Search

Driving Notes

The Official Blog of WNZR's Afternoon Drive

Open Search
Tag

Artist News Day

New Music from Ben Fuller and Patrick Mayberry

What if a concert tour was about more than the music?

For Ben Fuller, his recent Black Sheep Tour became a place where lives were changed, people were baptized, and many made decisions to follow Jesus. Now he’s giving fans a chance to experience those moments again with his new live album, Black Sheep Tour: Songs from the Road.

Recorded during his headlining tour earlier this year, the 13-track collection features live versions of fan favorites like “Black Sheep,” “Who I Am,” “If I Got Jesus,” “Turn,” and “Walk Through Fire.” Each song also includes a live video component that captures the energy and impact of the performances.

The tour reached 28 cities, welcomed more than 26,000 attendees, and saw over 130 people commit their lives to Christ. Ben says he’s continually amazed by what God is doing through his ministry and hopes these songs remind listeners that it’s never too late to experience God’s love and grace.

Read more here: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2026/06/12.BenFullerUnveilsNewLiveAlbumBlackSheepTourSongsFromTheRoad.asp

Have you ever wondered what might happen if just one more person heard the Gospel?

That question became the inspiration behind Patrick Mayberry’s new EP, Anybody Else, available now. The title track was inspired by a powerful moment during a visit to Louisiana State Penitentiary with the prison ministry God Behind Bars.

After a pastor shared the Gospel and invited inmates to respond, one man stepped forward to be baptized. In that moment, Patrick felt God prompting him to ask a simple question: “Is there anybody else?” Two more men responded and gave their lives to Christ.

That unforgettable experience became the foundation for the song “Anybody Else,” which celebrates the life-changing power of the Gospel and encourages believers to boldly share what God has done in their lives.

The six-song EP also comes on the heels of a big season for Mayberry. His song “Lead On Good Shepherd” recently reached No. 1 on Christian radio and earned a K-LOVE Fan Award nomination for Worship Song of the Year.

Patrick says “Anybody Else” started as a question but became one of the most important songs he’s ever written, reminding listeners that the redeemed of the Lord were never meant to stay silent.

Read more here: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2026/06/12.PatrickMayberryReleasesAnybodyElseEPToday.asp

Oh, hear my prayer tonight, I’m singin’ to the sky

Give me strength to raise my voice, let me testify

Oh, hear my prayer tonight, ’cause this is do or die

The time has come to make a choice

And I choose…

Congrats to Sarah from Mount Vernon for being this week’s Song Poetry winner! She correctly guessed “joy.” by for King & Country!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Brock Hankins

0

Crowder Fall Tour and Tree63’s New Album, plus CeCe Winans’ message to Caleb Downs

If you’re a fan of Crowder, there’s some exciting news coming this fall! He’s heading back out on the road for the Crowder LIVE! Tour, and if his past tours are any indication, it’s going to be a night full of worship, celebration, and a whole lot of energy.

You’ll get to hear some of his biggest songs, including “Good God Almighty,” “Grave Robber,” and “Somebody Prayed,” plus Crowder says these nights are all about gathering as the family of God, singing truth, finding encouragement, and celebrating what God is doing in our lives.

He’s also bringing some great friends along for the tour. Rend Collective will be joining him on every stop, with Lost & Found and Benjamin William Hastings appearing on select dates.

Tickets go on sale June 12, and luckily for Ohio residents, Crowder will visit both Columbus and Cincinnati this October! So, if you’re looking for a concert to attend, you definitely don’t want to miss this!

Tree63 may be a new name to some listeners, but they’ve been making an impact in Christian music for nearly three decades. The South African rock band first formed in 1996 and quickly gained international attention with songs like “Treasure” and “Look What You’ve Done.”

Led by singer and songwriter John Ellis, Tree63 went on to win a Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year and scored major hits including “Blessed Be Your Name” and “King,” songs that helped shape Christian radio and worship music in the early 2000s.

After the band stepped away in 2009, Ellis returned to South Africa and focused on solo projects. But now, after years apart and more than a decade since their last full season together, Tree63 is back.

With a refreshed lineup and a renewed sense of purpose, the band began writing and recording new music in 2025, leading to their upcoming album, Voyage. It’s a project that reflects both the band’s history and the faith journey that has guided them through the years.

The new album arrives later this month, marking an exciting new chapter for a band that has already left a lasting mark on Christian music.

CeCe Winans sends a kind message to Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs after he chose her song “King of Glory” as his walk-out song! Check it out:

Sometimes on this journey

I get lost in my mistakes

What looks to me like weakness 

is a canvas for Your strength

Congrats to this week’s song poetry winner, Cheyenne from Mount Vernon, for correctly guessing The Father’s House by Cory Asbury!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Joe & Brock

0

Amy Grant returns; Tasha’s short film

Today, we shared news about Amy Grant’s new album and Tasha Layton’s short film for ‘Meet Me in the Valley’ from our friends at JesusFreakHideout.com.

On Friday, May 8th, 6-time Grammy Award-winning artist and Christian music legend Amy Grant released her brand-new album, The Me That Remains. The project marks her first collection of all-original songs in nearly 13 years and offers a deeply personal reflection from an artist approaching 50 years in her groundbreaking career. To celebrate the album’s release, The Museum of Christian & Gospel Music will host a special Amy Grant Pop-Up Exhibit featuring original mixed-media artwork by Wayne Brezinka created for the album cover. Inspired by themes of memory and restoration, the piece incorporates meaningful items from Grant’s life, including fragments of a treasured quilt, seashells from her collection, her childhood Bible, and an article about her grandfather. I (Brock Hankins) actually listened to a few songs from the record, and my favorite by far was The 6th of January (Yasgur’s Farm). It’s a track that evokes nostalgia, as well as reflects the grief that comes with growing older! Definitely check out the album if you’re interested!

Additionally, triple-threat singer-songwriter, author, and worship leader Tasha Layton is inviting audiences into one of the most personal seasons of her life with the premiere of a new short film inspired by her latest single, “Meet Me In The Valley.” The film offers an intimate look at Layton’s journey into stillness, surrender, and spiritual renewal as she stepped away from the noise of everyday life to seek a deeper connection with God. Earlier this year, Layton spent three days alone in Death Valley National Park, home to the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. What began as a personal retreat became a transformative experience marked by reflection, healing, and renewed faith. The 30-minute film captures the raw moments and revelations from her time in the desert, bringing to life the heart behind her current radio single. The short film is free to view on YouTube, so definitely check it out if you’re interested!

Ask me why I’m smiling

Ask me why I’m free

Ask me why there’s joy, joy, joy inside of me

My heart has found its reason

To wake up every day

So ask me why I’m smiling

And this is what I’ll say

It’s a stumper for another week!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive,

  • Joe & Brock

0

Amy brings Christmas to Nashville (again)!

Today’s Artist News from our friends at JesusFreakHideout.com:

NASHVILLE – Amy Grant will once again co-host “CMA Country Christmas” with Trisha Yearwood. The show will air Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 8/7c on ABC and next day on Hulu and Disney+. Filmed in Nashville in front of a live audience, the festive special showcases one-of-a-kind musical performances of Christmas classics from Country Music’s biggest stars, including Grant and Yearwood taking the stage to perform “Sing Your Praise To The Lord” and “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” Grant also performs “Tennessee Christmas.” The lineup includes for KING & COUNTRY with Carin León (“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”), Cody Johnson (“White Christmas“) and (“I’ll Be Home For Christmas”), Ashley McBryde and Brittney Spencer (“Man With The Bag”), Jon Pardi (“Horsepower Sleigh”) and CeCe Winans (“Joy To The World”). 

Starting this Friday, November 29 through December 21, Grant and husband Vince Gill will once again bring one of the most successful residencies in the history of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium (famous former home of the Grand Ole Opry), “Christmas at the Ryman” which has presented over 100 shows in front of nearly a quarter-million people. 

“It’s like the brightest sunrise
Waiting on the other side of the darkest night
Don’t ever lose hope, hold on and believe…”

The song? ‘Haven’t Seen It Yet’ by Danny Gokey. Congratulations to Sarah from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

0

Seph Schlueter Reflects On Counting My Blessings.

Hi!

Today on the show it was Artist News Day and Game Time Tuesday. We featured for Artist News Day this week Seph Schlueter and his song Counting My Blessings. Seph has accomplished several things throughout his short career so far. He has already collected several awards and recognitions for his song Counting My Blessings.

Below is the article about these accomplishments:

Seph Schlueter is celebrating his breakout song Counting My Blessings. This song of course was number one on the Christian Airplay Chart for several weeks.

Here is what Seph had to say about his song Counting My Blessings, “This song is about gratitude and that’s so universal,” he says. “Everyone can relate to gratitude. In a world where there’s so much negativity and complaining and fear, to see a song blowing up about gratitude is so important.”

Seph’s song Counting My Blessings has received several awards. He has been named the Christian Music Broadcaster’s Breakout Artist of the year and he has been nominated for his first GMA Dove Awards. He has been nominated for New Artist of the Year as well as Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year.

You turned the light on and flipped the script
I’m suddenly seeing what I used to miss
Got me living in the present tense
With a love so deep, You’re the greatest gift.

The answer is Just As You Are by Ryan Stevenson.

Congratulations to Barb of Fredericktown for guessing the correct answers! She wins a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant.

Thanks for listening!

-Dylan

0

Megan Woods Makes History!

Hi!

Today on the show it was Artist News Day. I shared some artist news about Megan Woods and her new song The Truth. Also, we had our song poetry where one person has a chance to win a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant!

Here is my article:

New Christian music artist Megan Woods’ debut single, “The Truth,” is the largest debut single launch in two and a half years. As of the date the single was added, it has been played by 39 different radio stations nationwide. This song is relevant and timely according to radio programmers across the country.

The single has captured significant social media attention, accumulating over 23 million views across various platforms. With 250,000+ new followers, “The Truth” continues to connect with listeners as a source of healing and personal declaration.

The song, “The Truth” is a deeply personal proclamation that tells Megan Woods’ life story that is connecting with fans and followers across the world.

Megan says that “I wanted to write a song that’s a reminder for people every day of who they are in Jesus. We don’t belong to the lies; we belong to God–that’s the truth. When the lies are closing in, this song can remind them of the truth. I hope there’s someone out there that understands they are their Father’s child.”

Here is the lyric video for the song The Truth:

I don’t want to fear the storm
Just because I hear it roar
I don’t want to fear the storm
I don’t want to fear the storm.

…Peace Be Still by Hope Darst

Congratulations to Bonnie of Mount Vernon for guessing the correct answer! She wins a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant.

Thanks for listening!

-Dylan

0

The United We Worship Tour Announced!

Hi!

Today on the show we talked about how The United We Worship Tour was recently announced. This tour is meant to help unite us this November. We also had our song poetry where one person has a chance to win a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant!

Here is my artist news day article:

A new tour was recently announced. The ‘United We Worship’ Tour, seeks to inspire and unite us this November. As you probably know, there is something that is happening during November. Headlining the tour are Danny Gokey and Mac Powell. Also, joining them on stage will be Tasha Layton and Seph Schlueter.

So why should we care about this tour? Well, the reason is because the ‘United We Worship’ Tour promises to be an unforgettable experience, featuring powerful worship sessions, uplifting music, and a spirit of unity that will resonate long after the concerts end. The tour kicks off on November 7th in Evansville, IN, and spans several cities across the United States, concluding on November 24th in Lynchburg, VA.

The tour will be coming to Troy, Ohio on November 9th.

Every anxious thought that steals my breath
It’s a heavy weight upon my chest
As I lie awake and wonder what the future will hold
Help me to remember that You’re in control.

…. I Will Fear No More by The Afters

Congratulations to Darla of Cardington for guessing the correct answer! She wins a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant.

Thanks for Listening!

-Dylan

0

Tauren Wells is Hosting The 55th GMA Dove Awards!

Hi!

That’s right! Tauren Wells is hosting the GMA Dove Awards for the second consecutive year! Congratulations to Tauren!

Here is the article:

Tauren Wells is hosting and performing at the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards. This is the second consecutive year that he has hosted the GMA Dove Awards. The GMA Dove Awards will be held on October 1st, 2024, at Allen Arena in Nashville.

Here is what Tauren Wells said about being selected to host the GMA Dove Awards. “Last year’s Dove Awards was such an incredible experience, we’ve decided to run it back!” says Tauren Wells. “I’m so excited to return as host for this year’s Dove Awards. It’s going to be a great night!”

Here is today’s winner to our Lauren Daigle Concert Ticket Giveaway:

We played Name That Tune today to one of Lauren’s songs.

Here is what the song was: These Are The Days.

Congratulations to Ashley of Mount Vernon!

Here is today’s winner for our General Admission Ticket Giveaway to the Ohio State Fair:

Today’s trivia question was:

What major sporting event has been featured as an Ohio State Fair Butter Sculpture?

The answer is: They did a tribute to the Olympics.

Congratulations to Monica of Mount Vernon!

There’s a sign on the door, says, “Come as you are” but I doubt it
‘Cause if we lived like it was true, every Sunday morning pew would be crowded.

The answer is Truth Be Told by Matthew West!

Congratulations to Lindsey of Fredericktown for guessing the correct answer! She wins a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant.

Thanks for listening!

-Dylan

0

Jeremy Camp is back on Top!

Hi!

That’s right! Jeremy Camp is back on top for the 44th time in his career with his song These Days!

Here is my summary of the article:

Jeremy Camp Earns His 44th No. 1 Song With ‘These Days’

Jeremy Camp is back at number one for the 44th time in his career with his song ‘These Days.’ This song is described as a living-in-the-moment song that is the featured song for his album ‘Deeper Waters’. Deeper Waters topped the Billboard Top 200 Christian chart when it was released. Deeper Waters is also the highest album streaming debut of his career thus far.

This album is described as a pop-infused reflection of the past two-plus decades of his life, as well as the appreciation for the moment of the now. He also describes this as a reflection of his personal experiences, his steadfast faith, and his innate gift of storytelling.

Jeremy Camp will be performing at the Alive Music Festival in Mineral City, Ohio on Friday, July 19th.

Here is the lyric video for These Days:

Am I the only one who struggles here and now?
Am I the only one who wrestles with my doubt?
And if I tell you all my secrets, will you go runnin’ out?
There’s only one way to find out.

We had another stumper this week, so make sure you tune in next week for that chance to win THREE $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant!

Some hints for the artist and song:

  1. This singer was the former lead singer for Tenth Avenue North.
  2. This singer has only released one single.
  3. This song is about bringing people TOGETHER.

Thanks for listening!

-Dylan

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑