Category: Christian Music

It is WinterJam Week on The Morning Thing. Today, we talked to Emerson Day!

This is Emerson Days first time on WinterJam! WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talked with Emerson about the background story of how she came to be a Christian artist.

Emerson talks about her excitement to play her breakout hit “Get Behind Me” and how that song has impacted many listeners. She also shares what God is doing in her life and what He has put on her heart to share with others.

Click HERE to enjoy the full conversation or click the link below.

Click HERE for all the details about WinterJam 2026.

Make sure to listen to The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive all this week for your chance to win Passes to this year’s tour. We have WinterJam Artist Trivia each day this week!

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It is WinterJam Week on The Morning Thing. Today, we talked to Russ Lee of Newsong!

Newsong founded the WinterJam concert series in 1995. WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talked with Russ Lee about the background story of this very successful tour and how WinterJam started over 30 years ago.

Russ also shared his excitement about this year’s lineup of artists: Chris Tomlin, Matthew West, Katy Nichole, Emerson Day, Hulvey and of course his band Newsong.

Russ also shared how he stays spiritually and relationally rooted as they travel on a very long tour. He also tells us about some new songs that Newsong will debut on this tour!

Click HERE to enjoy the full conversation or click the link below.

Click HERE for all the details about WinterJam 2026.

Make sure to listen to The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive all this week for your chance to win Passes to this year’s tour. We have WinterJam Artist Trivia each day this week!

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The Morning Thing Friday Favorites – Memories from 2025

Happy New Year from The Morning Thing!
As we bring in the new year, we took a moment to look back on 2025 and share our favorite memories from this past year. Thanks for listening and making us a part of your mornings!

Click HERE to hear from the hosts or click the link below.

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WNZR’s Top 30 Songs of 2025

Today, our Music Director, Traven Griffith, highlighted the top thirty songs of the year in a special show in honor of New Year’s Eve! Check out the full list below!

30. Seph Schlueter – Won’t Start Now | Music Video

29. Cody Carnes – Take You At Your Word | Lyric Video

28. Phil Wickham – The King Is In The Room | Music Video

27. Andrew Ripp – Loves Got A Way | Lyric Video

26. Katy Nichole – When I Fall | Music Video

25. Matthew West – Unashamed | Music Video

24. Jamie MacDonald – Left It In The River | Music Video

23. Jeremy Camp – No Survivors | Music Video

22. Hope Darst – Mighty Name Of Jesus | Music Video

21. ELEVATION RHYTHM – Goodbye Yesterday | Music Video

20. Crowder – STILL | Lyric Video

19. Micah Tyler – God Did It | Music Video

18. Jeremy Camp – Again | Lyric Video

17. Emerson Day – Get Behind Me | Lyric Video

16. Zach Williams – Jesus Loves | Music Video

15. Forrest Frank – Your Way’s Better | Lyric Video

14. Brandon Lake – That’s Who I Praise | Music Video

13. Brandon Lake f/Jelly Roll – Hard Fought Hallelujah | Music Video

12. Megan Woods – The Truth | Music Video

11. Elevation Worship & Brandon Lake – I Know A Name | LIVE Version Performance

10. Colton Dixon – Up + Up | Music Video

09. Leanna Crawford – Still Waters (Psalm 23) | Music Video

08. Josiah Queen & Brandon Lake – Can’t Steal My Joy | Lyric Video

07. TobyMac – a lil Church | Music Video

06. MercyMe – Oh Death | Music Video

05. Seph Schlueter – Running Back To You | Music Video

04. Jamie MacDonald – Desperate | Lyric Video

03. Crowder – Somebody Prayed | Music Video

02. Jon Reddick – No Fear | Music Video

01. Phil Wickham – What An Awesome God | Music Video | Sunset Walk 

Thanks for Listening!
-Traven

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WNZR talks with MVNU Alumni – Josh Hooper, Josh Pollock, Mike Basko and Judah Keith from River Radio

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with four MVNU graduates: Josh Hooper, Class of 2002; Josh Pollock, Class of 2014; Mike Basko, Class of 2024; and Judah Keith, Class of 2025.
They shared about what brought them to MVNU and how they made their way to the WNZR Staff.
We shared memories and lessons learned while being at WNZR and MVNU.
They talked about what it meant to be part of WNZR’s 39-year legacy.
They also gave advice for students what are currently studying in the communication and media field.
All 4 gentlemen are working at The River in Columbus.

Enjoy the Conversation.

Hey WNZR Alumni, we would love to have you join us this Saturday, 11/15 at our Reunion!
Click HERE for all the details and to find an online form. Tell us about your experience with WNZR, when you graduated and if you plan to stop by. We would love to hear from you and see you! 

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WNZR talks with MVNU Alumni – Alyssa Sidle and Nay Nay Parker from Radio U

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with two MVNU graduates: Alyssa Sidle, Class of 2021 and Nay Nay Parker, Class of 2020. They shared about what brought them to MVNU and how they made their way to the WNZR Staff. We shared memories and lessons learned while being at WNZR and MVNU. They talked about what it meant to be part of WNZR’s 39 year legacy. They also gave advice for students what are currently studying in the communication and media field. Both Alyssa and Nay Nay are working at Radio U in Columbus.

Enjoy the Conversation.

Hey WNZR Alumni, we would love to have you join us this Saturday, 11/15 at our Reunion!
Click HERE for all the details and to find an online form. Tell us about your experience with WNZR, when you graduated and if you plan to stop by. We would love to hear from you and see you! 

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MVNU prepares for a special Homecoming 2025 Weekend

This will be an exciting weekend at 800 Martinsburg Road In Mount Vernon.

MVNU hosts Homecoming 2025 with an amazing schedule of events.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Mike Cheek, Executive Director of Alumni & Major Gifts about this year’s schedule.
Click HERE for the full conversation or use the link below.
You can see the full schedule HERE.

MVNU Graduate Brian White joined the conversation to talk about his time at MVNU and WNZR. He shared how God’s leading allowed him to become an award-winning songwriter.
Brian will host a workshop on Saturday 11/15 at 2:30pm in Thorne Performance Hall.  
The workshop is titled, “So You Wanna Be A Songwriter: Helpful Hints to Kickstart Your Songwriting Journey”. Click HERE for more information.

Brian also shares about the special event “A NIGHT WITH NASHVILLE BENEFITING COUGAR BASEBALL WITH THE HITS”!

Saturday, Nov. 15 | 8 p.m. | R.R. Hodges Chapel, Thorne Performance Hall
Join MVNU for an unforgettable evening as the hit songwriters behind chart-toppers from Chris Tomlin, Danny Gokey, Consumed by Fire, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Corey Asbury, We Are Messengers, Avalon, Matt Maher, Rodney Atkins, The Martins, 4Him, and more take the stage to share the songs – and the stories behind them. The featured guests will be Brian White (Class of 1979), Karyn Williams, and Jesse Reeves.

Tickets are $30. Reserve your spot today! https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=NiARv3

Enjoy the conversation and join us for MVNU’s Homecoming 2025!

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The Gospel Music Association announces their 2025 Dove Award Winners

The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards Broadcast was shared by Trinity Broadcast Network on Friday, 10/10/25. The night was full of exciting performances including a few surprise guests.
Brandon Lake took home 5 awards including Song of the Year with “Hard Fought Hallelujah”.

Click HERE to read the Dove Awards Press Release from the Gospel Music Association.

To see the full list of winners, click HERE.

The Dove Awards broadcast will re-air Friday, October 17th, 2025, At 7:30pm and 10:00pm ET on TBN, the TBN+ app, and TBN YouTube.

Here is a highlight of the 2025 Winners. Congratulations to all nominees!

SONG OF THE YEAR –
Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll     
Writers: Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown and Benjamin William Hastings

ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Forrest Frank

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Leanna Crawford

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (ARTIST) – Brandon Lake

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (NON-ARTIST) – Mitch Wong

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR – Jeff Pardo

POP/CONTEMPORARY SONG OF THE YEAR –
Your Way’s Better by Forrest Frank
Writers: Forrest Frank and Pera

GOSPEL WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR –
Come Jesus Come by CeCe Winans and Shirley Caesar    
Writers: Hank Bentley, Bryan Fowler, Stephen McWhirter and Tara McWhirter

WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR –
I Know A Name by Elevation Worship, Chris Brown and Brandon Lake
Writers: Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Jacob Sooter and Hank Bentley

INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR –
The Jesus Way by Phil Wickham     
Writers: Phil Wickham and Jonathan Smith

BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY/ROOTS SONG OF THE YEAR –
Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll     
Writers: Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown and Benjamin William Hastings

CHRISTMAS RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR –
Joy To The World by CeCe Winans
Writers: Traditional

POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR –
CHILD OF GOD by Forrest Frank     
Producers: Forrest Frank, Pera, Noah Conrad, JVKE, Jackson Foote, Johnny Simpson, Zac Lawson and Splash Of Soda

WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR –
When Wind Meets Fire by Elevation Worship  
Producers: Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Josh Holiday and Chandler Moore

ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR –
Trustfall by Stephen Stanley
Producers: Stephen Stanley, Tedd T. and Jake Halm

CHRISTMAS/SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR –
Hallelujah! It’s Christmas! By Phil Wickham   
Producers: Jonathan Smith, Josh Auer, Jerad Atherton, Tyler Halford, Ben Lounsbury and Aaron Robertson

RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR –
Heaven On My Mind by TobyMac    
Art Directors: Nathan Blaine, Aaron Stearns and Trent Nicholson
Graphic Artists: Nathan Blaine and Aaron Stearns
Photographer – Robby Klein

SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (CONCEPT) –
Can’t Stop Me by TobyMac    
Director: Eric Welch
Producer: Scott McDaniel

SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (PERFORMANCE) –
Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll     
Directors: Brandon Lake and Jacob Boyles
Producers: Jacob Boyles, Rachel Mulcahy, Sadie Schwanberg and Caleb Cook

LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR –
A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) by for KING & COUNTRY          
Directors: Joel Smallbone and Kadin Tooley
Producers: Joshua Walsh, Stephen Preston and Luke Smallbone

FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR –
The King of Kings
Director: Jang Seong-ho
Producers: Jang Seong-ho and Kim Woo-hyung

TELEVISION SERIES OF THE YEAR –
The Chosen          
Director: Dallas Jenkins
Producers: Dallas Jenkins, Chad Gundersen and Chris Juen

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WNZR talks with a member of Elevation Rhythm ahead of Sonfest 2025!

We are so excited to get the opportunity to share a conversation with Davide Mutendji, a member of Elevation Rhythm! Davide and his crew will be performing at Sonfest 2025 here at MVNU tomorrow and you are not going to want to miss this extremely powerful event.

Davide shares his background, gives us an insight on the songwriting process, and he talks about big upcoming news for the band!

Ethan and Davide also have a good time playing rapid fire!

For more info on Sonfest 2025 click HERE!

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