Christian
Shontelle Norman-Beatty Tops Gospel Airplay Chart With Debut Single ‘Jesus Will Fix It’
“Having a No. 1 record is an amazing feeling,” Norman-Beatty, who began singing at age 2, tells Billboard. “The past few years have been challenging. From battling and overcoming the coronavirus to losing my mom and my brother, both to COVID-19, life has been difficult. Despite all the things that I have been through, God has been good to me.” Norman-Beatty scores the second rookie No. 1 on Gospel Airplay within three weeks. On the chart dated Aug. 21, Melvin Crispell, III reigned with “Wonderful Is Your Name.” Until this week, the last time a woman and no accompanying artists topped Gospel Airplay in a first visit to the chart was in May 2020 when Nia Allen’s “Wait (2020)” led for a week. ‘HOUSE’ MUSIC Phil Wickham earns hi...
Anne Wilson Tops Christian Airplay With ‘My Jesus’
Among all No. 1s by acts with their first charted titles on Christian Airplay, “My Jesus” is the first since “Rise Up” (Lazarus)” by trio Cain, which began a four-week stay in the penthouse last December. As for women in all billings, Wilson is the first to rule Christian Airplay on a first try since Vanessa Campagna led in a featured role on Michael W. Smith’s “Waymaker” for three weeks in May 2020. (Also notably, Hillary Scott & the Scott Family’s debut entry “Thy Will” led Christian Airplay for three frames in 2016. The group’s frontwoman is one of the members of threesome Lady A, a country chart staple since 2007.) “My Jesus” concurrently tops the multi-metric Hot Christian Songs chart f...
Melvin Crispell III Tops Gospel Airplay Chart With Song Written by His Dad Nearly 30 Years Ago
“Of course it is incredible to top the charts, an absolutely surreal experience. But to do so with a song that my father wrote nearly 30 years ago is something truly remarkable,” Crispell III tells Billboard. “I am just 24, which means it was written before I was born. “To have the opportunity to share it with the world, and it be a hit, speaks to how timeless his writing is,” he muses. “I am honored to carry on the legacy. I pray that I make him, and everyone who has supported me, proud.” Based in Charlotte, N.C., Crispell III won BET’s talent show Sunday Best in 2019. “Wonderful” is the first single from Crispell III’s debut LP I’ve Got a Testimony, which bowed and peaked at No. 5 on Top Gospel Albums in September 20...
Cain & VaShawn Mitchell Add Latest No. 1s on Faith-Based Airplay Charts
“Yes He Can” was written by the Nashville-based act, which comprises Logan, Madison and Taylor Cain, with Jeff Pardo.Both No. 1s are from Cain’s first full-length, Rise Up, which opened at its No. 20 high on Top Christian Albums in May. Cain also released a cover of Kenny Loggins’ 1977 track “Celebrate Me Home” as a holiday single. It peaked at No. 10 after debuting in December, marking the group’s second of three Christian Airplay top 10s so far. Mitchell ‘Lifted Up’ to No. 1: Over on Gospel Airplay, VaShawn Mitchell rolls up his third No. 1 with “Lifted Up.” The track, which the Chicago native wrote solo, follows his prior leaders “Joy” (No. 1 for seven weeks in 2017) and “Nobody Greater” (nine, 201...
Andy Williams, Former Casting Crowns Drummer, Dies After Motorcycle Accident
“We can’t thank you enough for your prayers, support, and unending love,” the post said. “You have walked with us through this very difficult journey and we felt you there the entire way. We love you so much and we thank you for the support. At this time the family has requested that you respect their time together and allow them to receive some much needed rest. Please hold off on reaching out with texts and phone calls for a few days.” Casting Crowns first told fans of Williams’ accident on June 27, when they wrote, “Our friend & former drummer, Andy Williams, was in a motorcycle accident this morning and really need your prayers!” On Friday, the group posted a video of Williams drumming as a tribute to their late bandmate. “We love you...
For King & Country Continues Record No. 1 Streak on Christian Airplay Chart With ‘Amen’
The duo links its sixth straight leader and ninth total. For King & Country, the duo of brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, scores its ninth No. 1 on Billboard‘s Christian Airplay chart, as “Amen” ascends to the top of the July 3-dated survey. It’s also the twosome’s record-extending sixth consecutive No. 1 promoted as a proper single. “Amen,” which the pair penned with Matt Hales and Seth Mosley, follows “O Come O Come Emmanuel” (featuring NEEDTOBREATHE), which led for two weeks starting in December; “Together,” with Kirk Franklin and Tori Kelly (five weeks, beginning in August 2020); “Burn the Ships” (five, starting in January 2020); “God Only Knows” (10, beginning in April 2019); and “...
Man arrested for ‘beheading’ woman in Calabar
A young man identified as Christian Edem Eyo in Mbukpa, Calabar South, is reported to have beheaded one of his aunts, identified as Mrs Uduak. Checks indicated that the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when the deceased, who was a neighbour to Christain, left her apartment to take her bath outside. Apparently not aware that she was being watched, as she approached the make-shift bathroom outside, Christain accosted her and hacked her down with a big stick and later cut off her head. According to other neighbours, the incident happened at about 5:00 am when Mrs Uduak left her apartment. A witness identified as Grace, who is a worshipper at an adjoining church which was having an all-night prayer service, said that she observed the young man burying a headless body. Grace sa...
Governor Ortom: No Grazing Routes in Benue
Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, has vowed the State will never cede a piece of land as grazing routes. In his funeral oration at the burial of Pa Daniel Akange Ape in Tse Ape, Mbaikyurav-Yar, Mbayegh, Ushongo Local Government Area at the weekend, Ortom said there is no grazing reserve or cattle routes in Benue. He said the anti-open grazing law in Benue State is in force and anyone who contravenes it would be arrested and prosecuted. He advised the people of Benue State to use legal means to defend themselves as they have cried enough. “We have cried enough, now it’s time to defend ourselves; we have talked too much and we are not talking again. “Get yourself bow and arrow. If they attack you come out of your house. You don’t need a license to own a cutlass stand up and defend your...
Euro 2020: Jose Mourinho ‘prayed’ and ‘cried’ after Eriksen collapsed
Jose Mourinho revealed he “prayed” and “cried” for Christian Eriksen after the Denmark star collapsed during Saturday’s Euro 2020 clash against Finland. Inter midfielder Eriksen suffered cardiac arrest when collapsing on the pitch before being resuscitated, Denmark’s team doctor Morten Boesen said. Eriksen was given CPR by medics in the first half of the Group B match after falling to the ground with no other player around him – the fixture was originally suspended, but the former Tottenham star was later confirmed to be “awake” and the game resumed a little under two hours later, with Finland winning 1-0 in Copenhagen. Ex-Tottenham head coach Mourinho spent time with Eriksen prior to the Denmark international’s move to Inter in 2020 and the Roma-bound boss said he was reduced to tears. “I...
Denmark give fresh update on Christian Eriksen following collapse in Euro 2020 opener
Denmark have given a fresh update on Christian Eriksen’s condition following his collapse in their Euro 2020 opener. Eriksen fell to the turf in the first half of Denmark’s Group B clash with Ukraine at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on Saturday afternoon, and subsequently needed emergency medical treatment. The match was suspended after the midfielder was removed from the stadium on a stretcher and sent to hospital, where he was later revealed to be awake and in a stable physical state. The Danish Football Association (DBU) have now released a statement confirming that Eriksen will remain hospitalised to undergo more tests, but he has been in contact with the national team staff and his team-mates. “This morning we have spoken to Christian Eriksen, who has sent his greetings to his team...
Danish director: Christian Eriksen spoke to Denmark players after on-field collapse
Christian Eriksen managed to speak to his Denmark team-mates from hospital after his on-field collapse, according to Danish FU (Football Union) director of football Peter Moller. Eriksen was stabilised in hospital after collapsing in the first half of Denmark’s Euro 2020 encounter with Finland in Copenhagen. The playmaker required extensive on-pitch treatment and the match was suspended after he was taken off on a stretcher, before it was resumed more than 90 minutes later. “He collapsed and got help and heart treatment on the field,” Moller told DR. “He was fortunately awake when he left the stadium. “We have been in contact with him, and the players have spoken with Christian. That’s the good news. He is doing well and they are playing the match for Christian. “Our thoughts are with Chri...
Ebonyi governor urges residents to ignore IPOB’s sit-at-home order
Ebonyi State governor David Umahi has urged the people of the state to ignore the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and go about their normal activities. He stated this on Saturday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital. He said: “I have been getting voices from certain agitators that tomorrow there will be no movement, this is foolishness. If there is no movement in the southeast, is there no movement in the whole country? What an Ebonyi man will never accept is to go into second slavery under any guise. “We know the Biafra we need is to have enough money so that we cleanse up the toga of the slavery that our brothers and sisters subjected us into when we were under what they want us to be under. “We need money, if you love Ebonyi state, bring money, come up and put ...
