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Amy Grant returns; Tasha’s short film

Today, we shared news about Amy Grant’s new album and Tasha Layton’s short film for ‘Meet Me in the Valley’ from our friends at JesusFreakHideout.com.

On Friday, May 8th, 6-time Grammy Award-winning artist and Christian music legend Amy Grant released her brand-new album, The Me That Remains. The project marks her first collection of all-original songs in nearly 13 years and offers a deeply personal reflection from an artist approaching 50 years in her groundbreaking career. To celebrate the album’s release, The Museum of Christian & Gospel Music will host a special Amy Grant Pop-Up Exhibit featuring original mixed-media artwork by Wayne Brezinka created for the album cover. Inspired by themes of memory and restoration, the piece incorporates meaningful items from Grant’s life, including fragments of a treasured quilt, seashells from her collection, her childhood Bible, and an article about her grandfather. I (Brock Hankins) actually listened to a few songs from the record, and my favorite by far was The 6th of January (Yasgur’s Farm). It’s a track that evokes nostalgia, as well as reflects the grief that comes with growing older! Definitely check out the album if you’re interested!

Additionally, triple-threat singer-songwriter, author, and worship leader Tasha Layton is inviting audiences into one of the most personal seasons of her life with the premiere of a new short film inspired by her latest single, “Meet Me In The Valley.” The film offers an intimate look at Layton’s journey into stillness, surrender, and spiritual renewal as she stepped away from the noise of everyday life to seek a deeper connection with God. Earlier this year, Layton spent three days alone in Death Valley National Park, home to the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. What began as a personal retreat became a transformative experience marked by reflection, healing, and renewed faith. The 30-minute film captures the raw moments and revelations from her time in the desert, bringing to life the heart behind her current radio single. The short film is free to view on YouTube, so definitely check it out if you’re interested!

Ask me why I’m smiling

Ask me why I’m free

Ask me why there’s joy, joy, joy inside of me

My heart has found its reason

To wake up every day

So ask me why I’m smiling

And this is what I’ll say

It’s a stumper for another week!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive,

  • Joe & Brock

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The NZ Top 10 for May 8th, 2026

Here is this week’s countdown!

10. For KING + COUNTRY ft. Taylor Hill – World On Fire

09. Katy Nichole – Have Your Way

08. Andrew Ripp – I’d Do It Again

07. ELEVATION RHYTHM – WASHED

06. Caleb & John – Finished

05. Blessing Offor – Lift Me Up

04. Matthew West – Good

03. MercyMe – Make It Well

02. Phil Wickham – Homesick For Heaven

01. Peter Burton – Where Would I Be (3rd week at #1)

Take a look at Peter Burton’s music video for his first ever #1 hit, Where Would I Be!

New Music This Week

We Are Messengers – Faith Hope Love

Awakening Events has a massive announcement coming this Tuesday, May 12 involving many of your favorite WNZR artists!

Can you figure out which artists’ silhouettes are on this post? Let us know in the comments!

Tune in Monday with Joe and Gabriella for Monday Motivation!

Thank you for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

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The Wild Ones?

The Wild One was a 1953 film starring Marlon Brando that focused on a rebellious motorcycle gang. When Brando’s character was asked what they were rebelling against, he answered, “what do you got?” Put simply, the rebellion was the point.

Author Mike Wittmer reminds us that Israel had the same problem in the book of Jeremiah – they were stubborn in their worship of idols. Again, rebellion was the point.
But the good news? God’s love is stronger than our rebellion, even when it’s open. “Return, faithless Israel,” God calls to them. He asks them to acknowledge their guilt.

Jesus died for rebels just like us. He always leaves the door open for our return! Praise God for that.

Michelle from Mount Vernon guessed correctly!! She wins a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Tyler from Mount Vernon won our tickets today for Sunday’s matinee – congratulations!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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What a Time to be Alive!!

On this week’s Who Knew Wednesday we talked about National Nurses Day and National No Diet Day. Plus we did our Who Am I trivia and gave away tickets for MTVarts To Kill a Mockingbird! Here’s what we talked about:

WHO KNEW FACT CHECK– National Nurses Day is the first day of National Nursing Week, which concludes on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. 

National Nurses Day– In the U.S., nurses outnumber doctors roughly three-to-one

 

National No Diet Day. Mary Evans Young created the day after struggling with her own body image and witnessing others experience similar issues. She is also the director of the British anti-diet group, “Diet Breakers”. 

Who Knew Fact Check: National no diet day isn’t picked on a random day. It’s on the founder’s birthday.

  

MTVarts are presenting To Kill A Mockingbird Friday May 8th 7:30pm – 9:30pm at the Woodward Opera House, 107 S Main St, Mt Vernon, OH 43050. It is a school performance, but it does contain language, violence, and racism. It is important and relevant, but it can be emotionally intense and may not be suitable for younger viewers. Tune in during The Morning Thing and Afternoon Drive to win tickets! Tomorrow is the LAST DAY to win tickets!! Congratulations to Ben of Mount Vernon for taking home a pair of tickets!

WHO AM I? 

  1. I was born on May 6, 1961, in Lexington, Kentucky, and I grew up in a family involved in television and entertainment. 
  1. I got my big break playing Dr. Doug Ross on the TV show ER, which helped launch my acting career. 
  1. I’ve starred in movies like Ocean’s Eleven, Gravity, and Michael Clayton, earning several awards along the way. 
  1. I’ve also worked as a director and producer, including directing films like Good Night, and Good Luck. 
  1. Outside of acting, I’m involved in humanitarian work and co-founded organizations to raise awareness about global issues like human rights. 

I am…George Clooney!! Congratulations to Linda of Mount Vernon for guessing correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Resturant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for Praise Thursday with Joe and Gabriella!

Thanks to much for listening!

– Joe and Gabriella 🙂

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Seph Schlueter Hits RIAA Platinum Certification!

Seph Schlueter debuted to radio in a smashing success with his song Counting My Blessings, which peaked at #1 on The NZ Top 10 for a number of weeks!

Even after it’s time on the charts, Seph’s song reached another accomplishment, recently becoming RIAA Platinum certified! What this means is that this song has sold or downloaded 1 million units, an achievement that doesn’t happen often.

Not only that, Seph’s first three singles, Counting My Blessings, Running Back To You, and Won’t Start Now all hit #1 after their release, making Seph the first artist since the 90s to reach this feat.

In the image shown above, Seph is shown to be presented with three plaques, celebrating the success of all three songs.

Seph now has released his fourth single, Valley Of Worship. Will he hit a fourth number 1?

For more information, click here!

Listen to Seph’s current single, Valley Of Worship, here!

Here are this week’s Song Poetry lyrics!

Ask me why I’m smiling
Ask me why I’m free
Ask me why there’s joy, joy, joy inside of me
My heart has found its reason
To wake up every day
So ask me why I’m smiling
And this is what I’ll say

This week’s Song Poetry is a stumper! That means next week, these same lyrics will be worth two $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica. Make sure you tune in at 5:15PM on Tuesday next week on The Afternoon Drive!

Tune in on Wednesday for some Who Knew? fun facts for Who Knew? Wednesday, and another chance to win a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica with a game of Who Am I?!

Thank you for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

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Choose humility!!

On this week’s Monday Motivation we gave inspiration tied into scripture and did a fun a giveaway! Plus, we did our family feud style question for Mystery Monday! Here’s what we talked about:

Gabriella’s Motivation: It’s easy to get anxious and fearful when we hear about the news. I use the “Pour Over” app to get my news because it gives the news in a general format and then gives you a prayer you can say at the end. In Philippians 2:3-8 calls Christians to adopt the humble, selfless mindset of Jesus Christ by valuing others above themselves, avoiding selfish ambition, and serving others even at personal cost. It presents Jesus’ incarnation and crucifixion as the ultimate example of humility—giving up divine privilege to serve

Joe’s Motivation: Marcy and I lost our brother in law over the weekend. This year has been filled with so much lost and it’s just getting harder to grieve. We are human and we are supposed to love and care about others. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV) instructs believers not to grieve over deceased Christians like those without hope, as death is temporary “sleep”. It promises that because Jesus died and rose again, God will bring with Jesus those who have died when He returns. So, do not worry you will see them again.

MTVarts are presenting To Kill A Mockingbird Friday May 8th 7:30pm – 9:30pm at the Woodward Opera House, 107 S Main St, Mt Vernon, OH 43050. It is a school performance, but it does contain language, violence, and racism. It is important and relevant, but it can be emotionally intense and may not be suitable for younger viewers. Tune in during The Morning Thing and Afternoon Drive to win tickets! Congratulations to Laura of Mount Vernon for taking home a pair of tickets!

Name a bird that would make a disgusting meal. 

1 – Crow (15) 

2 – Vulture (14) 

T3 – Buzzard (13)/Pigeon (13) 

5 – Seagull (7) 

T6 – Penguin/Parrot/Parakeet (5) 

Congratulations to Eric of Fredericktown for guessing the top two answers correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in tomorrow for Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday with Ethan and Xander!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Joe and Gabriella 🙂

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The NZ Top 10 for May 01, 2026!

Here is the first NZ Top 10 countdown for the month of May!

10. TobyMac – Heaven On My Mind

09. ELEVATION RHYTHM – WASHED

08. Katy Nichole – Have Your Way

07. Caleb & John – Finished

06. Matthew West – Good

05. For KING + COUNTRY ft. Taylor Hill – World On Fire

04. Blessing Offor – Lift Me Up

03. MercyMe – Make It Well

02. Phil Wickham – Homesick For Heaven

01. Peter Burton – Where Would I Be (2nd week at #1)

Take a look at Peter Burton’s music video for his first ever #1 hit, Where Would I Be!

New Music This Week

Holly Brand – I Know Somebody

Holly is a brand new artist on WNZR! We got to talk with her today on The Afternoon Drive.

Listen to our full conversation and get to know Holly Brand here!

Tune in Monday with Joe and Gabriella for Monday Motivation!

Thank you for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

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Introducing New WNZR Artist Holly Brand!

In today’s conversation, you get to know WNZR’s latest brand new artist, Holly Brand! You’ll hear her on WNZR’s airwaves with her debut single I Know Somebody, reaching out to those facing loss, disappointment, and diagnosis.

Listen to our full conversation with Holly Brand here!

Learn more about Holly Brand:

(From hollybrandmusic.com)

Born and raised in Meridian, Mississippi, Holly Brand has always had a heart for telling meaningful stories through music that point people to Jesus. As the daughter of a former minister of music, she felt a calling to weave music and faith from an early age. Her music journey started with her singing in a small country church and has since seen her open for Blake Shelton at the age of 10, and, most recently, sign her first recording and publishing contract with Integrity Music in Nashville. 

Drawing from her roots, Brand infuses modern country melodies with powerful faith inspired lyrics to craft a sound that’s new and unique. Now based in Nashville, TN with her husband, she’s been writing and refining songs for her debut project, collaborating with some of the industry’s top writers and producers, and sharing her heart on stages across the country.

Learn more HERE!

Listen to Holly Brand’s debut single I Know Somebody:

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Faithful in Prayers!!

Today on Praise Thursday we gave devotions and talked about updates on our website wnzr.fm! Plus, we played Name That Tune in the 2nd hour! Here’s what we talked about:

Brook Abella’s Devotion: On Monday during chapel the speaker said something I wasn’t so sure about. I spent days trying to figure out what the truth was and as it turns out the speaker wasn’t far off from the truth. I challenge you to dive into the word of God and take note on what is being said especially geographically. I think God likes to see his kiddos diving into his word and being curious!

Gabriella’s Devotion: As Karen was cleaning out her great grandma’s house she found a prayer book. The apostle Paul wrote to the early church, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). In his letter he talked about having others pray to God for him. Prayer empowers us to live in a way that “overcomes evil with good” (12:21). Though we may not always see the outcome, it creates a legacy of faithfulness for generations to come.

Joe’s Devotion: Psalm 23 has been on my mind lately and since Ben Fuller’s song just played it reminds me of the speaker at Chapel on Monday. He said in order to get things done we have to get off our butts and do something. The same thing goes with growing closer to God. We need to be focused and bring people closer to God. God is here to restore your soul and lead you. Let Him.

MTVarts are presenting To Kill A Mockingbird Friday May 8th 7:30pm – 9:30pm at the Woodward Opera House, 107 S Main St, Mt Vernon, OH 43050. It is a school performance, but it does contain language, violence, and racism. It is important and relevant, but it can be emotionally intense and may not be suitable for younger viewers. Tune in during The Morning Thing and Afternoon Drive to win tickets!

This week’s Name That Tune was “Gods not done with you” by Tauren Wells! Congratulations to Erica of Utica for guessing the artist and song title correctly and taking home 2 $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for the NZ Top 10 with Ethan and Joe!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Brook Abella, Gabriella, and Joe 🙂

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