Story Behind Monica Lisa Stevenson's First #1 Hit "I'm Not Ashamed"

Monica Lisa Stevenson's "I'm Not Ashamed," featuring quarter king Paul Porter, tops this week's Billboard Gospel Airplay chart this week. The song finally hit the top spot after spending 21 in the Top 30. "I'm Not Ashamed" is also Stevenson's first #1 Single on Billboard National Gospel Airplay Charts.
"I am overjoyed and thankful for this accomplishment," Stevenson says. "This has been a long and exciting journey over the years to get to this point. I'm even more elated that it happened during my 20th year in music ministry."
Singer-songwriter, VaShawn Mitchell, originally wrote the song for gospel legend, Shirley Caesar. "I've always prayed that God would allow me to write, to produce and to sing songs that can live longer than I will," he says. "I wrote this song with Pastor Caesar in mind, and I offered it to her, but she didn't feel that it was right for her and passed on it."
By chance, Mitchell was in the recording studio one day with Stevenson's engineer husband, Derrick, when Monica's name came up. "VaShawn asked Derrick if Monica was open to some new music and offered them the song. They added Paul Porter and the rest is history," says Stevenson's manager, Ruben Freeman.
The first of quartet singer George Bowen's (The Sensational Gospelaires) six children, Stevenson was raised in Wetumpka, AL and now lives in Atlanta, GA. She and her husband, Derrick, launched the Monicamuzik label in 2009 with the album, Finally...In God's Time. In 2013, she followed up with the project, Live in Atlanta, and Kainos (The Acoustic Documentary) in 2016.
Tags : MONICA LISA STEVENSON MONICA LISA STEVENSON news Monica Lisa Stevenson I'm Not Ashamed Paul Porter vashawn mitchell shirley caesar
Hot Trends
-
Cory Asbury Apologizes to Forrest Frank, Emphasizes Grace and Growth Amid Viral Song Trend
-
Forrest Frank & Crowder Release New Collab “The Rock”
-
Jonathan McReynolds & American Idol Winner Jamal Roberts Release “Still”
-
Chris Rice Maintains Public Silence Following Abuse Allegations; Focuses on Writing and Speaking
-
What We Know About "American Idol" Winner Jamal Roberts' Faith
-
William McDowell Walks Away From Car Crash After Black Bear Encounter
-
Darlene Zschech and CeCe Winans' “Shout To The Lord” Live Video Premieres Today!
-
CAIN and Brooke Ligertwood Release Joyous New Single “Jesus Lifted Me”
-
Comedian John Crist Announces Engagement to Lydia Fielder
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
-
Katy Nichole “Honest Conversations” Album Review
-
Gaither Vocal Band Announces Then Came The Morning DVD & CD — Available August 29
-
Pussycat Doll's Kaya Jones Shares Faith Journey With Debut Christian Album "The Royal Collection"
-
Paul and Hannah McClure “After Your Heart (Live)” Album Review
-
Lysa TerKeurst Remarries Two Years After Divorce
Most Popular
-
Cory Asbury Apologizes to Forrest Frank, Emphasizes Grace and Growth Amid Viral Song Trend
-
Forrest Frank & Crowder Release New Collab “The Rock”
-
Jonathan McReynolds & American Idol Winner Jamal Roberts Release “Still”
-
Chris Rice Maintains Public Silence Following Abuse Allegations; Focuses on Writing and Speaking
-
What We Know About "American Idol" Winner Jamal Roberts' Faith
-
William McDowell Walks Away From Car Crash After Black Bear Encounter
-
Darlene Zschech and CeCe Winans' “Shout To The Lord” Live Video Premieres Today!
-
CAIN and Brooke Ligertwood Release Joyous New Single “Jesus Lifted Me”
-
Comedian John Crist Announces Engagement to Lydia Fielder
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
-
Katy Nichole “Honest Conversations” Album Review
-
Gaither Vocal Band Announces Then Came The Morning DVD & CD — Available August 29
-
Pussycat Doll's Kaya Jones Shares Faith Journey With Debut Christian Album "The Royal Collection"
-
Paul and Hannah McClure “After Your Heart (Live)” Album Review
-
Lysa TerKeurst Remarries Two Years After Divorce