Provident Label Group/Sony Music Entertainment artist Tauren Wells has had quite a memorable year. From touring with Lionel Richie, to releasing his debut solo full-length Hills and Valleys, and the tremendous success of the album’s self-titled debut single, Wells is wrapping up his 2017 by receiving two GRAMMY® nominations. Recognized for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (Hills and Valleys) and his single “Hills and Valleys” for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song (which he co-wrote with Chuck Butler and Jonathan Smith), Wells is no stranger to the GRAMMY Awards® as he was nominated in both 2011 and 2014 with his former band Royal Tailor.
The double GRAMMY recognition encapsulates the success of Tauren Wells’ past year, which kicked off with his song “Undefeated” (from his 2016 solo EP of the same name) getting licensed by Fox Sports and played during NBA coverage.
Wells released his debut LP, Hills and Valleys, in June, which was highly received by critics and calling it “contagious,” “energetic,” and an album that “takes listeners from quiet moments of encouragement to a strong, fast-paced, energetic celebration of Christ’s goodness and faithfulness.” Hills and Valleys also made a successful first week appearance on the SoundScan Christian/Gospel Digital Albums chart at No. 3.
The hit single “Hills and Valleys” was one of the most streamed Christian songs of 2017, according to Spotify. Along with featuring Tauren Wells as the cover artist, Spotify also placed the song as the first track on their Top Christian Hits of 2017 playlist.
The song was also chosen as one of K-LOVE’s top performing songs of the year. The network shares that Tauren Wells is “One of the fastest rising stars in Christian music” and “’Hills and Valleys’ is a special song that showcases the singer’s range, but it’s far from his only hit.”
Additionally, the music video for “Hills and Valleys” has had an astounding 12.7 million views to date. His latest music video, for “When We Pray,” is already close to a million views and can be viewed here and below.
On the heels of his album’s release, Wells began the summer energizing large audiences across the U.S. as the opening act for Lionel Richie’s All The Hits Tour with special guest Mariah Carey. The 22-city tour hit the country’s most renowned venues, from Madison Square Garden in New York City, American Airlines Center in Dallas, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Wells also appeared on numerous morning and afternoon TV shows in some of the biggest markets promoting his music and the tour such as Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles.
Wells also performed at two of industry’s biggest annual events this past year – the K-LOVE Fan Awards and the GMA Dove Awards – before he joined the Air1 Positive Hits Tour in the fall, which took him to more than 30 markets coast to coast.
With 2017 being such an astounding year for Wells, what does his 2018 hold? It will kick off with the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards® on Sunday, January 28, 2018 and held live at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He will then join Chris Tomlin’s annual concert event Worship Night In America, which kicks off in April.
ABOUT TAUREN WELLS: This year Wells, a four-time GRAMMY® nominee, debuted Hills and Valleys, his first full-length solo project and the follow-up to his debut EP, 2016’s Undefeated. The single “Undefeated” also served as the soundtrack for the internet-famous Dude Perfect’s “World Records Edition” episode on YouTube which, along with another Dude Perfect video featuring the No. 1 single “Love Is Action,” has garnered more than 100 million views combined. “Undefeated” is also licensed by Fox Sports and heard regionally during NBA coverage. www.TaurenWellsOfficial.com.
