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Game Time Tuesday

Sonfest & Something Good

Sonfest 2026 is QUICKLY approaching! In case you’re unfamiliar with Sonfest, it’s an annual Christian music festival that takes place right here on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University! 

New this year, attendees will be able to select their seats at the time of purchase! The indoor main stage will feature reserved seating with tiered pricing based on location within the R. R. Hodges Chapel Auditorium! There is also an outdoor second stage for guests to maximize their concert experience! 

This year’s headliners include Jordan Houghton, Chris Renzema, Rock City Worship, Gio, and many more! In addition to live music, Sonfest also features food trucks, inflatables, yard games, and a vendor tent!

Also, you have multiple chances to WIN this week on the Morning Thing and Afternoon Drive! We will have trivia about this year’s event and years past! If you’re the first person to answer correctly, you will win two tickets to Sonfest 2026! So, definitely tune in to the Morning Thing at 7:30 and the Afternoon Drive at 4:50 for the chance to win! 

On Sonfest Saturday, we will also be broadcasting LIVE from Big Blue from 1- 8 PM! Stop by Big Blue and register to win a WNZR duffle bag stuffed full of goodies, including: T-shirts, an MVNU portable charger, MVNU socks, a WNZR Journal, NIV Bible, and much more! The winner will be announced at 7:30 PM on Saturday, so definitely stop by, say “hi,” and enter for a chance to win! 

Sonfest is this Saturday, September 19th! Don’t miss this great event for the whole family! Tickets are available right now at mvnu.edu/sonfest if you’re interested!

Carly Ann Taylor has a new song out today called “Something Good Is Coming.”

She’s been teasing the song’s message for months, and she says it was inspired by a season when she felt stuck and hopeless—but ultimately found hope in trusting God’s plan.

“Something Good Is Coming” follows Taylor’s recent song “Lifeline,” featuring KB, which was named a Spotify Editors’ Pick as one of the best songs released across all genres in August.

Taylor has also released “Heavenly Father” and “Why Should I Worry,” which debuted in the Top 10 at Christian radio.

And this fall, Taylor will hit the road with Big Daddy Weave for the My Hope Is Jesus Tour, alongside Caleb & John. Luckily for Ohio residents, Carly will be in Wadsworth, Ohio, on November 20th, and in Circleville, Ohio, on November 21st!

I had the privilege of meeting Carly at Momentum back in May, and she is the kindest, sweetest soul with the biggest voice! One of my favorite memories with Carly is when she taught me about one of her favorite snacks! She’s from Hawaii, and she grew up eating Flaming Hot Cheetos coated in Fruit Punch Kool-Aid powder! So, if you need a snack recommendation, there you go! 

Without further ado, here’s Carly Ann Taylor with her song ‘Why Should I Worry.’

I’ve been stacking up the years I spent

trading punches with the enemy

Built myself a double-thick, stone tower of lies, 

higher than the eye could see

Congrats to Brenda from Fredericktown for correctly guessing “Jericho” by Andrew Ripp! Also, congratulations to Esther from Mount Vernon for correctly guessing our Sonfest trivia question, winning two tickets to Sonfest 2026!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Joe & Brock

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A Time to Celebrate and a Day to Remember

Matthew West is bringing holiday cheer to eight cities this December with his Come Home for Christmas Tour!

The tour will feature Christmas classics and some of West’s own music, all centered on the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus.

Matthew says the tour is “more than a concert,” calling it an invitation to “come home to the true meaning of the season.” He hopes the shows will create special Christmas memories filled with joy while pointing people back to the reason we celebrate—the birth of Jesus, our Savior.

Matthew is also releasing his new album, “Jesus Is King,” on September 25th!

And luckily for Ohio fans, Matthew will stop in Troy, Ohio, this December as part of the Come Home for Christmas Tour.

So, if you love Christmas, Matthew West, and most importantly, Jesus, don’t miss your chance to see Matthew West live!

Tickets are available now at MatthewWest.com.

To honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Steven Curtis Chapman has released a brand-new song called “Remember the Day.”

Steven actually wrote the song more than 20 years ago, after traveling to New York City with his band for a night of remembrance at Madison Square Garden.

He and his family had been in Washington, D.C., on September 11th, 2001, and watched from their hotel as smoke rose from the Pentagon. When Steven returned to New York for the first anniversary, he wrote “Remember the Day” as a way to process the grief, honor those who lost their lives, and remember the incredible courage and compassion that brought people together.

He says he never recorded the song until now, but felt the 25th anniversary was the right time to finally share it.

And his hope is that as we remember the tragedy of that day, we’ll also remember the way people responded—with compassion, courage, and kindness.

As Romans 12:21 reminds us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

That’s the heart behind Steven Curtis Chapman’s new song, “Remember the Day.”

I’ve been stacking up the years I spent

trading punches with the enemy

Built myself a double-thick, stone tower of lies, 

higher than the eye could see

Song Poetry was a STUMPER this week, so tune in next week for your chance to win TWO gift cards to Watt’s restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Joe & Brock

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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!

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A Music Legend Passes

Today we pause to honor the memory of the one and only Dolly Parton, who died today at 80 years of age.

Dolly is one of only three artists to be in the Gospel, Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Fames – joining Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. Read more from CCM Magazine by clicking here.

We salute Dolly with these two videos from her recent collaborations:

In the waiting, in the searching, in the healing and the hurting…
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I’ve been and where I’m going..

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

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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Sundays & Skillet

Josiah Queen is giving us a preview of his next chapter with his brand-new single, “sundays.”

The high-energy, folk-rock song is a powerful reminder that our faith isn’t meant to be something we practice only on Sundays. Queen compares our need for God to our need for food, water, and even the air we breathe, challenging listeners to live out their faith every day of the week.

“sundays” is the latest glimpse of Queen’s highly anticipated new album, Damascus Road, coming October 23. The 14-track project will be his third studio album and follows his chart-topping 2025 release, Mt. Zion, which earned a Dove Award nomination for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.

And this is a huge season for Josiah Queen. The 23-year-old recently received seven GMA Dove Award nominations, including Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.

Queen also recently revealed the full Damascus Road tracklist and invited his fans to help choose which song would be released next. “sundays” ultimately won the vote, giving fans a chance to be part of the rollout for the new album.

There’s also a special mission behind Damascus Road. Queen is donating 100% of the net proceeds from CD editions of the album sold through his official website to Global Christian Relief.

Once again, the new album, Damascus Road, arrives October 23rd, and “sundays” is out now!

October is going to be an exciting month, because not only is Josiah Queen releasing an album, but Skillet is back with new music, and the rock band is entering a powerful new chapter!

The multi-Platinum band has announced a brand-new six-song EP called After the Storm, arriving October 9. Along with the announcement, Skillet released the project’s newest single, “Lift Me Up,” complete with an anime-inspired lyric video.

Frontman John Cooper says the EP came out of a season when he personally needed hope, writing these songs as a way of asking God to lift him out of some difficult moments.

That message comes through especially in “Lift Me Up,” which combines crushing guitars with a huge, arena-ready chorus. Cooper says the song reminds him of early Skillet while still feeling fresh. At its heart, it’s a prayer asking God to provide strength when life feels overwhelming.

“Lift Me Up” follows “Scream,” which introduced fans to the emotional themes behind After the Storm, including anxiety, anger, and the search for purpose in the middle of all the noise surrounding us.

And Skillet isn’t slowing down anytime soon. The band will hit the road for a nationwide U.S. Live Nation headline tour, kicking off this fall, which is visiting Greenville, Ohio, on September 19th! The new EP comes out October 9th!

You make my striving cease

You lift my burdens off of me

You calm the raging sea

My anxieties

‘Cause that’s just who You are

Congratulations to Sarah from Mount Vernon for correctly guessing “WHY SHOULD I WORRY” by Carly Ann Taylor! Tune in next week for YOUR chance to win!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Joe & Brock

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Comebacks & Concerts

After 8 years, Francesca Battistelli is making her return with NEW MUSIC.

Her brand-new song, “He Will,” is available today. “He Will” is an uplifting anthem about trusting God, even when you don’t know how He’s going to come through. Backed by a choir, Francesca sings about needing God’s rescue and being confident that He will be faithful.

The song also marks the beginning of what Battistelli says is a new wave of music.

As I said, it’s been eight years since Francesca released her last album, Own It, in 2018. During that time, she stepped away from the spotlight to focus on her growing family. She’s now a mom of seven and has embraced a quieter season of motherhood, including homeschooling and homesteading.

But even while she was away from the music scene, Francesca’s songs continued making an impact. She earned another number-one radio hit, bringing her career total to eight, and her catalog has now surpassed 2 billion career streams.

Francesca says that during her time away, God continued giving her new songs—and she believes the timing is finally right to share them.

“He Will” is the first glimpse of what’s next.

CAIN is bringing their Live and In Worship Tour to Grove City, Ohio, this fall, with special guest Jenn Johnson!

The concert is happening Thursday, September 17th, at The Naz Church in Grove City. It’s a night designed to give you space to come as you are, be refreshed, and experience the presence of God through powerful music and intentional worship.

The evening kicks off at 7 PM, with general admission doors opening at 6.

And if you know anything about CAIN, you know they’re not afraid of a little color! Their bright colors and energetic personalities are a big part of what makes them so much fun.

Well, they want you to join in on the fun, too! So when you come to the concert, make sure you wear RED in honor of the Buckeye State!

Tickets and more information are available at WNZR.fm. Just click on the Events button, then select the Concerts tab for everything you need to know!

Lord, I am so thankful for the ways that You blessed me
Everything You say making waves like a jet ski
You love every part of me, even when I was messy
Now I see the art in Your beauty
So, I can finally sing out…

Congratulations to Tisha from Fredericktown for correctly guessing “YOUR WAY’S BETTER” by Forrest Frank! Tune in next week for your chance to win!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Joe & Brock

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Fair week and the 40 Days festival!

Brock, Daniel and I are hosting the show alongside On The Road With Big Blue this week! Make sure you check this link on our website, WNZR.fm, to find out about the Knox County Fair and our amazing prizes!

Oh, and YES we are still giving away tickets this week to see FOR KING + COUNTRY at the Ohio State Fair on Monday!

Now to the news…

WILLIAMSTOWN, KENTUCKY – The 40 Days of Christian Music festival — the world’s largest — returns TODAY for its sixth consecutive year at the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum in northern Kentucky.

This massive event runs today through September 5, featuring dozens of prominent Christian performers and speakers for an unforgettable experience. The festival just announced the addition of Jeremy Camp, Grammy Award nominee and winner of five GMA Dove Awards on September 5.

Attendees can explore two of America’s best-known biblical attractions, the life-size Noah’s Ark at the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum, but also enjoy live performances from some of the biggest names in Christian music in state-of-the-art facilities.

This year’s lineup beyond Jeremy Camp includes CAIN, Crowder, Passion, Matthew West, Jamie MacDonald, Jon Reddick, Cochren & Co., David Phelps, Tasha Layton, Jason Crabb, Triumphant Quartet, Karen Peck & New River, Mark Trammell Quartet, The Isaacs, The Inspirations, Gold City, and Joseph Habedank, among many others. In total, more than 100 artists will take the stage throughout the 40-day event with performances every day, except Sundays.

I say, “I’m fine, yeah, I’m fine, oh, I’m fine, hey, I’m fine”

But I’m not, I’m broken.

And when it’s out of control, I say “It’s under control”

But it’s not and You know it.

This one was a stumper last week! This week, Lisa from Fredericktown got the answer correct! ‘Truth Be Told’ by Matthew West.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Brock

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Two Albums, One Powerful Message

Matthew West has announced a brand-new album! It’s called Jesus Is King and arrives September 25. The 12-song project is centered on faith, surrender, and the hope we have in Christ.

Along with the album announcement, Matthew has also released a brand-new single, “Back to Jesus.” He says making this record was a reminder to his own heart that no matter how loud fear, failure, or the noise of the world may seem, only Jesus gets the final word.

The new song, “Back to Jesus,” is a powerful reminder that no one is ever too far gone for God’s grace. It’s a message of redemption for anyone who’s wandered or wondered if there’s a way back. Matthew says he hopes these songs remind listeners of one simple truth: Jesus is King.

The new project follows Matthew’s 2024 album, Don’t Stop Praying, which became one of the biggest moments of his career. The title track spent two weeks at the top of the Christian radio charts and inspired a nationwide prayer movement.

Matthew will also be taking these new songs on the road this fall with his Jesus Is King Tour, which kicks off September 10 and brings his music to audiences across the country.

ELEVATION RHYTHM has released a brand-new live album! It’s called WASHED and is available everywhere now.

The nine-song project was recorded live during ELEVATION Church’s weekly youth nights in Charlotte, North Carolina, and captures what God has been doing in the lives of young people through worship. The album is named after the group’s current No. 1 hit, “WASHED,” which recently became ELEVATION RHYTHM’s first song to reach No. 1 across multiple Christian radio charts.

Creative director Josh Holiday says each live album is like a “time capsule,” capturing what God is doing in a specific season. He says WASHED reflects stories of identity, freedom, and new life found in Christ.

The album also features guest artists including Josiah Queen, Jonathan Stamper, SEU Worship, Avery Marillo, and Lizzie Morgan.

Fans will have the chance to experience these songs live this fall as ELEVATION RHYTHM launches the WASHED Tour, featuring worship nights, Bible studies, and opportunities to build community in cities across the country.

I say, “I’m fine, yeah, I’m fine, oh, I’m fine, hey, I’m fine”

But I’m not, I’m broken

And when it’s out of control, I say “It’s under control”

But it’s not and You know it

This week was a STUMPER, so call in next week for your chance to win TWO $5 gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Joe & Brock

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Gospel ladies take center stage!

Today’s artist news features notes about two powerful voices in contemporary gospel music! Read more about these stories from our friends at JesusFreakHideout.com by clicking the artist’s names in the story.

Motown Gospel—part of Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol Records, and Universal Music Group—just signed GRAMMY-nominated artist Koryn Hawthorne, kicking off an exciting new chapter for one of Gospel music’s most powerful contemporary voices.

You may remember her from her amazing duets with Matt Maher, Lecrae. Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey, including “How Great” and “We All Need Jesus.”

The announcement comes as Koryn gets ready to drop new music and step into a fresh creative season. This fall, she’ll release her first project with Motown Gospel, promising a fresh, elevated sound while staying rooted in the faith-centered message that’s made Koryn stand out.

—

18-time GRAMMY® Award-winning icon CeCe Winans is bringing her acclaimed Christmas tour to the West Coast for the first time in over a decade. Joined by special guests and her sisters Angie Winans and Debbie Winans, Christmas with CeCe Winans will visit six cities this December for an evening of beloved Christmas classics, worship favorites, and songs from throughout CeCe’s celebrated career.

The West Coast Christmas tour is not all. CeCe will also co-headline the highly anticipated Christmas Together tour alongside Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. The tour will feature an evening of holiday favorites, career-spanning hits, and moments of worship as three of Christian music’s most beloved artists come together.  They kick off this tour on Friday, November 27 in Columbus at the Schottenstein Center.

This one was a STUMPER last week:

When all I’m holding onto is a promise

God, You promised that You’ll never leave me

When I’m scared of the dark, You’re right there with me

Your kindness never fails, it’s always reaching after me

Congratulations to Jon from Mount Vernon – he correctly guessed Honest by Leanna Crawford and wins TWO $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant un Utica!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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