WNZR’s Meet the Staff Monday feature is back! We are welcoming 13 NEW DJs to our airwaves this month!
Today, we introduce you to Braden Taylor. He is a Freshman Communication & Media (Digital Media) Major from Lima, OH. Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
Braden’s parents and grandparents attended MVNU. His grandfather was a professor! He got interested in radio because he heard about WNZR from MVNU Graduate and Radio Personality Obadiah Haybin, who was his Dad’s roommate in college.
Braden is part of the MVNU Theater Club and will be in the spring musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He also helps tutor students through the Hola Program.
He shares his favorite food and WNZR Artists and talks about memories he has made here at MVNU.
Braden talks about how God has been working in his life. His favorite bible story is the story of Joseph. He likes the lesson of that story – that God knows better than us!
You can hear Braden Taylor on WNZR on Thursdays at 3pm and 10pm.
WNZR’s Meet the Staff Monday feature is back! We are welcoming 13 NEW DJs to our airwaves this month!
Today, we introduce you to EJ Temple. He is a Junior transfer student majoring in Communication & Media (Digital Media). He is from Mt. Gilead, OH. Click HERE to hear the full conversation.
EJ talks about his path to MVNU and the WNZR Team. He loves being part of the sportscasting team with WNZR.TV and hopes to try announcing in the future.
EJ shares some of his favorites including music, foods and what he loves to do on the weekends. His favorite person is his Grandma, Mary Brown.
EJ talks about how God has been working in his life. His favorite waying is “Never Give Up”!
You can hear EJ Temple on WNZR on Mondays 7pm – 9pm.
WNZR’s Meet the Staff Monday feature is back! We are welcoming 13 NEW DJs to our airwaves this month!
Today, we introduce you to Wyatt Ary. He is a Sophomore Communication & Media (Digital Media) Major from Howard, OH. Click HERE to hear the conversation.
Wyatt got interested in radio when he was young. Both his Dad and Grandpa worked in radio! He got started with our WNZR Video Team and enjoys calling volleyball games.
Wyatt is very active here at MVNU. He is on the Bowling Team and plays Esports. He talks about how the Bowling Team just took 2nd place in the Crossroads League Championship!
He shares some of his favorite foods and artists and memories he has made here at MVNU.
Wyatt talks about how God has been working in his life. His favorite verse is Jeramiah 29:11
You can hear Wyatt Ary on WNZR on Tuesdays at 1pm and Thursdays at 10am.
It’s WinterJam Week on WNZR. Each day, we are sharing conversations with the artists that are taking the stage for this year’s tour. We talked with Russ Lee of Newsong. Click HERE to hear the full conversation!
He talks about why Newsong decided to start WinterJam and he even talks about the formation of the group and his experiences! Russ mentions all of the amazing artists that they get to share the stage with this year and how the concert feels like a family reunion. He also reveals that Newsong will be sharing a couple of new songs at the concert!
Russ also touches on what he is thankful for and what keeps him and the band going and touring after so long. He also lets us know how we can pray for him and the rest of the band!
It’s WinterJam Week on WNZR. Each day, we are sharing conversations with the artists that are taking the stage for this year’s tour. We talked with John Cooper from Skillet. Click HERE to hear the full conversation. He talked about growing up to become a rock musician in a house where rock music was not allowed. He also discusses Skillet’s creative process to blend hard rock and biblical truth.
John shares about the band’s history on the WinterJam Tour. He also talks about their new album “Revolution”.
After 30 years of writing, recording and touring, John breaks down what keeps him and the band going.
The Morning Thing featured several special guests this week as we prepare to go to the 24th Annual Fredericktown Christmas Walk. Click HERE to hear the conversations. We talked with committee members about this fun event for families. They shared schedule updates, event highlights, how long they have been involved and what they are looking forward to experience at this year’s event. The Walk benefits the Salvation Army and Interchurch Social Services in Fredericktown, along with the Fredericktown Community Relief Fund.
Enjoy the conversation with: Robin McClay – entertainment and the scrumptious live auction Jamie Sanders – NEW Christmas Tree Trimming Contest Carolyn Fergus – ornaments and inflatables Joely Lepley – Committee Chair, schedule highlights Cecelia McClelland – arts and craft vendor at the Presbyterian Church Ellen Hoam – Santa’s visit, good places to park and how to get involved with the event
For full details Click HERE for their Facebook page.
Today, The Morning Thing talked about the power of sports. We shared some insight from AllProDad.com about how to have teachable moments on the sports field. Click HERE to read the full article.
The article shared 7 invaluable lessons that can be learned through recreational sports. These are great lessons for kids to learn, but we also believe that any adult, at any age can pull wisdom from this list.
1. Perspective 2. Perseverance 3. Teamwork 4. Responsibility 5. Respect Authority 6. Teachability 7. The value of FUN!
We also had a special Wayback Wednesday celebrating the wonderful world of sports. We featured songs from the WNZR Vault from artists that are BIG Sports Fans. Check out who these artists are cheering on this year!
Mac Powell is the lead singer of the successful christian rock band THIRD DAY. A die-hard sports fan, Mac’s allegiances belong to the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Falcons.
Bart Millard of MercyMe – fan of Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers (baseball)
Matthew West – Chicago Cubs
Steven Curtis Chapman – his daughter Stevey Joy goes to the University of Alabama
Jeremy Camp – Indianapolis Colts
Natalie Grant – Seattle Seahawks
Crowder – Georgia Bulldogs
TobyMac – loves golf, went to Liberty University on a golf scholarship!
Mandisa was a Tennessee Titans fan. She got to sing the National Anthem at one of their games
Lauren Daigle – Joe Burrow fan – they both went to LSU
Today, The Morning Thing hosted a Dove Awards Celebration Show! We announced the winners and played some of the winning songs and songs from the winning artists.
Click HERE to read a press release highlighting the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards.
Here are some of the BIG moments that happened (courtesy of Gospel Music Association): See pictures below – CeCe Winans opened the show with a joy-fueled performance of “That’s My King” complete with a 24-person choir. – Tauren Wells brought out surprise guests DAVIES. and Skillet’s John Cooper for his dynamic “Take It All Back” performance. – Forrest Frank’s upbeat “No Longer Bound/GOOD DAY” mash-up featured members from The Choir Room. – One of the night’s highlights, introduced by beloved worship leader Darlene Zschech, was the multilingual performance of “Holy Forever” featuring Brian and Jenn Johnson, Miel San Marcos and Gabriel Guedes. – In a heavy yet worshipful moment, host Tauren Wells spoke about the many losses happening at home and around the world, including within the Christian and Gospel music community. Especially poignant, Wells played a personal audio text from Mandisa, who passed earlier this year, and reminded the audience how important it is to speak words of love to those around us. “I know so many of you in the room received messages, support and love just like this,” Wells said. “[Mandisa] will be greatly missed along with all of the other friends and family we’ve lost this year and loved so deeply. It’s a sobering reminder that our words carry so much weight. Your words can be some of the most valuable things you can leave behind. Let’s all remember to reach out to those we love.” The moment was capped off with a stirring performance of “My Tribute (To God Be The Glory)” from Natalie Grant. – Gospel Music icons Bill and Gloria Gaither were honored with the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award. Bill and Gloria are legendary songwriters behind songs like “Because He Lives,” “He Touched Me,” and “There’s Something About That Name.” As their names were called to receive the award, the audience leapt to its feet to celebrate the beloved couple. Accepting the award, Bill Gaither said, “I want to encourage all you young songwriters to keep writing your songs. There’s a hole in the heart of this country. There’s a whole lot of empty going on. Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost our song. There’s a hole in the heart of America that only God can fill.” The GMA was honored to award Bill and Gloria Gaither the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award. – In a surprise announcement, the GMA revealed the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in the heart of Music City. The announcement was delivered in a video featuring Steven Curtis Chapman, Jason Crabb, Jekalyn Carr, Danny Gokey and CeCe Winans carrying the Dove statuette from Lipscomb’s Allen Arena to Bridgestone Arena. Watch the commercial below. Check out the video!
To watch the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards on demand on TBN+: CLICK HERE
Select quotes from the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards:
“I want to encourage all you young songwriters to keep writing your songs. There’s a hole in the heart of this country. There’s a whole lot of empty going on. Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost our song. There’s a hole in the heart of America that only God can fill.” Bill Gaither as he and Gloria Gaither accepted the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award
“There’s a quote I heard a long while ago from Mother Teresa. ‘If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.’ There were two people who changed my life – my mom and my dad.” Luke Smallbone, Producer of Unsung Hero and member of for KING + COUNTRY accepting the award for Feature Film of the Year
“When I lost everything 35 years ago, I went to Helen and said, ‘the only way we can get ahead is if we go to America.’ She said we’d go for two years. 33 years later we’re still here. We love America. This is the land of opportunity. We did it tough for the first two years. I believe I went through that story to grow me, and move me from lukewarm to passionate. My challenge to everyone of you in this room – leave tonight to commit to change the world. Do it in conjunction with your local church.” David Smallbone, dad of Joel and Luke Smallbone and manager of for KING + COUNTRY, accepting the award for Feature Film of the Year for Unsung Hero
“I know so many of you in the room received messages, support and love just like this,” Wells said. “[Mandisa] will be greatly missed along with all of the other friends and family we’ve lost this year and loved so deeply. It’s a sobering reminder that our words carry so much weight. Your words can be some of the most valuable things you can leave behind. Let’s all remember to reach out to those we love.” Tauren Wells introducing the In Memoriam performance
“I think the only joy in having a song like this win something like this is we get the opportunity to remind people over and over and over again there is nothing impossible for God. He is able. He sees us. We all have issues, we all have problems, there’s stuff we’re going through. But He is a God that sees us, that cares, that knows. He’s a God that solves problems, that comes through. I pray I get to sing it for the rest of my life.” Naomi Raine accepting the Maverick City Music win for Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for “God Problems.”
“This one’s special because six years ago I nearly lost my life to mental illness. This song has become the song of my recovery and the miracle of my existence is to glorify the Lord every day of my life. We all have stories to tell. Some of us have thousands. But there’s one common denominator in each story and it’s God is still good. He is still faithful and He is still with us and He won’t abandon us or forsake us.” Christine D’Clario accepting the award for Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year for “Tantas Historias”
“I got the honor this year to come to the Doves with my lovely mother. The doctors told her when I was a baby I would not be able to talk, and if I could, I would not talk well. My mother told them they were wrong. She’s exemplified this resilient stubborn faith that believes God can do more than what the reports say. [To his mother] I dedicate this award to you. You have represented a fighter for me my entire life. You fought for me when I was far from Jesus, when I did not believe in God. And here I am right now as the fruit of your labor. Christian Hip Hop is an often overlooked entity. Something is happening in the mainstream right now. They are paying attention to what is going on. It’s something that isn’t just music, this is a movement. People are coming to Christ. Marriages are being saved. Folks are finding themselves in these Gospel representations. As the world is watching, give them Jesus.” KB accepting the award for Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year for His Glory Alone II
“I feel so undeserving of this award. I actually was curious if I was even gonna come to an award show for Christian music because it’s all for Him. Everything I do is for the Lord. For whatever reason, He’s chosen to give me some songs that have related to some people. If He shuts it off and doesn’t give me anymore songs, that’s cool. If He continues to bless it, that’s great. I want to continue to give Jesus glory. My name will fade away just like all of ours one day, but at the end of time and for all of eternity, one name will remain – Jesus Christ.” Forrest Frank accepting the award for New Artist of the Year
“I’m known for my music all over the world. People know me for my music. God only knows me for my relationship with Him. He only knows us according to the way we know Him. And so all of us here tonight – the artists I was in the category with, I came here to cheer them on tonight. I didn’t think this was going to happen – but God is faithful. All my life He’s been faithful. All my life He’s been good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.” CeCe Winans accepting the award for Artist of the Year
The 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt serve as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returns as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, and Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager. The 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards are presented in partnership with Cantinas Arts Foundation, whose mission is to support artists who share their talent and faith through Arts and Media.
An encore performance will air on TBN and TBN+ Friday, October 11th, 2024 at 8pm and 10pm ET and will also livestream on the TBN YouTube channel at 8pm ET on the 11th.
Forrest Frank photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Jamie Gilliam
Natalie GrantPhoto courtesy of Tessa Voccola Bill and Gloria Gaither Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Jamie Gilliam
DOVE AWARD WINNERS (Partial List) 2024
SONG OF THE YEAR – Holy Forever by Chris Tomlin. Writers: Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram, Phil Wickham
ARTIST OF THE YEAR – CeCe Winans
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Forrest Frank
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (ARTIST) – Brandon Lake
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (NON-ARTIST) – Jason Ingram
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR – Jonathan Smith
POP/CONTEMPORARY SONG OF THE YEAR – Good Day by Forrest Frank. Writer: Forrest Frank
ROCK/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR – Grave Robber by Crowder Writers: Crowder, Ben Glover and Jeff Sojka
WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR – Praise by Elevation Worship featuring Brandon Lake, Chris Brown and Chandler Moore. Writers: Chris Brown, Brandon Lake, Chandler Moore, Steven Furtick, Pat Barrett and Cody Carnes.
INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR – My Tribute (To God Be The Glory) by Natalie Grant (featuring CeCe Winans) Writer: Andrae Crouch
RAP/HIPHOP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR – Love Like That by Hulvey (featurning Torey D’Shaun and Alex Jean). Writers: Hulvey, Torey D’Shaun, ACE, Andrew Jason Prim, Juice Cuice, Jaden Owens, Stevie Rizo
BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY/ROOTS SONG OF THE YEAR – Lookin’ For You by Zach Williams featuring Dolly Parton Writers: Zach Williams, Jonathan Smith, Tony Wood
GOSPEL WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR – The Story I’ll Tell by Naomi Raine Writers: Alton Eugene, Benji Cowart and Naomi Raine
CHRISTMAS RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR – Manger Throne by Phil Wickham Writers: Phil Wickham, Jonathan Smith and Tony Wood
POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR – Coat of Many Colors by Brandon Lake Producers: Jonathan Smith, Jacob Sooter, Hank Bentley, Micah Nichols, and Joe Laporta
WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR – I Believe by Phil Wickham Producer: Jonathan Smith
GOSPEL WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR – More Than This by CeCe Winans Producer: Kyle Lee
CHRISTMAS/SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR – Lifesongs: A Celebration of the First 20 Years by Casting Crowns Producers: Jonathan Smith, Jeff Pardo, Josh Auer, CHPTRS, Mark Miller, Keith Smith, Keith Thomas, Brad King, David Leonard, AJ Pruis, Jason Hoard, Brent Milligan, Chad Judd, Kuk Harrell, Chuck Butler, Paul Moak, Bernie Herms, Jeremy Redmon
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR – Jesus Music by CAIN Art Directors – Rachel Mulcahy and Tim Parker Graphic Artists – Madison Cain, Taylor Cain and Tim Parker Photographers – Maddox Fowler and Rachel Mulcahy
SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (CONCEPT) – Faithfully by TobyMac Director – Eric Welch Producers – Eric Welch and Scott McDaniel
LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR – Steven Curtis Chapman: The Great Adventure Directors/ Producers: Russ Hall, Angelea Floyd, Elizabeth Suter, Alex Whiten, Greg Ham, Kim White and Mike Termale
FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR – Unsung Hero Directors: Richard Ramsey and Joel Smallbone Producers: Joel Smallbone, Josh Walsh, Luke Smallbone and Justin Tolley
TELEVISION SERIES OF THE YEAR – Chasing CAIN Director/ Producer: Daric Gates, Producers: Alexander J. Wysocki and Marcus Lopez
For our Friday Favorites this week, The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite songs from artists coming to Sonfest 2024! We hope to see you on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Saturday! Gates open at Noon!
Rise and Shine 