Today for Artist Newsday, Jonathon shared some special Christmas concerts coming to the area! You can find shows from Riley Clemmons, Sidewalk Prophets and more on our website WNZR.fm!
Emma shared about For King and Country and how they will be special guests on the holiday episode of “CMT Crossroads”! They will join Natalie Grant and Rebecca St. James on the show airing exclusively on CMT. Check out the full story HERE.
Your past is dead and gone Your healing has begun I’m making all things new, oh
This week was a stumper, so make sure to tune in next week for another chance to win with the Afternoon Drive!
Today on the Afternoon Drive we end the show at 4:45 as we get ready for the MVNU women’s basketball game against Bethel University. Pre-game will starts at 4:45pm and the game will start at 5:00pm!
Emma shared some news about how Phil Wickham has been nominated for his first Grammy Award. He was nominated for his song “Hymn of Heaven” was nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song!
We had another stumper this week! So stay tuned next week for song poetry!
Today, Emma shared the sad news that I Am They will be hanging up their guitars after their farewell tour this year. I Am They lead singer Abbie Parker announced two weeks ago her intentions to leave the band, which led the rest of the group to the decision to disband. You find their announcement video and their tour dates here.
Speaking of tours, there are two awesome events coming to Columbus that you can catch this month!
Casting Crowns, CAIN and Anne Wilson!
Location: Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr, Columbus, OH 43210
Date: Saturday, October 15th
Concert Begins: 7 pm
Tauren Wells!
Location: Palace Theatre, 34 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
Date: Thursday, October 20th
Concert Begins: 7pm
Ticket information for both events are available on our website, wnzr.fm
This Week’s Lyrics: But it’s now that I feel Your grace fall like rain From every fingertip, washing away my pain
Congratulations to Faith from Howard for correctly guessing today’s lyrics are from Jeremy Camp‘s hit song “I Still Believe”. Faith wins today’s Action Bible! (pictured below)
Today, we welcomed a brand co-host to the Afternoon Drive, Emma Reuss! She is a junior communications and digital media major from Cincinnati, Ohio. Jonathon and Emma will be hosting the show Tuesdays and Thursdays for the fall semester.
Tuesday, as always, was Artist Newsday, and Emma shared a story about CAIN, the musical trio who all welcomed new babies to the world through Instagram posts all throughout this year! You can find the story HERE.
Also in the news, Mac Powell is hosting a FREE VIP virtual concert experience tomorrow, August 31st, at 7:30pm. You can find more information HERE.
Finally, congratulations to Leanna Crawford for her engagement to former-NBA player Cody Zeller! She also announced the occasion on Instagram and you can read the whole story HERE.
Today’s Song Poetry Lyrics:
You brought me blessings out of a tragedy You turned my old song into a symphony
FOR KING AND COUNTRY – Brogan shared the story of a NewReleaseToday.com podcast host, who had an up close and personal experience with the Smallbone brothers. Read more by clicking here!
POINT OF GRACE – Joe shared about the digital release of the band’s hymn album, ‘Beautiful Name.’ Read the story from JesusFreakHideout.com by clicking here!
If you’re lookin’ for hope tonight, raise your hand If you feelin’ alone and don’t understand If you’re fightin’ in the fight of your life, then stand We’re gonna make it through this hand-in-hand
The answer? ‘Together’ by for King and Country, Tori Kelly and Kirk Franklin. Congratulations to Flo from Howard, who guessed correctly and wins the WNZR drawstring backpack.
Well, this may be the busiest Artist Newsday we have had in quite a while! Dylan and I brought you up to date on some of WNZR’s favorite artists who hit the news this past week.
Last Friday, Matt Maher released his new single titled “Leaning” featuring Lizzie Morgan. You can find the single on any digital platform that you listen to music on. He explains this song as an honest yet poignant look at life’s toughest seasons and how Jesus tells us that we’re not alone. Here is what the chorus of the song reads.
“What a fellowship, what a joy divine what a priceless gift God I’m yours and You are mine, Let my restless soul be still and know I am leaning on your everlasting arms.”
Here is what Maher and a couple of his co-workers had to say on the song. “There are times in life where on either side of a difficult season you’re either asking, ‘How am I going to get through this?’ or, you’re on the other side looking back in amazement saying, ‘How did I get through this?’ That’s where I find that the most sincere, real, authentic prayers get prayed,” he shares. “You’re praying out of desperation or gratitude and you find out what your support structure looks like – friends, family, loved ones who come around you hold you up. They become real signposts for the face of Jesus. But what about those who have no one? What does Jesus have to say to them? He says, ‘I no longer call you strangers, I call you friends. This is what I find so compelling about the friendship of God and the message of Christianity. Life is not a stacked tower of personal achievement, pride, egos, success, or vanity…it’s extending to others what Jesus says in the scriptures. ‘In this world, you will have trouble. But you are not alone. You can put your weight on me.'”
This isn’t the only song that Maher is planning on releasing this year. He will be on the road quite a bit this year with plans to travel to Europe to tour with Rend Collective, along with visiting numerous summer and fall festivals. You can visit his website for more information regarding tour dates and upcoming events.
K-LOVE recently announced via live-stream that reigning Christian Songwriter of the Year Matthew West and ten-time GRAMMY nominee Tauren Wells will co-host the 9th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards taking place on May 29 at Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry House.
Both artists are excited to host, releasing statements soon after the announcement from K-LOVE.
“I’m looking forward to hosting the K-LOVE Fan Awards again this year, and excited to be joined by my buddy Tauren Wells,” remarked West. “This fan voted awards show is always a special event where we get to gather together and celebrate how God is working through the hope-filled messages of Christian music. This will be a night to remember.”
“The K-LOVE Fan Awards is always a highlight of my year. Getting to reunite with all the artists I love and respect in our genre, developing deeper connections with fans, and celebrating the God who has given us something to sing about is something truly special,” said Wells, who released his new single “Fake It” last week. Adding, “This year, I will experience the awards from a different vantage point as a host alongside K-LOVE Fan Awards veteran, Matthew West. He has done such an incredible job and I can’t wait to team up!”
The 2022 K-LOVE Fan Awards are open to the public, providing an experience for fans that is impossible to match anywhere else. Tickets are on sale with travel packages still available at www.klovefanawards.com.
Huge thanks to Jesus Freak Hideout for covering these amazing artists with amazing articles that we use for all of our shows!
In the waiting, in the searching In the healing and the hurting Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Congratulations to Julie of Frazeysburg for correctly guessing that the lyrics for today are from Zach Williams’ hit song “There Was Jesus”, sung alongside Dolly Parton! Julie wins the Voice of the Cougars drawstring backpack!
Some big names are headed on tour soon to start 2022! Dylan and I talked about both For King and Country and Newsboys on the show today.
Over the weekend, For King and Country partnered with internationally renowned DJ R3HAB to release a remix of their hit song “Relate”, currently sitting at #1 on WNZR’s NZ Top Ten! The new version of the song is available on all streaming services now!
Relate has since hit #1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart, as well as Mediabase’s Christian AC Airplay chart, marking the 10th career #1 for the duo from Australia.
To celebrate the original song’s success, For King and Country will embark on their “What Are We Waiting For” Tour, taking them through 34 cities with special guest artist Dante Bowe! For ticket information, make sure to visit www.forkingandcountry.com.
Newsboys is starting off 2022 with their latest release, Stand, featuring longtime friend and former band member, TobyMac. The single and lyric video is available now on your streaming platforms. The group’s swiftly selling “STAND TOGETHER” tour with special guests Danny Gokey and Mac Powell launched in mid-January.
The song “Stand” proclaims the faith of a believer through the trials and victories facing us today. Member Michael Tait says, “We tried to write a song that speaks to the very purpose and mission of every human, we finished the song and were like ‘this feels like an album theme’. Let’s face it, I am a man of color, and people are trying to tell us black and white can’t get along. So, when people ask you ‘where do you stand?’ we hopefully say that it lies within. To also have our longtime friend and brother Toby join us on the single is such a blessing. It feels like such an anthem for today and we hope it affects the listener as we intended.”
The “Stand Together” tour is making two trips to Ohio this month. They will be in the closet one being in Circleville, OH at Heritage Nazarene Church.
WNZR has 10 NEW DJs and we are spotlighting each of them EVERY Monday up until April! Go listen to Marcy’s first conversation with Colin Ashworth from yesterday’s “Meet the Staff Monday”.
There’s a name that can silence every fear There’s a love that embraces The heartache, the pain and the tears
Congratulations to Holly of Laurelville for correctly guessing the song: Be Alright from Evan Craft, Danny Gokey, and Redimi2! Holly wins a Voice of the Cougars drawstring backpack for her correct answer!
Another Tuesday, another Artist Newsday! Today, We Are Messengers hit a huge milestone on one of their new songs! Also this weekend, a HUGE Christian music festival will kick off!
Rock the Universe 2022 kicks off this Friday for an unforgettable weekend of faith and fun at Universal Studios in Florida. Fans and youth groups can once again come together at Florida’s biggest Christian music festival to enjoy gripping performances by some of Christian music’s top artists, including…
Friday, January 28
Saturday, January 29
for KING & COUNTRY
Casting Crowns
Crowder
Zach Williams
Matthew West
Big Daddy Weave
Jordan Feliz
Cory Asbury
Rhett Walker
We the Kingdom
Riley Clemmons
Social Club Misfits
Those attending the festival will also enjoy access to both Universal Parks in addition to the three days of worship. Rock the Universe 2022 runs from Friday all the way to Sunday morning.
We Are Messengers song “Come What May” has hit #1 on the Billboard Christian Airplay Chart. It also has spent 11 straight weeks at #1 on the Mediabase Christian Audience Chart. This marks the first time that the group has been at #1 on both charts.
Here’s what the groups front man Darren Mulligan had to say about the success. “God’s kindness has always been obvious to me, but today is extra special and a sweet example of how fond He is of people like us,” he shared. “I am so very thankful for our management team, Curb | Word Entertainment, and our incredible promo team who have brought this song to radio. We cannot express our gratitude for the never-ending love, support and encouragement of every single radio station in the USA. I’m honored to be a part of this community, and We Are Messengers will continue to share the news of Jesus with a world that needs Him more than ever.”
We Are Messengers will be hitting the road with Casting Crowns on “The Healer Tour” beginning February 17th and departing on the first leg of their headlining “The Wholehearted Tour” with special guests Apollo LTD and Stephen Stanley on April 17th.
Thank you to jesusfreakhideout.com for their great coverage of your favorite artists on WNZR!
Praise Him in the morning Praise Him in the noontime Praise Him when the sun goes down
That was Good God Almighty from Crowder!
Congratulations to Steve of Mount Vernon for correctly guessing the song and winning TWO Voice of the Cougar string backpacks! Tune in tomorrow for our Who Am I Trivia with Dylan and Joe!
It’s our first traditional Artist Newsday of 2022, and some of your favorite artists are already making the most of the new year!
For King & Country recently launched a pre-order of its upcoming new album What Are We Waiting For, along with its new song called “Unsung Hero”. The new album What Are We Waiting For asks a pivotal question in a pandemic-riddled world. Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone provide the answer across 13 original tracks that confront relevant issues and confirm the duo’s commitment to community, diversity and family. Some featured artists in the album are Dante Bowe, Kirk Franklin, and Tori Kelley. Some songs that are included in the album are Relate, For God Is With Us and Together.
Here is what Joel and Luke Smallbone had to say about this album. “What’s been particularly beautiful about this album is that we were able to be home with our families while making it,” They shared. “We cannot wait to now take more new songs on the road, to see you out there and make new memories with you all!”
The recently released song, “Unsung Hero” is the most personal track on the upcoming album and is lovingly dedicated to the parents of Joel and Luke. The brothers raise their voices in reverent solidarity for the couple who made them the men they are today. You will be able to listen to the real-life story of the Smallbone family and its journey from Australia to America.
Here is what the duo had to say about their parents. “Mom and Dad’s sacrificial love and selflessness inspires us to this day,” They said. “It’s hard to put into words what they mean to us, but they are both truly unsung heroes of ours. “Unsung Hero” goes out to every mom and dad, as well as every child who sees a hero in their parents.”
Three-time GRAMMY-nominated artist Crowder kicked off the new year at Passion 2022, performing to a SOLD-OUT crowd at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta earlier this week. Crowder hit the stage during the annual gathering’s triumphant, in-person return – the largest of its kind, which brings together collegiate students from campuses across the nation and around the world for two days of life-changing worship, teaching and a challenge to live for what matters most.
Crowder’s current single “In The House” is climbing the Christian radio charts, and he has more than 30 tour stops through the spring, hitting the road with TobyMac to serve as direct support on the Hits Deep 2022 Tour, which includes shows in NYC, Denver, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and more. Fans can purchase tickets to Crowder’s upcoming shows by visiting crowdermusic.com.
Come all you weary Come all you thirsty Come to the well That never runs dry
Congratulations to Jack of Mount Vernon for correctly guessing God So Loved by We The Kingdom. Jack wins TWO $5 gift cards to Everlasting Cup!
Driving Notes 