Hallelujah. It seems Country AND Christian music are cool again.
Usually, when you go to a concert you’re in store for a pretty ethereal experience as you get to hear your favorite artists perform live, but two country singers are taking that idea to new heights by turning their shows into worship sessions.
On Thursday, April 3, rising artists and best friends Dylan Marlowe and Conner Smith performed at the House of Blues in Orlando, Florida, and used the opportunity to praise the Lord with their audience. The duo took time out of their sets to perform a cover of All Sons & Daughters’ “Great Are You Lord,” followed by Brandon Lake’s “Gratitude.”
The 2013 ballad, “Great Are You Lord” is a staple in contemporary Christian music and it has been covered by many throughout the years but never has it been publicly sung by country artists like in this instance. The acoustic performance was nothing short of spine-tingling. With their guitars in harmony, they delivered beautiful acoustic renditions of these already powerful songs.
This isn’t the first time Marlowe has used his stage to glorify God. He recently went viral for singing “Gratitude” during a performance in Athens, Georgia, last year in February 2024.
Brandon Lake, the original artist behind “Gratitude,” has also become a familiar name in the country music scene, especially after his performance of “Talking To Jesus” with Thomas Rhett and his recent collaboration with Jelly Roll. Their hit song “Hard Fought Hallelujah” has been a massive success, amassing nearly 8 million streams on Spotify. Last month, the two performed the song live at the Grand Ole Opry, where they turned the audience into a spontaneous church choir, with many raising their hands and singing along. Lake is also set to appear on Rascal Flatts’ upcoming re-release of “Stand.”
Given his success, it’s clear we haven’t heard the last of Brandon Lake in country music. He even praised Marlowe and Smith on our post of the clip, commenting, “Let’s go boys!! Lemme jump in sometime soon.” Here’s hoping that means Lake will join them for a future trio performance!
As Lake continues to make waves in country music, it’s important to remember that country and faith-based music have always been intertwined. However, recently there has been a notable increase in Christian values and gospel music’s influence on country.
Marlowe and Smith’s impromptu worship session is a prime example of how openly expressing faith is becoming more common in the genre. Their performance signals a growing trend of artists using their stage to glorify God, and it’s something we’ve seen more of in both country music and the media.
The influence of this new wave of the ‘Jesus Revolution’ is also evident in shows like American Idol. Many country artists competing on the show are choosing to audition with worship songs—an exciting development given that Idol has long been a platform for country talent (think Carrie Underwood, Kelly Pickler, Scotty McCreery, and others who are known for their outspoken faith). However, it’s still pretty shocking to see the prevalence of religious themes on national TV, especially in a mainstream setting like American Idol.
In fact, American Idol is fully embracing this bold shift and will host a special “Worship Night” on Easter Sunday. This three-hour special that they’re calling “Songs of Faith” will feature the 20 contestants performing gospel songs. Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll will also perform their collaboration, and judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie will take the stage as well.
Beyond live performances, many other country artists are incorporating their love for the Lord into their music. Recent collaborations like Thomas Rhett and Forrest Frank’s “Nothing Else” and Lainey Wilson and Anne Wilson’s “Praying Woman” reflect this growing trend.
While it’s common for country artists to reference God in their lyrics, the fusion of faith-based themes with country music is creating an exciting shift in mainstream worship music. After all, country music is all about telling real-life stories, and for many artists, faith is at the center of their lives. What better way to express these values than through music?
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