Music’s on the Way (and already here!)

Today, we gave updates on some of your favorite Christian artists. This week? TobyMac and Bethel Music are in the news!

TobyMac released his brand new single, “Promised Land” this past Friday. This song from the seven time Grammy Award Winner serves as a follow up to his previous single “Help is on the Way”, that sat #1 on the charts for multiple weeks at launch.

Also on Friday, TobyMac simultaneously premiered the music video on Facebook in honor of his grandfather, a miner in West Virginia, where TobyMac’s own father grew up in a mining camp. “It was a hard life,” he says. “A life where I imagine they must have really wondered where in the world is my promised land?” 

Ultimately, he says of the song, “The lyrics land where I want my life to land: that the promised land is no land at all, but a relationship with the King that loves us deeply. It turns from where’s my promised land, to you’re my promised land. Maybe the promised land we’re looking for is no place at all, but a person named Jesus.”

TobyMac takes the road once again this fall for his “Hits Deep” tour in Moline, IL on October 2nd. Tickets go on sale this Thursday, September 23rd and can be found at https://tobymac.com/tour. 

Bethel Music will release their new album Homecoming this Friday! This album marks the first time all members of the collective are on one album. Also joining them will be Gable Price, Matt Redman, and Naomi Raine, among others.  

Reflecting on recording Homecoming, Jonathan David Helser shares “during the live recording of “Homecoming” my heart was stirred with the image of building an altar. Each song was like a stone stacked upon each other and as we poured out our offering of worship, God’s presence came like fire on the altar. My dream for this album is that many more hearts would come to this altar of songs and encounter the Presence of God and be changed forever.” 

These two stories along with much more can be found at jesusfreakhideout.com!

I don’t know what it’s like to be you
You don’t know what it’s like to be me
What if we’re all the same in different kinds of ways?
Can you, can you _______?

A: Relate from For King & Country!!

Congratulations to Linda of Utica for winning TWO $5 gift cards to Everlasting Cup by giving us the title and artist of this week’s song poetry.

Thanks for listening!

Jonathon and Dylan

New Music Everywhere!!

It’s Artist Newsday!! And this past Friday was a big day for new Christian music. Dylan and I shared about two artists who found big success over the weekend.

Cade Thompson has released his highly anticipated debut album Bigger Story, available now across all streaming platforms. The album includes 10 songs in collaboration with many songwriters, with the most prominent name being Matthew West!

When asked about his newest release, here is what Cade had to say. “This album was written out of my life experiences which led to this one question: How would I explain the Gospel to someone who might not have ever heard of Jesus? Each song on this album has a truth that reminds us we are all a part of a bigger story, one that is bigger than ourselves. My hope for this album is that it inspires each listener to truly walk in a relationship with Jesus and join the story.”

Despite this being his first album, Thompson has several hits already on our playlist including “Every Step of the Way”, “Provider” and “Source of Life.”

Thompson will be performing his new songs live this fall on the Step Into The Light Tour alongside Newsboys, Mandisa and We Are Messengers. For a full list of tour dates, visit www.cadethompsonmusic.com.

Francesca Battistelli unveiled her brand new single, “God is Good,” on September 10^th. The track will be included in the upcoming film, God’s Not Dead: We the People, in which she has a starring role. The movie will be in theaters for three days only Oct. 4-6. 

She delivers her storytelling on “God is Good,” which is her first new album since her Christmas album titled, This Christmas, released in the final months of 2020. She says, “A few years ago, a good friend of ours went through a devastating loss. I really wanted to write a song that would honor what he went through and really speak to that idea of how tragedy affects our lives, because at one point or another, it does affect all of us. If the last year-and-a-half has taught us anything, it’s that we’re not immune to difficult times,” She also shares. “It’s been a hard season, and this song has brought me a lot of comfort, because through it all, there is one constant, and that is that God is good. So no matter what you’re facing today, I pray that this song would bless you and bring you hope and peace, because He is good and He is for you and He loves you so much.” That is in her words. 

An interesting fact is that she homeschools her kids at her home in Nashville, TN. She also recently announced she is expecting her sixth child, due in February 2022. For more information on Francesca, visit www.francescamusic.com. 

You can find the original stories and even more at Jesus Freak Hideout!

‘Cause I’ve been real, I’ve been fake
Been a sinner, been a saint
I’ve been right, I’ve been so, so wrong
Yeah, I’ve made my mistakes

Answer: Relate from For King & Country

This week’s trivia was a stumper, so we’ll bring it back next week for a chance at TWO $5 gift cards to Everlasting Cup!

TODAY’S SONFEST SONG POETRY

Congratulations to Jan of Howard for correctly guessing Witness by Jordan Feliz!

Thanks for listening!

Jonathon and Dylan

My Jesus Makes History!

Christian music’s newest artist, Anne Wilson, has become the first female solo artist to hit No. 1 with a debut song on the National Christian Airplay chart since the chart’s inception in 2003. This comes as her unprecedented success continues with her debut single, “My Jesus,” topping the radio charts in just 14 weeks after it received an impressive 49 adds out of the box at radio, continuing this week as a multi-week No. 1 song reaching 10M in audience. As Capitol CMG’s most successful debut single from a new artist in more than a decade, the 19-year-old’s “My Jesus” has held the top position for multiple consecutive weeks on the Hot Christian Songs chart, which combines airplay, sales, and streaming data.  

Anne Wilson also released a new live version of the hit song along with four additional titles in early August, and she is currently with Big Daddy Weave for their “All Things New Tour”. The tandem will be in Wooster on Wednesday, September 22^nd at the Church of the Savior. More information on that can be found at our website on WNZR.fm.

Three-time GRAMMY award winner Danny Gokey is celebrating his newest album, Jesus People, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums Chart. The album also charted at No. 6 on the Billboard Top Current Album Sales Chart and No. 9 on the Billboard Current Digital Album Sales chart. This is the fourth time he has had an album debut at No. 1. 

In addition to the number one debuting album, Gokey continues to grow with the album’s single debut, “Stand In Faith”, coming in at No. 23 on the Billboard National Christian Airplay Chart. Gokey commemorated his album’s release across the country starting in California for a release show with a live stream event followed by returning to the Midwest for shows in St. Paul, MN, and a hometown show in Wisconsin.  

You can hear the new songs along with Gokey’s hit tracks for his “Stand In Faith Tour” featuring special guest Colton Dixon. Go to DannyGokey.com for more information regarding his upcoming tour. 4

Here are links to both articles —-> Anne Wilson & Danny Gokey

A cloud by day
Is a sign that You are with me
The fire by night
Is the guiding light to my feet

Congratulations to Jeff of Mount Vernon for guessing our Song Poetry for this week – Egypt by Cory Asbury! He wins a $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.

TODAYS SONFEST TRIVIA

Q: Where does Cory Asbury currently reside and and serve as a worship pastor?

A: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Congrats to Beth of Mount Vernon for winning (2) tickets to Sonfest 2021! Stay tuned for the next two weeks at 5:25 for you chance to answer trivia to win a pair of your own!

Thanks for listening!

Jonathon and Dylan

Lights, Camera, Action!

Today on the show we welcomed Dylan Elliott to the crew for the fall semester! He will be “live on the drive” Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week.

Lauren Daigle was in the news this past Friday after she released the studio version of her new song “Tremble”. Not to be confused with MOSAIC’s worship song with the same title, Daigle first released a live recording of “Tremble” on August 6^th for all streaming services.

This comes about a month before the start of “The Lauren Daigle World Tour” on September 24^th in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Daigle will travel the US in cities like Kansas City and Atlanta before concluding her tour in Nashville on November 19^th. She will play some of her latest hits including “Tremble”, “Hold On To Me”, the platinum selling “Rescue”, and the 4x platinum “You Say”.

This Saturday, September 4^th Riley Clemmons will make her TV debut on Fox & Friends. Riley has quickly become a national sensation and has had a fantastic summer. Riley was recognized as one of People Magazine’s “Artists to watch” and Rolling Stones has featured one of her songs as the pick of the week. Riley will be performing “Godsend”, and this marks the first in-person performance for Fox & Friends since the start of the pandemic. Fox & Friends airs at 6:00 a.m. local time on FOX with Clemmons’ performance slated for 9:50 a.m. 

This fall Riley will make a 23-date tour throughout the U.S. with Grammy nominee Tauren Wells. The Tour kicks off on October 21^st and runs through late November. She will start in Grand Rapids, while also making stops in Charlotte, Orlando, Houston, Denver, and Sacramento before wrapping up in Redding, CA. Tickets are available now online at http://www.rileyclemmons.com/tour. 

Both articles can be found here.

If I could talk to myself eight years ago
Seeing what I’ve seen knowing what I know
I would tell that quiet kid
There’ll be days ahead
When it doesn’t make sense

Congratulations to Sherrisa of Mount Vernon for correctly guessing this week’s lyrical poetry – Every Step of the Way by Cade Thompson.

Thanks for listening

— Jonathon and Dylan

Never Going Without New Music

We have new music coming from Cade Thompson on September 10th! Thompson explains, “This album was written out of my life experiences which led to this one question: How would I explain the Gospel to someone who might not have ever heard of Jesus? Each song on this album has a truth that reminds us we are all a part of a bigger story, one that is bigger than ourselves. My hope for this album is that it inspires each listener to truly walk in a relationship with Jesus and join the story.” His new album is called “Bigger Story.” To read more click HERE.

On August 20th we were blessed with new music from Hillsong Worship. They released a new single called, “Hope of The Ages.” This track features Hillsong’s Reuben Morgan and two-time GRAMMY nominated Cody Carnes as co-primary artists. “Christ and His Gospel is the ‘hope of the ages,’ and because of Jesus, we too have hope. Jesus died—Jesus is risen —Jesus is coming back again. I pray that this truth will always be, for you, a strength to your soul and a fire in your bones.” says Morgan. To read more click HERE.

Hope of The Ages – Hillsong Worship

If I could talk to myself eight years ago
Seeing what I’ve seen knowing what I know
I would tell that quiet kid
There’ll be days ahead
When it doesn’t make sense

This weeks lyrics were a stumper so we will bring it back next week!

Thanks for listening

– Kelsi and Alyssa

New Music is Here!

Today for Artist news day we talked about Riley Clemmons and Casting Crowns! Riley Clemmons just released her second album called “Godsend” which we are super excited to give it a listen. To read more about this new album click HERE. Going with the new music trend Casting Crowns just released a new single called “Scars In Heaven” from their upcoming album. Learn more about this song and their upcoming album HERE. We love when artists release new music!

The weight of the world is getting heavier now

Feels like its far too much to carry around

And each and every little time that you fall starts

Looking like the end of it all

This weeks lyrics were a stumper so we will bring it back next week!

Thanks for listening

-Kelsi and Alyssa

Hey June!

Today for Artist News Day and the first day of June we shared two stories about Jeremy Camp and Crowder, two very busy and successful WNZR artists. They have been pumping out great new music for Summer 2021.

Jeremy Camp has released a new single entitled ‘When You Speak’, read the full article about this new release by clicking here and listen to the song below:

Crowder has also been very busy with releasing new singles for his upcoming album, he released ‘The Anchor’, you can learn more by clicking here and listen to the song below:

You put the “X” on my faded map

Draw me a line back to where you’re at

Patient when I try to move too fast

Congratulations to Paul of Mount Vernon for correctly answering that those lyrics were from Jordan Feliz with his song ‘Next to Me’, he won a $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!
– Alyssa

New Singles Everywhere!

Today for Artist News Day we shared two stories about Danny Gokey and about NEEDTOBREATHE and Carrie Underwood.

Danny Gokey has released a new single called ‘Stand in Faith’ which will be on his upcoming album coming out on August 20th. Learn more about this release by clicking here and watch the lyric video below:

NEEDTOBREATHE have collaborated with Carrie Underwood for a fun and nostalgic new single. This new song will be on NEEDTOBREATHE’s upcoming album which comes out later this year. Learn more about this release by clicking here and watch the music video below:

Higher than the eye can see
Trapped in my flesh and bone
Crying out to You, Lord
I’m desperate
Love, come rattle this cage and set me free

Congratulations to Tony of Howard for correctly answering that those lyrics were from Andrew Ripp and his song ‘Jericho’, he won two $5 gift cards to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!
– Alyssa & Jonathon

Reimagined Music!

Lexie & Alyssa come to you with artist news! Specifically, new music news from two staple artists on WNZR.

On April 16th, two-time GRAMMY Award® and multi-GMA Dove Award® winner Zach Williams dropped a new song, “Turn It Over.” You can read the full story HERE!

 Riley Clemmons has released an exclusive new version of her powerful new single “Keep on Hoping.” Read the full story on this new music HERE!

Somewhere hidden in the noise there’s a truth 

Someone to believe and hang onto 

In each and every little word that you hear 

I pray that one thing would be so clear 

These lyrics were a stumper! tune in next week to try again!

Thank you so much for tuning into The Afternoon Drive! – Alyssa & Lexie