Celebrate America's 4th with Patriotic Music from Utah's Songwriting SenatorEven with all the years he's served in the US Senate, most of Senator Hatch's constituents are unaware of his penchant to put pen to paper writing hymns, songs, and patriotic music, or that they've been sung at Presidential Inaugurations and even on "Oprah."This week we're celebrating America's Independence Day with music of home and country he's co-written with Janice Kapp Perry. We talked to both of them this week about their favorites and the stories behind the music.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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From the opening applause you'll know that this is live and that Sam Payne is definitely in his element. Besides the 13 great live songs (including fan favorite "Autumn Leaves") about connections, history, and what gets handed down, this CD includes "the stories" âthe in-between set ups and thoughts and humor that make a live show so memorable and give the songs added magic.Whether it's "All Comes Down in a Line" or "These Are My People," Father to Son is a celebration of the mixture of joy and pain that is real life. This album would be great for Dad on Father's Day or for anyone on any day.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Thirty-five years after its premiere, "Saturday's Warrior," the LDS cultural phenomenon of the 70's, gets an anniversary performance tour and a bookend in "The White Star," which follows Jimmy Flinders, now James, into fatherhood and a secret wound which pulls him farther and farther from his family and the Lord.Playwright and producer Doug Stewart talks about the development of "Saturday's Warrior," its impact on the culture, and the changes he's seen in the last 35 years of Mormon Art.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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From the many, many submissions received from LDS musicians, Craig Clifford and Jeff Goldman have compiled a 19-song remembrance of the life and teachings of President Gordon B. Hinckley which is as warm to look at and read as it is to hear.But perhaps the best part of this musical remembrance is that it continues the work Pres. Hinckley began--all net proceeds will go to the Perpetual Education Fund. The compilers tell their experiences, preview the songs, and share a response from Pres. Hinckley's posterity.That's this week on the Cricket and Seagull...

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Imagine being the editor or the designer of a major newspaper at a time when many print papers are dying as their readership moves to online news media. Joe Cannon, Editor of the Deseret Morning News, and his staff have not only reinvented themselves online at DesNews.com, but have in the process also invented a whole new forum for Latter-day Saint culture and beliefâMormonTimes.com.From his office in Salt Lake City, Joe Cannon talks about the paper's tradition, putting MormonTimes.com together and what it hopes to capture, as well as a little bit about his own online featureâno longer anonymousâThe Word of the Week. In the newsroom itself, web expert Joe Charbonneau talks about the technical details, what stories are most popular, and the technologies which keep adding features to MormonTimes.com.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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"What a Friend We Have in Jesus," by Chieko OkazakiWhat a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!Reflecting on these words from a favorite Protestant hymn of her youth, Chieko Okazaki writes with feeling and passion about the relationship each of us can have with the Lord Jesus Christ.Speaking up especially for those who feel disenfranchised and overlooked in the church,Sister Okazaki reminds us to claim the blessings our Savior has in store for us.That's this week on the Cricket and Seagull...

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We Latter-day Saints believe in becoming better â we work hard at it â but we're also among the most self-critical people. Too often we fail to fully claim the "amazing grace" of the Atonement. How can we help our loved ones â and ourselves â let go of past mistakes? Wendy Ulrich, an experienced psychologist, maps the journey from self blame to self-forgiveness. She shows how the pure doctrines of the restored gospel, coupled with the practical perspectives of psychology, can help us stop harrowing our souls and start planting the seeds of faith, healing, and joy.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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"Stones" with LDS Playwright J. Scott BronsonHe's worked onscreen in "Touched by an Angel" and other television and film work, but LDS playwright Scott Bronson's first love is the stage; whether it's writing, directing, or acting. This month he's doing all three at once in his award-winning play "Stones," playing at the Covey Center for the Performing Arts through April 26th of 2008.ââThis powerful work is actually two parallel one-act plays--"Altars" and "Tombs,"--played by the same actors. The first tells the story of Abraham, Isaac, and Sarah, and the second featuring Mary, Jesus, and Joseph. Scott talks about his rules for putting words in the mouth of scriptural characters, the idea of sacrifice, and the human side of doing God's will. I was fascinated by every minute of his thought-provoking conversation and I think you will be too.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Ever since his student days at BYU, Mesa, AZ composer Rob Gardner has felt drawn toward the more classical and choral side of music.  Over the years, this love has resulted in several large works for choir, orchestra and readers.In April, those in the Salt Lake area can see one of his most moving works, "Joseph Smith the Prophet," live in the Tabernacle with a 300-voice choir and orchestra. And if you're outside the area, you'll be able to see a performance soon on BYUTV.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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"All About You" New From Kenneth Cope Popular LDS singer/songwriter Kenneth Cope releases his first contemporary CD in years and "It's All About You". The "you," of course, being Christ. Kenneth talks about writing, what he worries about when performing, the Lord's abundant mercy, and much more. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull... Kenneth Cope Playlist All About You â Fire of God â His Name is Love â Broken â Where You Are â Tell Me â Him, and Him Alone â It's Still You â See You in the Morning â More â Your Father's Child Bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide, The Cricket and Seagull features the unique voices of authors, artists, musicians, scholars, and fellow Saints. Pull up a chair and join us for The Cricket & Seagull Fireside Chat! To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon:

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"Grateful Praise" New from Eclipse Known for their 6-part harmonies and entertaining live shows, a cappella group Eclipse releases its first CD of hymns and praise songs. Group members Dan Kartchner and Shayne Taylor take us on an audio tour of their choices, ranging from new twists on the traditional, like "All Creatures of Our God and King," to choral versions of newer LDS songs like "Mercy's Arms," and their Pearl Award-winning version of "Be Still My Soul." That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull... Playlist All Creatures of Our God and King â His Eye Is On the Sparrow â For the Beauty of the Earth â Mercy's Arms â God is Love â Evening Prayer â Open Thou Mine Eyes â Go With Me â Be Still, My Soul â I Believe in Christ â Let the Words Bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide, The Cricket and Seagull features the unique voices of authors, artists, musicians, scholars, and fellow Saints. Pull up a chair and join us for The Cricket & Seagull Fireside Chat! To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon:

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"Forgiveness" with Cheryl Carson Forgiveness. We all need it and we all have to give it. So why is it that when we most need to forgive is when it sometimes feels the most difficult to do? Author and speaker Cheryl Carson shares her personal journey to forgiving and helps us understand why giving it to others is the best gift we can give ourselves. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull... Cheryl Carson Bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide, The Cricket and Seagull features the unique voices of authors, artists, musicians, scholars, and fellow Saints. Pull up a chair and join us for The Cricket & Seagull Fireside Chat! To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon:

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Award-winning composer, record producer, and Meridian Magazine columnist Greg Hansen has created a new online resource for musicians and others interested in enjoying and creating positive music and art. With everything from concert listings to tips for beginners, to a new Jukebox feature allowing you to have your song or vocal demo heard by industry professionals, this new site promises to have something for artists and devotees of all levels of skill and interest. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull... Bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide, The Cricket and Seagull features the unique voices of authors, artists, musicians, scholars, and fellow Saints. Pull up a chair and join us for The Cricket & Seagull Fireside Chat! Greg Hansen To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon:

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"Babylight" with Clive Romney & Linda Coltrin We've heard of "Baby Einstein," even "Baby Mormon," but now songwriters Clive Romney and Linda Coltrin weave familiar classic melodies together with new gospel lyrics to create "Babylight." Do babies and toddlers even care about lyrics? About melodies? Will "Babylight" be the right light for your own personal "children of record"? Decide for yourself, this week on The Cricket and Seagull... Bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide, The Cricket and Seagull features the unique voices of authors, artists, musicians, scholars, and fellow Saints. Pull up a chair and join us for The Cricket & Seagull Fireside Chat! To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon:

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President Gordon B. Hinckley Musical tributes to President Gordon B. Hinckley Today, we remember Gordon B. Hinckley, beloved to us as President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who passed away at the age of 97 last Sunday.  Rather than present this in a "show" format, we'd like to simply play two tributes put together by Salt Lake City radio station FM100, as well as a timely new children's song. Most touching to me are the poignant final words, given by President Hinckley himself; "God be with you 'til we meet again." (Feel free to download and share the .pdf sheet music file; a hymn entitled "What is This Thing that Men Call Death," lyrics by President Hinckley.) That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull... "God be With You" from Twenty-Five Beloved Hymns of Prayer and Faith" "God be With You" from "America's Choir" Bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide, The Cricket and Seagull features the unique voices of authors, artists, musicians, scholars, and fellow Saints. Pull up a chair and join us for The Cricket & Seagull Fireside Chat! "Gordon B. Hinckley" from "Latter-day Prophets" You can always find the most recent edition at MeridianMagazine.com/Radio. To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet" from "Twenty-Five Beloved Hymns of the Restoration" For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon: CLICK to download "What Is This Thing That Men Call Death," lyrics by Gordon B. Hinckley

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2008 Primary Songs Clive Romney's inventive arrangements make his annual release of the new year's Primary Program songs something to look forward to. From a Celtic version of "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet" to Clive's yearly original contributions, this is a fun CD for children of all ages. That's this week on the Cricket and Seagull... Clive Romney Bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide, The Cricket and Seagull features the unique voices of authors and artists, singers and songwriters, and fellow Saints. Pull up a chair and join us for The Cricket & Seagull Fireside Chat! To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon:

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The fresh young voices are sweet and endearing, the arrangements lively and imaginative, and you won't have to hear more than a stanza or two of the lyrics to know they are trademark Melanie Hoffman. "Stories of Jesus," the newest release from Hoffman House and Shadow Mountain features 15 delightful and touching songs on the life of Christ which show in even a brief listening why Roger and Melanie Hoffman are among the best-known and best-loved writers of music for children. That's this week on the Cricket and Seagull...

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It may not look exactly like any neighborhood you know, but "Your LDS Neighborhood" is still going to feel pretty familiar once you arrive and start clicking your way around the block. Gaylen Rust and Lauryn Wingate talk about this new LDS-themed resource for books, movies, outlet malls, music, weddings, missionary stuff and more, plus their monthly giveaways. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Merry Christmas 2007!The story this week isn't breaking news even though it's good news. In fact, old or new don't really applyâit's timeless. I hope you'll have a quiet moment to relax and listen to The Christmas Story read from the New Testament, interwoven with some of my favorite Christmas music.Simple, short, and sweet.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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From their unique vantage point in front-row press seats, Meridian Magazine publisher and editor-in-chief Scot and Maurine Proctor have been close up witnesses to both the man and the mission. "Gordon B. Hinckley - Temple Builder, Up Front and Personal," is a warm and fascinating documentary-style film focused on this remarkable latter-day prophet and his urgent push to bring the temples to the people, no matter where they live. Along with beautiful photography, the Proctors share many personal moments and stories gathered from local Latter-day Saints impacted by the presence of a new temple in their midst in countries around the globe. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Her first CD, "Clay in His Hands," won 4 Pearl Awards and brought her to the attention of LDS listeners everywhere. "Better Than I" continued in the same vein, and now her third release, "Everything Speaks His Name" lets the strength of Jessie Clark Funk's voice sparkle in a wider variety of styles and settings than ever.Still, as you'll hear in this interview, the themes of atonement, grace, and seeing God's hand in the world around us are constants throughout. After all, "Everything Speaks His Name."That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Inspirational Country? No, that's not an oxymoron, it's just the genre singer/songwriters Jeff Hinton and Quint Randle use to describe what they do when they write and perform together as the duo Joshua Creek.In their sophomore release, they show that there is much more material to mine where "I Love You Son" and other past favorites came from.From the opening "Sacred Ground" to the bouncy "Honey Do List" (which husbands may or may not want their wives to hear!) the themes of faith and family come through loud and clear in these touching and sometimes humorous musical observations.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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This week: Help us create âConference Minuteâ? a new radio feature on-air and online.LDS General Conference always dusts things off and leaves us motivated and ready to move ahead in our spiritual journey. Soon after, however, the dust of life can begin to settle and even our best resolves can begin to fade from memory.President Hinckley ended the October 2007 conference with an admonition to study and discuss the talks in our homes and with our families.To help with this, Utah's AM 820, which features LDS music 24/7 both on-air and online, will soon be presenting a "Conference Minute" several times a day, rotating through all of the speakers and presenting minute-long reminders of the wisdom and spirit available in those inspired and inspiring conference addresses. And, of course, we'll have links on the station website showing how listeners can read or hear the entire address from the official Church website.Letâs start with a few examples -- giving first place, of course to our Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley...PRESIDENT HINCKLEYPRESIDENT PACKERJULIE B. BECKELDER DIETER F. UCHTDORFSo, thatâs the concept for âConference Minuteâ? coming soon to a radio near you if you live in Utahâs AM 820 listening area, or to a computer near you if you listen online.Why not share with us your suggestions for more âConference Minutesâ??  Which talk, paragraph, or even single sentence from the recent conference affected you, touched your heart, and influenced you the most for good?Email your thoughts to SoftSundaySounds@utaham820.com. We can't wait to hear your comments!

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London-born singer Alex Boyà may be the only member of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir to have had a record contract as a performer in a successful pop boy band in Europe, but one thing he shares with his fellow choir members is their passion for praising the Lord in song.With his new solo release, "Spirit," Alex shares both originals and contemporary Christian favorites with a soulful style that shows why he just won Pearl Awards for Best Contemporary Recorded Song ("Build the World") and Performing Artist of the Year from the Faith Centered Music Association.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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After raising a family, writing over 1,000 songs, releasing over 60 albums of original music, serving a full-time proselyting mission in Santiago, Chile, and surviving a debilitating stroke, you might think Janice Kapp Perry would take a vacation.Instead, she and her husband, Doug, are church service missionaries in a Spanish-speaking ward in Provo, UT, and she's just recorded her latest project for children -- "Let's Sing About Latter-day Prophets," which celebrates the Lord's latter-day leaders from Joseph Smith, Jr. to our own Gordon B. Hinckley. Each prophet is honored with a song describing their lives and missions, as well as featuring a full-color montage of each prophet's life by LDS artist and illustrator Robert Barrett.Janice discusses researching and writing the project, her philosophy of writing for children, and more.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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If you'd had nearly 20 different jobs in your life and liked (almost) all of them, you might be an expert --an expert on finding joy in work.Amanda Dickson is best-known as the co-host of Utah's Morning News with Grant and Amanda on KSL radio in Salt Lake City, but she put down the microphone and picked up the pen long enough to share a wealth of information and humor on the work we choose to do at home or in the workplace, attitudes, opportunities (like getting fired), and more.Leave it to someone who starts every morning at 3:00 AM to know how to be excited to get up tomorrow and do it all with joy.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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This week: Part 2 of our series on LDS Travel -- featuring Morris Murdockâs 10-day LDS Church History Tour with Yours Truly and Alan McKay.In February of this year -- 2007 -- I visited with Morris Murdock travel host extraordinaire Alan McKay at a Salt Lake City travel expo about the questions most people have regarding LDS Church History travel;  Why a group tour instead of doing it on your own?  How old do my children need to be to get the most from experience?  How heavily scheduled are the tours, and what can make this trip to sites from Palmyra to Kirtland to Independence to Nauvoo and Winter Quarters, a spiritual journey as well.With temperatures cooling and the leaves changing, Fall is the most beautiful time to tour in the Eastern and Mid-Western US.  Weâll also have information on how you can join Alan McKay and me for a 10-day tour of LDS Church History this Fall.Thatâs this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUSTToday, we remember James E. Faust, member of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who passed away at the age of 87 early last Friday morning.  President Faust retired from his law practice when he was called as a General Authority of the Church thirty-five years ago and immediately introduced himself to the membership with his characteristic down-to-earth sense of humor.ââJames Faust was born on a farm in Delta, UT, served a mission to Brazil, served in the military, earned a law degree and was elected to the Utah state legislature, but he is best known and best loved for his spirit of service to all, and his powerful witness of the Savior.  We pay tribute to his memory now in his own words, and with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing the hymn text he wrote; "This Is the Christ."ââWe will miss you, President Faust.ââ That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...This Is the Christtext by James E. Faust, music by Michael F. Moody Copyright  1996 by the authors, used by permissionThey heard His voice, a voice so mild;It pierced them through and made their souls to quake;They saw Him come, a man in white,The Savior who had suffered for their sake.They felt the woulds in hands and side,And each could testify; This is the Christ;This is the Christ, the holy Son of God,Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind.This is the Christ, the healer of our soulsWho ransomed us with love divine.I read His words, the words He prayedWhile bearing sorrow in Gethsemane;I feel His love, the price He paid.How many drops of blood were spilled for me?With saints of old in joyful cryI too can testify; This is the Christ;This is the Christ, the holy Son of God,Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind.This is the Christ, the healer of our soulsWho ransomed us with love divine.

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I just dropped off my 16-year-old pioneer. Except for the burgundy tennis shoes, he looked like he might have stepped right out of the 19th century (including the haircut). I waved as he shouldered his burlap gunny sack and headed off to meet his "family" for the next three days of pulling a handcart through the Utah Rockies. I wonder what his 4th-great grandparents -- the ones who actually survived crossing half the US on foot -- would think.It's trek season and Latter-day Saint youth around the world are re-enacting the remarkable experiences of the 1856 handcart pioneers.Andrew D. Olsen, author of "The Price We Paid, the Extraordinary Story of the Willie & Martin Handcart Pioneers," shares the stories and people of these best-known handcart companies in the most in-depth and complete retelling of their incredible saga ever published.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Imagine ordering books online that are then printed, bound, and then popped in the mail to you in the same time it would take from major online publishers -- in fact, you can do it today!Meridian publisher Scot Proctor unveils a 21st century publishing solution that knocks the socks off old-school warehouse publishers while providing a way to reach Latter-day Saints and other values-minded people world-wide (think "every nation, kindred, tongue, and people") on demand. Take a listen and catch the vision of Meridian Publishing.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Best known for his contemporary instrumental work, pianist and composer Paul Cardall surprises his fans and unveils a new album full of, well, words. And not just any words -- "Songs of Praise" combines lyrics and the talents of Evangelical Christian rock singer Steele Croswhite to give voice to Paul's gratitute for life, for love and God's goodness in a way that bridges the gap between LDS and other Christians by celebrating the common ground.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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President Spencer W. Kimball wrote that the marriage relationship could be "an exultant ecstasy," yet too often well-meaning couples who are working together in every other area of their relationship find themselves frustrated and at cross purposes in the area of sexual intimacy.The success of Laura Brotherson's ground-breaking book "And They Were Not Ashamed" shows the hunger LDS couples have for accurate, yet gospel-compatible information to help them connect joyfully in this important part of every marriage relationship.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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For many people, New York City is The city -- the center of the world. But even those who most love the hustle and bustle also love Central Park, an unbelievably huge swath of nature and peace in the midst of the highest real estate value in the country.Similarly, since 2004 the Manhattan LDS Temple has provided a different kind of oasis for the 14 stakes in the temple district.From his office in the temple complex, Ahmad Corbitt, Director of International and Public Affairs for the LDS Church in New York discusses his conversion, common misconceptions he battles, the church in an urban setting, and much more.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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If God loves me, why _________? Fill in the blank with your personal reason, says author and counsellor Kim Nelson in his new book, but the hard times all make more sense when we understand our basic relationship with God, his affection, and the nature of this mortal testing time. Finding peace, learning the parental perspective, and much, much more this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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In her new book, Jane Clayson Johnson,Âformer co-host of The Early Show on CBS, pulls no punches with a stirring, entertaining, and thought-provoking call to arms in defense of the phrase "I Am a Mother."She speaks from experience telling what makes values and standards "portable," how her own mother's voice still guides her, and, in a final chapter, how sisters can support, rather than judge one another.You'll never say, "I'm just a mom," again.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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For Elder and Sister Groberg, "anytime, anywhere" meant moving their family over a period of thirty years to various locations across the globe from Hawaii to South America to Hong Kong. In every circumstance they experienced miracles large and small as they helped move the work of the Church forward. Anytime, Anywhere shares many of the touching and meaningful lessons they learned. Whether traveling the globe or serving right where you live, you'll enjoy Elder Groberg's insights on preparation, service, and finding your mission in life from his book, "Anytime, Anywhere." That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Daughter, wife, new mother (again), writer, singer; they all describe aspects of Jenny Phillips, but you can learn the most about her heart and soul from listening to her music. "Sisters of Light" is her new CD release with music for the sisters of the church; celebrating who they are, their mission, and their individual importance to Heavenly Father.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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After charming and uplifting hundreds of thousands of listeners for the past 15 years, Hilary Weeks finally releases "Hilary Weeks: The Collection." This new CD includes 15 best-known songs from her 5 solo albums, but also features two new recordings unavailable anywhere.In this edition Hilary talks about life, 15 years of music making, finding strength to face fears and challenges, her first-ever concert premiere on April 6th in Salt Lake City, and much more.  That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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