Quirks, Bumps, and Bruises
Take a trip with the Morning JoyRide®️ as Melody discusses the humorous side of real issues facing families today.
Quirks, Bumps, and Bruises
Mics, Memories & Mama Duties: Candy's Next Chapter Begins
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.
On this episode of Quirks, bumps and Bruises, we're going to play a recap of what went on last week with Candy Payne's last days with us here on the Morning Joyride. We'll play the announcement and we'll also play some phone calls from listeners that wanted to let her know how much they love and appreciate her, and we'll also share some fun breaks that we did together and we'll end it with the last break that we did as Melody and Candy on the morning joyride. Let's start with Candy's announcement of leaving the show to become a stay-at-home mom. Well, good morning and welcome to the joyride. It's Melody and, hey, it's Candy. Everybody and we mentioned a little bit earlier this morning that the Joyride had an announcement to make and I'm going to be honest, this is going to be a tough one, a little bittersweet I guess, but, candy, I'm just going to hand it over to you.
Speaker 2:Well, as you all know, I was blessed with a little baby girl back in February. You all know I was blessed with a little baby girl back in February and y'all also know that I love being a mama to Hunter, wyatt and now Emma, and I love doing this morning show that we call the Morning Joy Ride, and I know there's a verse in that Bible that says to everything there is a season, and this has been a very, very hard season. It's been exciting as we welcomed a new little baby girl, but it's been tough because I knew some changes were going to have to come into effect once we had her. So, as of today, friday will be my last day here on the Morning Joyride, which is very hard because I love each and every one of you listening. Right now Y'all have become some of my dearest friends and family, and the toughest thing for me will be Melody. We've shed tears outside of this announcement and I don't want to make it dramatic and hard for anybody, but that will be. The hardest thing for me is not seeing your face every single morning, bright and early, so that will be extremely tough.
Speaker 2:Some good news to that is I am still going to be part of this ministry. The weekends I'll be here, you know, and we'll talk more about that coming up too. But just I'm going to be doing some 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 still seeing you at events, which I am so grateful for. But yeah, so Friday will be my last day here on the Morning Joy Ride, but the Morning Joy Ride is still going to be just fine. So we'll talk a little bit more about that and just give you some updates and different things. And we welcome any phone calls. Anything you'd like to do, you can do that as well. And we welcome any phone calls. Anything you'd like to do, you can do that as well. So thank you for just all that you've done, just the prayers that you've given us. Again, I say your family, some of our dearest friends, and we're so grateful.
Speaker 1:I'm grateful to have had you in my life. Well, obviously my heart hurts because I think if you've been and y and you'll have to forgive me because it is emotional. But if you've been listening to the morning joyride for any length of time, you know how much Candy and I love each other. And we met over 20 years ago. Actually, I remember walking out and she was at that time the receptionist and answering the phone and I remember the first thing I said to you was you are just the cutest thing. You were only 21.
Speaker 1:I was going to say I was a baby, I know, and so that. And then 18 years ago, we started doing this morning joyride and through that time, even though I'm quite a bit older than you, we became like the best of friends, which is like very odd for the age difference between us, yeah, I know. And so we love each other and we respect each other and we've been there for each other through a lot of ups and downs in the last years and we will continue to be. It's a lifelong friendship? Oh, it is. But I want you to know, candy, that I totally understand your heart and I understand this stage in your life. Oh, it is. Have done a morning show, having small kids in the house, especially an infant in the house. Morning shows are very rewarding but they're hard. They are Because it requires getting up very early, it requires going to bed very early, you miss a lot of stuff that you want to do and you're tired your whole life. You're tired you are.
Speaker 3:You're tired all the time.
Speaker 1:But we have loved it together. Yes, we've loved you, the listener, and I hope that we have had a great 18 years of encouraging your heart and just sharing Jesus with you and sharing life with you through what you've heard each and every morning here on the joy ride. So, even though I'm going to miss you like crazy, frankly I'm tired. We have had. So, you know, daniel left and Gabe left, and now I'm thinking is this me?
Speaker 2:Is it something I said? Who is this faithful over here, though, for the whole entire 18 years?
Speaker 1:Oh my goodness, but I do want you to know I respect your decision to be home with Wyatt Hunter and that sweet baby, Emma Grace, my grandchild. These are my grandchildren and you will never regret that. You will never regret making that decision. Good morning, it's Melody and Candy here on the Joyride and if you're just tuning in, candy made an announcement a few moments ago. Candy, I'll just let you do a quick recap of that.
Speaker 2:Yes, moments ago, candy. I'll just let you do a quick recap of that. Yes, okay, so I know. In ecclesiastes, chapter three says to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven, and we just announced a few minutes ago that this season that I'm moving into is taking care of my little kiddos and being a stay-at-home mom. I'm still blessed that I get to be part of Joy FM, part of this ministry, but unfortunately this season also includes where I'm not going to be able to be on the morning joyride anymore, and it's heartbreaking as that is. I do believe God, melody, god melody, you play. God has another plan, his ways are higher. So we're just gonna, you know, march on as hard as this season is.
Speaker 1:But, um, yeah, no longer on the morning show until friday's, my last day here on the show and uh, first of all, candy, I want you to know that working alongside you and serving with you and knowing you and loving you as a dear friend has truly been one of the greatest joys of my life, and you and I have talked about this a lot. We have no doubt that God chose us to be together, not only to serve at Joy FM, but he had another plan as well, didn't he? Absolutely? And he knows, and he knew that we needed each other through this time. And one of my favorite verses you talked about Ecclesiastes is Deuteronomy 31, 8, where it says the Lord himself goes before you and he will be with you. He will never leave you or forsake you and he, like I said, knew that we would need each other. He placed us together and now he's just moving us to different seasons of our life.
Speaker 1:But I have this feeling I don't know he may not be quite done with us. Who knows? We'll just have to wait and see and trust him with the journey ahead. But for the here and now, the joy ride is going to continue because apparently I can't leave All faithful over here and we're going to continue to share life with you and share devotions with you and share prayer time with you, and we'll have some laughs together, like we do, and try our very best to encourage and uplift you as we travel down this road together called life. That's just full of a lot of twists and turns and craziness at times and of course, all that is tied together with what we think is the best music that you can find anywhere, and that's southern gospel music. But you're going to still continue to hear candy as well. Candy, if you know, if you want to let them know kind of what you're planning so I'm still going to be part of this ministry and I'm so grateful for that.
Speaker 2:I love Joy FM, Obviously. For 20-some years it's been a part of my life and I can't imagine not being involved. So on Saturdays and Sundays I am blessed to have a program, two different programs there one on Saturday, one on Sunday that you'll be able to hear and then also filling in. Today I'm going to fill in for John, who's out of town, and then y'all aren't going to get rid of me, I'm going to still be popping in and definitely being part of Joy FM. So events I'll be able to be at.
Speaker 2:Melody and I were at Sipes Farm over the weekend and that is one of the things that we truly love is meeting you here and your stories and just how we have encouraged you. And that's what we've done this for for so many years and we're part of your lives. So I'm going to continue to do that. I'll be right here, it's just in a different way. So I'm still going to get to spend time with you and then also enjoy being a stay-at-home mama and then also enjoy being a stay-at-home mama.
Speaker 2:You know that's a season in life where, you know, I began to feel God tugging and doing some things and I didn't know what was happening and I'm not a fan of change. I liked, you know, not a fan of that and so I could just feel some things were coming. And Melanie and I began to talk and it just know lots of tears, lots of sadness, but um, excitement, because I do believe the lord is is involved in you know so many different things and so I'm grateful to still be part of joy, fm and melody. Like you said, it's going to be hard not coming in and seeing your face every day. You know you are my counselor. We have laughed because you have 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 be doing this morning show, but you're going to have to be ready to answer my phone call.
Speaker 1:Always, always, and, as I said earlier, we have a lifelong friendship together. You know, when people leave different shows, I think there's always that is something wrong. Is something wrong? Oh goodness, are they upset with each other? No, after 18 years, do they just not like each other? No way, and that could not be further from the truth. We adore each other and it is a lifelong friendship that God gave to us. What a gift, what an absolute gift God gave to us. What a gift, what an absolute gift.
Speaker 1:So, before I cry anymore, this next song is probably one of my all-time favorite songs that we've ever played at Joy FM, and it's Jim and Melissa Brady's Ever Present, ever Faithful. So I think that is appropriate because he has been ever present, faithful. So I I think that is appropriate. Yes, because he has been ever present. He has been ever, ever faithful to us, no matter what seasons of life that we are in or going through or changing, he is always there. One thing I do know change can be hard, but also change can be beautiful. It's Melody and it's Candy on the Joyride, and we're getting ready to go into a big change for the Joyride, at least for Candy, and I Hopefully not much change for you, the listener, except for you're not going to be on here with me, candy. I know it and for some reason, if you didn't know, candy, what are you doing?
Speaker 2:Well, I am going to be a stay-at-home mom. Many of you may not realize I have three kiddos now. Hunter is eight, and then I have a brand new little baby girl. Y'all, I will be 41 in a few weeks and I have a newborn Surprise yeah. And on top of that a teenager yes, and on top of that a husband. You know who is crazier than all three of those put together, but yeah.
Speaker 1:And Candy. You live about 45 minutes away.
Speaker 2:You know that's been the biggest part I think of.
Speaker 2:The decision is just the distance for me to be here and on the road, especially at 6 am Very early in the mornings, yeah, and so having you know an infant and two other kids, it's just. It's been difficult and it's something we've just been praying about and you know I love this. This is a very hard decision. Still being able to be part of Joy FM is wonderful, but leaving you Melody on the morning show to me is the hardest part and I don't like it. I don't like change, but especially change when you're happy with what you're doing. I mean I'm very happy and love what I do, except that whole getting up at 430 thing. But that is. It's been hard for me. Even being able to have the blessing of staying at home and raising kiddos and doing that is a wonderful thing and I believe God is in that 100 percent. But it is still hard because I love y'all, I love the team here, I love talking about life, so I mean it's it's very hard, it's a very hard season.
Speaker 1: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 this is I had to go through this with my position at my church. I had been in that position for 36 years and loved it, yeah, but I knew that that season had to come to an end.
Speaker 1:it was time, and you know when it's time you do do and God gives you a piece he does, he gives you, even though it's sad and hard, he gives you a piece about it. You know you're doing the right thing. And so, even though it's hard, I can attest to the fact and tell you that on the other side of it, when you kind of process through it, when you get your new normal because you're going to be in a whole new normal I told you when you came in this morning, candy, that's the last time you get up at four o'clock in the morning and have to drive 45 minutes to be here by 6 am.
Speaker 2: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:Like I said, once you have that new normal and your life is in a, you're organized again in this new way of life for you, then you begin to see the beauty of it as well, because God will continue to give you the peace about it, except when the kids are driving you crazy.
Speaker 1:But he'll give you that peace about it. But he'll also begin, I think, to fill any kind of void that you may have that you missed with something else that will take you there. But one thing I do know that we're thrilled that you're going to still be at Joy FM. You're going to be on on Saturday 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 that sweet voice and she'll still share her life with you. You're going to talk about that baby and just all the things, All the things, just remembering that change can be hard. It can be tough, you're going to shed some tears, but on the other side of it it can also be a most beautiful thing for you and your life.
Speaker 2:Good morning from the Joyride. It's Melody and Candy. Today's my last day on the Joyride and I cannot let Melody get off of this last show with me without a fun fact for Friday, because this is one of my favorite things that you do. I love it. I look forward to Fridays because of this, so make it.
Speaker 1:Good, girl. Now, instead of being part of it, you'll just have to listen, right? Yes, I will, All right. So this is going to be an interesting Friday fun fact, because it's going to be about you and the Joyride. Uh-oh, did you know Let me start it that way Did you know that Candy has been here over 20 years at Joy FM on the morning joy ride? For 18 years, give or take a few little exits, and then she came back after she had Hunter Yep. So I kind of average some things out for you. So we, basically Candy, do about 240 shows a year. Goodness, and that averages out for the 18 years we've been together about 4,320 shows.
Speaker 2:Does it?
Speaker 1:even feel like that Some days. Yes, we've had about 400 to 500 events that we've attended. I had to kind of approximate that because some weekends, especially when we first started, we were doing like 73 events a weekend. Really we were I mean, I have never worked so hard in my life. That first year we were on the Joyride, so I kind of had to approximate it. So 400 to 500 events maybe within that time frame, and then 27 gallons of coffee has been consumed. Let me take that back. 270 gallons of coffee has been consumed in that time frame on this morning show. So how?
Speaker 2:about that. That's unreal and when you think about how long. But it doesn't feel like that, no, and I have to say I feel like I have just been sitting in here with a friend talking to friends, yeah, that whole entire time, and that's what we wanted it to feel like.
Speaker 1:Yes, that you and I were just having some coffee and just sharing breakfast together and sharing life with you. But just some fun Friday fun facts. The last one with Candy. I'm going to still do them because I don't know.
Speaker 4:They're just fun, they are the Friday fun fact with Melody and Candy. Hey, Candy, this is Tina from Moxville. I just want to thank you for all that you have done for all of us, especially for me. Me and my husband were in a side-by-side wreck in 2023, and I was able to retire for blessing, but Joy FM has got me through the hardest days of my life and I had to put one foot in front of the other, day by day. But Joy FM and you, sweet lady, are just a blessing to me. I wish you all the happiness in the world and God is so good and I just thank you every minute of every day for Joy FM and you.
Speaker 5:Hey Kendi, this is Linda from Earlysville. Anyway, you're making me cry this morning, but I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you being there when I lost my brother and now I'm losing you. I hope you lots of luck and I'm really going to miss you.
Speaker 3:Hi, candy, my name is Mike Carafa and I'm just calling to congratulate you on your decision to be a stay-at-home mom. I think that is great. It really is. It's an outstanding deal what you did. There's a thing that says women are mothers and men never will be, or men never can be either. You know, in other words, it's just the greatest thing and I thank you for that decision. And you know what, candy, I'm going to say this Jesus thanks you also. It's great that you've done that. I applaud you for that and I wish you only the very best. Enjoy listening to you on the radio and just enjoy being a stay-at-home mom. It's great stuff. Thanks, and just enjoy being a stay-at-home mom. It's great stuff.
Speaker 6:Thanks. Good morning Melody and Candy. This is Glenda in Martinsville. Me and my sisters listen to your station in the mornings all the time in the car, especially in the mornings when we're getting ready for work. And yeah, trying to put my makeup on this morning and listening to you guys or you gals, had to dab a few times, dab a few tears, but it has been a joy listening to both of y'all and your sweet voices on the radio. And yes, we will miss Candy in the morning listening to you, but so glad you will still be a part of Joy FM.
Speaker 6:Just wanted to tell you God bless you to be able to stay home and take care of your little kiddos, but so happy to be able to still listen to you on the weekends. But just the best of you, best wishes and to you, melody, if there's a partner in the future with you in the mornings praying for that, praying for all of y'all and everything that you do and for the station and the ministry. We love you. My family loves listening to you. Just such a sweet, bittersweet show this morning mostly sweet Just listening to two friends tell each other girlfriends, what they mean to each other. That is so important when you have a friend like that and you know, I feel that way about my sisters we're just, we're close, we're good friends. You guys have a great day and a great week.
Speaker 7:Lots of success. Thank you very much for your radio 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 my life and you have been, because you make me laugh and you always care. I love you. Best of luck and don't be a stranger.
Speaker 8:Hello, miss Candy. This is Ricky Allen calling you the Donut man. I just said Biscuit man. I wanted to call and tell you that I'm going to miss you. I love you, I wish you all the best and it breaks my heart that you won't be leaving. But I understand the circumstances and again, I love you and I thank you for being my friend over the years. I met you when you first came to Joy FM. God bless you Again. I love all of you at Joy FM.
Speaker 9:Good morning. It's Winifred Hicks. I'm calling in. Candy, we're going to miss you on the Joy Ride. I've enjoyed the Joy Ride for a long time. Keep on keeping on. Appreciate everyone that works at Joy FM. All right, love you, joy FM. I know it's been 28 years I've been listening. All All right, love you. Joy FM. I know it's been 28 years. I've been listening all this time. Love you, melanie and Candy. I enjoyed the joy ride. Candy, we'll miss you if you're gone, but I hope you keep around. Okay, love you and the Lord. God bless you. Joy FM. We love you.
