Search

Driving Notes

The Official Blog of WNZR's Afternoon Drive

Open Search
Tag

Afternoon Drive

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

Some truths to start your week!

We’re starting the week off with Monday Motivation with some truths to bring you some encouragement, and songs you hear on WNZR to go along with them.

You are not alone! You are loved, valued and created with a purpose.

This simple truth reminded us of Kari Jobe’s “I Am Not Alone”.

Speak life, be kind, shine bright! The world needs your light today.

This truth reminded us of TobyMac’s song “Speak Life”, and verse found in Proverbs 18:21. “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”

Today we played Mystery Monday, where we ask you a Family Feud-style question, and you get to call in and give us the top two answers! Here was today’s prompt:

Name a job where people get wet.

Diver or swimmer (50 votes)
Lifeguard (27)
Firefighter (9)
Plumber (5)

Congratulations to Samantha from Mount Vernon for guessing the top two answers correctly, taking home that $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica! Tune in on Tuesday for a very special Artist Newsday announcement with TobyMac, and a special tour he just announced, and a game of Song Poetry!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

0

NZ Top 10 for 6/27/25

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

10. Brandon Lake f/Jelly Roll – Hard Fought Hallelujah
9. We Are Messengers – A Thousand Times
8. Micah Tyler – God Did It
7. Matthew West – Unashamed
6. ELEVATION RHYTHM – Goodbye Yesterday
5. Phil Wickham – The King Is In The Room
4. Jamie MacDonald – Desperate [formerly #1 for 7 weeks]
3. MercyMe – Oh Death
2. TobyMac – a lil Church
1. Jon Reddick – No Fear [5th week at #1]

New Music Friday Adds This Week:

Josiah Queen f/Brandon Lake – Can’t Steal My Joy

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

0

Festival time again!

Today we’re back On the Road with Big Blue at the Centerburg Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival! Ethan, Sue and Zoey were live with us – remember this event runs through Saturday!

The Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a weekend packed full of excitement, flavor, and hometown pride.

Make sure to stop by and register for to win a Family 4 Pack of One-Day Passes to the Hiawatha Water Park and Pool ($36 value)! Registrations will only be accepted at the festival, NO online registrations. You do NOT need to be present to win.  

WNZR will broadcast tonight until 8 and on Saturday 6/28 from Noon – 2pm.  We will also be in the parade Saturday morning at 10!

—

We also shared some wise words from Tauren Wells from his devotional book, Joy Bomb:

Burying your feelings isn’t the same as surrendering them.

And what you bury doesn’t die. It lives just beneath the surface.

Quiet. Unresolved. Controlling your joy from the shadows.

But when you invite God into your fears, confusion, and sadness?

You open the door to a joy that’s rooted in something deeper than your mood. Not a surface-level smile. But soul-level peace.

#1: Pause the performance. Stop trying to prove you’re okay. God isn’t scared by your emotions.

#2: Feel your feelings with faith. You don’t have to choose one or the other. Invite God into your emotions. Let him speak peace over your pain.

#3: Don’t go solo. Your healing wasn’t meant to happen in isolation. Open up in community — whether that’s by sharing in a church small group or calling a friend.

Congratulations to Linda from Gambier, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

0

Happy Reserves Day!

Reserves Day is a vibrant celebration dedicated to acknowledging the contributions of reservists who balance civilian life with military duties.

These individuals commit their time to serve in the Reserve Forces and are ready to support national security whenever needed. This day highlights their role and brings recognition for their dedication and service!

We got to talk with Faith West today, who is a recent graduate of MVNU and an intern with the Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau! In her senior year at MVNU, she was able to balance being a student, finishing senior projects, being an intern, and serving as an Air Force Reservist. Her decision towards becoming a reserve stemmed from a heart of wanting to serve, and her family, who is also involved in the military, helped her get involved, and they helped her get involved!

You can find us on the road with Big Blue this weekend in Centerburg! You can catch us on site and broadcasting on the air in studio on Thursday 5-8pm and on Saturday Noon-2pm! We’ll be giving away Family 4 Packs of One Day Passes to the Hiawatha Water Park and Pool while we’re there. To get signed up, find Big Blue at the festival!

Here were today’s 5 biographical facts about our mystery person:

  1. I was born Eric Arthur Blair on June 25, 1903, in Motihari, British India.
  2. I later adopted a pen name for my writing.
  3. I am best known for the dystopian novels 1984 and Animal Farm.
  4. I served in the British Imperial Police in Burma (now Myanmar) and later fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War.
  5. I died of tuberculosis on January 21, 1950, at age 46. My work remains highly influential in literature, politics, and discussions about surveillance and personal freedom.

I am… George Orwell. Congratulations to Tim from Mount Vernon for calling in and guessing me correctly, taking home that $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica! Tune in tomorrow for Praise Thursday and a game of Name That Tune!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

0

Forever Jesus Shall Reign!

Today we talked about some of the songs we get to listen to on WNZR, and highlighted the songs “Hymn of Heaven” by Phil Wickham and “When I Fall” by Katy Nichole.

In Phil Wickham’s song, we worship Jesus for Him and who He is. We know and remember in this song that Jesus is forever victorious and all-powerful, regardless of our circumstances, or what may be going on in the world right now.

Katy Nichole expresses through her song how we desperately need God’s help. Whether we’re on a high mountaintop or the lowest of valleys, we need Jesus. This song is Katy Nichole’s cry for help, and we related this song to the Scripture in Matthew 11:28-30, where it says “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” He wants us to come to Him as we are. He is faithful to give us rest for us.

Today we played Mystery Monday! Here was the prompt we had this week, with the top four answers:

Name a common item people forget to take with them when leaving the house.

  1. Keys (50)
  2. Phone (25)
  3. Wallet (15)
  4. Sunglasses (10)

Congratulations to Pat from Mount Vernon for calling in and guessing the top two answers correctly, taking home that $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica! Tune in tomorrow for Artist Newsday and Song Poetry!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

0

NZ Top 10 for 6/20/2025

Happy Friday and Summer Solstice Day! Here is this week’s countdown:

10. Micah Tyler – God Did It
9. We Are Messengers – A Thousand Times
8. ELEVATION RHYTHM – Goodbye Yesterday
7. Phil Wickham – The King Is In The Room
6. Brandon Lake f/Jelly Roll – Hard Fought Hallelujah
5. Matthew West – Unashamed
4. Jamie MacDonald – Desperate [formerly #1 for 7 weeks]
3. MercyMe – Oh Death
2. TobyMac – a lil Church
1. Jon Reddick – No Fear [4th week at #1]

New Music Friday Adds This Week:

Big Daddy Weave – I’ve Just Seen Too Much

Thank you so much for listening!
– Ethan Hershberger

0

God Is SO Graceful.

Today is Praise Thursday, and we got to listen to some worship music as we winded down the day!

Something God put on my heart was the realization that He is not here to wait for the moment we sin or make a mistake to punish us or condemn us. Rather, He is graceful and instantly forgiving, knowing the position of our hearts. The song that this reminded me of was Danny Gokey’s “More Than You Think I Am”. In the song, he sings:

Rumour has it, there’s a gavel in my hand,
I’m only here to condemn.
But let me tell you secrets you would’ve never known
I think of you as my best friend.

This is so freeing for us that we can be sure to know that as believers and followers of Jesus, we don’t need to worry about getting punished or condemned for every little mistake or sin we make. He is graceful and forgiving! “For a righteous person falls seven times and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of disaster.” – Proverbs 24:16

We also God’s grace, from a story found in Our Daily Bread Ministries, and we remember that we are washed completely clean from our past sins and mistakes. It doesn’t matter who we are, what we’ve done, or what we look like. His grace is sufficient for everyone, no matter where they are, or where they’ve come from! “Oh what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!” – Psalm 32:1. To read the quick, full story, click HERE.

Today we played Name That Tune! We played a fifteen second clip of a song played on WNZR so you can guess the title and artist of that song!

Today’s song clip came from bodie and his song Whisper and the Wind! Congratulations to Olivia from Mount Vernon for guessing the title and artist correctly! Make sure to tune in tomorrow from 4-6pm for The NZ Top 10!

Thank you so much for watching!
– Xander and Ethan

0

Did You Know This About Summer?

Did you know young sunflowers move with the sun and follow it during the day to get as much sunlight as they can so they can grow big and strong? That’s so cool!

For Who Knew Wednesday today, we went over some super fun facts about summer as the season kicks off with the Summer Solstice on Friday, June 20th!

The Summer Solstice is when the Earth is tilted closest to the sun, making it the longest day of the year! To celebrate this day, you can watch the beautiful sunrise or sunset on Friday, and if the sky is clear, you can stargaze at the beautiful stars. If you look closely, you might be able to spot some planets up there in the sky as well, like Venus and Mars!

– Image Credit: Redbubble

Do you like to eat popsicles on a hot summer day? Did you know popsicles were created by accident? That’s right! In 1905, a man named Frank Epperson accidentally left a mixing stick in water and a soda mixture outside in the cold night, and came back to it, and it had become a frozen and delicious treat! He called it the ‘Epsicle’, which would be renamed later to the ‘popsicle’ after his kids came up with the name! It’s so cool to see what God can use out of a happy accident like that!

We played Who Am I? today! This is where you get five biographical facts about a famous person born today, and you try to guess who it is! Here were the facts:

  1. I was born today in a small town in Oklahoma and wrote my first song when I was just 15 years old.
  2. I’ve won 10 CMA awards, 6 ACM awards, and I’ve had over 25 No. 1 country hits.
  3. I was a longtime coach on NBC’s The Voice, where I led multiple contestants to win the competition!
  4. I’m married to the pop star Gwen Stefani, who was also a coach on NBC’s The Voice, and we released a few songs together.
  5. I became a Grand Ole Opry member in 2010!

I am… Blake Shelton.

Congratulations to Brandon from Danville for guessing me correctly! He won that $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica! Tune in tomorrow for Name That Tune!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Ethan Hershberger

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑