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Driving Notes

The Official Blog of WNZR's Afternoon Drive

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

Monday Motivation

Today’s Monday Motivation comes from Brandon Lake and his latest song, ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah.’ This is what I call a visceral song. It comes from the gut. It describes the battle that many of us face when we know we need to keep focused and keep praising God in the middle of trials or struggles. Watch this lyric video to see how these lyrics line up with I Peter 1:7:

“These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Name a fruit or vegetable that is orange other than an actual orange.

  1. Pumpkin (29)
  2. Sweet potato (27)
  3. Carrot (25)
  4. Cantaloupe (10)
  5. Apricots (9)

Congratulations to Jennifer from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

NZ Top 10 for 2/14/25

Happy Valentine’s Day and Praise the Lord it’s Friday! Here’s this week’s countdown:

10. Cody Carnes – Take You At Your Word
9. for KING & COUNTRY & Michael W. Smith – Place in This World
8. Jeremy Camp – Again
7. Leanna Crawford – Still Waters (Psalm 23)
6. Andrew Ripp – Love’s Got A Way
5. Seph Schlueter – Running Back To You
4.  Brandon Lake – That’s Who I Praise
3. Colton Dixon – Up + Up 
2. Megan Woods – The Truth (9 weeks at #2)
1. Crowder – Somebody Prayed (2nd week at #1)

New Music Friday adds this week:

We Are Messengers – A Thousand Times

MercyMe – Oh Death

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

What love is…what love isn’t.

Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 13 that love is at the core of the Christian faith. The list that we hear many times at weddings has so many more applications to everyday life.

Love is: patient, kind, protecting, trusting, hoping and persevering
Love is not: envious, boastful, self-seeking…it does not delight in evil.

Here’s Unspoken to share more about love:

Our winners today include (4pm) Paul from Mount Vernon, who won a $10 gift card to Buffalo Wild Wings. (5pm) Cynthia from Walhonding won two certificates from Pizza Hut of Mount Vernon!

Two-week stumper!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

There’s no such thing…

As perfect people. Today, I was teaching about servant leadership and we started talking about the leadership habits of Jesus from the book, “Lead Like Jesus…”
They are:

  • solitude
  • prayer
  • study and application of scripture
  • accepting and responding to God’s unconditional love
  • involvement in supportive relationships

    …as we talked and discussed the decision to accept and embrace God’s love, I was reminded of this song by Natalie Grant…

Our winners today –
4pm: Kim from Mount Vernon wins a gift basket from Starting Point Pregnancy and Family Resource Center
5pm: Jackie from Howard wins a $10 gift card to Happy Bean Coffee Shop

Other than their beds, name somewhere people fall asleep.

  1. On an airplane (27 votes)
  2. On the way home from work on a bus or train (24)
  3. At their desks at work (23)
  4. On the couch or chair (19)
  5. On the floor (7)

Congratulations to Pam from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

NZ Top 10 for 2/7/25

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

10. Jeremy Camp – Again
9. for KING & COUNTRY & Michael W. Smith – Place in This World
8. Cody Carnes – Take You At Your Word
7. Leanna Crawford – Still Waters
6. Andrew Ripp – Love’s Got A Way
5. Seph Schlueter – Running Back To You
4. Colton Dixon – Up + Up 
3. Brandon Lake – That’s Who I Praise (spent 9 weeks at #1)
2. Megan Woods – The Truth
1. Crowder – Somebody Prayed (1st week at #1)

New Music Friday adds this week:

Bodie – Whisper & The Wind

TobyMac – a lil’ Church (Nobody’s too Lost)

Today’s winners: 4pm – Samaria wins a $10 gift card to Happy Bean Coffee Shop
5pm – Lisa wins certificates from Pizza Hut of Mount Vernon

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

PTLIF (Praise The Lord It’s Friday!)

Praise the Lord, because it is indeed almost Friday! In fact, it’s actually Praise Thursday on The Afternoon Drive!

We shared praise and prayer reports all throughout the show, including prayers for our nation and nations across the world. We pray for peace and wisdom for leaders, as well as unity.

WNZR’s Spread The Love Valentine’s giveaway continues! Congratulations to today’s winner, Tonya from Newark! Keep listening for your chance to win some amazing Valentine’s Day prizes!

A stumper today! Make sure to listen next Thursday for your chance to win TWO $5 Watts Restaurant Gift Cards!

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

Spread the Love starts up!

Cody Carnes ‘Firm Foundation’ leads our Monday Motivation today. “When everything around me is shaken, I’ve never been more glad, that I put my faith in Jesus. He’s never let me down.”

Spread the Love started today! Congratulations to our winners!
4pm hour: Lisa from Mount Vernon won a Valentine’s Bag from Starting Point Pregnancy and Family Resource Center
5pm hour: Haley from Mount Vernon won a $10 gift card to Buffalo Wild Wings!

Other than breakfast eggs and omelets, name something made with eggs.

  1. Cakes (31)
  2. Cookies (26)
  3. Pies (21)
  4. Easter eggs (12)
  5. Quiche (10)

Congratulations to Stacy from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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