By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
(December 14, 2024 8:00 AM ET) Two years ago Grass Lake High School student-athlete Brayden Lape had a decision to make.
He could either move to Nashville and pursue a country music career or remain in Grass Lake and continue his high school sports schedule.
After finishing fifth on NBC’s singing show “The Voice” and creating a national audience, Lape chose Grass Lake, his friends and family, and high school sports.
“I have always been a small-town kid who enjoys hunting, fishing, and being with my friends,” Lape said recently. “I could not see myself as someone that I was not.
“I love playing high school sports … you only get to do it once in your lifetime.”
The senior now has his career mapped out as he prepares to graduate from Grass Lake just over five month from now.
He expects to finish in the top three in his class with a 4.24 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale). He has signed to play football at Northwood University in Midland and wants to study business, pursuing a music career after college.
“I looked up country artists who played college football (Riley Green and Chase Rice) so it is doable,” Lape said. “Corey Kent told me don’t try to push your music career too fast … there is always going to be some form of music in your life.”
Lape said going to college, playing football, and meeting people from all over the country gives him a chance to experience life.
“I can write about these topics and have all these stories to tell,” Lape said. “People love real life (songs) they can relate to.”
Lape finished fifth in “The Voice” two years ago and went from a singer playing at flea markets in the Grass Lake area to a recognizable figure in country music. Spurred on by his mother, Kari, he began playing small venues around the area after discovering his love for music.
He spent most of his summer in 2022 chasing the dream on The Voice. Lape said people do not realize each of the levels – Blinds, Battles, and Knockouts – take three weeks apiece.
“Everything is prerecorded in sets that are just big warehouses over thousands of acres at NBC,” Lape said. “The live show is just what you got.”
Lape has continued his music career playing at a number of venues throughout the years and creating singles and videos for the songs. Locals will recognize a number of Grass Lake athletes in the video “Be a Man” which was produced in the area by Simon Steggall-Lewis.
“He has done so much for me,” Lape said of the Shot by Simon producer. “I just wrote down what we were going to do and where we were going to do it and started calling my friends.
“The video was shot at my friend’s farm and around Grass Lake.”
Lape said he has a couple of songs ready to produce – calling them some of the best he has written – and expects to go to Nashville in the near future.
Before the music career blossoms, Lape plans to graduate from Grass Lake High School with his friends and pursue college football – his passion since he was young.
The Warriors finished the season at 6-3 but missed the Michigan High School Athletic Association playoffs. Lape threw for a school record 2,536 yards with 32 touchdown passes. He accounted for nearly 3,000 yards of offense in 2024 finishing sixth in the state in passing yards – just ahead of U of M prize recruit Bryce Underwood.
Early season losses to Michigan Center, Napoleon, and Hanover-Horton spurred the Warriors on the remainder of the season.
“At that point, we knew if we lost (one more game) we were done for sure (not making the playoffs),” Lape said. “We flipped the switch after losing three games and realized we were only going to have a few more high school games left.
“Those were fun times with friends that you can never get back.”
Grass Lake went on to defeat Manchester and Leslie – two undefeated teams at the time – to end the season.
Lape has committed to Northwood University saying the coaching staff and facilities helped in his decision. With the college portal and all of the crazy things going on in NCAA athletics, Lape said you have to “go somewhere people love you.”
Lape also plays basketball and baseball for the Warriors. Last year he sprained his UCL – an elbow problem – at a baseball camp. He played first and third base and was the designated hitter in a few games.
“It was different not having the game in your hand (as a pitcher),” Lape said. “I learned some things about trying to play your role and supporting the team no matter what.”
He expects to be on the mound this spring.
Now with his career path in motion, he has a bright future ahead.
“Being able to play college football and see where I end up is exciting,” Lape said. “After college I plan to try the music thing and see where it goes.
“I will always have a business degree to fall back on.”
