artist newsday

Sidewalk Prophets – Great Big Family Christmas Album

Reminding us what the season is all about, Sidewalk Prophets invites listeners into the warmth of their living room on their first live project, Great Big Family Christmas (Live). Offering a taste of their heartwarming show, the 18-track collection features favorites from the group’s beloved LP, Merry Christmas to You, including originals like “Hey Moon” and “What a Glorious Night,” alongside their acclaimed cover of “That Spirit of Christmas.” Hallmarked by nostalgia and wonder, the live set also boasts select signature hits, spanning the band’s five studio albums.

Additionally, this fall marks 25 years since Sidewalk Prophets started in a dorm room in Indiana. To kick off a year-long celebration, the band returned to the Grand Ole Opry stage in August. You can also catch the band on their Great Big Family Christmas tour coming to Sylvania, Ohio, on December 3rd!

Seph Schlueter Goes “All In” as We Are Messengers Hit a Billion Streams

Seph Schlueter is stepping into a new chapter with the announcement of his sophomore album, Fingerprints, coming March 12th, 2027.

The announcement comes alongside Schlueter’s new single, “All In,” available now. The song is a bold declaration of faith and complete surrender to Jesus, challenging listeners to live unashamed and fully committed to their faith.

Schlueter says the song was inspired by Romans 1:16, which says, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel.” He hopes “All In” will inspire the church to live boldly for Jesus and share the Good News with others.

The new music comes as Schlueter continues to build momentum following the success of his hit, “Counting My Blessings.” He will be joining TobyMac and Katy Nichole on the “Hits Deep Tour,” which is coming to Nationwide Arena in Columbus on February 18th! Tickets are available now on Ticketmaster.com!

And that’s not all! There’s more coming from Schlueter! A children’s book inspired by “Counting My Blessings” is set to arrive in October, bringing the song’s message of gratitude and recognizing God’s goodness to a new generation.

We Are Messengers have released their brand-new album, Halfway Home!

The band’s fifth studio album features 13 songs, all co-written by frontman Darren Mulligan. The project explores the tension between where we are now and where we’re headed, reflecting on life’s contradictions while pointing listeners toward the hope of Jesus.

Mulligan says the band worked hard on these songs and hopes they can help listeners “come a little bit closer to Jesus” than they were before.

The band is also celebrating a major milestone, surpassing one billion global streams! And they’re nominated for two GMA Dove Awards this year. Their album Rejoice! A Celtic Christmas is nominated for Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year, while their hit “We Three Kings” is nominated for Christmas Recorded Song of the Year.

The 57th annual GMA Dove Awards will take place October 6th in Nashville, and we’re doing a Dove Awards Prediction Prize Giveaway! You can find more information on our website, wnzr.fm!

Never been so connected

Never been so alone

Broken and misdirected

And now we’re homesick for home

Congratulations to Steve from Mount Vernon for correctly guessing “Heaven Down Here,” by Megan Woods and winning TWO $5 gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica! Tune in next week for your chance to win!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Joe & Brock

September 29, 2026 0

Identity & Influence

Since making her debut five years ago with her song “My Jesus,” Anne Wilson has stayed hyper-productive, releasing three albums full of incredible music! And she isn’t stopping now!

She has released her brand-new song, “Who I Am To You,” and it’s available everywhere now!

The song is all about identity — pushing back against insecurity, comparison, and the labels the world puts on us, and reminding us that our identity is found in what God says is true about us.

Anne says the song is about trading the lies and negative labels we believe for the truth of who God created us to be. She hopes it encourages listeners to walk confidently in their identity in Christ.

“Who I Am To You” is the first song from the next chapter of Anne’s music and follows the release of Stars (Blue Hour Deluxe) earlier this summer.

Anne will also be hitting the road this fall for the STARS Tour, with special guests Peter Burton and Aodhán King joining her on select dates.

Check out Anne Wilson’s new song, “Who I Am To You,” available now!

Dolly Parton’s legacy will be celebrated in a big way next year with Dollyfest, a new multi-continental event planned for Nashville and London.

The festival was originally planned around Dolly’s 80th birthday, but after she stepped back from the event due to health challenges, the plans were put on hold.

Now, Dolly’s estate says the celebration will move forward as a two-day event spanning two weekends — one in Tennessee and one in England.

Organizers say Dollyfest is meant to be a joyful celebration of Dolly’s life and legacy, rather than a traditional memorial. They say the festival was actually a dream of Dolly’s, and they want to bring her vision to life.

Dolly Parton’s career spanned seven decades across music, film, and philanthropy, and her influence continues to reach fans around the world.

More details about Dollyfest are expected as plans come together.

Your love is like the sunlight
That shines on my face every day
It meets me in the mornin’
Dawnin’ in a thousand new shades

Congrats to Ella from Centerburg for correctly guessing “Lord It Feels Good” by TobyMac! Tune in next week for your chance to win a $5 gift card to Watt’s restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

September 1, 2026 0

Driving Notes

The Official Blog of WNZR's Afternoon Drive

Tag

It’s never too early for Christmas music

Seph Schlueter Goes “All In” as We Are Messengers Hit a Billion Streams

Identity & Influence