‘At The Center of Grace’ featuring Lillian Lilly

By Brinda F. Willis, Ph.D.

JA Contributing Writer

The old adage “good things come to those who wait” is very applicable to the new music video entitled “At The Center of Grace” featuring gospel legend Lillian Lilly.

The music video was released on July 10, 2026. It is available on Lillian Lilly’s Official YouTube Channel and Xpress Music Group’s Official YouTube Channel. 

Since the original release of the song entitled “At the Center of Grace” in January 2024, this song resulted in more than 35,000 streams collectively, radio airplay throughout the United States and abroad, chart placements on Billboard, Mediabase, Cashbox, and Urban Influencer, consideration in the 2025 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards for Best Gospel Performance/Song, and won the 2025 47th Annual Mississippi Gospel Music Awards for Song of the Year by a National Single Artist.

The music video is Lilly’s brainchild. She is the multi-award-winning national gospel recording artist. Best known as the principal vocalist and charter member of the GRAMMY-nominated, Stellar, Dove, and Soul Train Music award-winning Mississippi Mass Choir, this video is another edition to Lilly’s extensive resume. 

The song was written by gospel songwriters Dr. James C. Birdsong Jr., Ph.D. and Shonda L. English. It was most notably performed by veteran Mississippi gospel vocalist Lilly, a founding member and a lead singer of the famed Mississippi Mass Choir. Dr. Birdsong said: “The video has been in the making for two years and has been a labor of love. The Jackson State University Ensemble collaborated on the project during the original filming of the video in April 2024 contributing backup vocals.” 

To celebrate the milestone, Xpress Music Group decided to produce an official music video during tapings in Jackson, Mississippi, with additional storylines. Produced by JB Productions of Madison, Mississippi, the music video is directed by Dr. Birdsong, Miz Tiffany, and Justin M. Burks, a team of nationally known, award-winning figures in the gospel music industry. 

In 2023, Dr. Birdsong founded the Xpress Music Group, a GRAMMY considered award-winning independent gospel record label. He said: “Plans are in the making to record an album with members of my musically accomplished extended family and other artists.” Additionally, Dr. Birdsong founded the Birdsong Association of Broadcasting & Arts, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta, Georgia. This organization provides programs, workshops, seminars, benefit concerts, and mentorships opportunities for youth from K-12 grades to pursue careers in the arts and broadcasting forming partnerships with local school districts and HBCUs.

The Xpress Music Group’s motto is “Proclaiming Gospel Music To The Masses.” The staff includes Dr. Birdsong (President & CEO), Deon Ballard (VP & COO), and Edrica Edwards (A & R Director). Xpress Music Group is located at 3133 Maple Drive, Suite #240 PMB 2404, Atlanta, GA 30305 (Phone: 678-885-7567).