TobyMac & Zach Williams’ ‘Cornerstone’ Climbs to No. 1 on Christian Airplay Chart
Written by djfrosty on July 11, 2023
TobyMac’s “Cornerstone” featuring Zach Williams rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart (dated July 15). The song drew 6.7 million audience impressions in the week ending July 6, according to Luminate. It’s the former’s 12th No. 1 on the survey and the latter’s fifth.
TobyMac (real name Toby McKeehan) co-authored the hit with Brian Fowler and Micah Kuiper. It’s from TobyMac’s album Life After Death, which arrived at the Top Christian Albums summit last September, becoming his sixth No. 1.
“When a song that begins in your heart is released as a radio single, then becomes a No. 1 hit, it is truly a special moment for an artist,” TobyMac tells Billboard. “Believe me, it takes teamwork. I am grateful for the people I get to work with every day. ‘Cornerstone’ is a song about what promises we choose to build our lives on, the ones this world has to offer, or the promises of God. I once saw a quote that read, ‘Until we have learned to be satisfied with fellowship with God, we will be restless with our place in the world.’ I am so thankful this song is resonating with listeners because I know there is hope in the lyric. Big shout-out to Zach Williams for collaborating and bringing the powerhouse vocals to take it home.”
TobyMac tops Christian Airplay for the first time since “The Goodness” featuring Blessing Offor dominated for three frames starting in September 2022. He first reigned with “Made to Love” for nine weeks beginning in December 2006.
As TobyMac banks his 12th Christian Airplay No. 1, he ties Jeremy Camp and Matthew West for the most among soloists over the chart’s 20-year history. Overall, only MercyMe (18) and For King & Country (13) have more No. 1s.
Williams had last led Christian Airplay with “Less Like Me,” which was No. 1 for a week in May 2021. He has a second song on the July 15-dated ranking, “Sunday’s Comin’,” at No. 25 (1.2 million).