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Driving Notes

The Official Blog of WNZR's Afternoon Drive

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Game Time Tuesday

First of April Shenanigans

It IS April fools day…but this is hardly a joke.

It’s Artist News Day and Game Time Tuesday, and this is a HUGE month for Christian music!

Gospel Music Association (GMA) excitedly announced that industry leaders and organizations across Christian and Gospel music are coming together for the month of April to celebrate the first annual Christian Music Month (CMM), a movement designed to encourage fans everywhere to listen, engage, and share the power of Christian music. Guess what? You’re doing that right now by listening to WNZR!!

A talented singer named Baylee Littrell is making a name not just for himself, but for Jesus. The 22-year old son of Backstreet Boys star Brian Littrell performed “Hey Jesus” on American Idol , which he wrote about the pain of losing his grandmother three years ago — a loss that deeply shook his world and faith.

Check out the powerful performance here:

“The truth is I am my Father’s child
I make Him proud and I make Him smile
I was made in the image of a perfect King
He looks at me and wouldn’t change a thing
The truth is I am truly loved
By a God who’s good when I’m not good enough
I don’t belong to the lies, I belong to You”

Those are lyrics from Megan Woods’ “The Truth”! Congratulations to Jennifer from Centerburg! She wins TWO $5 Watts Restaurant Gift cards!

Thanks for listening!- Judah

The Latest In Christian Music News!

Tauren Wells is on a roll right now! Not only is he headlining the Ohio State Fair’s Summer Concert Series this summer, but he also dropped a brand new EP this past Friday!

It’s Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday, and we have some exciting news to share!

Tauren Well’s EP Let The Church Sing, inspired by the historic launch of Church of Whitestone, which he and his wife, Lorna, founded in Austin, Texas, in January 2024. Welcoming nearly 4,000 attendees on its opening weekend, Church of Whitestone made history as the largest first-day church launch in American history. This transformative experience propelled Wells’ creativity, bringing worship music to the forefront like never before. (jesusfreakhideout.com)

Check out the full article right HERE!

Ellie Holcomb is adding top-selling author to her resume! The award winning song-writer has published a top-selling children’s book, Spring Sings, alongside the companion album of the same name! Check out the full story HERE!

“I make Him proud and I make Him smile
I was made in the image of a perfect King
He looks at me and wouldn’t change a thing
The truth is I am truly loved
By a God who’s good when I’m not good enough
I don’t belong to the lies, I belong to You.”

A stumper! Tune in next week for your chance at TWO $5 Gift Cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening!- Judah

Gospel Gone Viral!

Ever thought a gospel artist would go viral? I didn’t, but I’m so happy this is the case!

It’s Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday on The Afternoon Drive, and we love seeing gospel music making an impact!

God can reach anyone, at any time, and this was the case when he used Brandon Lake and his song “Hard Fought Hallelujah” to open Jelly Roll’s heart to the gospel again: https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/music/how-a-brandon-lake-song-got-jelly-roll-to-worship-again/

How about gospel star Marvin Sapp’s Tiny Desk Concert on NPR going viral?? The singer-songwriter’s 18 minute music set racked up the 12th most views on YouTube in 24 hours!: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2025/03/17.MarvinSappsTinyDeskConcertHitsOneMillionViewsinTwoWeeks!.asp

“I’ll bring my storm-tossed, torn sail, story-to-tell hallelujah
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh
God, You’ve been patient
God, You’ve been gracious
Faithful whatever I’m feeling or facing”

A stumper today! Next week’s is worth TWO $5 Watts Restaurant Gift Cards!

Thanks for listening!- Judah

Toby’s Coming To Columbus…

Ok, so we’re a little excited. Actually, VERY excited.

TobyMac is bringing his HITS DEEP tour, along with Crowder, CAIN, Ryan Stevenson and Terrian to Nationwide Arena in Columbus THIS Sunday night! For ticket information, check out our website WNZR.FM!

Still going strong, Toby dropped his latest album, Heaven On My Mind, last Friday!

Plus, Tasha Layton released her live album Worship Through It last Friday. The album features her hit single of the same way, and next week, on Sunday, March 16th, Layton appears as part of the Faith & Friends Series on Fox & Friends Weekend!

“So I hit my knees ’cause I’ve seen all heaven move
(Don’t matter if you hit rock bottom)
(My God pick you up when you call Him)
I pray, “Father, please” ’cause I’ve seen what He can do
(Don’t matter if the storm cloud coming)
(My God come through when you call Him)
These hands have no power
But there ain’t an hour He don’t come through
That’s why when mountains move, I say…”

That was ‘Somebody Prayed’ by Crowder, and congratulations to Scott from Mount Vernon! He wins TWO $5 Gift Cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica, since last week’s was a stumper!

Thanks for listening!- Judah

New Albums, Tours, and More!

Your favorite artists are delivering!

So much new music, plus exciting tours and collaborations, are happening right now! It’s Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday on The Afternoon Drive

Forrest Frank released his collaboration track with country star Thomas Rhett, and it’s a certified banger!

Forrest’s CHILD OF GOD TOUR Part 2 is ramping up, and it’s already selling out! https://jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2025/02/28.ForrestFrankUnveilsNewSinglefeatCountryStarThomasRhett.asp

Tauren Wells has new music on the way as well! His EP, ‘Let The Church Sing’, drops March 21!

“I know the only reason
I can stand here unashamed
It’s not because I’m worthy
It’s all because ______”

A stumper today! Next week’s will be worth TWO $5 Watts Restaurant Gift Cards!

Thanks for listening!- Judah

Covers, Collaborations and MOVIES!

Ever have trouble figuring out what to talk about? Yeah, we do sometimes. But not today. We’ve got PLENTY to talk about…

It’s Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday on The Afternoon Drive, and to say we had a busy day of news and updates would be a major understatement.

Starting things off, Jesusfreakhideout is giving you the chance to win a digital copy of Dog Man, Dreamworks Studios newest animated release for the whole family. You can enter HERE to win your 4k Digital Copy to enjoy with your family!

Need a GOOD TV show? Amazon’s Biblical epic House of David releases this Thursday on Prime streaming! The new series presents a contemporary spin on the story of David, a young shepherd on his rise to become king of Israel. Keep in mind that this is a more mature show, not necessarily for the whole family.

One of the most unexpected and controversial collaborations took place recently with mainstream artist Jelly Roll featuring on Brandon Lake. Brandon made his Grand Ole Opry debut in Nashville alongside Jelly Role; Check out the full story HERE!

“I may not know
What a day may bring
But I know
Who brings the day
On the darkest night
When I cannot see
Still my soul will say”

This week’s edition of song poetry is….a stumper! Tune in next week for your chance to win TWO $5 Gift Cards to Watts Restaurant!

Thanks for listening!- Judah

Impact!

There’s been so much going on the past few months it’s tough to keep up with. But one thing we are noticing…Christian artists are making an impact!

It’s Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday on The Afternoon Drive, so of course we’ve got to update you on what’s happening in Christian music…and plenty of exciting things are happening!

Lauren Daigle had the opportunity to perform ‘America the Beautiful’ on the biggest stage: the super bowl…and she delivered! https://www.20thecountdown.com/news/lauren-daigle-shines-at-the-super-bowl-with-a-stunning-rendition-of-america-the-beautiful/

As if he doesn’t already have an impressive enough resume, Chris Tomlin is adding executive producer to his long list of accomplishments. The singer-songwriter is serving as executive producer for the upcoming film about the life of Jesus, ‘The Last Supper’.

Here’s another name you might know; Brandon Lake made an appearance on Fox and Friends and spoke on why he believes that Christian music is reaching a younger audience: https://www.20thecountdown.com/news/brandon-lake-shares-why-christian-music-is-reaching-more-young-listeners/

“I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
That’s why I trust Him, that’s why I trust Him”

A stumper this week! Next week’s song poetry will be worth two $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant!

Thanks for listening!-Judah

Grammy History!

That isn’t an overstatement. CeCe Winans made history Sunday night with two Grammy wins, one for Best Gospel Album (More Than This) and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance (That’s My King). With those two wins, she passes ADELE as the fourth most awarded female artist in Grammy wins EVER!

It’s Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday here on The Afternoon Drive, and we had plenty to talk about with the results from the Grammy’s!

Here’s CeCe Winans talking about her big night:

Plus, a former President took home his FOURTH Grammy victory. Former President of the United States Jimmy Carter was awarded a posthumous award in the audio book, narration, and storytelling recording category at the 2025 Grammys for “Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration,” recordings from his final Sunday School lessons delivered at Maranatha Baptist Church in Georgia. 

You can check out the full story HERE!

Congratulations to Chantel and Jadeen, they were are winners for today! Keep listening this whole week for your chance to be caller #5 and win some amazing prizes!

“Your word is a lamp unto my feet
Your way is the only way for me
It’s a narrow road that leads to life
But I wanna be on it
It’s a narrow road but the mercy’s wide
‘Cause You’re good on Your promise”

Those are the words from Cody Carnes’ ‘Take You At Your Word’, congratulations to Bethany from Mount Vernon, she wins the $5 Watts Gift Card!

Thanks for listening!- Judah

Looking For New Music? We Got You Covered.

Find yourself struggling to find new tunes? That’s what we’re here for!

It’s Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday here on The Afternoon Drive, and we’ve got a lot of new music to cover!

Terrian has a new single from her debut album! “He Sees You” is the latest track from the Memphis, Tennessee songwriter, and we’re loving it here at WNZR!

We’ve already got something to look forward to for the summer! Stars Go Dim has announced their upcoming album ‘Roses” releases July 11! Front man Chris Cleveland spoke about the inspiration behind the album, stating: ” “I’m using roses as imagery around this whole album to signify this idea that God is working in unexpected places. You see roses growing from things you wouldn’t expect to see them grow from. I think so many times in life we feel like we’re living in a wasteland, and we’re missing the fact that we’re actually standing in forests of green, lush life…if we just slow down, if we just take a look around, if we just say, ‘God, how can I meet You here?’ we’d see that God is moving and working all the time. That’s what Roses is about.”

Read the full story HERE

Following 15 years of incredible work, Michael Tait is stepping away from Newsboys. You can check out the full story HERE!

“If you only knew the treasure that you really are
If you could understand the measure of the Father’s heart
He loves you, He loves you, He loves you
Fall in His arms and let Him wash you clean
He’ll tear off the chains so that you can be free
A new life begins and the old is redeemed”

That’s from Jeremy Camp’s “Getting Started”! Congratulations to Jonathan from Mount Vernon for correctly guessing the song! He wins the $5 Watts Restaurant Gift Card!

Thanks for listening! – Judah

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