Josh Baldwin rolls up his first chart-topper on Billboard’s Christian AC Airplay chart (dated Sept. 14) as “Made for More,” featuring Jenn Johnson, ascends a spot to No. 1. Johnson also earns her first leader on the list.
The single increased by 3% in plays Aug. 23-29, according to Luminate. Baldwin wrote it with Jessie Early, Jonathan Smith and Blake Wiggins. It’s from Baldwin’s same-named live album, released in April.
“It’s been so special for me to watch people connect with ‘Made for More,’” Baldwin tells Billboard. “Going on the road and hearing people declare these lyrics of identity and purpose over their lives has given me a fresh perspective of the impact that songs can have.”
Baldwin and Johnson are both members of the Bethel Music worship collective based in Redding, Calif. Johnson is one of the co-founders of the act, which launched in 2001, while Baldwin joined in 2014.
For Baldwin as a solo artist, “Made for More” follows his duet with David Leonard, “Every Hour,” which climbed to No. 17 on Christian AC Airplay last September, and “There Is Freedom,” which hit No. 21 in November 2022. Baldwin, based in Thompson’s Station, Tenn., logged his first of seven entries with the No. 2-peaking “Stand in Your Love,” his first of three top 10s, in February 2019. He has also hit the top 10 with “Evidence” (No. 6, February 2021).
Johnson has banked one additional top 10, also a feature, on Tauren Wells’ “Famous For (I Believe),” which hit No. 2 in December 2020.
Meanwhile, Bethel Music has scored one No. 1, for two weeks in August 2019: “Raise a Hallelujah,” with Jonathan David Helser and Melissa Helser.
Brown Goes ‘Up Up Up’ to No. 1
Anthony Brown scores his sixth Gospel Airplay leader and his fifth in succession as “Up Up Up,” with his backing choir, Group Therapy, rises 3-1. The song, which Brown solely wrote, gained by 8% in plays during the tracking week. (It was originally released by Brown featuring Zach Savage on Brown’s 2023 album Affirmations; the version by Brown and group therAPy is the one being promoted to radio.)
Brown and Group Therapy’s active streak of Gospel Airplay leaders began with “Blessings on Blessings,” which dominated for three weeks in September 2019. It was followed by “This Week” (two, July-August 2020), “Help!” (one week, August 2021) and “Speak Your Name” (one, November 2023). They first led with “Worth,” which began a 24-week command in September 2015.
Brown is one more consecutive leader from tying Todd Dulaney and Jonathan McReynolds, who share the longest active and career streak with six No. 1s in a row each.
