A Few Changes Are Coming

Dave Andrews • May 2, 2023

May will be weird...

Albert Einstein once said, “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” I must not be very bright then lol! I do believe variety is the spice of life, but sometimes I prefer changes in small doses. Nonetheless, change is still a fact of life; and we are going to see a few around here soon.

Perhaps one of my least favorite changes in ministry is when a staff member moves on to bigger and better things…and unfortunately we have two this month.

Leslie Kell has been with KJOL for about 6 years. She quickly moved up to a spot on our morning show, and completed her 5^th year of putting up with me in the mornings last January. The whole staff can attest that it has been an absolute blessing working with Leslie. When she first applied to work at KJOL, she marched into our office fresh out of college with resume in hand (she said she was going to be getting married the NEXT day). Her genuine heart for God, adventurous attitude, and easy going personality really contributed greatly to ministry and the awesome work environment we enjoy. She will be leaving KJOL to be a-full-time-genuine-real-life-house-mom. It’s truly a high calling. Leslie’s last day is May 31^st. Her friends at KJOL wish her God’s blessing.

Brittany Davis has only been with us about a year, but has become a valuable employee in a short amount of time. Brittany’s great attitude and attention to detail have contributed to the efficiency of operations behind the scenes. Along with her Administrative Assistant duties, she also does web formatting and has been a huge help to me personally putting together this e-newsletter ever month! Originally hired out of Iowa, Brittany and her husband ran into logistic issues with housing both here and in Iowa, so they made the hard decision to move back. We are grateful for the time we have had with her and she will also be missed. Brittany’s last day is May 11^th. Brittany, we still think you would be great “on-air!”

While we are saddened by the changes to our team, yours-truly has been hard at work to find really awesome Godly people to take over their positions. The good news is, that the Lord has clearly led in both instances; and we are very excited about the people coming on board behind them. More on that soon.

-Dave

PS- One more addition to the “KJOL family” I can mention now… at the end of this month, my wife Susun and I will be welcoming a little baby boy into this world! We are very excited to see our 4^th and...last...child be born! Please pray that the delivery will go smoothly and for a healthy momma and healthy baby.

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April Spring Friendraiser

By Dave Andrews • April 1, 2026

Our April Spring Friendraiser is officially underway! From time to time on the air, you might hear a gentle reminder to support KJOL in 2026…it’s not a Sharathon…just a time to encourage new friends to come alongside us in ministry to proclaim the Good News of Jesus and God’s Word across the Western Slope.

Fifteen Incredible Easter Songs!

By Kurt Neuswanger • March 28, 2026

Fifteen Incredible Easter Songs! Every Easter, I love hearing the wonderful Easter songs, starting with (and ending with) Charles Wesley’s Christ The Lord Is Risen Today . Here are a few of my other favorites that you will hear on KJOL on Easter Sunday. You can no doubt think of many other songs. 2nd Chapter of Acts (also Keith Green) Easter Song Don Francisco He’s Alive Lenny LeBlanc Above All Matt Redman The Cross Has Said It All Newsong Arise My Love Can’t Keep A Good Man Down Phillips, Craig & Dean Crucified With Christ Robin Mark The Wonder of Your Cross (10 minute version!) Ron Kenoly & Hillsongs Australia Jesus Is Alive Larnelle Harris & Sandy Patti I’ve Just Seen Jesus Twila Paris Lamb of God Dallas Holm Rise Again Hillsongs Australia My Redeemer Lives Greg Long Mercy Said No

A Taste of Country

By Kurt Neuswanger • March 6, 2026

Many KJOL listeners have indicated they enjoy songs with a country music flair. As it turns out, there are some great songs out right now that fit that description. John Waller & Eric Lee Brumley “ Surprise Me” John Waller is a former worship leader at a church in Parker, Colorado. His songs have been featured in several movies by the Kendrick Brothers: “Fireproof” ( While I’m Waiting ) “Courageous” ( As For Me And My House ) “War Room” ( Crazy Faith ) Eric Lee Brumley grew up in Rhode Island. His life was turned around when he got involved with Teen Challenge and began writing songs. He sings “blue, rock and Americana Gospel.” Caleb & John “ Finished ” Caleb & John are an unlikely collaboration. Caleb Crino is a pastor’s kid who studied classical piano at Belmont University, while John Secker is a self-taught guitarist. John’s style “leans toward the gritty, rootsy side” while “Caleb’s sweet spot is in pop melodies.” They met through a mutual friend while performing with CAIN and Anne Wilson. Their big hits are “ Somebody Like Me ” and “ Hallelujah Feeling .” Ben Fuller & Carrie Underwood “ If It Was Up To Me ” Last October, Ben Fuller was a guest at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, singing his new song “If It Was Up To Me.” Then he introduced a surprise guest on stage: Carrie Underwood. Their voices blended perfectly in a spellbinding performance (which you can see in the link above). The Band Reeves “ My Country ” The Band Reeves is two brothers, Jeramy and Cody Reeves of East Texas. Their newest song is “a heartfelt anthem celebrating faith, family, and the everyday values that define Band Reeves — two brothers who are everyday family men with calluses on their hands and Bible verses in their songs.” They arrived on the music scene in 2022 with their hit “ Higher Than The Heavens .”

God Is Love

By Dave Andrews • February 16, 2026

The staff and I step into the month of February with a little trepidation but leaning on God. Coming out of maybe the busiest year in my memory, the pattern continues into this month. We look ahead to some challenging projects and hard anniversaries. We would love your prayers.

"I Can Only Imagine 2" NOW SHOWING

By Kurt Neuswanger • January 29, 2026

The new movie “ I Can Only Imagine 2 ” is now showing in Grand Junction. It is a sequel to the highly successful first movie, “ I Can Only Imagine ” (2018) which was inspired by the title song about how MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard reconciled with his alcoholic father. Even before that movie came out, Millard was on tour (2017) with his 15 year old son, Sam, who is diabetic. But while MercyMe was having tremendous success, Millard’s relationship with both his son and his wife was strained. “When you're a parent of a child with any kind of chronic illness, these things don't go away. You have a lot of good days, but some days you feel like you're losing bad. I was in the midst of one of those bad days when 'Even If' was written," Millard recalled. “ Even If ” was co-written with Tim Timmons, who had joined MercyMe on tour. Millard discovered that Timmons was carrying his own hardships and secrets. When film director Andy Erwin (October Baby, Jesus Revolution) heard “Even If” he was blown away. "I never dreamed there was more story to tell — until we heard the story behind 'Even If.' Learning how Tim and Bart co-wrote that song out of deep, lived faith moved us to tears; the honesty and hope woven through each of their journeys are undeniable. (Filmmaker) Brent (McCorkle) and I knew immediately that 'I Can Only Imagine' truly deserved a sequel." A new song written for the movie, “ Make It Well ,” expresses even more pain and struggle. Make it well with my soul Don’t let me face this loneliness alone Make it well with my soul I need a peace that only heaven knows Jesus could you please Just sit and cry with me Till I can sing It is well with my soul I Can Only Imagine 2 opened Feb 19 at the Regal Canyon View theater and The Picture Show in Grand Junction

Top New Artists of 2025 (plus Forrest Frank)

By Kurt Neuswanger • January 3, 2026

KJOL added 118 new songs in 2025. That’s a new song every three days! The list included a number of great new artists. Megan Woods ( The Truth ) 24 year old from Massachusetts who overcame an abusive relationship after a friend introduced her to Jesus John Wesley ( Oh, What a Friend ) Not the hymnwriter! John Wesley Honaker is a worship leader in Florida. Rachel Purcell ( Show Up ) A native of Muscle Schoals, Alabama (home of a famous recording studio), Purcell is also a country musician under her maiden name Rachel Wammack Emerson Day ( God Ain’t Finished Yet ) (album version!) She graduated as a “decorated lacrosse player” with a degree in homeland security. But instead, she felt called to pursue Christian music. Jamie MacDonald ( Desperate ) A Michigan native who met Jesus at youth camp, left home and forgot Jesus, returned to the Lord in her 20s. Peter Burton ( Where Would I Be ) He started Thrive Worship at Bayside Church in Sacramento with Lincoln Brewster. Now he is a solo artist with Story House Collective, managed by Matthew West. (Bonus for the guys: the video features a 1975 Chevy Blazer with a custom 409 engine!) Jet Trouble ( I Need You ) The most unusual name in our repertoire! He is a Dallas based musician whose full name is James E. Troublefield (J.E.T.). And he knows about trouble: his father was diagnosed with ALS and died, inspiring “I Need You.” And we can’t discuss 2025 without mentioning one more notable artist. Forrest Frank In July, he was playing with his daughter in his driveway when he crashed his skateboard and broke two vertebrae! While lying in bed, he composed the song “ God’s Got My Back! ” Then two weeks later, tests revealed his back was healed! He later decided not to attend the Dove Awards, saying “I will not receive a trophy for something that is from Jesus and for Jesus.” He swept the Dove Awards anyway: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year ( Your Way’s Better ).