When four unique and recognizable voices suddenly blend into something altogether new, One Clear Voice is at their musically satisfying best. ÂIn sharing music from their sophomore release, the four women of One Clear Voice talk about that surprising blend, their own sense of mission, and what matters most in their lives.On "Go Without Knowing," you'll hear tender moments like Â"Gratitude," and "Children Will Listen," the joy of "Dance in the Rain," Âand "How You Live," and the fun of an a cappella "I Can See Clearly Now," showing the versatility of experienced performers who sound just as good live as they do in the studio, and who can bring it back to center and break your heart with the simplicity of "Jesus Wept."That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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For decades, people have been drawn to the inspiring music of Janice Kapp Perry and the sacred art of her brother Gary Kapp. Now, for the first time, the pair have combined their talents to present a stirring witness of the Savior through music and art with a book containing twenty-three full-color paintings and twenty-five original hymns and songs.Janice and Gary talk about this tribute to the ancient people of the Book of Mormon, their own artistic beginnings, and a few of their spiritual experiences in the writing and painting of the works featured in "Another WitnessâMusic and Art that Testify of Christ."That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Once upon a time, two slightly frustrated neighbors began compiling all the useful food storage and food preparation info they could find into one place, which soon became the book they'd always wished for, but never found. Now in it's seventh printing, this eminently practical and helpful book has become many people's food storage "Bible." ÂIn "Emergency Food in a Nutshell," authors Lisa Harkness and Leslie Probert share the "why," the "how," and especially the "useful" and the "simple," about storing, cooking, and enjoying emergency food, and, perhaps best of all, the spiritual motivation and blessings for those who are willing to be prepared.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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When an established singer/songwriter puts out a new album of top-notch songs, it does tend to make a little splash. And in this case, the whole collection is about the little splashes of grace that ripple outward forever in our lives.From the almost comical images of "Grace is Amazing" to "Leave it Like it Is," Cherie Call makes sure you get a full dose of the cheery and the teary, and rejoices in the comfort and the lessons to be found in the down-to-earth, every-day details of our lives.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Years in the making, the new print publication of "Santa Biblia," or the Holy Bible, by the LDS Church, now has an audio counterpart. Omar Canals, the Executive Producer for the project and one of the readers, recounts the effort to capture the Spirit in the recordings, the differences between English and Spanish, and how these new audio recordings can bless members around the world.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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In her 17 years as Curator of Religious Art at BYU's Museum of Art, Dawn Pheysey has seen the Religious collection grow in amazing and often miraculous ways.Join us for a walk-through and talk-through of "Types and Shadows" and learn how both in art and in life, everything testifies of Christ. ÂAlso,Âfollow the link on the Cricket and Seagull pageÂto find images of the art and a viewable .pdf file of the beautiful exhibition booklet, and follow along with us. Also, at the end of the interview, a special musical feature, "Sacraments & Symbols."That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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While his academic credentials make him a well-qualified guide in the Near East, it's the scriptural connections he makes with the places and the people that bring the past to life for archeologist and anthropologist Kay Godfrey.In this interview he describes some of his favorite sites and why he loves sharing them with tour groups, addresses the safety concerns some have, and tells why now, of all times, is the time to visit Israel and experience life as it was lived 2,000 years ago--the same way many of the present-day residents still live.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Even though she was a librarian, Janet Hovorka's first reaction to organizing the thousands of family history names and records she inherited, was to run and hide. It was only after she made an emotional connection through a piece of heirloom furniture that her mind and heart began to open up to the blessings of making these people part of her life.And what blessings are those? Janet talks to seminars all over the country about how the information comes to you, once you begin, how putting your family history on the wall where you can see it can get you through tough times, and how you can let go of being overwhelmed and let the "One Thing" you can do present itself.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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The cello, according to many folks, is the instrument most like the human voice. Perhaps that's why this album of stand-out inspirational melodies captures both the ear and the heart. ÂAnd the engaging performance style of the artist may be one of the reasons he has one of hottest instrumental videos currently playing on YouTube. (in fact, weâll attach a little extra audio feature about that at the end of the interview...)Whether he's riffing over Celtic percussion or soloing over the China Philharmonic Orchestra, cellist Steven Sharp Nelson explores the full range of the instrument with tender arrangements of "Lead Kindly Light" and "Gabriel's Oboe," and exciting cinematic versions of "Come, Come Ye Saints" and "Praise to the Man." In between you'll hear a delightful Ukulele/Cello duet on "Simple Gifts" and other imaginative takes on these musical favorites.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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With over 73 weeks on Billboard's best-selling New Age music charts, Paul Cardall's previous CD is going to have to slide over a bit to make room for this new releaseâ"Sacred Piano," a 15-year retrospective of his most intimate and spiritual recordings.While he was at Primary Children's Medical Center earlier this week for a periodic "tune up" required of patients on the heart transplant waiting list, we met and talked about Paul's philosophy for instrumental music, the inspiration behind some of the hymn arrangements and the 3 new pieces included, and what keeps him hopeful and happy in the face of challenges.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Every year the new EFY album is kept under wraps and only released to Especially for Youth participants--until the end of the summer that is. That time is now and album co-producer Peter Breinholt introduces us to the songs and the artists who celebrate this year's theme from 1 Timothy 4:12.You'll find insights into the creative process, songwriting and song choosing, and even a few last minute changes in the studio which came together to make this new CD a collection of established artists and new-comers.That's this week on The Cri cket and Seagull...

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From the mining towns of Yorkshire, England to Hole-in-the-Rock in Southeastern Utah, author Gerald Lund weaves the tale of David Draper together with real-life pioneer heroes like Jens Nielsen and Silas Smith to tell the little-known story of an amazing group of Western settlers called to do the impossible.In this wide-ranging interview, author Lund talks about on-site research, developing believable characters, and even the gift of insomniaâall part of the process of writingÂhis 800-plus page new work of historical fiction.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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It seems wherever you look for advice, you'll find that exercise is the prescription for just about every ill, from diabetes to heart disease to depression to (ironically) fatigue.Luckily, exercise bikes, dumbbells, and spandex suits are not needed in these 31 exercises to help keep our spirits in shape. I Hate It When Exercise Is the Answer is filled with funny, easy-to-relate-to stories that also come with lessons, such as: how "unsightly socklines" can help us keep it real, why you can't say yes when your heart says no, and how regrets from the past can actually be pointing to something liberating. In her lighthearted and conversational style, author Emily Watts offers ideas to improve our spiritual and emotional fitness.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Can you fill in the blanks? LDS Singer/songwriter Cherie Call looks and sounds like she was born holding a guitar, so it's surprising she didn't even learn to play it until ____. Her best-known song was written about a ride on an ____, and one of her personal favorites was inspired by her husband's discovery that, among other things, Heavenly Father is really good at being a ____ _____.You can find all of that and more in this interview with the delightful Cherie Call. With this album she inaugurates the new "Most Requested" series from Deseret Book, plus she grabs a guitar and gives us an exclusive in-studio preview of two new songs from her upcoming CD "Grace," slated for a Fall release. It's all great musical and storytelling fun.That's this week on the Cricket and Seagull...

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Online and satellite radio are coming of age as people around the globe are figuring out how to listen and discovering whatâs available.Now Mormon Channel makes its debut as the new radio service from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this edition Program Manager Rob Boshard talks about the beginnings of the new station, how content is developed, how the church station is different from commercial radio, and the various ways you can listenâboth now, and in the future.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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I'm sure I can't be only one who has ever wished for just one day in the City of Enoch, or in any of the other short-lived Zion societies we find in the scriptures, but if Zion is really a state of the heart, of a relationship, or even of a society, then I can "dwell in Zion" anytime and anywhere I am ready to open my heart and let it in.In his ground-breaking new 5-book series, "The Three Pillars of Zion," Larry Barkdull walks us through years of study and personal searching, resulting in one of the most definitive and useful books ever wr itten on the subject. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Have you ever heard the "Bullet-Proof Washington" story? Known about the spiritual epiphany of young John Adams? If not, you're not alone -- they're omitted from nearly all school texts today even though they once were common knowledge.If you've missed out on those stories, like I had, if you've wondered where the idea of "separation of church and state" came from, or wondered what the writers of the Declaration of Independence really meant when they speak of "the God of Nature," then you'll enjoy this interview with lawyer and educator Grant Beckwith.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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The Mormon Miracle Pageant takes place on a temple hill chosen by prophecy, and the yearly gathering of thousands on those grounds was foreseen by a former temple president more than a decade before the presentation was conceived. It's an old-style pageant with touches of melodrama in the script and hints of Cecil B. de Mille in the music and mass movement, all performed by a cast of nearly a thousand which can completely fill the dramatic hillside stage.Join Manti, Utah, native and pageant President Doug Barton for behind-the-scenes information and the spiritual history of The Mormon Miracle pageant, which plays to over 90,000 viewers each June.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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In her 30 plus years at the LDS Church History Library, Christine Cox has had the chance to explore not only the most famous items in the collection, but also to learn about her own family's history and even to contribute some history of her own.With the public open house for the new building coming up on June 12th and 13th, Christine describes the history of the Church's record-keeping, what you'll see when you visit, the wide variety of resources soon to be available to professional researcher and layman alike, and why history is about connecting with the people, not just the facts.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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While it's no secret that nearly every couple has some degree of difficulty and adjustment in their marriage relationship, the solutions to those challenges often seem elusive and out of reach. ÂDrawing on their expertise as a marriage counselor and as marriage workshop leaders, Gary and Joy Lundberg reveal what they call "fourteen secrets every spouse should know to keep marriage joyful, passionate, and fulfilling.Covering everything from finances and parenting to communication and intimacy, the Lundbergs address the differing needs of men and women with sensitive, real istic, and easy-to-understand examples that can increase the likelihood of making any marriage a Love That Lasts.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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He started out on Banjo and has worked his way through all kinds of stringed instruments--including the bass he plays on tour with Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band, but Ryan Tilby feels he's found a new kind of voice in the acoustic guitar.On "Guitar Hymns," his new CD of reverent hymn solos, he combines arrangements begun as a missionary in Madrid, Spain, on a hand-made classical guitar (you can hear that guitar on this CD), with more recent interpretations. It's as simple and basic as can be--meaning no overdubs--just like Ryan Tilby walked into your home, sat down, and played a lit tle personal concert for you.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull..

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Most parents agree that "Why?" is one of the first and most-asked questions by their children and while there are times when "Because the Lord said so" really is the reason, there is power when we can also supply a "Why."From their years of teaching youth and young adults in the church, authors and EFY speakers John Hilton III and Anthony Sweat have compiled many of the most important answers for LDS youth 12-18 into one book.  With quotes from Church leaders, real-life stories, and colorful graphics, this is a book you can read even a bite-sized chunk at a time and still get great answers to the "Why" of dating, friends, media, commandments, fasting, etc.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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For most members of the LDS church, David Hyrum Smith, the youngest of Joseph and Emma Smith's childrenâborn after Joseph's martyrdomâis an unknown. Given by nature to painting and poetry, he was in some ways the most unprepared of the Smith children for the eventual tug-of-war between various Mormon factions hoping to claim the Smith legacy in the years after the main body of the saints moved West. In "The Fading Flower," his new work for the stage premiering this month, Latter-day Saint playwright Mahonri Stewart explores a fascinating part of the Smith family history during the time of David's courtship and Emma's struggles to protect and hold together her maturing family. Mahonri and actress Kathryn Laycock Little, who plays Emma Smith, talk about the play, the characters, and share excerpts recorded during rehearsal. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Does anything hurt more than seeing the child you love and have taught making choices you know will bring them spiritual pain? If your child has gone astray, perhaps there is some comfort in knowing you are not alone! In fact, you are in good company. Some of the best parents who have ever lived have struggled with wayward children. Author Larry Barkdull talks about the unique conditions that affect latter-day parenting and shares the gospel tools that that infuse parents with spiritual power, and gives hope to all those whose loved ones have wandered.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Whether it's dinnertime, dealing with arguments, chores, having "the talk," or any other part of family life, every mother has discovered a few little secretsâways of doing things that make everything a little smoother, more enjoyable, or even possible!World-renowned family expert Linda Eyre is joined by her daughter Shawni Eyre Pothier, herself a mother of 5, to share those little bits of wisdom and know-how that can transform a moment, a day, even the life of a family. In "A Mother's Book of Secrets," readers will find these useful nuggets organized into bite-sized pieces under 5 main headings. Plus, there's even a way you can share your own "secrets" and add to the wisdom of the world of mothering.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Maria Covey Cole had always hoped to be a mother, even when she was earning degrees and teaching on the University level; so why, when this dream came true, did she find herself feeling bored, isolated, and unsatisfied?With compassion born of experience, Maria shares her inspiring journey to finding contentment in one of the most challenging and rewarding roles on earth. From entrusting yourself to God's care to shunning comparison and finally allowing your very nature to be changed through the Grace of Christ, she assures mothers everywhere that it's okay to feel how you feel and that the journey to contentment is not one you have to travel alone.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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From the opening shout of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on "Saints Bound for Heaven" you can hear the millennial fervor and frontier optimism of 19th century America leaping right out of this marvelous collection of time-tested hymns, as well as the hopeful harmony of the spirituals which comforted a people waiting for deliveranceâ including the heartbreaking beautiful "I Want Jesus to Walk With Me," featuring soloist Alex BoyÃ.Sharing highlights from a pipe-and-drums "Amazing Grace" to the new signature tune in their repertoire, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," Tabernacle Choir Music Director Dr. Mack Wilberg, talks about what defines a folk hymn, choosing these particular pieces, and why they resonate with us still today.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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In a world which isn't even sure anymore how to define words like "marriage" and "family," here come the Scripture Scouts celebrating the biggest, most basic concepts in the entire universe with songs both sweet and silly.Scripture Scout writers Roger and Melanie Hoffman, Marvin Payne, and Steven Kapp Perry (plus Boo the Dog) share stories and songs from this new sing-along CD, which takes 29 songs from the "Family Proclamation" edition of the Scripture Scouts series and creates a joyful musical journey through our Father's plan of happiness with the most important people in the world -- our families!That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Hammie Orr's little St. Johns cabin. The widow Walker's house built from freighters' materials. The Ahlstrom & Russell cabins now married together. The Johnsons with their amazing two-story Rush ValleyÂcabin. Archie Gardner and his mill. ÂWhy were these structures, which would have been destroyed if they hadn't become part of Gardner Village, preserved? What stories need to be told?Nancy Hanson, Rob Honey, Sam Payne, Tammy Robinson and Clive Romney have been talking with theÂGhosts of Gardner Village and have created a production of enchanting musical tales from the stories they've been told. Clive and TammyÂtalk about the new CD, upcoming live performances, and why and how you should consider turning your own family history into art.And yes, at the veeerry end, weâll even include an actual ghost story or two.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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You don't serve in the Relief Society General Presidency and interact with women around the world without learning a thing or two about their role in the church and in the world. ÂYou don't become CEO and President of Deseret Book without learning a thing or two about leadership. ÂAnd you don't write over a half-dozen best-selling books unless you know how take what you've learned and put it into words in a way that sticks with people.Sheri Dew is a remarkable person even aside from the honors and service listed above. ÂIn this interview she uses quotes from her new book, "Saying It Like It Is," as a springboard to discuss women, priesthood, inspiration, and how the Saints can make a difference in the world.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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If you're sick and tired enough of being trapped and strapped, if the desire to break out of financial bondage is strong enough, it can be doneâmore quickly than you'd think and without using a budget or sending Mom out to work. ÂBut be warned, this book is not for the faint of heart. ÂIt's the bracing slap-in-the-face print equivalent of a financial boot-camp.After she and her husband paid off business debts of over $60,000 in just three years and then did the same with their home mortgage over the next three, author and professional-grade spendthrift Cheryl Carson has the experience, the know-how, and a book full of practical advice to really help you make it happen. ÂYou'll be amazed, you'll think she's crazy, and thenâif you've got enough humilityâ you'll might find yourself rethinking words like "needs" and "wants."Listen as Cheryl describes four ways the adversary uses debt to bind and discourage us, then shares a brief overview of her "Six Steps to Debt-Free Living."That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Writing and producing music for youth is always a challenge, but especially when you're creating material to work in settings as varied as chapels and outdoor activities.Producers Barry Gibbons and Jim Funk talk about creating this project in support of the 2009 theme for LDS Young Men and Young Women, and the serendipitous inclusion of a few lines of lyric even before "Virtue" was added to the Young Women's values statement.That's this week, on The Cricket and Seagull...

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The sacrament prayers have to be delivered word-perfect, but the person giving the prayer gets as many chances as he needs to get it right. And if he messes it up again the next week, he gets to try again. WhenÂthe prayerÂis finally delivered correctly, the effort is counted as perfect, no matter how many tries it took to get there.From a wealth of experience as an LDS bishop and mission president, well-known author and speaker Brad Wilcox shares hopeful insights into the continuous nature of Christ's atonement, why repentance is a process more than an event, why we are in danger of losing a generation who give up rather than grasp the idea of "incremental worthiness," and how the atonement can do so much more than just bring us back to God, but actually changes our natures.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Condensing any lifetime into a one-hour documentary is a daunting task, but it can be even more difficult when you're also trying to find space for 20 or so songs to represent the life work of one of the LDS Church's best-loved and most prolific composers.The documentary premieres Monday, February 16, 2009, at 8 PM Mountain Time. Producers Clinton Baxter and Greg Anderson talk about choosing the material, doing the interviews, the surprising things they learned along the way, and, in particular, the subject herself, Janice Kapp Perry.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Elder and Sister Brewster, the current directors of The Historic Mormon Trail Center, and the sister missionaries who serve here, will tell you that it's not the busy season right now, but winter at Winter Quarters in present-day Omaha, NE, and the sites just across the river in Kanesville, IA, have enough history and stories to warm any mid-winter heart.To stand in the cemetery today and see a temple rising where once only hopes and prayers for the future ascended, is to see those hopes fulfilled, and heavenly promises kept. ÂToday weâll listen to Elder Hoyt Brewster talk about the faith of those who lived here for a season, and why the dedication of this particular temple was so touching to President Hinckley.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Part 2 of 2.For years the original manuscript of "The History of Joseph Smith, Jr. by His Mother, Lucy Mack Smith" was lost, but once it was recovered, Scot and Maurine Proctor, editors and publishers of Meridian Magazine, combed through the manuscript to restore Lucy's fascinating original narrative. With the addition of maps, nearly a hundred photographs, and painstaking endnotes, "The Revised and Enhanced History of Joseph Smith by His Mother" has become the authoritative edition of this historical treasure.This week we bring you Part 2 of a longer presentation Scot & Maurine Proctor gave in June of 2005 at "This Is The Place Heritage Park" at the mouth of Emigration Canyon in Salt Lake City, Utah--including a fascinating Question & Answer Session.You can read the serialization of The Revised and Enhanced History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, published on MeridianMagazine.com.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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For years the original manuscript of "The History of Joseph Smith, Jr. by His Mother, Lucy Mack Smith" was lost, but once it was recovered, Scot and Maurine Proctor, editors and publishers of Meridian Magazine, combed through the manuscript to restore Lucy's fascinating original narrative. With the addition of maps, nearly a hundred photographs, and painstaking endnotes, "The Revised and Enhanced History of Joseph Smith by His Mother" has become the authoritative edition of this historical treasure.This week we bring you Part 1 of a longer presentation Scot & Maurine Proctor gave in June of 2005 at "This Is The Place Heritage Park" at the mouth of Emigration Canyon in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Watch for Part 2 next week, which includes a fascinating Question & Answer Session.)You can read the serialization of The Revised and Enhanced History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, on MeridianMagazine.com.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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The angel Moroni said his name would be had for good and for ill throughout the world, but the publication of The Joseph Smith Papers can help insure that whatever the Prophet is known for can at least be historically accurate.Patrick Dunshee, Manager of Marketing and Communications for the project, and Dr. Mark Ashurst-McGee, co-editor of this first volume, give an overview of this years-long project which may encompass 30 volumes by its end, discuss the content of this first book of the journals series, describe the day-to-day work of the editing, and the purpose behind the creation of the Church Historian's Press and The Joseph Smith Papers.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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The story this week isn't breaking news even though it's good news. In fact, old or new don't really apply--it'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 the joyful opening strains of "The Morning Breaks, the Shadows Flee," to its more somber conclusion, this new release from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square commemorates the life and mission of Joseph Smith, called the prophet of the Restoration by Latter-day Saints everywhere. ÂThe release date of December 23rd also marks the Prophet's birthday in 1805 in Sharon, Vermont.For those not familiar with the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often called âMormonsâ or âLatter-day Saints,â the role of a Prophet is very importantâlike Moses to the Israelites, or Peter and Paul to the early Saints. The first of these, the one called by God to Restore the ancient church in the latter days, was Joseph Smith, Jr.Besides the cover painting by David Lindsley, the CD booklet is beautifully illustrated inside with 9 full-color paintings by Jon McNaughton and includes a short history of the life and times of Joseph Smith.Music Director and Arranger Dr. Mack Wilberg talks about the song choices and the arrangements in this album of LDS classic hymns such as "Joseph Smith's First Prayer," "An Angel From on High," and the title hymn, "Praise to the Man." ÂAlso included are two children's songs, as well as the millennial hymn "Adam-ondi-Ahman," and of course "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief."That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull.

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In nearly 5 decades of performing, pianist Marvin Goldstein has delighted audiences with his often whimsical interpretations of LDS Primary songs. Now with 'Popcorn Popping' he puts them all together into a collection that's fun without being silly--a musically smart and surprisingly sophisticated children's CD that may please adults best of all. Together with acclaimed woodwind artist Daron Bradford, Marvin brings you 24 playful selections including 'Popcorn Popping,' 'Book of Mormon Stories,' 'Handcart Blues,' 'In the Leafy Treetops,' and a whole bunch more.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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For whatever reason, People Present always seem to remember Christmases Past with a certain nostalgia and longing. Are we reaching for a moment of childhood magic to relive? To connect with family and home in a way we rarely have time to anymore?Whatever the reason, "Candlelight Christmas" at This Is The Place Heritage Park is a chance for everyone to step back into a simpler time and place and celebrate a pioneer Christmas by making crafts, learning a pioneer dance in the school house, hearing live carolers, riding a train to Brother Brigham's house for hot cider. There's something for everyone at Candlelight Christmas!That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Combining a world-famous choir and orchestra with the world-renowned King's Singers was both a joy and a challenge for Tabernacle Choir director Dr. Mack Wilberg. Besides waving the baton and keeping everyone together, he also did the bulk of the beautiful arrangements on this new holiday release (also available on DVD).Dr. Wilberg shares his approach to arranging for the choir, points out a few musical highlights from this new production, and talks about the privilege of doing the work he does.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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His range and repertoire make the Josh Groban comparisons unavoidable, but Daniel Beck's debut CD "Love Like That" definitely shows a polished and passionate performer who can stand on his own on any stage or in any recording studio.Dan talks about singing, recording, and finding songs about love that fit right in-between the personal and the religious. The CD is available for download or purchase, plus, he has an upcoming premier concert/benefit performance in Salt Lake City.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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For her seventh CD, singer/songwriter Hilary Weeks decided not to stress, not to stay awake worrying (and crying) about whether the songs would come, but simply to trust they would and keep moving.It's a nice metaphor for all sorts of experiences which take us to the edge of our worries and weaknesses and ask us to step offâinto what? That's what these songs are all about. Plus, a story about 24 yellow roses you won't want to miss.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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The best thing about radio is that it's free. The best thing about the internet is how it can connect you to people and places and knowledge around the world.This coming Monday morning you'll experience the best of radio and the internet combined when "yourLDSradio.com" starts connecting you, wherever you live, to LDS music and information 24/7 and it's all free! Program Director Sam Payne talks about the concept, the special on-demand features, and the easy-as-pie nuts-and-bolts of how anyone can access yourLDSradio.com online.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Obviously not every accomplished LDS musician lives in Salt Lake or Utah counties, but it can be a little harder for those musical luminaries out shining their lights on distant (depending where you are) hills to catch the eye, or ear in this case, of the Saints.This week we called Kansas City, KS, to explore "Hymns Anew," a modern acoustic treatment of LDS hymns by singer/arranger/producer Clayton Pixton and several of his talented siblings who are scattered all over the US.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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One is from Southern California, another from South Utah County, but that's about as Southern as most of the members of Mountain Blue get. ÂStill, when you hear their new CD "Mountain Blue," you'll know they all made a Southern connection with these hymns and songs.Familiar favorites like "Amazing Grace" get the Mountain Blue treatment as well as less familiar pieces like "Roll Back the Stone," "Gospel Train," and my personal favorite, the gospel standard "Wondrous Love."It's good gospel fun this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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While some have looked at the map of the entire Western hemisphere and discerned "the land Northward""and "the land Southward" and even the "narrow neck of land" spoken of in The Book of Mormon as self-evident, others have gleaned clues from the text itself which point to a much, much smaller geographical area.Dr. Stephen L. Carr previews a presentation he's giving at an upcoming Book of Mormon Archeological Foundation conference happening in SLC next weekend (www.bmaf.org for info on attending), in which he summarizes 5 of the most recent and best-supported theories of a Meso-American placement for the events of The Book of Mormon, and why thy matter.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Some stayed, some evacuated, but all these Latter-day Saints have been affected by Hurricane Ike. ÂSheriee Staub is busy cooking for the 60 or so Elders sleeping at a nearby stake center by night and cleaning up the community by day. ÂGreg and Sarah Evans headed for San Antonio with their toddler, and the owner of Nauvoo Books in Spring, TX, JoAnn Rapp feels blessed even though it may be quite some time before her bookstore can re-open.Hear their stories in their own words, plus Houston South Stake President Gifford Nielsen (of BYU football and NFL renown) talk about theÂability of the church organization to deal with disaster, the need for preparation, and the great support received from the brethren in SLC while many are still without water or power in the Houston area.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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For 25 years Michael McLean has inspired listeners with his tender songs and candid messages. ÂTo commemorate this anniversary, Michael has released a new collection of six albums, sold separately or as a commemorative boxed set, featuring many of the songs you know and love plus several brand-new recordings; the essential McLean anthology.Michael talks about songwriting, the song he (and all writers) keep re-creating over and over, and why anyone would buy an album from a guy who can't sing!That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Even with 6,000 children a day (yes, a day!) being orphaned by AIDS world-wide, Kathy Headlee Miner is not discouraged. ÂShe talks about the founding of "Mothers Without Borders," not shutting out problems just because they seem overwhelming, and why the term "success" is irrelevant. ÂAlways articulate and passionate about what she does, Kathy shares a new painting from Liz Lemon Swindle depicting Christ in Africa and an upcomingÂconcert by Jericho Road Âwhich are two ways you can make a difference in the world right now, plus the 2008 fundraiser boutique in Layton, UTâa way to make your Christmas budget reach farther around the world than you'd ever imagined.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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It must be fun to be Michael Dowdleâto have the musical chops to play anything on the guitar. ÂSo when it came time to do an album of anything he wanted, why did he choose a genre that showcases peace over virtuosity, and relaxation over flashiness?Michael talks about being both a soloist and a session player; playing both what you love and what's put in front of you, and turning it all into "A Brighter Day."That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Besides being a bit hard to spell, the name Dallyn Vail Bayles has long been associated with dramatic vocal, stage, and screen performances. Now this Green River, UT, native returns from his new home in the New York City area with a CD and a live concert simply called "Prayer."Whether it's "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables (he had a starring role in the national broadway touring company) or the album-ending "I Have Seen Him," by LDS composer Ross Boothe, Bayles has chosen each song to reflect some aspect of that most personal communication with God; prayer. ÂDallyn talks about music, growing up in Green River, raising a family in the Broadway environment, and his upcoming concert at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo, UT, on September 5th.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Ramona Zabriskie has a great imagination, but when she began editing down Nephi's words in First and Second Nephi fifteen years ago, she didn't imagine the resulting musical "With Mine Own Hand" would be premiering to LDS audiences from around the world at BYU Education Week.ÂAlong with Utah composer Becky Alexander, Zabriskie has created a large-cast, full-scale stage musical which has had limited productions in the Portland, OR, area and will soon be the first out-of-state production to appear at Education Week. This week she and her husband Dale, who plays the older Nephi, talk about adapting scriptural accounts, the miracles that brought the production together, and the themes of Nephi's life.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Imagine taking "Pride and Prejudice," the best-known, best-loved, and most-filmed of Jane Austen's novels, and turning it into a musical. Where would you begin? What would you cut for the stage while still leaving in the favorite characters and witty dialogue?That's exactly the challenge faced by two LDS composers, Deborah Morris and Ann Kapp Andersen; the premiere run of their new musical theater version of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" is currently running at the SCERA theater in Orem and will be appearing later this month at BYU Education Week. We'll include musical excerpts and hear the authors tell about converting this world-renowned literary masterpiece into a 2-hour stage musical.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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Now "Soft Sunday Sounds" is streaming inspirational music via the internet 24/7 from FM100 in Salt Lake City, UT. That means anytime, anyplace, day or night, whatever time zone, whether you live in London or Lindon, Provo or Prague, you can hear inspirational favorites to help set the mood for your day. And it's free!That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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What would you ask Brother Brigham if you could sit down and talk about the trek West, his relationship with Joseph Smith, Johnson's army, or a hundred other topics?Thanks to the expertise and research of actor James Arrington, Salt Lake City broadcaster Joan Peterson and I got to do just that. Hear about the first Pioneer Day celebrations in the canyons and the memorable July 24th when Porter Rockwell rode into the festivities to announce Johnson's army was on its way!That's this week on the Cricket and Seagull...

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Ever since these Utah boys made good with a national recording contract, they've been touring their brand of country and folk-based musical mayhem all over America.So how do five LDS RM's fit into the Nashville music scene? Songwriter Ryan Shupe shares his thoughts on everything from "Dream Big" to "Corn Dogs" on their latest release, "Last Man Standing."That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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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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From "As Sisters in Zion" to "I Walk By Faith" and "We'll Bring the World His Truth (Army of Helaman)," Janice Kapp Perry has written for every age group in the church. Now, in her book "Songs From My Heart," she shares the insights and stories behind 100 of her best-known and best-loved compositions.Listen as Janice shares her music and her thoughts about these stories, songs and tests, and those too-rare moments of "spiritual dictation" when the music just seems to flow.All this and much more this week on the Cricket and Seagull...(Plus get a 40% discount on the book through April 2007 at JaniceKappPerry.com)

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It started with an Alaskan cruise she organized for LDS stake members in Washington State and has grown into its own building, staff, and happy clientele; she's Cruise Lady to everyone she knows and that will include you after you hear Diane Lovell's sponteneous enthusiasm for gathering the saints and sending them somewhere wonderful -- together!In this edition, we'll hear what's available for escorted LDS tours from US Church History to walking where the Savior and the apostles walked, along with tips for booking, spiritual aspects of traveling as an LDS group, and life-changing destinations.Check it out online at CruiseLady.com. All this and much more this week on the Cricket and Seagull...

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You asked for it! The newest recording from the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square features the most-requested songs from stage and screen, based on a survey sent to thousands of Choir fans. Included are Broadway tunes such as "Bring Him Home," from Les Miserables, and "Neverland," from Peter Pan, along with Hollywood hits such as "The Circle of Life," from The Lion King, and "In Dreams," from Lord of the Rings. In this edition, Tabernacle Choir director Craig Jessop talks about music both timeless and new, the pressure of broadcasting 52 weeks a year, adding the orchestra to the choir, and why he still gets chills directing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Also, why he considers LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley the "patron saint" of the choir.All this and much more this week on the Cricket and Seagull...

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The first version appeared online in 1994, followed by an update in 2000. Now LDS.org -- the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- unveils an all-new design in 2007. In this edition we talked with Larry Richman, Director of Internet Coordination for the website. You'll learn what the most-used part of the site is, how to be informed of updates, why the redesign, and what's new at LDS.org.That's this week on the Cricket and Seagull...

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It's his 16th CD of Primary Childrens' songs, but multi-talented composer and arranger Clive Romney still looks forward to this yearly gig. Today we'll talk about creating a children's song on the atonement, the story behind "Love Is Spoken Here," a perennial childrens' favorite, and much more.That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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New Year's resolutions aside, your health is worth thinking about every day; now Nutritionist, Dietitian and Trainer Melanie Douglass helps simplify it down to the daily level with her new book "Tip-A-Day Guide for Healthy Living: 365 Simple Ways to Improve Your Health, One Day at a Time."We'll talk about negotiating the hazards of restaurant and gas station goodies, a simple way to measure servings anywhere anytime, one truly evil food (and no, it's not Devil's Food cake), helping kids and grownups think "healthy" and "Word of Wisdom" instead of "skinny," and much more. Grab a pencil, you may want to take some notes. (This audio program contains one full serving of helpful insights, all natural, reusable, with no added sugars or preservatives. Actual health may vary according to genetic predisposition and strict adherence to common sense and Dr's orders.)That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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One has studied classical violin and played with symphonies and world-renowned artists and conductors. The other -- the pianist -- doesn't even read the bass clef, but Todd McCabe and April Moriarty both have a gift for improvisation and playing by ear that has turned into three CDs on the life the Savior; "My Redeemer Lives: Galilee," "Calvary," and now for Christmas, "Bethlehem."That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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So how do you follow a Grammy Award-winning Gospel CD? With more Gospel, of course! In fact, "A Christmas Celebration" from Gladys Knight and the Saints Unified Voices goes right back to the beginning, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and his birth as a tiny baby in Bethlehem -- the Reason for the Season. Let's celebrate!That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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There are some places where all you have to say is their name to evoke an entire history. For the Latter-day Saints one of those beloved, joyous, melancholy, and even holy places is Nauvoo, Illinois.Fiddlesticks -- the Davis family's Celtic folk band -- and singer/arranger Lisa Arrington have teamed up to record a catalog of historic musical treasures celebrating the era and the spirit of that most remarkable place.It's called "Farewell to Nauvoo." That's this week on the Cricket and Seagull...

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(Enhanced version of the Podcast - viewable in iTunes and on iPods)BEHOLDING SALVATION: IMAGES OF CHRIST New Exhibit at the BYU Museum of ArtPowerful is the only way to describe it. 170 different paintings, prints, icons, illuminated manuscripts and sculpture from diverse times and creeds. It's impossible to bring you the entirety in the time we have, but Nicole Cannariato -- a Curatorial Assistant at the museum -- walks us through the exhibit focusing on just a few pieces from each section of the show.If you're listening on an iPod or through iTunes, you'll be able to see the images in the enhanced podcast format. If not, then just visit meridianmagazine.com/radio to find this episode with all the images included. Many thanks to the kind permission of the copyright holders as we endeavor to share with listeners and viewers world-wide a small part of the spiritual impact of "Beholding Salvation: Images of Christ".That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull..

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BEHOLDING SALVATION: IMAGES OF CHRIST New Exhibit at the BYU Museum of ArtPowerful is the only way to describe it. 170 different paintings, prints, icons, illuminated manuscripts and sculpture from diverse times and creeds. It's impossible to bring you the entirety in the time we have, but Nicole Cannariato -- a Curatorial Assistant at the museum -- walks us through the exhibit focusing on just a few pieces from each section of the show.If you're listening on an iPod or through iTunes, you'll be able to see the images in the enhanced podcast format. If not, then just visit meridianmagazine.com/radio to find this episode with all the images included. Many thanks to the kind permission of the copyright holders as we endeavor to share with listeners and viewers world-wide a small part of the spiritual impact of "Beholding Salvation: Images of Christ".That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...(This is the regular podcast version -- to view the images discussed visit http://www.meridianmagazine.com/radio beginning Friday, November 17, 2006. The Enhanced Podcast will be posted separately.)

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David Tolk is known to many as the guy at the piano in Peter Breinholt's band -- he's known to others as a North Star Records recording artist -- and of course 4 people just call him "Dad." This week he gives advice to LDS musicians about balancing family, music, and career -- shares his unusual method for arranging hymns and talks about the spiritual power of instrumental music. It's David Tolk with his new CD "In Reverence." That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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There was a time when Genealogy and Family History meant filing cabinets full of paper, extra wide typewriters (remember what those are?), and lots of White Out. Nowadays though, Family History enthusiasts are more likely to talk about PAF, and GEDCOMS, and CyndisList.com -- it's a whole new world and today we're talking with a programmer who caught the vision of this revolution decades ago and has a suite of helpful programs to show for his years of focus and dedication. We talk about genealogy past, present, and future with "RootsMagic" company Founder and President, Bruce Buzbee. That's this week on the Cricket and Seagull...

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Just for a moment close your eyes. Imagine 100 strong voices united to Praise the Lord, then add a soulful musical legend as a director and occasional soloist. Now open your eyes and see their faces reflecting the colors and the cultures of the whole world. It's the Saints Unified Voices choir and in them you see a representation of the new world-wide face of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The SUV choir has won a Gospel Grammy, but you won't find them at Carnegie Hall or filling event centers. When they combine their voices into one to reach hearts and reach heaven, you'll most likely hear them in the everyday chapels where they fulfill their mission -- spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to every one of God's children in all their diversity. "One Voice" -- Gladys Knight and the Saints Unified Voices. That's this week, on the Cricket and Seagull...

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KZION LDS Internet Radio These days more people than ever can work from home and telecommute, you can even do your own radio show (like this one!) from your home studio, and now, you can even be your own radio station -- all from a little black box in your back room. John and Shelly Hesch Of course you have to figure out how to do all this from scratch since it's all new technology. But if you're John Hesch, from St. George, Utah -- that's way down south in Utah's "Dixie" -- you get the bug, the passion for an outlet for independent LDS music, and you start with just one listener and watch it grow until you have listeners in over 50 countries! The Hesch's License Plate That’s this week, on the Cricket and Seagull... The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat is a Podcast bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide. Steven Kapp Perry 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! You can always find the most recent edition at MeridianMagazine.com/Radio. To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon: Click the banner for info on music, talks, scriptures, and books for your .mp3 player!

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All the Color Green This edition is filled with songs reaching for that "intangible overallness" -- that indefinable spiritual quality great songs possess. The songwriter himself is a busy musician, husband, and father of three who doesn't usually know what the songs are about until they're finished and he can listen like everyone else.  He defended the Beatles on the playground in 2nd grade and tells why climbing tall trees -- and temples -- have a lot in common.  It’s "All the Color Green" with Utah singer/songwriter Peter Breinholt. That’s this week, on the Cricket and Seagull... 11 Tracks: All the Color Green • You Are Home • Old Paint • Tilting the Windmills • Don't Be Shy • First Song • Little Bird • For Becca, In England • A Little Spot of Ground • Queen Olé • The Rain Tree The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat is a Podcast bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide. Steven Kapp Perry 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! You can always find the most recent edition at MeridianMagazine.com/Radio. To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon: Click the banner for info on music, talks, scriptures, and books for your .mp3 player!

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One Clear Voice Separately their names are Tanya, Johanne, LaRene, and Tammy. Among themselves they have four husbands, thirteen children, and decades of studio and live performance experience. LaRene Tinney (l.) and Tammy Simister Robinson But put the four of them together to sing and it all melts into One Clear Voice. That’s the name of the new women’s vocal group with the breathtaking blend and the name of their new CD. . Johanne Fréchette Perry (l.) and Tanya Barkdull That’s this week on The Cricket and Seagull... Places to look and listen: 15 Tracks: One Clear Voice • Ripples • See Things My Way • Every Moment • Savior • A Mother's Prayer • A Leap of Faith • For Good • Be Thou My Vision • Forgiveness' Embrace • Keeping Sheep • Change • I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus • Blessed Assurance • What I Need The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat is a Podcast bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide. Steven Kapp Perry 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! You can always find the most recent edition at MeridianMagazine.com/Radio. To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon: Click the banner for info on music, talks, scriptures, and books for your .mp3 player!

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Places to look and listen: Coming Just to Go He's a folk singer -- except when he's singing jazz and improvising scat-singing solos. He's a songwriter -- except when he was a Seminary Teacher and being a writer of history books for children. And he's Sam Payne -- except when he's The Sam Payne Project; the person and part of the group behind "Coming Just to Go,"; this week's featured album. We'll hear what sparks a song in his mind and why you never really have to choose between being an artist and being a Latter-day Saint and what folk singers give their kids for Christmas. That’s this week on The Cricket and Seagull... Sam Payne The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat is a Podcast bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide. Steven Kapp Perry 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! You can always find the most recent edition at MeridianMagazine.com/Radio. To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon: Click the banner for info on music, talks, scriptures, and books for your .mp3 player!

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He’s an internationally acclaimed pianist, composer and entertainer whose musical career spans four decades and three continents.  His studies include a music scholarship to Tel Aviv University School of Music, the famed “Mozarteum” of Salzburg, Austria, plus Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at Florida State University.  And besides his many, many performances a year world-wide, his greatest passion is his Peace with Music Foundation whose mission is to bridge the cultural, religious and political differences of people everywhere through the medium of music.   Marvin Goldstein is the name, and inspiring audiences everywhere through music is his game. That’s this week on The Cricket and Seagull... Places to look and listen: Count Your Blessings The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat is a Podcast bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide. Steven Kapp Perry 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! You can always find the most recent edition at MeridianMagazine.com/Radio. To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon: Click the banner for info on music, talks, scriptures, and books for your .mp3 player!

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The two best things about producing The Cricket and Seagull every week are 1) the interesting people I get to interview, and 2) the listeners who send an email with a comment, a guest they'd like to hear, or just encouragment. So, I'm sorry to disappoint on those rare occasions where I can't get a show done -- and this month I've missed 3 in a row due to flooding and water damage. So, this is just a quick update -- we'll call it the -- Basement Replacement edition -- the whole studio has had to be removed and will be repainted, recarpeted and the equipment moved back in. So today I'm coming to you live from -- my bedroom. Hope you don't mind. We'll be back in business this Friday, appearing on MeridianMagazine.com like usual, and of course the podcast. The Podcast also has a new website that's pretty easy to remember; it's TheCricketAndSeagull.com. Coming up in the next three weeks I'll be editing interviews I did during the annual LDS Booksellers Convention in Salt Lake City, and during BYU Campus Education Week. These will include world-reknowned pianist Marvin Goldstein, folksinger and songwriter Sam Payne, and the new 4-member women's vocal group called One Clear Voice. They were all great guests with terrific music and I can't wait to share them all with you starting this Friday! Also, the Podcast itself will be moving to a shiny new spot on the web. iTunes should automatically redirect without you needing to do anything when the change happens, but if you're feeling tech-savvy and don't want to miss an episode, just go to iTunes or whatever Podcatcher you use, and resubscribe using the following URL (you can cut and past this): http://feeds.feedburner.com/thecricketandseagullfiresidechat Also, be sure and send an email to info@wordofmouthmedia.net and let me know what you'd like to hear -- your favorite musical or visual artists, authors, scholars, and more! We'll go out with a preview of One Clear Voice singing "Be Thou My Vision" from their new debut CD "One Clear Voice."

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A recent letter to local church leaders everywhere announced the new Young Men & Young Women’s theme for 2007 -- including a portion of Doctrine and Covenants 121:45; “... and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God...” Songwriter Lynne Perry Christofferson is releasing a new CD addressing this theme directly.  It’s called “Lift Your Mind Higher,” and she talks about leaps of faith, writing with your hands in the dishwater and even while sleeping, growing up as Janice Kapp Perry’s only daughter, and why an echoey unfinished basement is an advantage. That’s this week on The Cricket and Seagull... Places to look and listen: Lynne Perry Christofferson The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat is a Podcast bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide. Steven Kapp Perry 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! You can always find the most recent edition at MeridianMagazine.com/Radio. To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon: Click the banner for info on music, talks, scriptures, and books for your .mp3 player!

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Welcome to Adobe GoLive 6 BYU Professor Ron Simpson receiving the Lifetime Achievement Pearl Award from the FCMA (photo by Scott Thompson for The Daily Universe) Places to look and listen: Every year the Faith-Centered Music Association, the FCMA, gathers for the annual Pearl Awards -- recognizing excellence in recorded music. This year's ceremonies in the BYU Fine Arts Center featured the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to the very-deserving Ron Simpson.  He's an LDS musician, songwriter, player, studio owner, teacher, music publisher, record label general manager, columnist for Meridian Magazine, and so much more.  A man who has made a difference in the church and in the world with his own music and in the way he has mentored and encouraged others. Today we'll bring you the audio of that presentation, including live and phoned-in comments from (in this order) country singer Dave Lemmon, performer/writer/arranger Clive Romney, composer/producer Merrill Jenson, studio owner Cliff Maag, director of BYU's Living Legends Janielle Christensen, sound company owner Joe Anderson, BYU Young Ambassador director Randy Boothe, managing director of BYU's Tantara Records Ben Fales, member of Diamond Rio Dan Truman, singer Wendee Jensen Truman, songwriter/artist Mindy Gledhill, songwriter/playwright/broadcaster Steven Kapp Perry, songwriter/producer Staci Peters, singer/songwriter Cherie Call, and songwriter/producer/arranger Tyler Castleton. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...   Reach. Lift. Inspire. The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat is a Podcast bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide. Steven Kapp Perry 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! You can always find the most recent edition at MeridianMagazine.com/Radio. To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon: Click the banner for info on music, talks, scriptures, and books for your .mp3 player!  

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Welcome to Adobe GoLive 6 Happy pioneer day! Music has been a part of the Mormon tradition from the very beginning.  Whether it was hymns or folk songs, it seems there was music created to mark most important occasions.  For instance we have the dedication of the Kirtland, Ohio, temple to thank for "The Spirit of God" in our hymn books today. And the migration West was no exception.  The wagon company of 1847, nearly 160 years ago, was hardly under way before William Clayton came up with his new version of "All is Well" which we know as "Come, Come Ye Saints."  And it was 150 years ago when the first of many handcart companies set out for the Rocky Mountains.  They pushed and pulled their way across a continent finding strength in "The Handcart Song." This week in celebration of Pioneer Day on July 24th-- a state holiday in Utah -- we feature Mormon folk songs from the Library of Congress Archive of Folk Culture.  These examples were recorded in 1946 and 1947 by Austin Fife and his wife Alta on a trip covering Utah gathering songs passed on in the folk tradition -- either learned firsthand from the writer or passed down in families and communities through the generations. That's this week, on the Cricket and Seagull... Guitar instrumentals taken from: The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat is a Podcast bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide. Steven Kapp Perry 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! You can always find the most recent edition at MeridianMagazine.com/Radio. To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon: Click the banner for info on music, talks, scriptures, and books for your .mp3 player!  

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Welcome to Adobe GoLive 6 She was born in Mexico City but was raised in the States, loves singing with a Mariachi band but has a recording contract with an inspirational label, is learning to bring the same passion to singing in English she feels in Spanish, and is all about putting message over the messenger. That's BYU student and performer Rebecca Lopez, and today we talk about her first solo CD "When You Believe," including songs in both English and Spanish. That's this week, on the Cricket and Seagull... -SKP   Places to Look and Listen: Rebecca Lopez The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat is a Podcast bringing music and interviews to Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide. Steven Kapp Perry 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! You can always find the most recent edition at MeridianMagazine.com/Radio. To get the free subscription URL for your Podcatcher, click the icon: For free "One-click" instant subscription through iTunes, click the icon: Click the banner for info on music, talks, scriptures, and books for your .mp3 player!  

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She's a practicing attorney, city councilmember, life coach, real estate investor, writer, and professional speaker--all of which she does part-time while helping her husband raise their family of four boys. She speaks at BYU Education Week and Time Out for Women, authored "The Parenting Breakthrough: A Real-Life Plan to Teach Your Kids to Work, Save Money, and Be Truly Independent" and now she's set her sights on marriage -- improving it, that is. This week Merrilee Browne Boyack talks about her new book, "Strangling Your Husband Is NOT an Option: A Practical Guide to Dramatically Improving Your Marriage." That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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He does back flips onstage off the grand piano, plays while lying upside on the bench, has been known to wear wigs and hats onstage and even use a giant slingshot to shoot prizes into the audience. So naturally Jon Schmidt is doing -- a CD of hymns? "Hymns Without Words" is the latest from one-of-a-kind composer, pianist and showman, Jon Schmidt. This week he talks about hymns, why piano students drop out, why we're on the same team with good people throughout the world, and much more. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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When Desirae and Deondra Brown left Alpine, Utah -- headed for Juillard to pursue their classical piano studies -- there was no way of knowing that their three piano-playing siblings and even their parents would soon follow suit, making New York City their temporary home base. Since the release of their self-titled first CD, The 5 Browns have been making news on the classical circuit, drawing audiences across the generations, including some more likely to be found at rock concerts. Today Desirae and Deondra talk about their musical beginnings, becoming a group, being known as Mormon musicians, and their contagious passion for classical music. That's this week on the Cricket and Seagull... - SKP

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Every summer thousands of LDS teenagers descend on campuses around the world for EFY -- that's Especially For Youth -- a sort of youth conference on spiritual steroids. And one of the perks of attending is being the first on your block to hear the new CD, since it isn't even for sale until the last session of EFY is over.Still, that doesn't mean we can't give you a sneak peek of the brand new 2006 CD with songwriters and producers Tyler Castleton and Staci Peters, the creative artists behind, "The Greatest Gift." They talk about the music, the songs, the singers, and putting on protective armor to improve your songwriting.That's this week, on the The Cricket and Seagull...

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Author Virginia H. Pearce As busy as we are, hearing that "man is that he might have joy," can almost seem like one more Herculean task to add to our already-daunting to-do lists. But what if there were a way, a way to feel that joy, to feel the love of God -- daily -- without adding even one more thing to the list? Interested? So was Virginia Hinckley Pearce. A busy person, author, wife, mother of six and grandmother of twenty-two with service in the Young Women general presidency and the general board of the Primary -- she and a group of sisters found just that; a way for all of us to rediscover basic Christianity and find it right within our own hearts, by making them "Hearts Like His." That's this week on the Cricket and Seagull...

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Sometimes no matter how hard you try to go down one path, you find yourself walking down another. And if you're lucky -- or blessed -- you might even find out you like it better. You might even find out it's the one the Lord had in mind for you all along. Today we talk to Producer Ken Agle and his brother Dennis, writer and co-director, and after the break we'll hear from songwriter and co-director Aaron Edson. Those three, along with Executive Producer Craig Brooksby, make up the team behind "Liken the Scriptures," the wildy popular children's musical scripture series on DVD. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull... - SKP

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Last week we began a new series on overcoming addiction through the atonement of Jesus Christ (See Archives for April 2006 for Part 1). In Part 1, author Colleen Harrison discussed the origins of her book, "He Did Deliver Me from Bondage," and her personal journey. Today we continue that discussion, talk about the fruits of writing the book, and hear from Colleen's husband, Phil, author of "Clean Hands, Pure Heart -- Overcoming Addication to Pornography through the Redeeming Power of Jesus Christ." (At the end of the last edition Colleen told of the formation of local Heart-t-Heart support groups which can be found at http://www.heart-t-heart.org) That's this week on the Cricket and Seagull... - SKP

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Addiction. A word used commonly in a joke, as in, "I'm a chocoholic." And it's funny. Unless it's true. Addiction. For some it conjures images of needle marks and drunks and back alleys. Others think it's just wishy-washy people who lack will power. For the addicts themselves -- and the ones who love them -- it means a desperate daily struggle to maintain any sense of normalcy while slowly losing a life-and-death spiritual battle with a pull or compulsion now completely beyond anything as puny as will power. But not beyond the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. There is nothing stronger than the absolute power of that infinite act. Today, we join author Colleen Harrison to discuss her book, "He Did Deliver Me From Bondage," for part one of a series on overcoming addiction through the incomprehensible power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. (See Part 2 in the May 2006 Archives. In this edition Colleen tells of the formation of local Heart-t-Heart support groups which can be found at http://www.heart-t-heart.org) That's this week on the Cricket and Seagull... - SKP

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