The son of a mortician and a school teacher, Lenker was born in 1976 in Twin Falls, Idaho, and now resides in Nashville, Tennessee.

[1][2] As a high school student in Twin Falls, Idaho, Lenker fronted the alt-rock band Clockwork Orange.

While still touring with The Barbed Wire Cutters, Lenker began recording solo work, including the albums First Takes (2001), The Ghost of Whiteboy (2002) and Bellingham (2003).

In 2018, Lenker launched the web series Morse Code about a struggling musician trying to balance his personal and professional life.

[11] In 2006, Lenker won second place in the country category during the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest with his song "Handful of Dice.

"[12] In 2007, Lenker took first place in the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest in the gospel category with his song "Blessed Be That Day.