Search

Driving Notes

The Official Blog of WNZR's Afternoon Drive

Open Search
Tag

WNZR

One Night Only!

Artist Newsday brings good news for Tasha Layton who celebrates a huge milestone with “Look What You’ve Done!” Maverick City Music is also in the news once again with a special one night experience!

Tasha Layton’s song “Look What You’ve Done,” landed in the top spot on the Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart last week. This is her first time having a #1 hit.

This song became popular from the time it was released. When it debuted, it became one of the most added songs to Christian radio and has become a mantle of encouragement for fans around the world.

Here is what Tyson Paoletti, senior director of marketing and sales at BEC Recordings had to say about the success. “It has been such an honor to support Tasha and watch ‘Look What You’ve Done’ connect with listeners in deep and powerful ways,” he said. “As we celebrate her first #1 hit on the heels of last year’s massive radio success with ‘Into The Sea (It’s Gonna Be Ok),’ some amazing doors continue to open for Tasha, and I’m excited to see what God has in store for her next.”

The chart success of “Look What You’ve Done” caps a momentous year for Layton. This fall she was featured on ABC’s GMA3: What You Need To Know, discussing how past struggles have shaped her life and inspired her music; and she also served as co-host of the 52nd GMA Dove Awards. She also just released an album titled “This Is Christmas” which features Christmas classics along with some new music done by Layton. She was also named One of Billboard’s Top 5 female Christian artists of 2020.  A little interesting fact is that she was on American Idol before she started her music career. She was also a back-up vocalist to Katy Perry for four years.

Check out the original article for Tasha Layton HERE!

Also, THIS SATURDAY!! Maverick City Music is hosting a special, one-night-only Christmas performance at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis! Gates will open at 5:30pm with the concert starting at 7pm.

Tickets can be found HERE!

O Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King

That was Casting Crowns’ hit song “While You Were Sleeping”!

Congratulations to Faith of Howard for correctly guessing our first Christmas edition of Song Poetry. She wins a $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!

Jonathon & Dylan

0

More Christmas motivation!

Today we shared from the Our Daily Bread Christmas devotional book, ‘Celebrating Jesus.’

Jonathon shared ‘Mary Knew’ from Dave Branon:

Four-year-old Kaitlyn was oblivious to everything else in the room. There were no thoughts of stockings hung and wrapped presents. She was simply content to play with our manger scene and its nativity characters. What piqued my interest was something else she was doing as she moved Mary, Joseph, and the Babe around: She was singing “Mary, did you know?” over and over-words she had heard sung by others. As she held Mary, she poignantly asked her if she knew who her precious baby boy was.
Kaitlyn’s question for Mary is the vital one everyone needs to answer. Do we know that Jesus is the One predicted in Genesis 3 to strike Satan’s heel (v. 15)-to gain victory over Satan, sin, and death by His death on the cross? Do we know that He’s the Messiah promised in Isaiah 53 and the One Micah prophesied would be born in Bethlehem hundreds of years later? (5:2).
We know that His name-Jesus-means that He will save His people from their sins (MATTHEW 1:21). We also know that Mary’s baby grew up and chose to die on the cross as the Savior of the world (LUKE 1:31; 2:30-32).
The “Son of the Most High” (1:32) has invited us to know Him and be loved by Him. May we choose to know Jesus, our precious Savior, more and more each day!

Joe shared ‘Captain of a Motley Crew’ from Glenn Packham:

As a child, I always found Christmas Eve one of the most A exciting days of the year. I knew there would be presents in the morning, a feast that night, and a candlelight service at church. But it was also exciting because I never knew who was going to end up at our house for dinner. My parents loved inviting people who were alone or had nowhere to go to come share a meal with us. Folks from church, from their places of work, our friends from school-it was always a motley crew.
David was on the run from King Saul and in need of good friends to surround him (1 SAMUEL 22:1-2). He needed the right community to help him in his crisis. Instead, what he found were hundreds of men who were also in trouble-those “in trouble or in debt or… discontented” (v. 2). Yet, David became captain over the motley crew and they trusted him.
Jesus-the true and better David-is exactly the kind of person who gathered those around Him that society had discarded. Throughout the gospels, it’s often the sick and the disabled, the outcast, and the sinner who find belonging and healing in Jesus. The church is meant to be a kind of cave of Adullam (v. 1). It’s not a perfect community, but a ragtag group in need of a loving, healing Captain.

Name a place that’s open on Christmas Day:
1. Grocery store/Walmart/Kroger (23 votes)
2. Gas stations (20)
3. Fast Food restaurants (19)
4. Waffle House/Denny’s (12)
5. Movie theaters (8)
6. Airports (5)
7. Hospitals (3)
8. Hotels (2)

Congratulations to Tysha from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Jonathon

0

Christmas NZ Top 10 for 12/3/21

This week we are bringing you (in no particular order) 10 of the top NEW Christmas songs for 2021! Click the songs for links to lyric videos and audio.

10. We The Kingdom – Still Can’t Sleep on Christmas Eve
9. Anne Wilson – I Still Believe in Christmas
8. Zach Williams – I Don’t Want Christmas to End
7. Cade Thompson – Angels We Have Heard on High
6. Cochren and Co. – Christmas (What the World Needs)
5. Newsboys – The Christmas Song
4. Ryan Stevenson – Heart and Soul of Christmas
3. Jordan Feliz – Feliz Navidad
2. Jordan St. Cyr – Rejoice
1. Tasha Layton – Giving Christmas Away

for NEW MUSIC FRIDAY, we added to the list!

Mac Powell – Jesus Christ is Born

Love and the Outcome – Christmas Lights

For King and Country – Heavenly Hosts

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Zoe

0

“The True Gift Of Christmas”

Today on the show we read some Christmas devotionals from Our Daily Bread. We also had our weekly Bible trivia where one lucky person has a chance to win a $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.

Here are the two Christmas devotionals that we read today.

THE TRUE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS

“Sometimes I feel lonely, and it makes me wonder how lonely they must get out here.”

That was spoken by Asteria, director of a faith-based community group who brought Christmas to El Campamento, a makeshift tent city where many drug-addicted people live. She noted how the holidays can be difficult for those on the street. So she decided to embody Christ’s love by setting up a Christmas tree among the discarded needles; by bringing them gifts, warm drinks, and food; and by leading the singing of Christmas carols. The response was heartening, she said, with many of the homeless voicing their desire to be forgiven by their family and asking for prayer.

In serving the people of El Campamento, Asteria and her team illustrate the true message of Christmas-the gift of God coming to meet us through His Son Jesus. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, “God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law” (GALATIANS 4:4-5). Even though we all do wrong, God invites us to become His heirs and children (v.7). He calls those who live on the streets and those who live in mansions to accept His gift of saving grace.

Through Jesus, God gives us the true gift of Christmas right where we are. May we receive and share this gift of love.

By AMY BOUCHER PYE

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

It was just a few days before Christmas and my wife, Cari, was standing in the checkout line at the market. The young mother in front of her was carefully assessing the contents of her cart and slowly setting aside items one by one. Cari’s initial impatience turned to compassion as she surveyed the growing pile of items that had been removed and realized the woman didn’t have enough money to purchase them.

“I’d like to pay for those,” she told the checker. The young mother turned with a surprised look on her face: “That’s too much!” she said. Cari, prompted by God’s love and remembering how a stranger, miles away, had bought our own daughter’s groceries in a difficult time, smiled and responded, “Merry Christmas.” They both left the store with tears in their eyes.

Christmas came early to our home with a fresh awareness of God’s kindness and generosity to us through His Son. Solomon wrote in Proverbs of those who are generous: “Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (11:25). In the following days we were refreshed by a renewed understanding of how God had met our greatest need of all-our need for a Savior-and how His love can unexpectedly overflow from our hearts to others in need.

Kindness is contagious! Because of what Jesus has done for us, may God give us grace to make a generous, practical difference in others’ lives.

By JAMES BANKS

Question: In Genesis, what catastrophe did Joseph predict by interpreting the Pharaoh’s dream?

Answer: A seven-year famine.

Congratulations to Karen of Mount Vernon for guessing the correct answer! She wins a $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!

-Dylan and Jonathon

0

Musicians make it happen!

We are excited to feature Foodstock 2021 for our weekly Food For The Hungry feature.

Elixir Presents will hold their 10th Annual Foodstock, a live concert, featuring the music of Peter, Paul & Mary, Joan Baez and other folk artists on Monday, December 6 at 7:00 pm.

The concert will be held at the Memorial Theater at the Knox Memorial (112 E. High St., Mount Vernon, Ohio). Admission is food items and/or monetary donation. Information about Foodstock can also be found at www.elixirpresents.com

Listen to the full conversation with Marcy Rinehart with Mike and Chris Petee here! https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/sets/the-10th-annual-foodstock-returns-for-2021-enjoy-folkfest-on-126

–          I was born December 1, 1913 in Weatherford, TX
–          My father was a lawyer and my mother a violin teacher
–          I married at 17 and had a son, Larry, who later became a TV star
–          My big break came on radio, where I was singing for a show and was discovered by Oscar Hammerstein
–          I made my Broadway debut in 1938
–          I starred in South Pacific, The Sound of Music and my most famous role, Peter Pan
–          I was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1973

I am…Mary Martin. Congratulations to Marty from Howard, who wins the $5 gift card from Everlasting Cup.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

0

Grammys Everywhere!!

For Artist Newsday, Dylan and I shared some of the nominated artists for the 2022 Grammy Awards coming up in January!

Notable artists consist of Natalie Grant, CeCe Winans, and Dante Bowe!

For the full list of Gospel and Contemporary Christian nominees, click here. Thanks to 95.5 The Fish of Northeast Ohio for the article.

May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And Your family and your children
And their children, and their children

Congratulations to Bonnie of Mount Vernon for correctly guessing the song and the artist to win a $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!

Jonathon & Dylan

0

Joys and Dreams at Christmas

More Monday Motivation from the Our Daily Bread devotional, “Celebrating Jesus.”

Jonathon shared Tim Gustafson’s “Dreaming at Christmas”

For Irving Berlin, Christmas held not joy but sadness. The composer of “White Christmas” lost his infant son on Christmas Day 1928. His wistful song, which longs for a bygone time of holiday joys, would become wildly popular during World War II, resonating with troops overseas dreaming of Christmases back home.
Dreams and grief are crucial themes of the Christmas story. In a literal dream, an angel explained the miraculous conception of Jesus to Joseph (MATTHEW 1:20). Another dream warned the Magi to avoid the murderous Herod (2:12). And an angel told Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt with the baby Jesus (V. 13).
We welcome the dreams of Christmas. The sadness, however, intrudes like a rude guest. Rachel weeps (v. 18). For soon after that first Christmas a paranoid king would slaughter helpless children (v. 16). In Matthew’s gospel, Rachel, a matriarch of Israel, represents a nation’s inconsolable grief.
It’s a scene we yearn to see deleted from the story. Why must there be such sadness in this, the greatest of all stories?
Jesus Himself is the only satisfying answer to that question. The Baby who escaped the Bethlehem tragedy grew up to conquer all such tragedies, even death itself, by dying and rising for all of us. As another Christmas carol says of Him: The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.

—

Joe shared another devotional about a Christmas song, “Joy to the World,” from Poh Fang Chia

“Joy to the world…” Meifang stopped mid-sentence and forced down a sob as painful memories of her mom flooded her mind. This time last year, her mother stood right next to her, singing the same song. But now she was gone, her life tragically cut short by an accident. For Meifang, Christmas would never be the same again. It was hard to celebrate when all she had was sorrow and grief.
Perhaps, like Meifang, you’re feeling grief or sorrow this Christmas. How can you sing for joy when your heart is full of pain? Isaac Watts originally penned “Joy to the World” not as a Christmas carol but as a reminder of our future hope when Christ returns. It’s based on Psalm 98-a psalm that calls the earth to praise God for His love and faithfulness (v. 3). He came to save (v. 1), announce His victory, and reveal His righteousness (v. 2). And He’ll come again “to judge the earth” with righteousness and fairness v.9). These are great reasons for us to sing with joy.
If this Christmas is tinged with sorrow and grief, hold on to the hope of Christ. Not only does He provide comfort now but He aIso assures us of our future hope. One day all sorrow and pain will cease when Jesus comes again and wipes every tear from our eyes (REVELATION 21:4).

Name two things that are on every mom’s Christmas wish list:
1- babysitting
2- sleep/nap
3- spa day
4- gift card
T5- a family portrait
clothing/shoes/pajamas
7- jewelry

Congratulations to Jenn of Danville, who wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!
– Jonathon and Joe

0

High schoolers make it happen!

High School students around Knox County are collecting food and monetary donations to support the 40th Annual Food For The Hungry Drive. 

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Collection Coordinator, Shawn Dugan about this year’s unique fundraising. Each school is finding unique and creative ways to motivate students to get involved with the collection.  Click HERE to hear their conversation. 
https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/sets/knox-county-high-schools-collect-donations-for-food-for-the-hungry

Top collecting schools in two categories will once again be awarded the traveling plaque as provided by COTC to recognize each school’s accomplishment. 

The Central Knox County Award will go to either Mount Vernon or the Knox County Career Center. And The Greater Knox County Award will go to one of the following schools: Centerburg, Danville, East Knox, or Fredericktown. Each year, the winning school’s name is added to the traveling plaque. 

Representatives from each school will be invited to participate in the Food For The Hungry broadcast from the Memorial Theater at the Knox Memorial on Friday, Dec. 10. 

For more information about the High School Food Drive Competition, schools and students can contact Shawn Dugan through email by using shawndugan@windstream.net, to help coordinate their collections or answer questions. 

Here are the 2021 collection dates for Knox County High Schools: 

* Fredericktown High School: 11/15 – 11/19 – just wrapped up 

* Centerburg High School: 11/16 – 12/1 

* The Knox County Career Center: 11/29 – 12/9 

* Mount Vernon High School: 11/30 – 12/7 

* Danville High School: 11/30 – 12/7 

–          I was born November 24, 1938 in Charlotte, Tennessee
–          I was Indiana’s Mr. Basketball in 1956
–          I was a three-time player of the year and all-American at he University of Cincinnati
–          I co-captained the US gold medal basketball Team in the 1960 Olympics
–          I became the first player to average a triple-double in 1962
–          I won an NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971
–          I retired as the NBA’s all-time assist leader; and am now 7th all-time
–          I’m in the college and pro basketball halls of fame

I am…OSCAR ROBERTSON! Congratulations to Dave from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

0

“Into The Mystery”

It’s artist news day and NEEDTOBREATHE is making its documentary available to the public.

Earlier this month we talked about NEEDTOBREATHE’s documentary “INTO THE MYSTERY”, if you didn’t get a chance to watch the documentary in person, well you’re in luck because Greenwich Entertainment announced that the documentary will be available on demand starting today on most streaming platforms! The film release will follow the band’s massive 38-city tour across the United States.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and without telling a soul, the band went to a historic house-turned-recording studio in remote Tennessee to work on new music. Over the next three weeks, they resided under one roof and handcrafted an album titled, “Into The Mystery”. The documentary offers a rare look at the collaboration of artists at the height of their creative powers who are struggling with the same fear and isolation that has affected everyone the last 16 months.

Here is what the band had to say. “We’re big fans of music documentaries where you get to actually watch the artist creating in the space where the record is made. Getting to see an idea stretch and grow into a finished song is really inspiring, but we’ve never really let our fans see behind the curtain. Now people will get to pull up a chair and become a part of the process as we create our eighth studio album in an old house in the hills of Tennessee.”

Lord, Your ways are higher
You know Your plans for me
You give purpose and a future
Even when I can’t see

Answer: For The Good by Riley Clemmons

Congratulations to Leanne of Howard for guessing the correct answer! She wins THREE $5 gift cards to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!

-Dylan

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑