Search

Driving Notes

The Official Blog of WNZR's Afternoon Drive

Open Search
Category

Game Time Tuesday

God can use ANYTHING… even a broken back to bring glory to His Name!

Forrest Frank is hot off of releasing chart-breaking songs like “Good Day” and his latest, “Your Way’s Better”, receiving so much love on Instagram and TikTok. Recently, he has done it once again, but this time it wasn’t because of a song… kind of.

Forrest has gone viral once again on social media, but unfortunately the Internet isn’t the only thing he broken these past five days. Forrest was skateboarding outside his home and had an accident, breaking his back. He has been bed-ridden, with a fractured L3 and L4. However, despite the circumstance, Forrest has not let this stop him from making music to continue worshipping and praising God.

Two days later, stuck at home, he teased the chorus of a new song he’s been working on, called “God’s Got My Back”, which as you can see is poking a little bit at his accident.

You can watch him make the song here. Be aware: The video contains a couple seconds of raw footage when Forrest hit his back on the pavement.

It is absolutely incredible to see Forrest continuing to worship and praise God, despite the situation he is in right now. While he may not realize, he’s portraying an honorable example to a younger generation– Taking an unfortunate circumstance, and turning it into praise!

Here is what Forrest teased a couple days ago, reacting to all the love and support he’s already received from this new song he’s working on!

“You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.” – Genesis 50:20

Here are the lyrics we took from a song we heard on The Afternoon Drive today for a game of Song Poetry!

Some days life feels perfect
Other days, it just ain’t workin’
The good, the bad, the right, the wrong,
And everything in between.

Today’s Song Poetry lyrics were from TobyMac’s song “Speak Life”. Congratulations to Jenn from Mount Vernon for calling in and guessing the artist and song title correctly, taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica! Tune in tomorrow for a game of Who Am I? and a special Who Knew Wednesday where we continue going On The Road With Big Blue at the Knox County Fair!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

0

Lauren Daigle From The Super Bowl To The U.S. Capitol!

Lauren Daigle has been taking audiences by storm, performing in some of the U.S.’s most well-known areas! Today is Artist Newsday, and we’re highlighting how incredible it is to be getting artists like Lauren Daigle to perform in all these areas where she gets the opportunity to let Jesus shine through her!

You may remember when Lauren sang live at this past year’s Super Bowl, wowing the stadium with her rendition of America The Beautiful with singer and trombone specialist Trombone Shorty. That train continues as she got the opportunity to sing at the U.S. Capitol for the 45th Anniversary of PBS’s Capitol Fourth Concert, singing live in front of thousands. She brought her special rendition of America The Beautiful with her once again, along with her version of Walking On Sunshine, and one of her biggest hits Rescue for her performance in D.C.

Lauren Daigle performing Rescue at “2025 A Capitol Fourth”, courtesy of PBS and Capital Concerts

Seeing this is so incredible to see, as artists like Lauren will get to reach other audiences on these platforms and spread the Gospel of Jesus through music, that of which she is unashamed of! We’re excited to see how the LORD uses Lauren and other artists to spread His Word and build His Kingdom next!

Matthew West is going on tour with a new Christian artist! On his Don’t Stop Praying 2025 Tour, Matthew is bringing Peter Burton along with him, of which we got to learn a little about him during Momentum 2025. We got to see one of the songs he has been working on, called Where Would I Be, and he will be bringing these songs with him as he goes with Matthew West on this tour!

Peter Burton’s Where Would I Be Lyric Video

Matthew West will be bringing his Don’t Stop Praying 2025 Tour to the Genoa Baptist Church in Westerville, OH on November 6th! If you want to be a part of this prayer, worship-filled night, and hear more from Peter Burton, click the link HERE to find more information and purchase tickets! Matthew has been so passionate about prayer, and strongly believes that prayer makes a difference, and that’s what he wants to bring to Ohio, and this entire tour.

So much artist news this week! If you want to join CeCe Winans on her More Than This tour with Charity Gale, make sure to find ticket information on our website, wnzr.fm. She will be in Kettering, OH on July 23rd!

Today we played Song Poetry! Here were today’s lyrics that we took from a song played during the Afternoon Drive:

Wide awake while the world is sound asleep, and
Too afraid of what might show up while you’re dreamin’
Nobody, nobody, nobody sees you
Nobody, nobody would believe you…

Today’s song was God Only Knows, from for King & Country! Congratulations to Jennifer from Centerburg for calling in and guessing the song title and artist correctly, taking home that $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica! Tune in tomorrow for a game of Who Am I? and Who Knew Wednesday!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Ethan Hershberger

0

TobyMac is bringing a very special tour to Ohio!

Today is a very special Artist News Day! We’ve got news from TobyMac, a unique tour from him, Seph Schlueter, releasing his first full length album and announcing a full tour along with it, and news from Stars Go Dim as well!

Last week, TobyMac announced the Heaven On My Mind Start To Finish Tour, and it’s a little different from other tours he has taken. He’s stopping at the Akron Civic Theatre in Akron, OH on November 6th, which is one of five states he will be visiting on this tour! This is an intimate, more personal concert, where TobyMac will be performing his entire latest record live from start to finish, as the name suggests! Not only that, he’ll also be performing other great hits from his earlier records as well!

Ticket sales go live tomorrow, Wednesday, July 2nd and if you want to buy tickets, click HERE! The concert is on November 6th, at 7PM!

TobyMac’s latest record is called “Heaven on My Mind”, where TobyMac is on the other side of grieving the tragic loss of his son, Truett. This record is deeply honest, and as the record title says, after everything TobyMac has gone through, he has Heaven on his mind, keeping his “eye on the prize”, so to speak. He is counting on God, and he’s diving in even deeper into his trust in God!

Seph Schlueter is coming out with a his first ever full-length album on July 11th! It will have a whole 17 songs on it, and includes collabs with the likes of Matt Maher and Essential Worship. Alongside this album release, he’s going on tour with this record and all of his other songs, so you’ll get to hear songs like “Counting My Blessings”, “Running Back To You”, and many more! He’s coming to Cincinnati, OH with bodie to bring you a fun, worship-filled night! If you want to order tickets for this concert, click HERE!

Stars Go Dim is releasing a full length album called Roses on July 11th! Check it out HERE!

Today we played Song Poetry! Here were the lyrics we took from a song we’ve heard during today’s show:

I will not be afraid
In the end, you will lose
I will dance on your grace
With the one who buried you.

Today’s song was “Oh Death” from MercyMe! Congratulations to Kelly from Mount Vernon for calling in and guessing the song and artist correctly, taking home that $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica! Tune in tomorrow for Who Knew Wednesday!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Ethan Hershberger

0

The Bens? News about these artists!

The Bens? Yeah, we’re talking news about Ben Fuller and Benjamin William Hastings!

SONY/Provident artist Ben Fuller has released his second studio album, Walk Through Fire.

The 13-track collection features Fuller’s most personal and redemptive work yet, including WNZR songs like “Turn” and “If I Got Jesus,” plus the song “If It Was Up to Me,” a stirring duet with Carrie Underwood, performed live at the Grand Ole Opry to a standing ovation.

Blending rock, country, and gospel, Walk Through Fire reflects Fuller’s journey from addiction and loss to faith and freedom.

Ben says, “This album is about transformation. I had to walk through fire to find God—and now I walk with Him.”

With over 56 million streams, major tour appearances, and Dove Award nominations, Fuller continues to rise as a bold voice in Christian music.

Learn more at benfullerofficial.com.

Now for the other Ben, Benjamin William Hastings!

If you were wanting to see him in concert, then you’re in luck!

Jamie MacDonald is joining him on the “At The Heart Of It” Tour as they tackle 8 cities across the country in the month of November!

They are stopping at Life City Church in Pickerington on November 14th!

If you want to get tickets or see the other shows, click HERE!

Week 2 stumper!

How long will I have to fight
Just for me to stay alive?
I know You’re there God, please
Just meet me here tonight.

Congratulations to Lisa from Mount Vernon, who guessed Katy Nichole and ‘When I Fall.’ She wins two $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Xander

0

Powerful Stories Told Through Music!

Today we talked about some upcoming album releases from some well-loved artists here on the station! Ben Fuller is bringing us his new album “Walk Through Fire” on June 6th. He has a powerful testimony that is going to be echoed throughout the songs on this album, and we’ve already heard some heavy hitters already, in “If I Got Jesus” and “Turn”!

Big Daddy Weave is also sharing their story through their upcoming album “Let It Begin”, which is releasing this Friday, May 23rd! It’s been a whole six years since we have gotten a new release like this from the band, but we have gotten to hear some of their songs coming on that album throughout these years already– Those being the song “Let It Begin” and “God Is In This Story”.

The band is also doing a fun new series on their YouTube channel, sharing all the stories behind each of the 15 songs on this upcoming release. Seeing this just goes to show that every song a band or artist puts on their record has an intentional purpose and reason for being on the album, which is really cool to see!

Today we played song poetry! We play this fun trivia game every Tuesday at the 5 o’clock hour to give you a chance to win that $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica! Here was today’s song poetry:

I learned the lines and talked the talk
But the road less traveled is hard to walk
It takes a soldier
Who knows his orders
To walk the walk I’m supposed to walk

This one was a stumper today! If you think you know this one, tune in to the Afternoon Drive next Tuesday, and give us your guess! We’re giving away two $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica because today was a stumper!

Thank you for listening!
– Xander and Ethan

0

Concert Tours and Gospel Returns to ABC!

Artist News:

GRAMMY-nominated NEEDTOBREATHE is set to bring an intimate experience to 18 U.S. cities this fall with The Barely Elegant Acoustic Tour 2025.

General public ticket sales open this Friday 5/16 at 10 AM local time. Tickets and full details are available at www.needtobreathe.com.

They have one Ohio date scheduled, on November 19th in Cincinnati at the Andrew Brady Music Center in The Banks neighborhood on the Ohio River.

—

The singing competition show, American Idol, announced during one of its episodes that Brandon Lake and Kirk Franklin would appear together on the show’s finale episode.

This is the second time we’ve seen Gospel artists make an appearance on the show just this season! The last time we saw them was on Easter Sunday, and it featured well-known WNZR artists CeCe Winans and Brandon Lake.

They are to be seen on the show’s season finale, airing on May 18th. Full details and further information are available at https://abc.com/show/baf4f444-36a4-4340-ac11-c570f0da4977.

Today we played song poetry! Congratulations to Elwood from Mount Vernon for guessing this week’s song and artist– Just Be Held, by Casting Crowns! These were the lyrics:
If your eyes are on the storm
You’ll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You’ll know I always have and I always will

Thanks for listening!
Ethan, Joe, and Xander

0

Jesus On American Idol!

If you would’ve told me that the name of Jesus was being lifted up on the Voice and American Idol, I might not believe you at first. But here we are in 2025, with songs about conversations with the Lord being sung on live television. If you listened to the Backstreet Boys back in the day, you’ll love this next story.

It’s Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday here on the Afternoon Drive, and there’s some really cool stuff happening in media right now.

Baylee Littrell, the son of Backstreet Boys singer Bryan Littrell, has been making a name for himself on the latest season of American Idol, performing a song he wrote in a time of pain and loneliness, called “Hey Jesus”. The performance went viral and Baylee is using his platform to encourage others to follow the Lord.

“There’s a kingdom waiting for you,” The young artist said. “There’s a God waiting for you. All you have to do is trust Him.”

Check out the full story HERE, and the performance here!

Don’t forge that Mom’s Night Out is THIS FRIDAY! Click this link to grab your spot! https://www.wnzr.fm/momsnightout

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He leads me by still waters ’til my fears are gone
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Oh, I know You are with me, my Father, my friend
Your goodness and mercy will follow me all of my days”

Those are the words to “Still Waters” by Leanna Crawford! Congratulations to Kathleen from Mount Vernon, she wins the $5 Gift Card to Watts Restaurant!

Thanks for listening!- Judah

0

FORREST FRANK FRENZY!

He’s one of the fastest growing artists in Christian music right now, and he’s got more on the way!

It’s Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday, and have we got some updates for you!

GRAMMY-nominated, award winning artist Forrest Frank is currently performing on his Child of God Part II, and during a stop in LA, announced his new album Child of God II, releases May 9th! WE CAN’T WAIT!

Forrest isn’t the only artist dropping an album this summer….Big Daddy Weave is releasing their first album in six years! Let It Begin releases May 23, their long-awaited follow-up to 2019’s When The Light Comes.

Plus, if you want to hear a super cool conversation, check out Youtuber Bryce Crawford’s interview with the one and only Brandon Lake.

“Who put the breath in my lungs
Who calls us daughters and sons
All praise goes to just One….

Who raised me up from the grave
Who’s always making a way
Let me hear the whole church say”

Those are the words from Micah Tyler’s “God Did It”. Congratulations to Cheyenne from Mount Vernon, she wins the TWO $5 Watts Restaurant Gift Cards!

Thanks for listening!- Judah

0

An American Idol Easter!

Yeah, you read that right. American Idol hosted an Easter special Sunday featuring some legends like CeCe Winans, Carrie Underwood, Brandon Lake and even mainstream artist Jelly Roll!

It’s Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday here on The Afternoon Drive, and we’re very excited to see Gospel music making an impact in culture!

Check out Brandon Lake’s performance here!

Plus, the perfect end to your summer is here! Katy Nicole’s album, Honest Conversations, drops August 15th on all platforms!

“He called my name (He called my name)
And He stole my shame (He stole my shame)
Everything changed when I came ___”

That’s the chorus from “Running Home” by Cochren & Company! Congratulations to Bonnie from Mount Vernon for naming that song, she wins the gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening!-Judah

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑