Written by Matt Corirossi
Faith and perseverance.
Those two words conjure up contradictory thoughts of idealism and reality. Side by side, they represent the constant push and pull of serenity in the belief and anxiety in the situation. At first glance, they appear to be best served separately. However, as with all true pairs, they coexist for a reason. Faith is the light that cuts through the darkness of perseverance. The resounding voice to push forward when all appears bleak and lost. The parting of the seas when travel is untenable. When faith and perseverance are perfectly aligned, something unmistakable happens. The odds, once viewed as insurmountable, are overcome. The result is not luck or magic, but the result of bravery in the face of adversity surrounded by optimism and intuition. The endgame of faith and perseverance.
When Christian-country artist Brandon Lake arrived at Madison Square Garden in New York City to sing his hit “When a Cowboy Prays” in front an enthusiastic Sunday afternoon PBR (Professional Bull Riders) crowd and the competing riders, it was more than the billed kickoff performance. The interaction was the embodiment of remaining steadfast in faith and perseverance. Of blocking out the naysayers and following your own internal guidance. Making the decision to forge ahead when others would have given up or taken the easier path.
With Lake, his version of faith and perseverance meant following his artistic leanings and being flexible instead of adhering to genre rigidity. The South Carolina native and worship leader recognized early on that by identifying as a Christian artist, there is a temptation to fit into a box or shrink to fit the typical standard. Lake is not the one-size-fits-all type. He makes no apologies for believing that proclaiming his faith means coloring outside of the lines. He relishes in showing that being imperfect is actually perfect and part of the journey. When others shy away from rocking the boat, Lake takes charge and sails towards uncharted territory.
When Lake released his debut album Closer in 2016, he entered the contemporary Christian music industry with a bang instead of a whisper. The fan-supported GoFundMe collection did not fit a mold; it built a whole new casing. Were there doubters and people who felt that Lake had jumped a bridge too far? Absolutely. That is the funny thing about boldness, it favors the tenacious. Lake was undeterred as he marched forward. The conventional and bland was switched out with rawness, emotional depth, and a willingness to collaborate with creatives rooted in secular pursuits.
Whether it is blues, rock, country, or gospel, Lake folds it into his vision for worship. The come-as-you-are approach to musicality is innate and communal. Lake discussed his direction on his website as, “I’m not chasing a sound anymore, I’m chasing a feeling. I want people to feel what I felt when we wrote it – to experience something real.”
Realness amplifies and Lake’s increased levels of authenticity was going beyond resonating; it was building a community of interconnected souls far beyond the usual boundaries of spiritual music. With each spirit-bearing composition, elevated levels of recognition and success followed.
Lake’s last few years have been continual highlights. In 2023, his single “Praise” with Elevation Worship topped Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart for 31 weeks. He followed that up with the single “Gratitude”, which ruled the same charts for 28 weeks. In November 2024, his single “Hard Fought Hallelujah” accomplished a watershed moment as a Christian song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100. On June 13th, 2025, Lake released his latest album King of Hearts. Included on the album was a duet version of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Jelly Roll. The collaboration immediately caught fire and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Digital Song Sales chart. This led to industry-noticing live performances with Jelly Roll at CMA Fest and Stagecoach.
The massive impact of “Hard Fought Hallelujah” had led Lake down a path that even he may have not foreseen. He was being accepted as a country artist. Instead of drawing away from the prospect of cross-genre appeal, Lake embraced his newfound standing. Lake proudly announced to his millions of followers on social media that a Christian X Country Collision was coming in 2026.
True to his promise, Lake released his latest single on January 9th, 2026, a duet version of “When a Cowboy Prays” with neo-traditional country music megastar Cody Johnson. The song, written by Lake, Derrick Southerland, Hank Bentley, and Jacob Sooter and produced by Sooter and Bentley, expresses a simple but powerful message. When everything around you seem stormy and dark and the odds appear bleak, follow one simple motto, do not panic, pray harder. Ask for what you truly need and you will be rewarded with a bounty far beyond comprehension. Keep the faith, persevere, and Jesus will always provide.
Songs are made for events and stages. There are places and moments in time that not only embrace but live the lyrical narrative. With “When a Cowboy Prays”, that ideal placement was the past weekend’s sold-out PBR Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden Presented by Ariat event.
For the event, 43 of the toughest and skilled cowboys tested their ability and grit against the rankest bulls on the planet. It is an artful dance of 140-pound cowboys against 1,700-pound stomping machines that do not follow a plan. A David vs. Goliath matchup that is unrivaled. Some call it crazy. Others call it foolhardy. These men call it destiny. It is an adrenaline rush beyond any other. A chance to test the limits of human athleticism and claim mastery in a manner that few can fully understand, let alone achieve. 2009 PBR World Champion and hometown New York Mavericks Head Coach Kody Lostroh summarized the motivation of a bull rider concisely on the podcast Compas on the Beat as, “we don’t want to live safe lives, we want to live full lives.”
Living full lives means sacrifice. Literal blood, sweat, and tears. Countless hours of mental and physical dedication preparing for an outcome that is never certain. Miles traveled in solitude or with road-tested travel partners heading towards the allure of cash and a buckle. The chance to call themselves a champion. To say that they stared the beast in the eye and conquered it. Giving up is not in their DNA. If they buck off, they get back up. If they bruise, they heal up. It is not for pride; it is who they are. They do not know any other way.
For Brazilian riders, it involves the extra step of leaving everything they know and traveling to a foreign land. One where they do not speak the language or understand the culture. None of that matters. Dancing on the edge of death and the unknown bonds everyone standing on the arena dirt. American, Brazilian, Australian, they are the same, courageous cowboys who embrace ambiguity with confidence and focus.
On a Sunday afternoon, the athletes assembled stood on the arena’s dirt after their introductions, like they have done numerous instances before. However, this felt different. Standing on the shark cage was Lake, set up to sing his single. Despite his candor in stating that he was attending his first PBR event, Lake had a full appreciation for the audience. Before he sung, he dedicated “When a Cowboy Prays” to “all the cowboys who “work hard, ride hard, pray even harder.” With cover removed and bowed heads, the riders listened intensively to the heartfelt performance.
One of those men were Sage Steele Kimzey, respectfully known by everyone in the sport as “The Professor”. Kimzey earned that moniker through his unparalleled knowledge of the sport. Succinctly put, Kimzey knows bulls. Regardless of the bovine that they decide to run underneath him, his sharp focus and calculated mindset remain. It is an analytical approach that allows him to prepare for the ride, calm himself, and let his natural instincts take control to propel himself through the ride. Preparation leads to success, scores on the board, checks cashed to his bank account, and buckles to his collection. If you want intel on a bull, Kimzey is the one to ask. It is a dangerous combination that always makes him a likely pick to win the event. Coming into New York City, Kimzey was ranked 17th in the world. Fans and riders alike knew that he was too talented to be ranked that low. He was waiting for his moment to strike. That moment was now. If you can make it in New York City, you can make it anywhere. And Kimzey was going to make it.
While Lake was openly proclaiming his faith and perseverance on stage in front of an eager crowd, Kimzey displayed it on the dirt for all to witness. The Strong City, Oklahoma native has rodeo and ranching in his blood. His father was a long tenured barrelman/clown who was selected to work the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in 1980 and 1987, along with being an alternate in 1986. Through those humble beginnings, Kimzey formulated the work ethic and determination that would define his career. Despite showing promise as a point guard for his high school basketball team and winning the state championship, his rodeo lineage won out. Kimzey earned a full rodeo scholarship to Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU).
Under the tutelage of SWOSU coach Mike Visnieski, his mental approach was completely cemented. What emerged is a tenacious competitor that let his riding do the talking. Never content with past successes, he continually believed that he was destined for greater. Kimzey does not compete against others, he competes against himself. When doubters point to a ceiling and attempt to dictate what is enough, he shatters it. Kimzey discussed his motivation to ride when others would pause or quit to ProRodeo.com as, “I have nothing to prove to anyone at this point, except to prove to myself what I am capable of. I push to see what I can put my body through, how much I can take and continue to compete at the highest level.”
Kimzey’s bull riding journey is full of accolades that most riders can only dream of. He started his career in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), where he made an immediate impact. In 2013, Kimzey set a PRCA record for the most money earned while riding on a permit in a single season with $47,726. In 2014, Kimzey qualified for his first NFR and became the second bull rider in PRCA history to win both the Resistol Rookie of the Year and the PRCA World Championship. He would go on to earn 7 PRCA World Championships, 9 NFR Qualifications, and 3 NFR Average Titles. To date, he has amassed over 3.4 million dollars competing in the PRCA.
With an illustrious career in the PRCA that was approaching the age of 30, an age where bull riders start considering retirement, many assumed that Kimzey would ride off into the sunset. Remarks of leaving while he is on top and enjoying a career after bull riding while he was healthy enough to experience it were plastered all over social media. Would that make sense to other athletes? Very likely. But that would involve quitting. Giving up while there was still gas in the tank and a desire to achieve more. If you thought Kimzey would follow that plan, you do not know him at all. Kimzey does not quit, he does not take the easy route when he has more to give. He refocuses, analyzes, and charges ahead. He knew that he had more to do and was not going to rest until it was done.
His more to do was not competing in more events or winning another PRCA World Championship. It was bigger, more intensive. He was eyeing a jump to the PBR full-time. In an age where most riders begin their PBR career at age 18 or 19, Kimzey began his PBR career in 2023, at the veteran age of 29. True to his nature, the move was not instantaneous, but the result of considerable observation and studying. In 2022, Kimzey became a commentator for the PBR during the inaugural PBR Camping World Team Series season. Seeing the action first-hand lit an internal fire and gave him a mission. He was not content with calling the action, he wanted to be a part of it. Kimzey declared for the 2023 PBR Team Series Draft and was selected as the first overall pick by the Carolina Cowboys. His initial go proved fruitful as he went 5-for-11 with 3 90-point rides.
With results rolling in, the question on everyone’s mind was what is next? Kimzey qualified for the 2024 Unleash The Beast season. Upon receipt of the news, the age debate reignited. The familiar how old is too old takes was examined and debated. Most expected him to politely decline. However, Kimzey sent shockwaves through the bull riding world when he did the unimaginable, he accepted. When asked why he made the decision, it boiled down to two things, betting on himself and family. Kimzey explained his thought process further to PBR.com as, “it’s been a long time coming to come over here, full-time PBR, and I’m just trying to capitalize on my opportunity, for sure.” As for why now, Kimzey stated to PBR.com, “mainly just time with my family. I’ve got a little one at home, and it’s hard to leave him.”
Despite facing an elbow injury that cut his 2024 season short, Kimzey went 3-for-4 at the PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast – Championship event to win the 2024 PBR World Championship event title. Another productive season with the Carolina Cowboys followed, going 13-for-23, and helping his team place second in the regular season.
With two successful seasons completed and settling into the closer role for the Carolina Cowboys, logic could deduct that Kimzey would hold firm with an outlook towards next season. However, logic would be wrong. In November of 2024, the Austin Gamblers shocked the world and pulled off the unthinkable. They signed Kimzey and in the process, added a fourth “ace” to their team. The move paid dividends as he went 18-for-31 and was an instrumental contributor to the roster.
With the team series behind him, all roads led to the 2026 Unleash The Beast season and New York City. In Round 1, the backdrop was familiar. The 2026 Monster Energy Team Challenge kicked off at the end of the round and Kimzey found himself back with his team. United, the Austin Gamblers had a common goal, defeating their intrastate rivals Texas Rattlers in another edition of The Land.com Texas Cup. Kimzey was tasked to lead off against Blue Duck, the #10-ranked bull in the world. Leading off is hard enough as it sets the pace for the team. Add in the difficulty of the bovine and it is nearly impossible. But impossible does not exist in Kimzey’s world. He started the matchup with a hefty 90.60-point ride on Blue Duck. This momentum pushed his team to victory as the Austin Gamblers defeated the Texas Rattlers 264.40 points to 170.15 points.
With The Land.com Texas Cup securely in Austin’s possession, it was time to focus on himself. Kimzey drew Easy Labor for Round 2. He made the most of a lower bull score and turned in an 81.10-point ride. 2-for-2 so far. Everything was going to plan. In Round 3, Kimzey was paired with Snuggles. The two were in synergy to produce an 87.05-point ride. He found himself as the only man who was 3-for-3 and leading the event going into the Championship Round.
Sitting at the top of the standings put Kimzey in an advantageous position. As the riders can select their bull in the Championship Round, he controlled his own fate. In true Kimzey fashion, he studied the list of penned bulls. When the PBR’s Matt Merritt asked if he had an idea of who he wanted as a bull, Kimzey confidently stated, “I do have an idea. I’m going to go with Lights Out.”
With that declaration, the scene was set. The expectations were known. Reach the 8 at any cost. Ride Lights Out and win the event title. Lights Out was not a day off. The #11-ranked bull bucked off 2022 PBR World Champion Daylon Swearingen recently in Boston, Massachusetts. Armed with quiet confidence, he did what he has done countless times before: climb into the chute, nod, and let his natural instincts take control. The gate flung open, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Amid a rambunctious crowd, mission accomplished. Kimzey rode Lights Out. He stuck the landing and began to celebrate among a sea of lively cheers. The score was tallied, 92.05 points, highest total in the Championship Round. In typical Kimzey fashion, he did not just complete the job, he dominated. He did not settle for getting by, he established the standard. For his efforts, he was walking out of New York City a champion. As the only man to go 4-for-4 for an aggregate score of 350.80 points, the buckle and $51,807 payday was his. Kimzey was no longer waiting to strike. He arrived and everyone witnessed it.
After the ride, Kimzey flashed his trademark humility with the PBR’s Kate Harrison as he described the impact of his victory as, “my goodness, just looking at this buckle, world’s most famous arena, best sports fans in the entire world here in New York, it’s awesome.”
Retrospect has a way of revealing the true meaning of something. The sold-out crowd at the PBR Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden Presented by Ariat event came to witness greatness. To see the best that humanity has to offer. On Championship Sunday, their pleas were answered. Two men, Brandon Lake and Sage Steele Kimzey, on two distinct journeys delivered. United by a bold declaration to ignore the naysayers and follow their own path, they reached a level of achievement that few will ever touch. Each relishing the spoils of their boundless mentality and tireless determination. Each showcasing the undeniable value of following two simple words, faith and perseverance.
