05/26/2025
Xpress Music Group would like to share the following statement from our President & CEO, James C. Birdsong, Jr. as follows:
First and foremost, on behalf of David Robinson, Vice President and COO and D'Mitria Kennard, A&R Director of Xpress Music Group, I would like to personally thank each and everyone of you throughout the United States and abroad for your outpouring of prayers and support. I appreciate it very much. Secondly, we send our heartfelt appreciation to the Gospel music industry at large from award shows to radio stations who supported us in this journey.
This statement is an official update regarding Stellar Award nominated and RIAA certified platinum world-renowned legendary Gospel recording artist, the one and only Lillian Lilly, who recorded the GRAMMY® considered, Billboard chart topping anticipated hit single titled, "At the Center of Grace" written by yours truly and Shonda English on Xpress Music Group. We are also the publishers of the single through BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.).
As the President and CEO of Xpress Music Group, it is my commitment, dedication and obligation as a record label executive who have been blessed to wear numerous hats within and outside the Gospel music industry to stand on accountability, integrity and responsibility for this effort and those who are involved in the collaboration. I am blessed to obtain my academic degrees and certificates in ministry, business, leadership, marketing and organizational administration from accredited universities.
My track record speaks volumes throughout the United States and abroad as documented sources, including in the Congressional Record. I have been on this journey from a professional perspective in the Gospel music industry for almost 30 years. I first began this journey as a 16-year-old high school student at my alma mater, Fairfield High School in Fairfield, California by studying the Gospel music industry through magazine articles and websites along with my family's historic accomplishments in the entertainment arena extending to the Motown era of the 1960s.
After much thought, prayer and counsel, the current and future plans for Lillian's next single along with the planning strategy we had alongside various sources in place for her long awaited solo project by Xpress Music Group will no longer take into effect. This includes marketing and other activities. Unfortunately, due to a situation that occurred, and a decision on our end, the official Facebook artist page of Lillian Lilly will be terminated by Xpress Music Group effectively as of Wednesday, May 28th, 2025.
We made the official decision to focus on the next artists to be announced and further advance our role in the Gospel music industry, including the development of our reach in
the CCM (Christian Contemporary Music) market. While we will not make any comments on this decision, we take our roles at Xpress Music Group very seriously. We are still in our development and growth stages since our establishment in July 2023 as an GRAMMY® considered, Billboard chart topping award winning, national chart topping independent record label in the Gospel music industry.
At the same time, we have to stand on accountability, integrity and responsibility. Xpress Music Group created and monitors Facebook artist pages such as Lillian. We only have the authority and authorization to create and monitor social media accounts of artists who are and will be part of the record label.
Please read the following below:
1. At the Center of Grace is still being charted on the weekly and monthly charts in the Gospel market such as Billboard, Mediabase, Cashbox, Gospel Station, etc. As for the Urban Influencer Gospel Top 30 chart, the highest peak was at no. 4 during the week of January 27th, 2025.
2. The single is still receiving airplay on various radio stations throughout the United States and abroad. The streams are still increasing on various streaming platforms with a total of almost 30,000 collectively.
3. Regarding the concept music video to the single, it is being produced by JB Productions, an award winning, nationally known video production company in Madison, Mississippi founded by Emmy Award winning director and videographer Justin M. Burks.
4. JB Productions have the footage of the scenes we created as a storyline for the concept music video. Due to their production schedule of recent projects, we are waiting for JB Productions to finalize the editing for this production. Our goal is to have the concept music video officially released by the summer of 2025.
5. Xpress Music Group and JB Productions are the owners for the copyrights to the concept music video.
6. As the public is aware, the students at Jackson State University who participated as the JSU Ensemble provided the background vocals for Lillian at Christ Tabernacle Church in Jackson, Mississippi. While some of the students have already graduated with their degrees, we already informed our sources at the Jackson State University Department of Music the concept music video is still in the production stages of being finalized. They are highly aware and the students will be notified once the editing stages are completed. We will continue to fulfill our obligation to the students and the university.
7. All updates regarding the official release of the concept music video will be announced at Xpress Music Group's official page. Please follow, like and share our page.
8. The music video will be posted on Lillian's official YouTube artist channel, JB Productions official YouTube channel and the upcoming official YouTube channel of Xpress Music Group. The links will be provided at the Xpress Music Group official page.
9. Xpress Music Group's official website is still in the development stages. There will be an announcement of the website launch in the upcoming weeks.
10. The single will still be mentioned on the website as part of Xpress Music Group's music catalog.
Again, we appreciate your support, time and understanding. As I already mentioned, Xpress Music Group will now focus on the next artists to be announced and the advancement of their careers.
Out of respect for this decision, please do not submit any messages via messenger on this page. There will not be any responses to the matter. Xpress Music Group now has legal representation by an established entertainment attorney.
We extend our best of wishes to Lillian and her family. Thank you so much for supporting us in this journey. Remember, we are proclaiming Gospel music to the masses. May God continue to bless you.
Sincerely,
James C. Birdsong, Jr., Ph.D.
President & CEO
Xpress Music Group, Inc.
The Official Facebook Account of
Xpress Music Group
GRAMMY® Considered/Award Winning Billboard/Mediabase Charting Label
Motto: Proclaiming Gospel Music to the Masses
