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Alternative CCM ensemble Leeland rose to prominence in the late 2000s around the talents of lead singer, songwriter, and frontman Leeland Mooring. A rich, melodic sound characterized Grammy-nominated releases like 2008's Opposite Way and 2011's The Great Awakening, which paired uplifting themes of faith with soaring guitar-driven pop. The group later became involved with the Bethel Music Collective, who helped issue their 2016 album, Invisible.

Leeland formed in 2005 in Baytown, Texas, with an initial lineup that included Mooring on vocals and guitar, keyboard player/vocalist Jack Mooring, guitarist Austin Tirado, bass player Jake Holtz, and drummer Mike Smith. The band released its debut, Sound of Melodies, on Essential Records in 2006. The album would go on to earn the band its first of many Dove and Grammy Award nominations. Released in 2008, Opposite Way saw Leeland sail to the top of the digital Christian album charts on the strength of the wistful title track and the driving "Count Me In," and 2009's Love Is on the Move would debut at number five on the Billboard Christian albums chart. A number of lineup shifts preceded the band's fourth LP, 2011's The Great Awakening, which introduced lead guitarist Casey Moore into the mix. By the time Leeland signed with Bethel Music/Sony for their 2016 outing, Invisible, the group had solidified around a core partnership between Mooring and Moore, who were supported by a number of touring and studio musicians. This version of the band returned with a 2019 live album, Better Word, which was released by the Integrity label and included the hit title track. ~ James Christopher Monger

Taya is a singer, songwriter, and worship leader for Hillsong United who was a church youth group leader before embarking on a music career in the early 2010s. She found success after contributing vocals to the Hillsong United track "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)," which took home the Song of the Year trophy at the 2014 GMA Dove Awards. Along with contributions to Hillsong projects that have followed, Taya released her self-titled debut solo album in 2022. Her second studio album, featuring the streaming hit "Gonna Be Good," appeared in 2024.

Hailing from the north country town of Lismore, New South Wales, Taya Gaukrodger (née Smith) relocated to Sydney in 2010 to pursue a career in the creative arts. She soon became involved with Hillsong Church, and later joined the church's immensely popular and prolific worship band Hillsong United. She made her debut on the group's gold-selling third studio LP, 2013's Zion, which included the chart-topping single "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)." Two years later, Taya appeared on another of the group's biggest singles, "Touch the Sky," taken from their fourth full-length effort Empires. She continued to play a vital role in the worship band's success, appearing on 2017's Wonder and live offerings like Of Dirt and Grace: Live from the Land (2017) and People (2019). In early 2022, she made her solo debut with the contemporary country-tinged "For All My Life," which she co-wrote with producers Jon Guerra and Hank Bentley. That song, along with 13 inspirational other tracks, appeared on her eponymous first full-length effort later that June. Early 2024 saw the release of the upbeat pop single "Gonna Be Good," the lead track from Taya's forthcoming sophomore long-player. ~ James Christopher Monger