June 9, 2025 • 22 mins
Candy Payne says farewell to the Morning Joyride after 18 years to become a full-time mom. In this special episode, Candy shares her announcement, reflects on her friendship with Melody, and hears from listeners calling in with their well-wishes. Though stepping away from mornings, Candy will continue hosting on weekends. Together, Candy and Melody celebrate God’s timing and close their chapter as co-hosts with gratitude and joy.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
On this episode of Quirks, bumps and Bruises, we're
going to play a recap of whatwent on last week with Candy
Payne's last days with us hereon the Morning Joyride.
We'll play the announcement andwe'll also play some phone
calls from listeners that wantedto let her know how much they
love and appreciate her, andwe'll also share some fun breaks
(00:21):
that we did together and we'llend it with the last break that
we did as Melody and Candy onthe morning joyride.
Let's start with Candy'sannouncement of leaving the show
to become a stay-at-home mom.
Well, good morning and welcometo the joyride.
It's Melody and, hey, it'sCandy.
Everybody and we mentioned alittle bit earlier this morning
(00:46):
that the Joyride had anannouncement to make and I'm
going to be honest, this isgoing to be a tough one, a
little bittersweet I guess, but,candy, I'm just going to hand
it over to you.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Well, as you all know , I was blessed with a little
baby girl back in February.
You all know I was blessed witha little baby girl back in
February and y'all also knowthat I love being a mama to
Hunter, wyatt and now Emma, andI love doing this morning show
that we call the Morning JoyRide, and I know there's a verse
(01:21):
in that Bible that says toeverything there is a season,
and this has been a very, veryhard season.
It's been exciting as wewelcomed a new little baby girl,
but it's been tough because Iknew some changes were going to
have to come into effect once wehad her.
So, as of today, friday will bemy last day here on the Morning
(01:44):
Joyride, which is very hardbecause I love each and every
one of you listening.
Right now Y'all have becomesome of my dearest friends and
family, and the toughest thingfor me will be Melody.
We've shed tears outside ofthis announcement and I don't
(02:06):
want to make it dramatic andhard for anybody, but that will
be.
The hardest thing for me is notseeing your face every single
morning, bright and early, sothat will be extremely tough.
Some good news to that is I amstill going to be part of this
ministry.
The weekends I'll be here, youknow, and we'll talk more about
(02:30):
that coming up too.
But just I'm going to be doingsome weekend programs here at
Joy FM, still be filling in.
Today I'm filling in for John,who's out, so I'm still going to
be part of Joy FM and stillseeing you at events, which I am
so grateful for.
But yeah, so Friday will be mylast day here on the Morning Joy
(02:50):
Ride, but the Morning Joy Rideis still going to be just fine.
So we'll talk a little bit moreabout that and just give you
some updates and differentthings.
And we welcome any phone calls.
Anything you'd like to do, youcan do that as well.
And we welcome any phone calls.
Anything you'd like to do, youcan do that as well.
So thank you for just all thatyou've done, just the prayers
that you've given us.
(03:10):
Again, I say your family, someof our dearest friends, and
we're so grateful.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
I'm grateful to have had you in my life.
Well, obviously my heart hurtsbecause I think if you've been
and y and you'll have to forgiveme because it is emotional.
But if you've been listening tothe morning joyride for any
length of time, you know howmuch Candy and I love each other
.
And we met over 20 years ago.
Actually, I remember walkingout and she was at that time the
(03:41):
receptionist and answering thephone and I remember the first
thing I said to you was you arejust the cutest thing.
You were only 21.
I was going to say I was a baby,I know, and so that.
And then 18 years ago, westarted doing this morning
joyride and through that time,even though I'm quite a bit
older than you, we became likethe best of friends, which is
(04:03):
like very odd for the agedifference between us, yeah, I
know.
And so we love each other andwe respect each other and we've
been there for each otherthrough a lot of ups and downs
in the last years and we willcontinue to be.
It's a lifelong friendship?
Oh, it is.
But I want you to know, candy,that I totally understand your
(04:24):
heart and I understand thisstage in your life.
Oh, it is.
Have done a morning show,having small kids in the house,
especially an infant in thehouse.
Morning shows are veryrewarding but they're hard.
(04:49):
They are Because it requiresgetting up very early, it
requires going to bed very early, you miss a lot of stuff that
you want to do and you're tiredyour whole life.
You're tired you are.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
You're tired all the time.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
But we have loved it together.
Yes, we've loved you, thelistener, and I hope that we
have had a great 18 years ofencouraging your heart and just
sharing Jesus with you andsharing life with you through
what you've heard each and everymorning here on the joy ride.
So, even though I'm going tomiss you like crazy, frankly I'm
tired.
We have had.
(05:23):
So, you know, daniel left andGabe left, and now I'm thinking
is this me?
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Is it something I said?
Who is this faithful over here,though, for the whole entire 18
years?
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Oh my goodness, but I do want you to know I respect
your decision to be home withWyatt Hunter and that sweet baby
, Emma Grace, my grandchild.
These are my grandchildren andyou will never regret that.
You will never regret makingthat decision.
Good morning, it's Melody andCandy here on the Joyride and if
you're just tuning in, candymade an announcement a few
(06:00):
moments ago.
Candy, I'll just let you do aquick recap of that.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Yes, moments ago, candy.
I'll just let you do a quickrecap of that.
Yes, okay, so I know.
In ecclesiastes, chapter threesays to everything there is a
season and a time to everypurpose under the heaven, and we
just announced a few minutesago that this season that I'm
moving into is taking care of mylittle kiddos and being a
(06:25):
stay-at-home mom.
I'm still blessed that I get tobe part of Joy FM, part of this
ministry, but unfortunatelythis season also includes where
I'm not going to be able to beon the morning joyride anymore,
and it's heartbreaking as thatis.
I do believe God, melody, godmelody, you play.
God has another plan, his waysare higher.
(06:47):
So we're just gonna, you know,march on as hard as this season
is.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
But, um, yeah, no longer on the morning show until
friday's, my last day here onthe show and uh, first of all,
candy, I want you to know thatworking alongside you and
serving with you and knowing youand loving you as a dear friend
has truly been one of thegreatest joys of my life, and
(07:14):
you and I have talked about thisa lot.
We have no doubt that God choseus to be together, not only to
serve at Joy FM, but he hadanother plan as well, didn't he?
Absolutely?
And he knows, and he knew thatwe needed each other through
this time.
And one of my favorite versesyou talked about Ecclesiastes is
Deuteronomy 31, 8, where itsays the Lord himself goes
(07:35):
before you and he will be withyou.
He will never leave you orforsake you and he, like I said,
knew that we would need eachother.
He placed us together and nowhe's just moving us to different
seasons of our life.
But I have this feeling I don'tknow he may not be quite done
with us.
Who knows?
We'll just have to wait and seeand trust him with the journey
(07:57):
ahead.
But for the here and now, thejoy ride is going to continue
because apparently I can't leaveAll faithful over here and
we're going to continue to sharelife with you and share
devotions with you and shareprayer time with you, and we'll
have some laughs together, likewe do, and try our very best to
(08:19):
encourage and uplift you as wetravel down this road together
called life.
That's just full of a lot oftwists and turns and craziness
at times and of course, all thatis tied together with what we
think is the best music that youcan find anywhere, and that's
southern gospel music.
But you're going to stillcontinue to hear candy as well.
(08:39):
Candy, if you know, if you wantto let them know kind of what
you're planning so I'm stillgoing to be part of this
ministry and I'm so grateful forthat.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
I love Joy FM, Obviously.
For 20-some years it's been apart of my life and I can't
imagine not being involved.
So on Saturdays and Sundays Iam blessed to have a program,
two different programs there oneon Saturday, one on Sunday that
you'll be able to hear and thenalso filling in.
Today I'm going to fill in forJohn, who's out of town, and
(09:10):
then y'all aren't going to getrid of me, I'm going to still be
popping in and definitely beingpart of Joy FM.
So events I'll be able to be at.
Melody and I were at Sipes Farmover the weekend and that is one
of the things that we trulylove is meeting you here and
your stories and just how wehave encouraged you.
And that's what we've done thisfor for so many years and we're
(09:31):
part of your lives.
So I'm going to continue to dothat.
I'll be right here, it's justin a different way.
So I'm still going to get tospend time with you and then
also enjoy being a stay-at-homemama and then also enjoy being a
stay-at-home mama.
You know that's a season in lifewhere, you know, I began to
feel God tugging and doing somethings and I didn't know what
(09:53):
was happening and I'm not a fanof change.
I liked, you know, not a fan ofthat and so I could just feel
some things were coming.
And Melanie and I began to talkand it just know lots of tears,
lots of sadness, but um,excitement, because I do believe
the lord is is involved in youknow so many different things
and so I'm grateful to still bepart of joy, fm and melody.
(10:15):
Like you said, it's going to behard not coming in and seeing
your face every day.
You know you are my counselor.
We have laughed because youhave helped me through so many
seasons in my life.
And just to think, you know,you're just going to have to be.
I know you're still going to bedoing this morning show, but
you're going to have to be readyto answer my phone call.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Always, always, and, as I said earlier, we have a
lifelong friendship together.
You know, when people leavedifferent shows, I think there's
always that is something wrong.
Is something wrong?
Oh goodness, are they upsetwith each other?
No, after 18 years, do theyjust not like each other?
No way, and that could not befurther from the truth.
We adore each other and it is alifelong friendship that God
(11:00):
gave to us.
What a gift, what an absolutegift God gave to us.
What a gift, what an absolutegift.
So, before I cry anymore, thisnext song is probably one of my
all-time favorite songs thatwe've ever played at Joy FM, and
(11:20):
it's Jim and Melissa Brady'sEver Present, ever Faithful.
So I think that is appropriatebecause he has been ever present
, faithful.
So I I think that isappropriate.
Yes, because he has been everpresent.
He has been ever, ever faithfulto us, no matter what seasons
of life that we are in or goingthrough or changing, he is
always there.
One thing I do know change canbe hard, but also change can be
(11:44):
beautiful.
It's Melody and it's Candy onthe Joyride, and we're getting
ready to go into a big changefor the Joyride, at least for
Candy, and I Hopefully not muchchange for you, the listener,
except for you're not going tobe on here with me, candy.
I know it and for some reason,if you didn't know, candy, what
(12:07):
are you doing?
Speaker 2 (12:08):
Well, I am going to be a stay-at-home mom.
Many of you may not realize Ihave three kiddos now.
Hunter is eight, and then Ihave a brand new little baby
girl.
Y'all, I will be 41 in a fewweeks and I have a newborn
Surprise yeah.
And on top of that a teenageryes, and on top of that a
husband.
You know who is crazier thanall three of those put together,
but yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
And Candy.
You live about 45 minutes away.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
You know that's been the biggest part I think of.
The decision is just thedistance for me to be here and
on the road, especially at 6 amVery early in the mornings, yeah
, and so having you know aninfant and two other kids, it's
just.
It's been difficult and it'ssomething we've just been
praying about and you know Ilove this.
This is a very hard decision.
(12:53):
Still being able to be part ofJoy FM is wonderful, but leaving
you Melody on the morning showto me is the hardest part and I
don't like it.
I don't like change, butespecially change when you're
happy with what you're doing.
I mean I'm very happy and lovewhat I do, except that whole
getting up at 430 thing.
But that is.
It's been hard for me.
(13:13):
Even being able to have theblessing of staying at home and
raising kiddos and doing that isa wonderful thing and I believe
God is in that 100 percent.
But it is still hard because Ilove y'all, I love the team here
, I love talking about life, soI mean it's it's very hard, it's
(13:34):
a very hard season.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Yeah, yeah, and that is the hard part of it.
And on the opposite end of that, you process through it as you,
and the reason I can say thisis I had to go through this with
my position at my church.
I had been in that position for36 years and loved it, yeah,
but I knew that that season hadto come to an end.
(13:57):
it was time, and you know whenit's time you do do and God
gives you a piece he does, hegives you, even though it's sad
and hard, he gives you a pieceabout it.
You know you're doing the rightthing.
And so, even though it's hard,I can attest to the fact and
tell you that on the other sideof it, when you kind of process
through it, when you get yournew normal because you're going
(14:18):
to be in a whole new normal Itold you when you came in this
morning, candy, that's the lasttime you get up at four o'clock
in the morning and have to drive45 minutes to be here by 6 am.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
I walked through our gate today and I was thinking,
oh, my goodness, this is a lot.
I mean, it was just sad.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
Like I said, once you have that new normal and your
life is in a, you're organizedagain in this new way of life
for you, then you begin to seethe beauty of it as well,
because God will continue togive you the peace about it,
except when the kids are drivingyou crazy.
But he'll give you that peaceabout it.
But he'll also begin, I think,to fill any kind of void that
(14:58):
you may have that you missedwith something else that will
take you there.
But one thing I do know thatwe're thrilled that you're going
to still be at Joy FM.
You're going to be on onSaturday afternoons from 2 until
6, sundays 2 to 6, right,that's right.
So you're not getting rid of me.
No, I told you no.
You're going to still hear thatsweet voice and she'll still
(15:20):
share her life with you.
You're going to talk about thatbaby and just all the things,
All the things, just rememberingthat change can be hard.
It can be tough, you're goingto shed some tears, but on the
other side of it it can also bea most beautiful thing for you
and your life.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Good morning from the Joyride.
It's Melody and Candy.
Today's my last day on theJoyride and I cannot let Melody
get off of this last show withme without a fun fact for Friday
, because this is one of myfavorite things that you do.
I love it.
I look forward to Fridaysbecause of this, so make it.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Good, girl.
Now, instead of being part ofit, you'll just have to listen,
right?
Yes, I will, All right.
So this is going to be aninteresting Friday fun fact,
because it's going to be aboutyou and the Joyride.
Uh-oh, did you know Let mestart it that way Did you know
that Candy has been here over 20years at Joy FM on the morning
joy ride?
(16:20):
For 18 years, give or take afew little exits, and then she
came back after she had HunterYep.
So I kind of average somethings out for you.
So we, basically Candy, doabout 240 shows a year.
Goodness, and that averages outfor the 18 years we've been
together about 4,320 shows.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Does it?
Speaker 1 (16:43):
even feel like that Some days.
Yes, we've had about 400 to 500events that we've attended.
I had to kind of approximatethat because some weekends,
especially when we first started, we were doing like 73 events a
weekend.
Really we were I mean, I havenever worked so hard in my life.
That first year we were on theJoyride, so I kind of had to
(17:06):
approximate it.
So 400 to 500 events maybewithin that time frame, and then
27 gallons of coffee has beenconsumed.
Let me take that back.
270 gallons of coffee has beenconsumed in that time frame on
this morning show.
So how?
Speaker 2 (17:22):
about that.
That's unreal and when youthink about how long.
But it doesn't feel like that,no, and I have to say I feel
like I have just been sitting inhere with a friend talking to
friends, yeah, that whole entiretime, and that's what we wanted
it to feel like.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Yes, that you and I were just having some coffee and
just sharing breakfast togetherand sharing life with you.
But just some fun Friday funfacts.
The last one with Candy.
I'm going to still do thembecause I don't know.
Speaker 4 (17:49):
They're just fun, they are the Friday fun fact
with Melody and Candy.
Hey, Candy, this is Tina fromMoxville.
I just want to thank you forall that you have done for all
of us, especially for me.
Me and my husband were in aside-by-side wreck in 2023, and
I was able to retire forblessing, but Joy FM has got me
(18:18):
through the hardest days of mylife and I had to put one foot
in front of the other, day byday.
But Joy FM and you, sweet lady,are just a blessing to me.
I wish you all the happiness inthe world and God is so good
and I just thank you everyminute of every day for Joy FM
and you.
Speaker 5 (18:32):
Hey Kendi, this is Linda from Earlysville.
Anyway, you're making me crythis morning, but I just wanted
to let you know how much Iappreciate you being there when
I lost my brother and now I'mlosing you.
I hope you lots of luck and I'mreally going to miss you.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Hi, candy, my name is Mike Carafa and I'm just
calling to congratulate you onyour decision to be a
stay-at-home mom.
I think that is great.
It really is.
It's an outstanding deal whatyou did.
There's a thing that says womenare mothers and men never will
be, or men never can be either.
You know, in other words, it'sjust the greatest thing and I
thank you for that decision.
And you know what, candy, I'mgoing to say this Jesus thanks
(19:10):
you also.
It's great that you've donethat.
I applaud you for that and Iwish you only the very best.
Enjoy listening to you on theradio and just enjoy being a
stay-at-home mom.
It's great stuff.
Thanks, and just enjoy being astay-at-home mom.
It's great stuff.
Speaker 6 (19:23):
Thanks.
Good morning Melody and Candy.
This is Glenda in Martinsville.
Me and my sisters listen toyour station in the mornings all
the time in the car, especiallyin the mornings when we're
getting ready for work.
And yeah, trying to put mymakeup on this morning and
listening to you guys or yougals, had to dab a few times,
dab a few tears, but it has beena joy listening to both of
(19:46):
y'all and your sweet voices onthe radio.
And yes, we will miss Candy inthe morning listening to you,
but so glad you will still be apart of Joy FM.
Just wanted to tell you Godbless you to be able to stay
home and take care of yourlittle kiddos, but so happy to
be able to still listen to youon the weekends.
But just the best of you, bestwishes and to you, melody, if
(20:09):
there's a partner in the futurewith you in the mornings praying
for that, praying for all ofy'all and everything that you do
and for the station and theministry.
We love you.
My family loves listening toyou.
Just such a sweet, bittersweetshow this morning mostly sweet
Just listening to two friendstell each other girlfriends,
(20:29):
what they mean to each other.
That is so important when youhave a friend like that and you
know, I feel that way about mysisters we're just, we're close,
we're good friends.
You guys have a great day and agreat week.
Speaker 7 (20:45):
Lots of success.
Thank you very much for yourradio program.
Good morning Candy.
It's Joanne Watson.
Why are you being selfish?
I'm just kidding.
I'm so happy for you, but, man,we're going to miss you.
I wish you all the best.
I love you.
You're an important part of mylife and you have been, because
you make me laugh and you alwayscare.
(21:06):
I love you.
Best of luck and don't be astranger.
Speaker 8 (21:11):
Hello, miss Candy.
This is Ricky Allen calling youthe Donut man.
I just said Biscuit man.
I wanted to call and tell youthat I'm going to miss you.
I love you, I wish you all thebest and it breaks my heart that
you won't be leaving.
But I understand thecircumstances and again, I love
(21:32):
you and I thank you for being myfriend over the years.
I met you when you first cameto Joy FM.
God bless you Again.
I love all of you at Joy FM.
Speaker 9 (21:44):
Good morning.
It's Winifred Hicks.
I'm calling in.
Candy, we're going to miss youon the Joy Ride.
I've enjoyed the Joy Ride for along time.
Keep on keeping on.
Appreciate everyone that worksat Joy FM.
All right, love you, joy FM.
I know it's been 28 years I'vebeen listening.
All All right, love you.
Joy FM.
I know it's been 28 years.
I've been listening all thistime.
Love you, melanie and Candy.
(22:06):
I enjoyed the joy ride.
Candy, we'll miss you if you'regone, but I hope you keep
around.
Okay, love you and the Lord.
God bless you.
Joy FM.
We love you.
On this episode of Quirks, bumps and Bruises, we're
going to play a recap of whatwent on last week with Candy
Payne's last days with us hereon the Morning Joyride.
We'll play the announcement andwe'll also play some phone
calls from listeners that wantedto let her know how much they
love and appreciate her, andwe'll also share some fun breaks
(00:21):
that we did together and we'llend it with the last break that
we did as Melody and Candy onthe morning joyride.
Let's start with Candy'sannouncement of leaving the show
to become a stay-at-home mom.
Well, good morning and welcometo the joyride.
It's Melody and, hey, it'sCandy.
Everybody and we mentioned alittle bit earlier this morning
(00:46):
that the Joyride had anannouncement to make and I'm
going to be honest, this isgoing to be a tough one, a
little bittersweet I guess, but,candy, I'm just going to hand
it over to you.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Well, as you all know , I was blessed with a little
baby girl back in February.
You all know I was blessed witha little baby girl back in
February and y'all also knowthat I love being a mama to
Hunter, wyatt and now Emma, andI love doing this morning show
that we call the Morning JoyRide, and I know there's a verse
(01:21):
in that Bible that says toeverything there is a season,
and this has been a very, veryhard season.
It's been exciting as wewelcomed a new little baby girl,
but it's been tough because Iknew some changes were going to
have to come into effect once wehad her.
So, as of today, friday will bemy last day here on the Morning
(01:44):
Joyride, which is very hardbecause I love each and every
one of you listening.
Right now Y'all have becomesome of my dearest friends and
family, and the toughest thingfor me will be Melody.
We've shed tears outside ofthis announcement and I don't
(02:06):
want to make it dramatic andhard for anybody, but that will
be.
The hardest thing for me is notseeing your face every single
morning, bright and early, sothat will be extremely tough.
Some good news to that is I amstill going to be part of this
ministry.
The weekends I'll be here, youknow, and we'll talk more about
(02:30):
that coming up too.
But just I'm going to be doingsome weekend programs here at
Joy FM, still be filling in.
Today I'm filling in for John,who's out, so I'm still going to
be part of Joy FM and stillseeing you at events, which I am
so grateful for.
But yeah, so Friday will be mylast day here on the Morning Joy
(02:50):
Ride, but the Morning Joy Rideis still going to be just fine.
So we'll talk a little bit moreabout that and just give you
some updates and differentthings.
And we welcome any phone calls.
Anything you'd like to do, youcan do that as well.
And we welcome any phone calls.
Anything you'd like to do, youcan do that as well.
So thank you for just all thatyou've done, just the prayers
that you've given us.
(03:10):
Again, I say your family, someof our dearest friends, and
we're so grateful.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
I'm grateful to have had you in my life.
Well, obviously my heart hurtsbecause I think if you've been
and y and you'll have to forgiveme because it is emotional.
But if you've been listening tothe morning joyride for any
length of time, you know howmuch Candy and I love each other
.
And we met over 20 years ago.
Actually, I remember walkingout and she was at that time the
(03:41):
receptionist and answering thephone and I remember the first
thing I said to you was you arejust the cutest thing.
You were only 21.
I was going to say I was a baby,I know, and so that.
And then 18 years ago, westarted doing this morning
joyride and through that time,even though I'm quite a bit
older than you, we became likethe best of friends, which is
(04:03):
like very odd for the agedifference between us, yeah, I
know.
And so we love each other andwe respect each other and we've
been there for each otherthrough a lot of ups and downs
in the last years and we willcontinue to be.
It's a lifelong friendship?
Oh, it is.
But I want you to know, candy,that I totally understand your
(04:24):
heart and I understand thisstage in your life.
Oh, it is.
Have done a morning show,having small kids in the house,
especially an infant in thehouse.
Morning shows are veryrewarding but they're hard.
(04:49):
They are Because it requiresgetting up very early, it
requires going to bed very early, you miss a lot of stuff that
you want to do and you're tiredyour whole life.
You're tired you are.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
You're tired all the time.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
But we have loved it together.
Yes, we've loved you, thelistener, and I hope that we
have had a great 18 years ofencouraging your heart and just
sharing Jesus with you andsharing life with you through
what you've heard each and everymorning here on the joy ride.
So, even though I'm going tomiss you like crazy, frankly I'm
tired.
We have had.
(05:23):
So, you know, daniel left andGabe left, and now I'm thinking
is this me?
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Is it something I said?
Who is this faithful over here,though, for the whole entire 18
years?
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Oh my goodness, but I do want you to know I respect
your decision to be home withWyatt Hunter and that sweet baby
, Emma Grace, my grandchild.
These are my grandchildren andyou will never regret that.
You will never regret makingthat decision.
Good morning, it's Melody andCandy here on the Joyride and if
you're just tuning in, candymade an announcement a few
(06:00):
moments ago.
Candy, I'll just let you do aquick recap of that.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Yes, moments ago, candy.
I'll just let you do a quickrecap of that.
Yes, okay, so I know.
In ecclesiastes, chapter threesays to everything there is a
season and a time to everypurpose under the heaven, and we
just announced a few minutesago that this season that I'm
moving into is taking care of mylittle kiddos and being a
(06:25):
stay-at-home mom.
I'm still blessed that I get tobe part of Joy FM, part of this
ministry, but unfortunatelythis season also includes where
I'm not going to be able to beon the morning joyride anymore,
and it's heartbreaking as thatis.
I do believe God, melody, godmelody, you play.
God has another plan, his waysare higher.
(06:47):
So we're just gonna, you know,march on as hard as this season
is.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
But, um, yeah, no longer on the morning show until
friday's, my last day here onthe show and uh, first of all,
candy, I want you to know thatworking alongside you and
serving with you and knowing youand loving you as a dear friend
has truly been one of thegreatest joys of my life, and
(07:14):
you and I have talked about thisa lot.
We have no doubt that God choseus to be together, not only to
serve at Joy FM, but he hadanother plan as well, didn't he?
Absolutely?
And he knows, and he knew thatwe needed each other through
this time.
And one of my favorite versesyou talked about Ecclesiastes is
Deuteronomy 31, 8, where itsays the Lord himself goes
(07:35):
before you and he will be withyou.
He will never leave you orforsake you and he, like I said,
knew that we would need eachother.
He placed us together and nowhe's just moving us to different
seasons of our life.
But I have this feeling I don'tknow he may not be quite done
with us.
Who knows?
We'll just have to wait and seeand trust him with the journey
(07:57):
ahead.
But for the here and now, thejoy ride is going to continue
because apparently I can't leaveAll faithful over here and
we're going to continue to sharelife with you and share
devotions with you and shareprayer time with you, and we'll
have some laughs together, likewe do, and try our very best to
(08:19):
encourage and uplift you as wetravel down this road together
called life.
That's just full of a lot oftwists and turns and craziness
at times and of course, all thatis tied together with what we
think is the best music that youcan find anywhere, and that's
southern gospel music.
But you're going to stillcontinue to hear candy as well.
(08:39):
Candy, if you know, if you wantto let them know kind of what
you're planning so I'm stillgoing to be part of this
ministry and I'm so grateful forthat.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
I love Joy FM, Obviously.
For 20-some years it's been apart of my life and I can't
imagine not being involved.
So on Saturdays and Sundays Iam blessed to have a program,
two different programs there oneon Saturday, one on Sunday that
you'll be able to hear and thenalso filling in.
Today I'm going to fill in forJohn, who's out of town, and
(09:10):
then y'all aren't going to getrid of me, I'm going to still be
popping in and definitely beingpart of Joy FM.
So events I'll be able to be at.
Melody and I were at Sipes Farmover the weekend and that is one
of the things that we trulylove is meeting you here and
your stories and just how wehave encouraged you.
And that's what we've done thisfor for so many years and we're
(09:31):
part of your lives.
So I'm going to continue to dothat.
I'll be right here, it's justin a different way.
So I'm still going to get tospend time with you and then
also enjoy being a stay-at-homemama and then also enjoy being a
stay-at-home mama.
You know that's a season in lifewhere, you know, I began to
feel God tugging and doing somethings and I didn't know what
(09:53):
was happening and I'm not a fanof change.
I liked, you know, not a fan ofthat and so I could just feel
some things were coming.
And Melanie and I began to talkand it just know lots of tears,
lots of sadness, but um,excitement, because I do believe
the lord is is involved in youknow so many different things
and so I'm grateful to still bepart of joy, fm and melody.
(10:15):
Like you said, it's going to behard not coming in and seeing
your face every day.
You know you are my counselor.
We have laughed because youhave helped me through so many
seasons in my life.
And just to think, you know,you're just going to have to be.
I know you're still going to bedoing this morning show, but
you're going to have to be readyto answer my phone call.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Always, always, and, as I said earlier, we have a
lifelong friendship together.
You know, when people leavedifferent shows, I think there's
always that is something wrong.
Is something wrong?
Oh goodness, are they upsetwith each other?
No, after 18 years, do theyjust not like each other?
No way, and that could not befurther from the truth.
We adore each other and it is alifelong friendship that God
(11:00):
gave to us.
What a gift, what an absolutegift God gave to us.
What a gift, what an absolutegift.
So, before I cry anymore, thisnext song is probably one of my
all-time favorite songs thatwe've ever played at Joy FM, and
(11:20):
it's Jim and Melissa Brady'sEver Present, ever Faithful.
So I think that is appropriatebecause he has been ever present
, faithful.
So I I think that isappropriate.
Yes, because he has been everpresent.
He has been ever, ever faithfulto us, no matter what seasons
of life that we are in or goingthrough or changing, he is
always there.
One thing I do know change canbe hard, but also change can be
(11:44):
beautiful.
It's Melody and it's Candy onthe Joyride, and we're getting
ready to go into a big changefor the Joyride, at least for
Candy, and I Hopefully not muchchange for you, the listener,
except for you're not going tobe on here with me, candy.
I know it and for some reason,if you didn't know, candy, what
(12:07):
are you doing?
Speaker 2 (12:08):
Well, I am going to be a stay-at-home mom.
Many of you may not realize Ihave three kiddos now.
Hunter is eight, and then Ihave a brand new little baby
girl.
Y'all, I will be 41 in a fewweeks and I have a newborn
Surprise yeah.
And on top of that a teenageryes, and on top of that a
husband.
You know who is crazier thanall three of those put together,
but yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
And Candy.
You live about 45 minutes away.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
You know that's been the biggest part I think of.
The decision is just thedistance for me to be here and
on the road, especially at 6 amVery early in the mornings, yeah
, and so having you know aninfant and two other kids, it's
just.
It's been difficult and it'ssomething we've just been
praying about and you know Ilove this.
This is a very hard decision.
(12:53):
Still being able to be part ofJoy FM is wonderful, but leaving
you Melody on the morning showto me is the hardest part and I
don't like it.
I don't like change, butespecially change when you're
happy with what you're doing.
I mean I'm very happy and lovewhat I do, except that whole
getting up at 430 thing.
But that is.
It's been hard for me.
(13:13):
Even being able to have theblessing of staying at home and
raising kiddos and doing that isa wonderful thing and I believe
God is in that 100 percent.
But it is still hard because Ilove y'all, I love the team here
, I love talking about life, soI mean it's it's very hard, it's
(13:34):
a very hard season.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Yeah, yeah, and that is the hard part of it.
And on the opposite end of that, you process through it as you,
and the reason I can say thisis I had to go through this with
my position at my church.
I had been in that position for36 years and loved it, yeah,
but I knew that that season hadto come to an end.
(13:57):
it was time, and you know whenit's time you do do and God
gives you a piece he does, hegives you, even though it's sad
and hard, he gives you a pieceabout it.
You know you're doing the rightthing.
And so, even though it's hard,I can attest to the fact and
tell you that on the other sideof it, when you kind of process
through it, when you get yournew normal because you're going
(14:18):
to be in a whole new normal Itold you when you came in this
morning, candy, that's the lasttime you get up at four o'clock
in the morning and have to drive45 minutes to be here by 6 am.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
I walked through our gate today and I was thinking,
oh, my goodness, this is a lot.
I mean, it was just sad.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
Like I said, once you have that new normal and your
life is in a, you're organizedagain in this new way of life
for you, then you begin to seethe beauty of it as well,
because God will continue togive you the peace about it,
except when the kids are drivingyou crazy.
But he'll give you that peaceabout it.
But he'll also begin, I think,to fill any kind of void that
(14:58):
you may have that you missedwith something else that will
take you there.
But one thing I do know thatwe're thrilled that you're going
to still be at Joy FM.
You're going to be on onSaturday afternoons from 2 until
6, sundays 2 to 6, right,that's right.
So you're not getting rid of me.
No, I told you no.
You're going to still hear thatsweet voice and she'll still
(15:20):
share her life with you.
You're going to talk about thatbaby and just all the things,
All the things, just rememberingthat change can be hard.
It can be tough, you're goingto shed some tears, but on the
other side of it it can also bea most beautiful thing for you
and your life.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Good morning from the Joyride.
It's Melody and Candy.
Today's my last day on theJoyride and I cannot let Melody
get off of this last show withme without a fun fact for Friday
, because this is one of myfavorite things that you do.
I love it.
I look forward to Fridaysbecause of this, so make it.
Speaker 1 (16:00):
Good, girl.
Now, instead of being part ofit, you'll just have to listen,
right?
Yes, I will, All right.
So this is going to be aninteresting Friday fun fact,
because it's going to be aboutyou and the Joyride.
Uh-oh, did you know Let mestart it that way Did you know
that Candy has been here over 20years at Joy FM on the morning
joy ride?
(16:20):
For 18 years, give or take afew little exits, and then she
came back after she had HunterYep.
So I kind of average somethings out for you.
So we, basically Candy, doabout 240 shows a year.
Goodness, and that averages outfor the 18 years we've been
together about 4,320 shows.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Does it?
Speaker 1 (16:43):
even feel like that Some days.
Yes, we've had about 400 to 500events that we've attended.
I had to kind of approximatethat because some weekends,
especially when we first started, we were doing like 73 events a
weekend.
Really we were I mean, I havenever worked so hard in my life.
That first year we were on theJoyride, so I kind of had to
(17:06):
approximate it.
So 400 to 500 events maybewithin that time frame, and then
27 gallons of coffee has beenconsumed.
Let me take that back.
270 gallons of coffee has beenconsumed in that time frame on
this morning show.
So how?
Speaker 2 (17:22):
about that.
That's unreal and when youthink about how long.
But it doesn't feel like that,no, and I have to say I feel
like I have just been sitting inhere with a friend talking to
friends, yeah, that whole entiretime, and that's what we wanted
it to feel like.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
Yes, that you and I were just having some coffee and
just sharing breakfast togetherand sharing life with you.
But just some fun Friday funfacts.
The last one with Candy.
I'm going to still do thembecause I don't know.
Speaker 4 (17:49):
They're just fun, they are the Friday fun fact
with Melody and Candy.
Hey, Candy, this is Tina fromMoxville.
I just want to thank you forall that you have done for all
of us, especially for me.
Me and my husband were in aside-by-side wreck in 2023, and
I was able to retire forblessing, but Joy FM has got me
(18:18):
through the hardest days of mylife and I had to put one foot
in front of the other, day byday.
But Joy FM and you, sweet lady,are just a blessing to me.
I wish you all the happiness inthe world and God is so good
and I just thank you everyminute of every day for Joy FM
and you.
Speaker 5 (18:32):
Hey Kendi, this is Linda from Earlysville.
Anyway, you're making me crythis morning, but I just wanted
to let you know how much Iappreciate you being there when
I lost my brother and now I'mlosing you.
I hope you lots of luck and I'mreally going to miss you.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Hi, candy, my name is Mike Carafa and I'm just
calling to congratulate you onyour decision to be a
stay-at-home mom.
I think that is great.
It really is.
It's an outstanding deal whatyou did.
There's a thing that says womenare mothers and men never will
be, or men never can be either.
You know, in other words, it'sjust the greatest thing and I
thank you for that decision.
And you know what, candy, I'mgoing to say this Jesus thanks
(19:10):
you also.
It's great that you've donethat.
I applaud you for that and Iwish you only the very best.
Enjoy listening to you on theradio and just enjoy being a
stay-at-home mom.
It's great stuff.
Thanks, and just enjoy being astay-at-home mom.
It's great stuff.
Speaker 6 (19:23):
Thanks.
Good morning Melody and Candy.
This is Glenda in Martinsville.
Me and my sisters listen toyour station in the mornings all
the time in the car, especiallyin the mornings when we're
getting ready for work.
And yeah, trying to put mymakeup on this morning and
listening to you guys or yougals, had to dab a few times,
dab a few tears, but it has beena joy listening to both of
(19:46):
y'all and your sweet voices onthe radio.
And yes, we will miss Candy inthe morning listening to you,
but so glad you will still be apart of Joy FM.
Just wanted to tell you Godbless you to be able to stay
home and take care of yourlittle kiddos, but so happy to
be able to still listen to youon the weekends.
But just the best of you, bestwishes and to you, melody, if
(20:09):
there's a partner in the futurewith you in the mornings praying
for that, praying for all ofy'all and everything that you do
and for the station and theministry.
We love you.
My family loves listening toyou.
Just such a sweet, bittersweetshow this morning mostly sweet
Just listening to two friendstell each other girlfriends,
(20:29):
what they mean to each other.
That is so important when youhave a friend like that and you
know, I feel that way about mysisters we're just, we're close,
we're good friends.
You guys have a great day and agreat week.
Speaker 7 (20:45):
Lots of success.
Thank you very much for yourradio program.
Good morning Candy.
It's Joanne Watson.
Why are you being selfish?
I'm just kidding.
I'm so happy for you, but, man,we're going to miss you.
I wish you all the best.
I love you.
You're an important part of mylife and you have been, because
you make me laugh and you alwayscare.
(21:06):
I love you.
Best of luck and don't be astranger.
Speaker 8 (21:11):
Hello, miss Candy.
This is Ricky Allen calling youthe Donut man.
I just said Biscuit man.
I wanted to call and tell youthat I'm going to miss you.
I love you, I wish you all thebest and it breaks my heart that
you won't be leaving.
But I understand thecircumstances and again, I love
(21:32):
you and I thank you for being myfriend over the years.
I met you when you first cameto Joy FM.
God bless you Again.
I love all of you at Joy FM.
Speaker 9 (21:44):
Good morning.
It's Winifred Hicks.
I'm calling in.
Candy, we're going to miss youon the Joy Ride.
I've enjoyed the Joy Ride for along time.
Keep on keeping on.
Appreciate everyone that worksat Joy FM.
All right, love you, joy FM.
I know it's been 28 years I'vebeen listening.
All All right, love you.
Joy FM.
I know it's been 28 years.
I've been listening all thistime.
Love you, melanie and Candy.
(22:06):
I enjoyed the joy ride.
Candy, we'll miss you if you'regone, but I hope you keep
around.
Okay, love you and the Lord.
God bless you.
Joy FM.
We love you.
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