at the 60th Grammy Awards in 2018. Its fifth single "Known" topped the Billboard Christian Airplay chart and was nominated for Top Christian Song at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.
Wells' second studio album Citizen of Heaven was released in January 2020. The album and one of its singles, "Famous For (I Believe)" – his third Christian Airplay No. 1 – were nominated at the 63rd Grammy Awards in 2021. His third album Joy in the Morning was released in June 2022, followed by his second EP Take It All Back in 2023. In 2024, Wells became a lead pastor at a church in Austin, Texas, planted by him and his wife Lorna.
Career At the age of sixteen, Wells felt called to serve God. 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,https://indianabible.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.Jeannie Law, Singer Tauren Wells Stepping Into Call to Preach, Begins Speaking at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church, christianpost.com, US, September 26, 2018
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.
In March 2021, Wells collaborated with American R&B singer H.E.R. to release "Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)". 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. He released his third EP Take It All Back on August 18, 2023.
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.
Discography
Studio albums + List of selected albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak chart positionsUSUSChristUK C&GHills and Valleys Released: June 23, 2017 Label: Reunion Records Format: CD, digital download, streaming — 5—Citizen of Heaven Released: January 24, 2020 Label: Reunion Records Format: CD, digital download, streaming 169 314Joy in the Morning Released: June 10, 2022 Label: Capitol CMG Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming — 3—Breathe on It Released: May 1, 2026 Label: Sparrow/Capitol CMG Format: Digital download, streaming — 28— "—" denotes a recording that did not chart
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 positionsUSChristUndefeated EP Released: September 12, 2016 Preview of LP Label: Reunion Records CD, digital download, streaming 33Conocido EP Released: March 8, 2019 Label: Reunion Records Digital download, streaming —Take It All Back EP Released: August 18, 2023 Label: Capitol CMG Digital download, streaming 34Let the Church Sing Released: March 21, 2025 Label: Sparrow Records, Capitol CMG Formats: Digital download, streaming — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart
Singles As lead artist +List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album USBubb. USChrist. USChrist.Air USChrist. AC USChrist.DigitalUK Cross NZHot "Undefeated" 2016 — — — — ——— Hills and Valleys "Love Is Action" — 49 30 — ——— "Hills and Valleys" 2017 — 3 8 12 35— RIAA: Platinum "When We Pray" — 7 2 2 19—— "Known" 2018 — 3 1 1 54— RIAA: Platinum "God's Not Done with You" 2019 — 6 2 2 10—— RIAA: Gold "Like You Love Me" — 17 14 11 —1— Citizen of Heaven "Famous For (I Believe)" 2020 15 3 1 2 5 —— RIAA: Gold "Until Grace" — 11 7 8 18—— "All God's Children" — 29 — — 11—— rowspan="3" "Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)" 2021 — 20 50 — 188— "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" — — — — —2— "Fake It" 2022 — 16 17 17 15—— Joy in the Morning "Joy in the Morning" — 27 27 — 6—31 "Something Better" 2023 — 12 14 22 ——— rowspan="2" "Take It All Back" — 3 1 1 11— RIAA: Gold "Making Room" 2024 — 45 — — — —— Breathe on It "Thank You For the Cross" 2025 — — — — — — — "Fight Like Heaven" — — — — — — — rowspan="2" "Soul on Fire" — — — — — — — "The Church Is on Fire" — — — — — — — Breathe on It "Here Comes the Church" — — — — — — — "Second to None" — — — — — — — "Breathe on It" 2026 — 8 3 7 — — — Breathe on It "Bless Your Name" — 31 — — — — — "Sunday Morning" — — — — — — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart
As featured artist Title Year Peak chart positionsCertifications Album USChrist ChristAirplay USChrist. AC USChrist.Digital "All My Hope" 2017 3 1 2 1 "War Cry" 2018 32 27 — — Into the Night "Echo" 18 11 9 17 RIAA: Gold Hallelujah Here Below "O Holy Night" 2020 34 27 11 — The Birth of a King "Like You" 2021 — — — — Two Up Two Down "Deeper" 2022 — — — — Life After Death "—" denotes a recording that did not chart
Promotional singles Title Year Peak chart positions Album USChrist ChristAirplayUK Cross"Millionaire (Good Like That)"2020——1Citizen of Heaven "Miracle" 38 —1 "Close" 43 28 1 "Perfect Peace" — —— "Trenches" 41 —— non-album single "Empty" 2022 48 —— Joy in the Morning "Come Home" — —5 "Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday" 2025 — — —non-album singles "Take It All Back" 2026 — —— "—" denotes a recording that did not chart
Other charted songs As lead artist Single Year Chart positions Album USChrist USChrist.Air USChrist. ACUK Cross "Citizen of Heaven" 2020 48 — —1 Citizen of Heaven "Up" 2023 29 — —3Joy in the Morning "Let the Church Sing" 2025 22 11 7 — Breathe on It "How Great" 2026 31 — —— "—" denotes a recording that did not chart
As featured artist Title Year Peak chart positions Album USChrist USChrist.Digital "Never Lost" 2020 31 17 Graves into Gardens "I Give You My Dreams" 2025 50 — Suelto EP (Deluxe)
Notes
Awards and nominations Grammy Awards
! scope="row" | 2012 | Black & White (with Royal Tailor) | rowspan=2|Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
! scope="row" | 2015 | Royal Tailor (with Royal Tailor)
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2018 | "Hills and Valleys" | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
| Hills and Valleys | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
! scope="row" | 2019 | "Known" | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
! scope="row" | 2020 | "God's Not Done With You (Single Version)" | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2021 | "Famous For (I Believe)" (featuring Jenn Johnson) | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
| Citizen of Heaven | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
! scope="row" | 2022 | "Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)" | Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
! scope="row" | 2022 | Citizen of Heaven (Live) | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
! scope="row" | 2026 | Let the Church Sing | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Billboard Music Awards
! scope="row" | 2019 | "Known" | Top Christian Song
! scope="row" | 2021 | "Famous For (I Believe)" | Top Christian Song
GMA Dove Awards
! scope="row" | 2012 | Royal Tailor (as former frontman) | rowspan="2"|New Artist of the Year
! scope="row" | 2017 | Tauren Wells
! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2019 | "Known" | Song of the Year
| Tauren Wells | Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year
| "Known" | Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
! scope="row" rowspan="3"| 2020 | 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
! scope="row" rowspan="3"| 2021 | "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
! scope="row" | 2022 | "Fake It" | Short Form Video of the Year (Performance)
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2026 | "Sunday Morning" | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
| Breathe on It