Lena Byrd Miles Lands First Gospel Airplay No. 1 With ‘WOW (Walk on Water)’

Singer-songwriter Lena Byrd Miles notches her first leader on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart as “WOW (Walk on Water)” climbs to No. 1 on the survey dated May 6. The song increased by 7% in plays in the tracking week ending April 27, according to Luminate.

Miles, who grew up in San Leandro, Calif., and was raised in Oakland, co-authored the song with Warryn Campbell (who also produced it) and Eric Dawkins.

“Wow unto ‘WOW,’” marveled Miles after hearing the news of her first leader on any Billboard chart. “I’m just tickled pink that it’s No. 1, and over-the-moon happy about it. God has blown my mind once again. I just have to say ‘thank you’ to all of my supporters.”

“WOW” is from Miles’ rookie album, Brand New, which was released last October.

“WOW” is Miles’ third Gospel Airplay entry. It follows “This Is the Day,” which reached No. 23 in September 2019, and her featured turn on Jason McGee & The Choir’s “Promises,” which climbed to No. 11 that February.

Prior to launching her solo career, Miles worked with other gospel artists such as Tye Tribbett, Lalah Hathaway, Deitrick Haddon and Dorinda.

Winans’ ‘Worthy’ in Top 10

On Billboard’s streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Gospel Songs chart, CeCe Winans’ “Worthy of It All” ascends 11-10. The song becomes her sixth solo top 10 on the tally, with four earned this decade. (She also boasts two top 10s, logged in 2009-10, as a duo partner with brother CeCe Winans.)

tobyMac Within One of Record

On Billboard’s multi-metric Hot Christian Songs chart, tobyMac adds his 28th top 10 as “Cornerstone,” featuring Zach Williams, jumps 14-8. The song also leaps 9-5 on Christian Airplay (4.7 million in audience, up 14%).

tobyMac moves to within one of the record for the most top 10s since Hot Christian Songs began in 2003. Casting Crowns, MercyMe and Chris Tomlin have tallied 29 each.

Williams, meanwhile, adds his eighth top 10 on the chart.