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Cool Down with Cool New Music

Some of Anne Wilson’s most personal songs yet are on the way, and they’re inspired by a season filled with both joy and heartbreak.

Anne Wilson is giving fans even more music to look forward to this summer with the announcement of Stars (Blue Hour Deluxe), arriving July 10th.

The GRAMMY-nominated and PLATINUM-certified artist is expanding her latest album with five new songs, bringing the project to 17 tracks and continuing its message of faith, hope, healing, and trusting Jesus through every season of life.

Anne says that since releasing Stars, she’s experienced incredible highs, deep heartbreak, and moments that challenged her faith. Through it all, she says God has remained faithful, and these new songs reflect the next chapter of that journey.

The expanded album features her recent collaboration with country artist Cole Swindell, an acoustic version of “Carry Me,” a live recording of “God Story,” and a brand-new song called “Me & Jesus,” inspired by the loss of a close friend. Fans will also hear “Maker’s Mark,” a collaboration with Drew Baldridge that reflects on legacy, purpose, and living a life that leaves a lasting impact.

Anne will spend the summer performing at festivals across the country before heading overseas for appearances in the United Kingdom. She’ll then continue her Stars Tour, including a stop in Tiffin, Ohio, on July 29th at the Seneca County Fairgrounds. Visit wnzr.fm for more information about tickets!

With more than two billion career streams, Anne Wilson continues to impact listeners through her music, her new book, REBEL: Following Jesus When the World Looks the Other Way, and a message centered on faith and hope.

You can hear Stars (Blue Hour Deluxe) when it releases on July 10th.

What happens when some of Christian music’s biggest voices come together for one night of worship? Tauren Wells is giving fans the answer with a brand-new live album coming this fall.

The eleven-time GRAMMY nominee and multi-platinum artist has announced Here Comes The Church, a live worship project set to release on October 2nd.

Recorded before a sold-out crowd at the Austin City Limits Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, the album captures an unforgettable night of worship featuring artists from across the Christian music landscape, including Naomi Raine, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Israel Houghton, Hulvey, Tiffany Hudson, Pastor Mike Jr., Paul and Hannah McClure, and members of Red Rocks Worship.

The live project draws heavily from Tauren’s latest album, Breathe On It, while highlighting a message that has become central to his ministry: unity within the Church.

Tauren says the album isn’t about representing one style of worship, culture, or community. Instead, he hopes it reflects the beauty of believers from different backgrounds coming together to worship the same Savior.

The 17-track collection includes songs like “Serve the Lord,” “Making Room,” “What a Miracle Feels Like,” “Let the Church Sing,” and the title track, “Here Comes The Church.”

You can listen to Here Comes The Church when it releases on October 2nd.

You’re the Lord of all creation

And still You know my heart

The author of salvation

You’ve loved us from the start

Congratulations to Jonathan from Johnstown for correctly guessing this week’s song: “Waiting Here For You” by Christy Nockels! Tune in next time for your chance to win a $5 gift card to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Joe & Brock

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Salt and Waiting

Daniel: What does it mean to be the salt of the earth? 

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13

If you’re like me, you’ve read that verse a million times and wondered, what does that mean?

What do you do with salt? You put it on food, but what else? Modernly, we normally only think of that, but in biblical times, its used for everything food. Preserving food, improving taste, purifying food, and generally just making everything better to eat. When Jesus asks us to be the salt of the earth, he’s asking us to make everything better. 

But how can we do that? Simple: be the light in the room; we go around showing people the love we have from Jesus. He tells us this in John 13…

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Jesus asks us to make everything just a little bit better and show love to others. When you go to work, spend time at home, or just talk to someone on the street, bring the smile, be encouraging, and be a little bit brighter because of the hope that is within you in Jesus Christ. Let everyone know that you follow Jesus, not only from your words, but from your works.

Joe: I was thinking about the song Waiting Here for You by Passion/Christy Nockels, and it reminded me of this verse

Psalm 27:14 (NIV) –“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.”

This is one of the many verses that drive this song.

If faith can move the mountains
Let the mountains move
We come with expectation
Waiting here for You, waiting here for You

You’re the Lord of all creation
And still You know my heart
The author of salvation
You’ve loved us from the start

A couple themes of this song are:

  1. Faith over fear: “If faith can move the mountains, let the mountains move.” This reminds us to surrender our heavy burdens and expectantly wait for a breakthrough. Waiting, believe it or not, is a form of worship! Difficult? Yes. Building our character? Definitely.
  2. How he knows us intimately: “You’re the Lord of all creation, and still You know my heart.” It acknowledges that the Creator of the universe is deeply intimate and present with you right now.

I think we know that waiting is not common practice for most humans.  It’s hard to wait when you want to see something happen.  It’s hard to wait when you are expecting something.  

But if we don’t wait on His Holy Spirit to lead us, we will miss the blessings He has for us.  We try to figure things out on how something is going to go, but we can pray for His Guidance and then wait on the direction given to us.

Mystery Monday

Name a food that you hope you ‘got milk’ to go with. 

  1. Cereal (60) 
  2. Cookies (21)
  3. Brownies (3)
  4. Mac & Cheese (2) 
  5. Cake (2) 
  6. Pancakes (2) 
  7. Peanut Butter (2) 

Congratulations to James from Mount Vernon, who guessed those top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel and Joe

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NZ Top 10 for 6/26/26

Praise the Lord, it’s Friday! Here’s this week’s countdown:

10. Peter Burton – Where Would I Be (#1 for 3 weeks)
9. Jamie MacDonald – Ain’t No Way
8. We The Kingdom – Rescue Me
7. Josiah Queen – demons
6. Elevation Worship – Alleluia
5. MercyMe – Make It Well (#1 for 1 week)
4. Zach Williams – Wait For Me
3. ELEVATION RHYTHM – WASHED
2. Matthew West – Good (#1 for 5 weeks)
1. CeCe Winans – Worthy Of It All (Worthy)

New Music This Week

Jon Reddick – Holding On (Praise God)

New Music This Week

Steven Curtis Chapman & Chris Janson – America The Beautiful

Tune in Monday with Joe and Daniel for Monday Motivation!

Thank you for listening!
– Joe & Brock

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God Sees You!

Brock’s Devotional:

I was reading my devotional this week, and it focused on Hebrews 6:10, which says, “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”

If we’re honest, it can be frustrating when our hard work goes unnoticed or unappreciated. I know I’ve felt that way more times than I’d like to admit.

I work at a coffee shop, and I often find myself doing the cleaning tasks that nobody else wants to do. I wish I could say I always have a joyful attitude about it, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes it feels like I’m doing extra work without anyone noticing or saying thank you.

It’s easy to become discouraged in moments like that. But this devotional reminded me of something important: God never overlooks our labor. Even when nobody else sees it, He does.

What may be hidden from others is fully visible to Him. I’m so thankful that we serve a God who notices both the big and small ways we serve Him and serve others. That truth encouraged me to keep giving my best, not for recognition from people, but because ultimately we’re working to honor the Lord.

So if you’ve been faithfully serving behind the scenes and wondering if anyone notices, I hope you’re encouraged because God sees you, and He will not forget your work, and that’s what I’m praising Him for today!

Joe’s Devotional:

“We wave until they’re out of sight. It’s a way of showing that we love them.” Those words from my mother when I was a boy explained a habit she and my father had when a family member left our home after a visit. Mom and Dad stood outside and waved to the ones leaving until they disappeared in the distance. Sometimes they stood there for a long time, but that didn’t matter. When I left home myself, I understood why.

Seeing them waving in the rearview mirror touched my heart, and I felt loved and cared for. I still say goodbye to our family visitors that way to show love for them. It’s a habit I hope my children will continue.

Another way we can express love for our families is to communicate God’s love shared in Scripture. As the Israelites prepared to cross the Jordan into the promised land, God taught them with these instructions for life: “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds. . . . Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19).

These are words that would one day find fulfillment in the perfect love of Jesus, who promised, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). As we share His truth and kindness, we can trust that His love is able to overcome every distance.

Read more at: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/love-that-goes-the-distance?ts=1777766400000

Congratulations to Jill from Apple Valley for correctly guessing this week’s Name That Tune! It was “The Author” by Brandon Lake and Nick Jonas!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Brock & Joe

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Nuts, laps and cats!

It’s another mix of fun facts for today’s Who Knew:

SWIM A LAP DAY? You bet! Swimming is frequently recommended as a low-impact form of aerobic activity because the water’s buoyancy reduces stress on joints. That can make it appealing for people managing arthritis, recovering from injuries, or dealing with chronic pain. The resistance of the water still provides muscular work, but without the pounding that comes with many land-based workouts. 

PRALINES DAY – is it a PRAY-leen or a PRAH-leen? Depends on who you ask, I guess. In New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast, where there are many communities settled by the French, the pronunciation is prah-leen, with the long aaah sound, which is closer to that of the candy’s namesake du Plessis-Praslin. Other regions of the country, including parts of Texas, Georgia, and New England pronounce it pray-leen.

What is it? Pralines are popular confections made primarily from nuts and sugar. The traditional American version features pecans, butter, and cream, offering a soft, fudgy texture.   

  1. I was born in Redruth, Cornwall, England on June 24, 1947  
  1. I took up drums after my parents, bought me a drum when I was thirteen  
  1. My first real gig was in August 1967 at the seventh annual Windsor Jazz and Blues Festival.  
  1. My band’s biggest hits were “Dreams” in 1977 and “Don’t Stop,” which were top 3 hits from the album Rumours
  1. My band is named partly after me and I am the only member of the band to have remained throughout its entire history

I am Mick Fleetwood! From the band Fleetwood Mac. Congratulations to Bob from Howard, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

FINALLY, check out this cute link about June 24th as ‘World Cat Domination Day.’ Yep, it’s a thing!

https://petsitters.org/page/CatWorldDominationDay

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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Jamie MacDonald’s Tour and Terrian’s New Album

Jamie MacDonald is hitting the road this fall with her brand-new headlining tour, fittingly named after her hit single, Left It In The River.

The tour kicks off on October 20 and will make stops in 17 cities across the country. And good news for Ohio listeners—Jamie will be bringing the tour to Cincinnati on November 21!

Jamie says she’s excited to create nights that feel like a gathering of friends, filled with songs, stories, laughter, and meaningful moments in the presence of Jesus. Fans can expect to hear favorites like Desperate, Left It In The River, My Family, and more from her debut album.

The tour follows a breakout year for MacDonald, including her CMA Fest and Grand Ole Opry debuts. She has earned two consecutive No. 1 radio singles, racked up more than 253 million global streams, and made her national television debut on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Jamie also took home Song of the Year honors at the K-LOVE Fan Awards and was named a 2026 Artist to Watch by Spotify and Amazon Music.

Over the past year, she’s shared the stage with some of Christian music’s biggest names, including Chris Tomlin, TobyMac, Phil Wickham, Benjamin William Hastings, and Tauren Wells.

Pre-sale tickets go on sale June 25, with public ticket sales beginning June 26. For more information, visit the tprlive.co

Terrian, known for songs like Testimony and Honestly, We Just Need Jesus, has announced her brand-new album, Mad Big World, set to release this August!

The album features 17 new tracks, and the title song is available now. Mad Big World captures the heart behind the project—a message of faith, hope, and confidence in God, even when life feels overwhelming.

Terrian says the album was inspired by a lesson she’s been learning while traveling around the world: stay close to the Lord. She describes these songs as personal devotionals set to music, filled with reminders to keep her eyes fixed on Christ through every season of life.

The announcement comes after a remarkable few years for the rising Christian artist. Since launching her solo career, Terrian has amassed more than 335 million streams, earned four Top 20 radio singles, and completed her first-ever headlining tour. She’s also shared the stage with some of Christian music’s biggest names, including TobyMac, KB, Crowder, CeCe Winans, and Elevation RHYTHM.

Earlier this year, Terrian performed at the K-LOVE Fan Awards and received a nomination for Female Artist of the Year. This fall, she’ll also be joining CeCe Winans on her COME WORSHIP! Tour.

Can’t wait to hear what this new record has in store!

Oh, look what the Lord has done

When the thief tried to steal and destroy

The Lord gave me an anthem of joy

I am a living, breaking, walking…

Congratulations to Nicole from Mount Vernon for correctly guessing this week’s song, “Testimony” by Terrian!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Joe & Brock

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The Accident and The Woman at the Well

Daniel: So I am house-sitting right now, helping take care of a house. To me, it sounded like an easy task. They have 3 cute cats, and I expected this to be simple. For the most part, it is, but one of the cats causes problems; he’s this old black-and-white cat named Gizmo, because he is literally a little stinker.

The other day, I came in from being out nearly all day, and I didn’t notice the present he had left on the floor, and I ended up stepping on it. Now I was still wearing my shoes, so I didn’t notice this until I had already tracked it all around the house. I remember spending nearly an hour trying to clean up from that and just being upset about it as I went around into each room, smelling as I went, trying to figure out where all needed to be cleaned. 

Later that same evening, I was on the phone with my girlfriend, and it helped me recenter myself because this was already the 4th time there had been an accident on the floor since I got there the night before. I slowed down, took a deep breath, and remembered this…

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” – Philippians 4:6

We are also asked to give thanks in everything, but sometimes that’s challenging, so I tried to remember what was really important and find something to be thankful for.

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

It reminded me to remain calm and make my problems known to God, and strangely, he hasn’t had an issue since, which is just another everyday miracle to give thanks for.

Joe: In John 4, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well. He ignores the so-called cultural taboos of the Jews and Samaritans to ask her for a drink of water.

He offers her “living water”, the kind that permanently satisfies her. He also reveals her past without judgment and declares Himself the Messiah. She then becomes a bold evangelist when she leaves her water jar behind and rushes back to her town to tell everyone about Jesus. 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

Her testimony results in many villagers coming to meet Jesus themselves, leading many Samaritans to believe He is the Savior of the world.

What can we take away from John 4?

We learn that God sees us and hears us; we also learn we can have a fresh start with Him, and we can find our voice in telling others about Him.

Mystery Monday

Name a movie that took place on water. 

  1. Titanic (38) 
  2. Jaws (20) 
  3. Waterworld (6) 
  4. Open Water (3) 
  5. Red October (3) 

Congratulations to Jeanell from Danville, who guessed those top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel and Joe

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NZ Top 10 for 6/19/26

Praise the Lord, it’s Friday! Here’s this week’s countdown:

10. Jamie MacDonald – Ain’t No Way
9. Zach Williams – Wait for Me
8. Andrew Ripp – I’d Do It Again
7. Phil Wickham – Homesick for Heaven
6. Elevation Worship – Alleluia
5. CeCe Winans – Worthy Of It All (Worthy medley)
4. Peter Burton – Where Would I Be?
3. ELEVATION RHYTHM – WASHED
2. MercyMe – Make It Well
1. Matthew West – Good (5th week at #1)

New Music Friday – songs added today to the WNZR playlist

Jeremy Camp – Revival

Lyric video coming soon on June, 26th!

Thanks for listening!

-Brock Hankins

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When Your Soul is Thirsty and Your Heart is Heavy

Brock’s Praise Thursday Devotionals:

#1

We all know what it feels like to be physically thirsty, but Jesus is talking about something even deeper—a spiritual thirst. God created us with a desire to be satisfied, loved, and fulfilled. The challenge is that we often look for those things in places that can never truly provide them.

John 7:37-38 tells us, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

I know I’m guilty of putting other things ahead of Jesus at times, thinking they’ll bring the satisfaction or fulfillment I’m looking for. But eventually, those things always fall short.

What encourages me about this passage is that Jesus knows our tendency to do that. He continually invites us back to Him, reminding us that He alone can satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts. Where other things fail, He remains faithful, ready to fill us with His living water.

So today, I’m praising Jesus because He lovingly redirects my heart and reminds me that true satisfaction is found in Him alone.

#2

Another bit of encouragement that has really spoken to my heart recently comes from 1 Peter 5:7, it says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

If I can be honest with you for a moment, anxiety is something I struggle with. Between college, work, relationships, life decisions, and wondering about the future, it can be easy to carry around a lot of stress and worry. My tendency is to keep those things bottled up and try to handle them on my own, but that usually just leaves me feeling overwhelmed.

What stood out to me in this verse was the word cast. It means to throw something forcefully in a specific direction. Think about that for a second—God isn’t asking us to gently hand over our worries. He’s inviting us to throw them onto Him.

There’s something freeing about remembering that some burdens were never meant for us to carry. God cares deeply about every fear, every stress, and every uncertainty we face. And because He cares for us, we can trust Him with those things.

So today, whatever is weighing on your heart, I want to encourage you to cast it in the direction of the One who loves you most. It’s a reminder I need every day, and maybe it’s one your heart needed today too.

Congratulations to Michelle from Mount Vernon for correcting guessing this week’s Name That Tune! It was “GOODBYE YESTERDAY” by ELEVATION RHYTHM! Tune in next week for your chance to win!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Brock Hankins

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