The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat

In over 40 trips to The Sacred Grove both on his own and with tour groups, author and photographer Scot Proctor has seen the Smith Farm in every light and every season, but there was one day, early in the morning, which truly was a day like no other.  The images captured on that magical day have now found their way into a book for both children and adults which is as close to a journey to the grove with young Joseph Smith as you can have, short of going there yourself. Scot Proctor talks about deciding what to do with the gift of that day's photographs, the unique opportunity to publish the book simultaneously in eleven different languages, and about the questions and content included in the text itself. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

It's been seven years since her last holiday album, and with Christmas Once Again Hilary Weeks blends the true meaning of the holiday with songs of family and fun.  From a unique new counterpoint to Silent Night, to favorites like O Come All Ye Faithful and Do You Hear What I Hear, you'll find music just right for decorating the tree, wrapping presents, or simply sitting and contemplating the wonder of our Savior born as a child. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

When four unique and recognizable voices suddenly blend into something altogether new, One Clear Voice is at their musically satisfying best.  In 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  "Gratitude," and "Children Will Listen," the joy of "Dance in the Rain,"  and "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...

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 Witness—Music and Art that Testify of Christ." That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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."   In "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...

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...

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...

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.  Also, follow the link on the Cricket and Seagull page to 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...

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...

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...

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.  And 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, we’ll 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...

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 release—"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...

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...

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 insomnia—all part of the process of writing his 800-plus page new work of historical fiction. That's this week on The Cricket and Seagull...

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...