Celebration Radio KAMB
90 East 16th Street, Merced CA 95340
Office: (209) 723-1015 • 1-800-692-5777 • Fax: (209) 723-1945 • kamb@celebrationradio.com
Studio / Contest Line: 1-877-664-1015
On Celebration Radio KAMB we play songs by Christian artists that encourage listeners to know and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ellie Holcomb – Sounding Joy
Monday, 19 December 2022
As Christmas quickly approaches, the joy of the season sounds aloud through the halls of Celebration Radio. KAMB is looking forward to the new year and all that God has in store for us, but in these last few moments of 2022, we want to highlight an artist that will propel you, your kids, and your grandkids into 2023.
Ellie Holcomb
Ellie is a friendly familiar voice heard regularly on KAMB. Her solo debut, As Sure As The Sun (2014), landed her a Top 10 hit on Christian radio with “The Broken Beautiful” and a GMA Dove Award for “New Artist of the Year.” Since then, she has been hard at work. She has released three full-length albums of music and three children’s books with accompanying (EP) musical projects. Her latest release, Sounding Joy, became available on September 20th this year. (B&H Kids/B&H Publishing Group).
Sounding Joy, is a creative dive into the question; what does joy sound like? The reader travels through a beautiful Christmastime story full of life wonderfully illustrated by Laura Ramos. Christmas is celebrated in a way that only Ellie could do. She encourages each reader, young and old, to lift up their voice and repeat the sounding joy!
Purchase your copy of Ellie’s kid’s book “Sounding Joy” – https://www.ellieholcomb.com/store
Sounding Joy
Ellie keeps a full writing, touring, and performance schedule, while being a wife to fellow musician, Drew Holcomb, and a mom to their three kids. Ellie shared with The Christian Beat,
“My book and album (Sounding Joy) were inspired by the song ‘Joy to the World,’ and it’s an invitation to sing about the hope we have because God put skin on and moved into the neighborhood,”
Ellie Holcomb
She is full of energy and successfully imparts that same energy into this song that will get you dancing through your kitchen as you prepare the Christmas goods and keep you singing long after the dirty dishes are clean and put away in the cupboard.
“Sounding Joy” |Ellie Holcomb|LIVE Acoustic Performance
Lyrics
“Sounding Joy” Written by Nathan Dugger and Ellie Holcomb
What does joy sound like? Is it quiet like snow? Does joy sound like the laughter of friends that you know? Is joy like the sound of a kiss on your cheek Or like holding your breath when you play hide and seek? Maybe joy sounds real loud like a” Hip Hip Hooray!” Or a whispered “I love you” at the end of the day? Well, joy sounds a little like all of these things, But a long time ago joy sounded like wings Sounding joy, joy, joy! If you can imagine, on a dark winter’s night, The sky filled with angels all shining with light And suddenly the shepherds and sheep down below Were surrounded by songs from that heavenly host Glad tidings! Great Joy! We are never alone God sent His Son to make heaven our home So, every Christmas, each girl, and each boy Could lift up their voice and repeat SOUNDING JOY Sounding joy, joy, joy! Sounding joy, joy, joy! So, every Christmas, we string up the lights To remember the way that those angels shone bright And we sing all the songs, and we bang all the drums To remember the day that God sent his Son Glad tidings! Great Joy! We are never alone God sent His Son to make heaven our home So, every Christmas, each girl, and each boy Could lift their voice and repeat SOUNDING JOY Sounding joy, joy, joy! Sounding joy, joy, joy! Sounding joy to the world, the Lord is come
Keep Up With Ellie
Ellie is a great follow @ellieholcomb on Instagram and her website has many resources to encourage your growth and personal walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
View her personal BLOG, DEVOTIONAL CONTENT, and MERCHANDISE (including her “Sounding Joy” project.) https://www.ellieholcomb.com/new-page
You can hear Ellie’s song, Sounding Joy on Celebration Radio when you listen to KAMB in your area or online. Look at all the great Christmas songs playing on the Christmas Festival of Music page.
References:
https://www.ellieholcomb.com/new-page
https://www.breathecast.com/news/ellie-holcomb-set-to-release-a-childrens-christmas-book.html
https://www.thechristianbeat.org/ellie-holcomb-set-to-release-christmas-ep/
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God Made a Way by Brandon Heath and Tasha Layton
Monday, 05 December 2022
As we welcome this Christmas season, KAMB is excited to celebrate Christ’s birth with our listening family. Throughout the next few weeks, you’ll hear covers of traditional Christmas music as well as brand new songs by your favorite artists. One of the latest holiday hits is God Made a Way, a collaboration by Brandon Heath and Tasha Layton.
Brandon Heath and Tasha Layton
Brandon Heath has been a CCM favorite for several years. He initially began writing songs as a teen in Nashville. Around that same time, he also began exploring Christianity and soon came to faith in Christ. Both passions were eventually combined and led him to success in CCM. Heath released his first major album in 2006 and has followed it with several other albums throughout the past 18 years. From them, KAMB listeners will recognize songs like “Give Me Your Eyes”, “Your Love”, “Jesus In Disguise”, and others. With every great album, Heath has also received various music awards including eight Dove Awards, Grammy nominations, and an Emmy. In addition to his individual successes, Heath has also participated in several collaborations with other artists. His most recent work led him to fellow CCM artist, Tasha Layton.
Unlike Heath, Tasha Layton grew up in a Christian home but faced difficulty in her faith after a church split. Her trials prompted her to pursue religious studies in college, eventually leading her back to Christianity. After graduating, Layton moved to California and earned a Master of Divinity degree while working as a worship leader. She also spent a few years exploring her musical talents by auditioning for the ninth season of American Idol and later becoming a back-up vocalist for Katy Perry. In 2019, she made her debut into CCM. Layton’s popularity among listeners rose at a rapid pace as her two later songs— “Into the Sea” and “Look What You’ve Done”—attracted further attention. Thus far, her music has landed high rankings on Christian Billboard charts and a spot as a Top 5 female Christian artist in 2021.
As both Brandon Heath and Tasha Layton continue developing their careers, they also welcome Christmas through their beautiful collaboration God Made a Way.
God Made a Way
God Made a Way is a gentle and heartfelt reminder of exactly what God did for us by sending Jesus. Much like our infant Savior, the song is sweet but powerful in its delivery. Every lyric tells the story of Jesus’ birth and the love God demonstrated through it. Heath starts the song by singing of the birth, while Layton’s first words express a longing to have been there. The pair end the song by voicing a moment of reflection during the present time we live in. God Made a Way reminds us to pause and consider what the true celebration is all about this season. As the artists sing, we are invited to listen and sit in awe of our Savior with them. So much miraculous power and divine grace was swaddled in the tiny bundle of a baby. We were condemned, but our Lord intervened because of His love for us. What a night it must have been, and what a miracle we can grasp onto because God Made a Way.
God Made a Way by Brandon Heath and Tasha Layton (Official Music Video)
Watch the new music video for God Made a Way now by clicking on the link below!
Lyrics
That night when Jesus was born Back two thousand years or so Guess in the grand scheme of time It wasn't really that long ago When Mary laid down Holding onto Joseph It wasn't his child but He believed she was chosen That night when Jesus was born Two thousand years ago When God made a way God made a way A way in a manger God made a way God made a way A way in a manger Wish I could follow the star To that little town of Bethlehem Walk through the fields where those wise men And shepherds watched over him But what would I say, what would I bring What else could I do but just worship my king Wish I could follow the star To that little town of Bethlehem Where God made a way God made a way A way in a manger God made a way God made a way A way in a manger In his infinite love It had to be done He did the impossible And gave up his son Jesus God made a way A way in a manger For God so loved the world And God still loves the world Look at all His hands have made It was God who made a way For God so loved the world And God still loves the world His only son to save It was God who made a way As I sit down in the quiet In the dark of this living room Snow falling outside my window I can't help but think of you That God made a way God made a way A way in a manger There was no other way God made a way A way in a manger
Conclusion
Much of this Christmas season may already be overwhelming you. There are relatives to see, friends to catch up with, meals to prepare, and probably some gifts to exchange. However, as you go about the busyness of the holidays, remember Who this season is about. Enjoy the time you have with loved ones and eat all the food you can handle, but also remember Jesus.
When you turn your radios on over these next few weeks, listen in for God Made a Way. In addition to Brandon Heath and Tasha Layton, you will also hear great music from other artists you love. To find more listening options for KAMB, visit our Ways to Listen and Where to Listen pages.
Related Scriptures
Luke 2:1-20 The story of Jesus’ birth and those who came to visit him.
Isaiah 7:14 One of the prophecies regarding Jesus’ birth.
Genesis 3:15 Another prophecy regarding Jesus’ birth.
Sources
To visit Brandon Heath’s website and discover more about him and his music, click here. To find out more about Tasha Layton, visit her website here.
Blessing Offor and Believe
Monday, 21 November 2022
Throughout the last year, Blessing Offor has become a well-known artist to our listening family here at KAMB. With great hits like “Brighter Days” and “The Goodness”, Blessing Offor has become a joyful voice of praise and hope. As you read about and listen to his latest release, we hope that you will be encouraged and reminded of what it means to Believe.
Blessing Offor
Blessing Offor first came to America as a half-blind, six-year-old immigrant from Nigeria. His parents had lovingly sent him with his uncle hoping that he would receive better medical treatment here. Ironically, it was only a few years later when a water gun accident left him blind in his right eye, as well. Yet, despite his total blindness, Blessing Offor was not dissuaded from pursuing his interests. According to Capitol Christian Music Group, he views his blindness as a gift of heightened attunement to the world around him. In addition to this heightened sense, Blessing Offor “also believes his Nigerian blood and immigrant mentality push him to work harder than any of his peers.”
It is with this sharp determination that Blessing Offor has successfully pursued music. He began playing piano at 9 years old and his talents unfolded from there. As an adult, he traveled to music hubs like New York City and Nashville as he further developed his skills and sound. Eventually, Blessing Offor connected with Chris Tomlin and was the second artist to join his Bowyer and Bow imprint. This partnership further provided opportunities for Blessing Offor to exercise his skills as a singer and songwriter. The latest proof of his amazing and joyful talent being his new song Believe.
Believe
In Believe, Blessing Offor leads listeners through a series of questions that often come with belief. To believe in someone or something involves risk and trusting God can feel like the greatest risk of all. To say we believe God means trusting that His will is better than ours, every time. Rather than shying away from the discomfort that can come with such trust, Blessing Offor leans into it. He turns the questions to God and asks us to sit in that uncomfortable space with him and our Creator. Knowing that it can be easy to stop believing in God’s goodness when it doesn’t match our plans, Blessing challenges us to confront our doubts. Near the end of Believe, he asks, “Do I want you or what you can do for me?… Do I love you or what you can do for me?”
Trusting God is not dependent upon our feelings. We are called to trust Him no matter our circumstances, and Blessing Offor brings us back to this crucial point. He starts with the questions, but he ends with God. Blessing Offor reminds us of what it means to Believe, and he ends by encouraging us to do it.
“So the concept of Believe is this internal, wrestling dialogue almost negotiating because I think we all kinda have these misconceptions of God as, like, this fairy genie that, like, gives us whatever we want and at the end of the day you realize that just ’cause you have faith doesn’t mean life is magic or perfect.”
Blessing Offer, Blessing Offer – Believe (Behind the Scenes)
Believe by Blessing Offor (Official Music Video)
Take a few minutes and listen to Believe now!
Believe by Blessing Offor (Behind the Scenes)
Hear Blessing Offor himself and learn more about Believe by watching this short video below.
Lyrics
So you catch me when I fall, right? And you hear me when I call cryin'? And you fix me when I'm broke, right? And that's all I need to know So the storm is gonna break right? And the sun is gonna start shining And everything is gonna go right And that's all I need to know But what if you know something I don't? What if you will something I won't? If you don't give me what I want But you give me what I need Is that enough to Believe, believe, believe, believe in your love? Will I still Believe, believe, believe, believe in your love? So nothing's ever going wrong, right? And every day I'm gonna be smiling Turned my water into good wine And let the good times roll But what if you know something I don't? What if you will something I won't? If you don't give me what I want But you give me what I need Is that enough to Believe, believe, believe, believe in your love? Will I still Believe, believe, believe, believe in your love? Believe, believe, believe, believe in your love Will I still Believe, believe, believe, believe in your love? Do I want you? Do I want you? Do I want you or what you can do for me? Do I love you? Do I love you? Do I love you or what you can do for me? Sometimes I don't know But all I wanna do is... Believe, believe, believe, believe in your love (yes, I do) Believe, believe, believe (all I wanna do), believe in your love (all I wanna do is believe) Believe, believe, believe (yes, I do), believe in your love (let me believe) Believe, believe, believe, believe in your love (Believe in your love) Believe, believe, believe (oh, let me believe), believe in your love (yes, I believe) Believe, believe, believe (I believe), believe in your love (I believe, I believe) Believe (in your love), believe (in your love), believe (in your love), believe in your love (in your love) Believe, believe, believe, believe in your love
Conclusion
Whether you hear Believe on the radio or through another source, we hope that you will pause and really listen to the lyrics. Sometimes we become so comfortable with our idea of belief that we forget to check whether it matches God’s. As Blessing Offor sings Believe, he addresses the hard things. He asks whether our belief is strong enough to outlive the good feelings when all we can see are valleys. He challenges us to consider what happens when God’s way doesn’t go as we planned. Will we fall back on our own, or will we still trust Him at His Word? Will we walk away from Him, or will we still Believe?
As you go about your week this holiday season, keep your ears open for Believe and other encouraging songs. To find more listening options, artists, and songs at KAMB, visit our Ways to Listen and Where to Listen pages.
Related Scriptures
1 Thessalonians 2:13 Paul encourages the Thessalonians about the manner in which they first believed God’s Word.
1 Timothy 4:10 We continue on because we have put our hope in the Living God.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
There are many more verses throughout the Bible that talk about belief and the life of a believer.
Sources
You can find out more about Blessing Offor and his music by visiting his website. To find out other information, you can also visit the Capitol Christian Music Group article here.