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The 56th GMA Dove Awards are Happening this Week!!

All your favorite WNZR artists are down in Nashville, TN this week for the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards! Today during The Afternoon Drive, we talked about the nominees, and a really special prize you can win regarding these awards as well!

You could win special gifts from some artists that are nominated for a Dove Award this year! We’re giving away CeCe Winans’ More Than This Limited Edition LP vinyl, Brandon Lake’s King Of Hearts CD, Seph Schlueter’s Counting My Blessings CD, and a signed Song Of The Saints CD from Phil Wickham!

You could be the winner of all of these prizes in our Dove Awards Prediction Prize Giveaway. All of the gifts mentioned will be all together in one basket, and we’re giving away three of these prize baskets!

It’s super easy to enter this giveaway! Just click here, scroll down to the Prediction Form, and choose an artist who’s nominated that you think is going to win “Artist of the Year” and “Song of the Year”. Every person who guesses both categories correct will be entered into a drawing to win this awesome prize package!

To get your brain flowing, here are your GMA Dove Award nominees:

Artist of the Year:

Brandon Lake
CeCe Winans
Forrest Frank
Josiah Queen
Lauren Daigle
Phil Wickham

Song of the Year:

Counting My Blessings – Seph Schlueter
Good Day – Forrest Frank
Goodbye Yesterday – Elevation Rhythm, Gracie Binion
Hard Fought Hallelujah – Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll
Still Waters (Psalm 23) – Leanna Crawford
That’s My King – CeCe Winans
That’s Who I Praise – Brandon Lake
The Prodigal – Josiah Queen
The Truth – Megan Woods
Up! – Forrest Frank, Connor Price

If you want to see all the categories of nominations for the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards, click here!

Cory Asbury is thinking of getting some of your favorite WNZR and Christian music artists to do a family friendly version of the Super Bowl Halftime Show!

Nothing official has been announced yet, but a name for this show that’s been thrown around is “Halftime for Heaven”. If this is something you want to see, show your support for this idea from Cory Asbury by going to his post, commenting on it, give it a like, and we’ll see if this goes anywhere!

Here were lyrics for this week’s Song Poetry!

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine
He’s been my fourth man in the fire, time after time
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood
And what He did for me on Calvary is more than enough

This week’s Song Poetry was a stumper, so tune in next Tuesday for a chance to win two $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica if you think you know what song this is!

Tune in on Wednesday for some fun Who Knew? facts with Joe Rinehart and Gabriella Stanley!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Xander and Ethan

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Get To Know Coach Blevins, MVNU Cougar’s Soccer Coach!

Today on The Afternoon Drive, we got to know more about Kaleb Blevins, who is the new MVNU Cougars Soccer Coach and we also talked about National Radio Day!

We are so excited for you to get to know Coach Blevins! You can listen to the conversation Joe and Kaleb had on our SoundCloud by clicking HERE!

Today is National Radio Day!

To celebrate, we talked about the history of the radio! Did you know the first person to discover radio waves was a man named Heinrich Hertz in 1886? However, a receiver that took advantage of these radio waves wasn’t made until around 30 years later, made by an Italian man named Gulielmo Marconi. Since the early 1900s, radio has been used for commercial use, entertainment, and even ministry, which is what we’re blessed to do with WNZR! To read the full article about the history of the radio on Days Of The Year, click HERE!

How can you celebrate National Radio Day? Well, you’ve already done that by listening to WNZR, and reading this blog, so thank you!

It’s also National Bacon-Lovers Day! If you love bacon, celebrate this day by enjoying your favorite meat from the belly of a pig! Whether for by itself for breakfast or found in a juicy cheeseburger, adding bacon is a great way to add an extra level of flavor to your meal!

To read the full article about National Bacon-Lovers Day, click HERE!

Today we played Who Am I? which is where you try to guess our mystery celebrity! Here are your five biographical hints:

  1. I was born today, August 20th, 1983, in Los Angeles California, but I was raised in Epsom, Surrey, England.
  2. I trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, where I began my acting career in theatre.
  3. My breakout role was for my performance in “The Social Network” as Eduardo Saverin, which earned me a Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations.
  4. I am widely known for my portrayal as Spider-Man in “The Amazing Spiderman” films in 2012 and 2014.
  5. In 2017, I earned a Tony Award for “Best Actor in a Play” for my role as Prior Walter in “Angels in America” on Broadway.

I am… Andrew Garfield!

Congratulations to Anna from Marengo for being the first to call in and guess it was him! Tune in tomorrow for Praise Thursday as we read some devos and listen to worship music!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

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Album Releases For The Month Of August!

Today we talked about all the new music and albums coming from your artists here on WNZR! There’s one already out, and there a few new ones to come as well!

MercyMe has debuted their twelfth studio album, Wonder & Awe last Friday, August 8th!

With thirteen tracks on this one, the band takes a twist on the kind of style of music audiences would expect for them to put out. Lead singer Bart Millard described it as feeling like being in a teenage garage band, where they get to make music they are having fun with, and not be put under an expectation of what kind of style of music to make.

The album title, Wonder & Awe speaks as a theme of wanting to go back to that place of adventure, surprise, and as the title suggests, wonder and awe. Millard said one time “I mean think about it, not much surprises us these days”. And no wonder! With all the information we need in the palms of our hand. So the band wants to take us back “to eyes open wide” and “to that kid who once believed he was always made to fly”. When listening through this record, you can tell the band had a lot of fun putting this one together!

To read the full album review on JesusFreakHideout, click HERE!

Katy Nichole is releasing her second full-length studio album, Honest Conversations, on Friday, August 15th!

With her previous record, Jesus Changed My Life, Katy Nichole touched hearts with her honest, touching, and passionate lyrics that filled her songs. This album is bringing more of that heartfelt honesty that speaks to people worldwide.

It’s incredible to see how the Lord uses Nichole’s struggles to speak through to others who are going something tragic as well. We got to see a little of what this album will be like by getting to hear Katy Nichole’s song When I Fall when she released it 8 months ago!

To learn more about this upcoming record, click HERE!

Josiah Queen is debuting his second full-length studio album, Mt. Zion, on Friday, August 22nd!

With a unique style of folk-pop music, Queen is bringing that same unique style in new ways on this upcoming record! We’ve gotten to hear a few songs that will be on this record, such as Can’t Steal My Joy (feat. Brandon Lake) and Dusty Bibles!

We’ve seen Queen’s social media go viral ever since his big hit The Prodigal, and when he teases snippets of his new music, it almost never fails to bring excitement to listeners all over!

To hear more of what Josiah Queen said about this upcoming release, click HERE!

Keep David Crowder in your prayers for these next few weeks! He broke his leg last week, saying “I’m not near as athletic as I thought I was-“, and because of this he said he will also be missing a couple of shows as a result.

This week’s Song Poetry is a returning stumper! That means we weren’t able to find a winner for Song Poetry, so the winner of this one takes home three $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica! Here were the lyrics:

Come see all the captives run free
He’s tearing down the walls
He’s tearing down the walls
There’s grave shaking power when we sing
The Name above them all
Your Name above them all

These Song Poetry lyrics were from Phil Wickham’s The King Is In The Room! And for this week’s returning stumper, congratulations goes to Connie from Centerburg for being the first to call in and guess the song title and artist correctly!

Tune in tomorrow for a fun day of fun facts on Who Knew Wednesday, and for a game of Who Am I?, which is also a stumper, so tune in from 4-6pm for a chance to win two $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Xander and Ethan

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Cast All Your Cares On Him.

We took some time to slow down, listen to worship music, read some devotionals, and remembered to breathe during The Afternoon Drive today.

We read in 1 Peter today, where it tells us to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (5:7) Such a powerful and comforting truth we get to live in! Whatever the enemy tries to come attack us with, we can take the offense and use God’s Word to dismantle anxiety and fear. Our surrender and worship to God is how we fight our battles! We also see in Ephesians where it tells us to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (6:11) Read Ephesians chapter 6, verse 10-20! It is such a beautiful passage and it reminds us to not stop praying, no matter what! Call on God to just flood you with His peace and His presence! He is with you. He is always Emmanuel, which means “God with us”!

We listened to Seph Schlueter’s newest song on WNZR that has been speaking to so many hearts. It’s called Won’t Start Now, and it goes so well in reminding us that we can always cast our cares onto Him, and He has never changed that truth, and He won’t start now! (Or ever!)

We also were on the road with Big Blue this afternoon at the Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival! We got to give away prize baskets for kids and adults (If you want to register for these prize baskets, register on wnzr.fm), and the Big Blue Crew got to talk with many people involved with Mount Vernon and the festival!

The Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival will be running from August 7th until Sunday, August 10th, so come on down to the downtown Mount Vernon public square, say hi to the Big Blue Crew, get registered for a prize basket, and enjoy the many attractions and events at the Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival!

Today we played a game of Name That Tune! This week we played a fan favorite that we hear on WNZR.

This week, our Name That Tune song was The Prodigal from Josiah Queen! Congratulations to Lindsey from Fredericktown for calling in and guessing the song title and artist correctly! Tune in tomorrow for the NZ Top 10 and for a first-look at some new music getting added to WNZR!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Ethan Hershberger

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Third Day Returns For 30th Anniversary Tour!!! MercyMe’s 12th Full Length Album Release!!!

Today’s Artist Newsday is packed with exciting news! MercyMe is releasing their twelfth full length album called “Wonder & Awe”, which includes songs like “Oh Death”, which we hear on WNZR! Not only that, but Third Day is back for the first time in such a long time, with their 30th Anniversary Tour, featuring a Zach Williams!

We haven’t seen Third Day on the road since 2018 after their Farewell Tour and lead singer Mac Powell decided to pursue a solo career. They will be in Dayton, Ohio on May 7th, but if you want to go, be prepared. Their last tour, the Farewell Tour, sold out in just twelve minutes, so if you want tickets for this tour, they’ll be available this Friday at 10am! If you want to save the link, click here!

MercyMe has been anticipating listeners with their newest full length album! They have given us a taste of what “Wonder & Awe”, their new album, is going to look and sound like with their song “Oh Death”, and they have announced this record will release on August 8th on streaming services! They talked about their upcoming record, the heart behind it, and what they want listeners to take away from listening to it on their YouTube channel!

Today we played song poetry! We picked four lines of lyrics from a song we hear on WNZR, and spoke it like a poem! Here were the lyrics to our Song Poetry:

Yeah, I don’t always feel it,
Yeah, but that’s when I need it the most.
So, I’ma keep on singing,
‘Til my soul catches up with my song.

Today’s song was Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah”! Congratulations to Brylan from Mount Vernon for guessing the title and artist correctly, taking home that $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica! Tune in tomorrow on Wednesday for a game of Who Am I? and Who Knew Wednesday!

Thank you so much for listening!
– Xander and Ethan

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Exciting News for Two Christian Music Legends!

Today we talked about some movie releases from two Christian music legends here on the station! We discussed how Jeremy Camp’s movie, I Still Believe, will be coming to Netflix. This will bring the movie to a whole new global audience, and give you one more option to view it. The movie follows Jeremy’s incredible story of faith, love, and loss. It is based off his 2002 hit, I Still Believe from his album, Stay.

We also shared exciting news from MercyMe! March 20th, 2026 is the day when I Can Only Imagine 2 comes to theaters. The movie is a direct continuation of lead singer Bart Millard’s inspiring story and deeply personal battle as a father that he can’t fight alone. John Michael Finley will return to star as Bart Millard, while Dennis Quaid and Trace Adkins will reprise their roles as Arthur and MercyMe’s manager Scott Brickell. 

We also played song poetry today! We play this fun trivia game every Tuesday at the 5 o’clock hour to give you a chance to win two $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica! Here was today’s song poetry:

I learned the lines and talked the talk
But the road less traveled is hard to walk
It takes a soldier
Who knows his orders
To walk the walk I’m supposed to walk

This one, for the second week, was a stumper today! We’ll have some new song poetry for next Tuesday!

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The Dove Awards Are On The Way!

The Dove Awards are only a week away, and we couldn’t be more excited! For Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday, we shared news about song, artist and film nominations for the 55th Annual Dove Awards. Forrest Frank, Anne Wilson, Brandon Lake, For King & Country, CeCe Winans…all of these are nominated artists that we love and play right here on The Lifeline!

Forrest Frank: New Artist of the Year Nominee

Anne Wilson: Artist of the Year Nominee

CeCe Winans: Gospel Recorded Album of the Year Nominee

For King & Country: Artist of the Year Nominee

Brandon Lake: Worship Song of the Year Nominee

It’s also National Day of Student Prayer. In the 5 o’clock hour, we shared a praise from Donna, who praises God for helping us every day in all things! He is still healing and still doing miracles everyday!

We’re also lifting up the families of loved ones struggling with physical and mental health issues. We pray for God’s healing touch upon their lives.

It’s not just a story
It’s a livin’, breathin’, walkin’ testimony
Of a God so good, He’d leave his home in glory
For the world He loved, for the world that He so loved
He’s not just a story

Congratulations to Lydia from Mount Vernon, – she got the song right for Song Poetry – “I Believe It” by Jon Reddick. Lydia wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening!
– Judah

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NZ Top 10 For 8/23/24

Praise the Lord it’s Friday!

Here are our top ten songs this week:

10. MercyMe – Always Only Jesus
9. TobyMac – Nothin’ Sweeter
8. Caleb & John f/CAIN – Somebody Like Me
7. Matthew West – Don’t Stop Praying
6. CeCe Winans – That’s My King
5. We Are Messengers – God Be The Glory
4. Forrest Frank – Good Day
3. Josh Baldwin f/Jenn Johnson – Made For More
2. Elevation Worship – Praise
1. Tauren Wells f/Davies – Take It All Back (3rd week at #1!)

New Music Friday this week:

Phil Wickham – The Jesus Way

Cochren & Co. – Money Can’t Buy

No videos associated with this song yet.

Thanks for listening!

-Dylan

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NZ Top 10 for 7/26/24

Praise the Lord it’s Friday! Here are our top ten songs this week:

10. Josh Baldwin f/Jenn Johnson – Made For More
9. Jeremy Camp – These Days
8. CeCe Winans – That’s My King
7. MercyMe – Always Only Jesus
6. Forrest Frank – Good Day
5. Katy Nichole f/Naomi Raine – My God Can
4. We Are Messengers – God Be The Glory
3. Matthew West – Don’t Stop Praying
2. Tauren Wells f/Davies – Take It All Back
1. Elevation Worship – Praise (11th week at #1!!)

New Music Friday adds this week:

CAIN – Friend In Jesus

Congratulations to Candace for winning the two free tickets to the Ohio State Fair!

Thanks for listening!

-Joe and Dylan

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