MEET NARADA’S FRIEND, RUSTY WATSON, FEATURED IN “OH HAPPY DAY”

Rusty Watson, Edwin Hawkins Musical Director for 25+ years, is also known for his work as vocal director with Bishop Walter Hawkins’ Love Center Choir.  Rusty leads the beautiful Narada’s Great Gospel Show choir, bringing a divine sound that opens hearts everywhere they play.

DID YOU KNOW?

50 years ago, in a church in the Bay area, Edwin Hawkins recorded “Oh Happy Day” – which has become one of Gospel’s all time favorites.

Today, top Music Producer Narada Michael Walden and Rusty Watson, Edwin Hawkins’ Music Director for 25+ years, join together in the work of honoring this great song on its 50th anniversary. Together, they return to church, with Narada‘s Great Gospel Show, to perfect a beautifully crafted rendition of this popular inspirational song.

The song found its way to the top of Pop Charts then, and has remained in hearts and minds from that day. Narada’s Great Gospel Show presents the song with all the integrity and sincerity of the original recording, offering a bright and exuberant rendition that delivers the Gospel message with clarity and force.

Just as it was 50 years ago, let’s be glad and rejoice in the day that the Lord has made (Psalm 118:24) – “Oh Happy Day!”

Narada Michael Walden on the “Oh Happy Day” Song

Oh Happy Day – The Song History

Oh Happy Day… When He washed my sins away…

Rusty Watson, who served as Edwin Hawkins’ Music Director for more than 25 years, explained that the song, surprisingly, initially found more favor among pop radio than Gospel radio, because of its non-traditional approach, and he says that Edwin Hawkins found himself as the unintentional icon representing the power of great Gospel music.

As recently as 2011, the original version hit #3 on the Billboard Gospel Digital Song Sales chart – speaking to the song’s enduring appeal.

Narada Michael Walden’s 2018 Oh Happy Day Single