Katy Nichole’s ‘In Jesus Name’ Crowns Christian Airplay: ‘I Am Amazed by the Impact That This Song Is Having’
Plus, E. Dewey Smith earns his first Gospel Airplay No. 1 with “Your Presence Is a Gift.”
Katy Nichole
Hannah Burton*
Singer-songwriter Katy Nichole, 21, from Mesa, Ariz., lands her first No. 1 on Billboard‘s Christian Airplay survey (dated April 30), with her maiden single, “In Jesus Name (God of Possible).”
In the tracking week ending April 24, the song drew 7.7 million audience impressions, according to Luminate, formerly MRC Data. Making history, “Name” reaches the Christian Airplay penthouse in its 12th week, completing the quickest jaunt to No. 1 for a female artist’s first entry in the chart’s 19-year history.
The song also logs the fastest flight to No. 1 for any non-holiday track since Lauren Daigle’s crossover smash “You Say” reigned for its first of 17 weeks in September 2018, wrapping a nine-week trip to the top.
Notably, Nichole and Daigle are label mates on Franklin, Tenn.-based Centricity Music.
“I am amazed by the impact that this song is having on so many, and incredibly grateful that radio has been supporting it, as well,” Nichole tells Billboard. “I am so in awe of everything that God has done and everything He’s doing.”
The coronation for “In Jesus Name (God of Possible),” follows health struggles that Nichole has endured. “With this song, I want people to know that God is a God of healing,” she says. “For three years, I was in excruciating pain every single day. When I received my X-rays after surgery to remove rods that had been placed in my back to correct my scoliosis, my spine was actually straighter than when the rods had been in it.
“So, when I say that God can do miracles, I mean it, because I’ve seen it. I believe in the power of prayer.”
“Name” becomes the first rookie single to top Christian Airplay since Anne Wilson’s “My Jesus” began a six-week domination last August.
Nichole co-wrote “Name” with Ethan Hulse, Jeff Pardo – who produced it solo – and David Spencer. Concurrently, “Name” tops the multi-metric Hot Christian Songs chart for a sixth week, having first reigned in March. It drew 2.7 million official U.S. streams (up 9%) in the week ending Aug. 21. It also sold 2,800 downloads and leads Christian Digital Song Sales for an 11th week.
SMITH’S FIRST NO. 1 E. Dewey Smith’s “Your Presence Is a Gift” rises to No. 1 on Gospel Airplay, increasing by 9% in plays.
The song is the launch single for Smith, who is based in Macon, Ga., and serves as senior pastor and teacher at The House of Hope Atlanta.
“Gift” marks the third debut entry by an act in a lead role to top Gospel Airplay in 2022, following Dante Bowe’s “Joyful,” which led for a week in February, and Karima’s “Redeemer,” which ruled for two frames in January.
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