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Artist News Day

New music & Winter Jam passes!

Today, Mike and Abby talked about Winter Jam, which is coming up on Saturday, January 27th In Columbus! Keep listening all week for your chance at winning general admission passes for the show!

Today was also artist news day, so Mike shared about Brandon Heath’s new single, called “He Does (Oh By the Way). You can read more about it HERE!

Abby shared news about the upcoming album from We Are Messengers. Find out more here from JesusFreakHideout.com.

But what if we could be a people on our knees
As one before the King
‘Cause we believe
All the world starts changing
When the church starts praying

The song? ‘When We Pray’ by Tauren Wells. Congratulations to Radley from Gambier, who wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

David from Mount Vernon wins a pair of passes – congratulations!

Thanks for listening!
– Mike, Abby and Joe

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A Special Christmas Concert and 2024 Dove Awards!

Mike shared about the announcement for the 2024 Annual GMA Dove Awards, which will be taking place this October! Make sure to save the date and read more about it here.

Abby talked about FOR KING AND COUNTRY, and how they have partnered with Melodic Caring Project to stream their concert at the Grand Ole Opry to kids in hospital care over the holidays. The band also gave special shout-outs to nine of these patients around the country, saying “They couldn’t be there in-person with us so we were honored to stream the show to them to send them some love and encouragement.” Click here for more about this event.

That’s not all to share about FOR KING AND COUNTRY, as they are also celebrating the Platinum certification of single “Fix My Eyes!”

“Red letters coming off the page. Flooding my heart with amazing grace. I knew then I believed, and those roots run deep”

Congratulations to Bonnie of Mount Vernon for getting it right! The answer was Sunday Sermons by Anne Wilson, and Bonnie will receive TWO gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant for guessing last week’s stumper.

Thanks for listening!

-Mike and Abby

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Big year for giving!

We’re excited to share a record-breaking story of giving this year! Artist and Grammy-winner Lauren Daigle, whose “The Price Fund” has provided over $3.5 million to charitable organizations since its inception in 2018, announces a record year with over $1 million in donations.

The contributions, 45 in all, include its partnerships with the Music Health Alliance and KultureCity, multiple music schools, and organizations such as and the Caring for Covenant Fund. These partnerships have served to establish a first of its kind combined senior healthcare program and fund designed specifically for music industry veterans and legacy music makers, make event venues across the US accessible through the installation and renovation of sensory rooms, and provide funds to schools which allow children the opportunity to learn through music and arts.

Daigle has provided a way for fans to also participate and join her in The Price Fund’s efforts by donating a portion of every concert ticket sold to the organization. In 2023, over 255,000 people have attended Daigle’s Kaleidoscope Tour.

The mood is right
The spirit’s up
We’re here tonight
And that’s enough

The song? ‘Wonderful Christmastime,‘ recently covered by Blessing Offor! Congratulations to Karen of Mount Vernon who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Today’s winners:
– Jessie from Mount Vernon wins a WNZR Mystery T-shirt 3-pack
- Joy from Bellville wins a Mary Kay gift bag – congratulations!

Thanks for listening and Merry Christmas!
– Joe

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Christmas Music and Casting Crowns!

We are celebrating Christmas in full swing here at WNZR with the Holly Jolly 25, which means 25 days packed full of holiday tunes!

One of the new Christmas songs added to our playlist this year is We The Kingdom’s “Christmas in Hawaii,” which Abby shared the story behind for today’s artist news. Although the group had no plans to release this song initially, the tragic fires occurring in Maui this year changed that plan. Now, a portion of all proceeds for this song will go to a nonprofit organization dedicated to education for children living on the island of Maui. Read more here.

The music video for this track has just been released, featuring a stop-motion animation style and a fun Santa story set in Hawaii!

In other news, Mike talked about the recently announced extension to the Casting Crowns 20th Anniversary Tour: A Live Anniversary Experience. They will be adding a spring leg to this tour, a celebration of the band’s 20 years together with a live orchestra. To read more about the live show as well as Casting Crown’s new feature film, click here!

Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother

And in His name all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we

Let all within us praise His holy name

Congratulations to Chris for guessing it! Today’s song was O Holy Night, and Chris will be receiving TWO gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant after last week’s stumper.

Thanks for listening!

-Mike and Abby

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GRAMMY Nominations and Tour Announcements for 2024!

The GRAMMY nominations have just been announced! Artists who have been nominated for 2024 include Blessing Offor, Cody Carnes, Lauren Daigle, Lecrae and Phil Wickham. View the full list!

Abby shared about Phil Wickham’s announcement of his “I Believe” tour– heading to 15 cities across the country (including Dayton) in 2024! You can purchase tickets here.

MercyMe will also be touring next year! Mike talked about their upcoming “Always Only Jesus Tour,” which will be joined by Newsboys and David Leonard next spring. You can check out those tour dates here.

It your thoughts are like a storm and you can’t stop the rain

If you’re carrying your past like it’s a ball and chain

If you feel like it won’t get better

There’s hope, don’t you dare say never

A big shout out to Sarah for correctly guessing today’s Song Poetry– it was Say Goodbye (Say Hello) by The Afters!

Congratulations to Kristi for being the 5th caller– she now has a chance to win a turkey from Smithhisler Meats!

Thanks for listening!

-Mike and Abby

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“Jesus Music” and Jason Drama

It is the last day of fall break for MVNU and Jonathon Langdon joined Mike Basko for a special edition of Artist Newsday!

Today, Mike talked about a new album released by CAIN! Read more here

Also, Jonathon shared a crazy story involving Jason Gray that went down last week! To summarize, a PSA: Always have a way to track your valuables! Read more here

This is where oceans have to part
This is where light cuts through the dark
This is where I see who You are
Nothing’s impossible

These lyrics were a stumper this week, but make sure to listen in next week as we double our prize with TWO $5 gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening,

Mike & Jonathon

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New collaborations!

We talked about some exciting collaborations for Artist Newsday! We The Kingdom just teamed up with Anne Wilson to release a new rendition of their single “Jesus Does.” The two artists even surprised fans with a joint performance at Red Rocks Ampitheatre! Read more about it here.

Natalie Grant and Cece Winans have also collaborated for their cover of “My Tribute (To God Be The Glory). Grant is releasing a new album in October, which will feature some heavy-hitting artists like Dolly Parton and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, which you can click here to learn more about!

My biggest fear is wakin’ up to find what matters

Is miles away from what I spent my life chasin’ after

Is my story gonna have the same two words in every chapter?

Today’s mystery song was What If by Matthew West. Congratulations to Bonnie for calling in and winning a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant!

Thanks for tuning in!

-Mike and Abby

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A Blessing heads to MVNU!

Yes, we’re talking about Blessing Offor – the Dove-nominated artist is coming to Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Saturday 9/16 for Sonfest 2023. Blessing is also re-releasing his album, “My Tribe,” as a deluxe edition on 9/1. Read more about it from JesusFreakHideout.com here!

Maverick City Music embarks on a tour of Big Ten country in November, plus gets ready for a new EP release. Find out more here.

You took a shepherd boy and made him a King
So I’m gonna trust you and give you everything
I’ll be a conqueror ’cause you fight for me
I’ll be a champion claiming your victory

The answer? Sanctus Real – Confidence

Congratulations to Kristi from Mount Vernon, who wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Zoe

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Dove Award nominees!

The Gospel Music Association is pleased to announce nominees for the 54th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Top male nominees include Brandon Lake with eleven (11) nominations, songwriter Jeff Pardo with eight (8) nominations, and Jason Ingram and Kirk Franklin receiving six (6) nominations each.

Top female nominees include Katy Nichole, who picked up four (4) nominations with Lauren Daigle, Naomi Raine, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard each receiving three (3) nominations.

Voted on by the GMA Professional Membership, this year’s nominees were chosen from over 2,046 submitted entries. The GMA Dove Awards Nashville event will be held October 17th, 2023, and will air exclusively on TBN and the TBN app, Friday, October 20th, 2023 8:00p.m. ET and 10:00p.m. ET.

Read the full release buy clicking this link!

So when it feels like all of this pain is never gonna end
Brought to my knees by all of these things I don’t understand, don’t understand
I will let the weight of my fear fall like sand

Jeremy Camp, Out of My Hands

Congratulations to 8-year-old Sarah from Mount Vernon, who wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Zoe

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