For Your Soul, yourLDSradio.com

“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Berthold Auerbach

To gain experience in this life, most certainly one must kick up a little dust. Whether you are looking to sing from your dust cloud or rest your weary feet from the trail you’ve trodden, yourLDSradio.com is here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We recently heard from a listener who was looking to settle a little dust one troubled evening:

“Last Wednesday night, my 7 mo. old little boy was suffering from teething and two ear infections. He was miserable, screaming and crying, and could not get to sleep. So I gave him a blessing. Right as I finished the blessing a prompting came to my mind that Hymns could be very soothing. “What the heck” I thought. I tuned in LDS HYMNS on my phone. The MOMENT the music started he stopped crying to listen. Within a few seconds he smiled. And within a few minutes:

My wife and I were blown away at how quick and powerful the effect was.”

We are grateful for the comforting embrace the Hymns provided this sweet babe in arms. The spirit of good music indeed soothes one’s soul.

We also recognize that a rapid growing number of you are tuning in via internet, mobile devices, and wi-fi radio to enjoy the music available through yourLDSradio.com. Since our launch in November 2008, we have been thrilled to be a part of the movement in LDS music. Never before has this genre received such an influx of talent and listeners. We are currently ranked number two of 370 inspirational stations hosted by Live 365, one of the largest radio hosting companies on the web. From December 2008-December 2009, over 400% more listeners found a comfortable spot at yourLDSradio.com. Thank you for supporting yourLDSradio.com, and ultimately, LDS music talent.

If you find you are particularly interested in “that one song” or the style of a performer, visit Positive Music and Downloads to buy your own copy. We have thousands of songs available, and are adding more all the time. Our online store is a fabulous and incredibly convenient resource; music shopping without sifting through songs and images that are of no interest to our listeners. Please note we have gift cards available for you so your friends and loved ones may personalize their music choice. Also, look for your free download in each Friday’s issue of our newsletter, Neighborhood News. If you are not yet subscribed, you may do so here.

It has been said “Music is what feelings sound like.” Well, there is sunshine in our soul today as we rejoice in the blessings of our life and forge our future bringing you music that makes a difference.

yourLDSradio's Intriguing Interviews

There is much more to yourLDSradio.com than providing all the best in LDS music. Naturally, through their search for the best in LDS culture, intriguing interviews with the finest artists and individuals have ensued. Three segments at yourLDSradio.com, hosted by Cherie Call, Rebecca Cressman and Steven Kapp Perry, bring you a deeper and broader view of the music, books and people that are making this world a better place.

The New Music Show is hosted by one of the most highly recognized LDS singers and songwriters, Cherie Call. Each Tuesday, Cherie gives you the opportunity to hear about what is new in LDS music. This market is growing rapidly, yet it is unique. There are not many places like The New Music Show which allow you to hear a free-flowing conversation with LDS artists and learn their stories behind the songs you love.

As a six time Pearl Award winner, regularly invited performer at Nashville’s famous Blue Bird Café, a speaker and beloved performer, Cherie understands the music world, especially the LDS music world. Because her music is helping to set the rhythm of this industry’s heart beat, Cherie has brought into the studio the “who’s-who” in music. She has been welcoming artists on The New Music Show since 2008. To enjoy hearing Cherie’s one-on-one interviews with your favorite performers and to keep up on the latest in this industry, tune in each Tuesday to The New Music Show, or to enjoy her past interviews of the artists you love, search the archives here.

Each Wednesday on Personal Touch, hostess Rebecca Cressman will lift your mid-week by inspiring you with an enlightening interview with someone doing extraordinary things in their lives. All around us are people, some well known and others seemingly ordinary, who are making a profound difference in many lives. Rebecca acquaints you with the character and passions of these remarkable individuals who champion their causes and beliefs and change the lives around them, perhaps yours. You will be fascinated and motivated to do better and be more as you hear from diverse people throughout the world.

The warm hearted Rebecca Cressman is no stranger to the microphone. This accomplished wife and mother of three sons, left her home in San Diego to pull up her chair to the mike back east as a D.J. Since then, Rebecca has produced, anchored and hosted multiple award-winning commercial and public radio and television shows across the U.S. Through her career, she has not slowed down. Rebecca currently is the daytime on-air voice of the Wasatch Front’s FM100.3, host of the Emmy-nominated television series Living Essentials and the gardening series Home Grown, as well as writing a column for Wasatch Woman magazine. Rebecca has interviewed well over a hundred inspirational resources for Personal Touch. To hear from each of these incredible individuals and their topics that will touch your life, visit the Personal Touch archives here, and tune in each Wednesday to hear who is making a difference in the world.

Rounding out the week here at yourLDSradio.com is another amazing segment. Each Friday is a new podcast from The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat hosted by Steven Kapp Perry. Steve brings an eclectic group of authors, artists musicians, scholars and fellow Saints closer to you as he interviews them and celebrates their work and accomplishments. On The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat you will hear about newly released, newly published information and good news with an LDS theme.

Much of the podcasts that Steve has done on The Cricket and Seagull Fireside Chat, since beginning in 2004, have been associated with music. Steve has a strong passion and talent in music, as almost anyone familiar with LDS music may have guessed. Steve is a well known songwriter, playwright, and broadcaster. He has received multiple Pearl Awards for his accomplishments. He has performed in a wide range of arenas from the Wrigley Field for the Cubs singing the National Anthem to conducting the music during LDS General Conference. He recently released his 15th album. Like Rebecca, Steve is also a radio host with FM100.3, hosting the popular Pearl Award winning radio show “Soft Sunday Sounds.” As a husband and father of four, Steve is just a nice guy, doing what he loves. Kick back each Friday to listen to a pleasant and informative chat on The Cricket and Seagull Fireside.

As you can see, all of us at yourLDSradio.com work earnestly to keep you apprised of the amazing people, music and accomplishments that are of interest to the LDS audience through excellent and highly professional resources. If there is a person who has touched you, or a topic you would like to hear more about, we encourage you to share a comment with us and become an active part of yourLDSradio.com

*NEW* Your LDS Hymns Stream

Each day we are to aspire to be better. Is there something that can gently remind us throughout our day to be more Christlike? “Inspiring music may fill the soul with heavenly thoughts, move one to righteous action, or speak peace to the soul." President Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov. 1974, 67. In response to that mandate, yourLDSradio.com offers you their newest stream, LDS Hymns.

Hymn lyrics are a sacred testament of our deepest beliefs sung in the universal and beautiful language of music. Who hasn’t felt tingling in their soul from the majesty of “All Creatures of Our God and King,” or a strong edifying conviction from “I Know That My Redeemer Lives?” Hymns become personal as we are washed with the Spirit in an answer to prayer or we are keenly aware that He knows the desires of our hearts.

We are encouraged to use hymns in our home because of their powerful influence and blessing. As we familiarize ourselves with the Hymns we are better able to withstand temptations of the adversary. We are instructed to partake of their nourishment; memorize, ponder, recite and sing the songs of the righteous. The world is a virtual vacuum of righteousness. One of its most powerful tools is the double edged sword of technology. The LDS Hymns stream is an invitation to the Spirit.

From the “First Presidency Preface” of our Hymn book, “Music has boundless powers for moving families toward greater spirituality and devotion to the gospel…Sing them on the Sabbath, in home evening, during scripture study, at prayer time. Sing as you work, as you play, and as you travel together. Sing hymns as lullabies to build faith and testimony in your young ones.”

yourLDSradio.com’s uplifting LDS Hymns stream makes it possible to listen anytime and anywhere through your computer and mobile devices. If you would like to learn more about your listening options, please read here.

The LDS genre of music is richly blessed with talented vocalists who have a unique passion for the words they sing. yourLDSradio.com has gathered an elect hymn library. The various renditions and arrangements played maintain the reverence which is expected by listeners. There are various expressions by individual artists of their favorite hymns with an accompaniment range from a simple acoustic guitar to a full orchestra. Those with a familiar love of our hymns will appreciate the wide selection played. The LDS Hymns stream is also for those who are not musically inclined or are new to the beautiful resource which was first gathered over 150 years ago as at the Lord’s request.

King Benjamin’s dying wish was to “join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God.” After the last supper, to prepare for his humble ascension up the Mount of Olives, the Lord, “…sung an hymn.” Can we deny the power of reverent music? As we strive to edify our lives and those around us, may we turn to our hymns, a resource which has been encouraged to take a prominent place in our homes and personal lives. Start listening throughout your day to yourLDSradio.com’s LDS Hymns.

Feel Great! It's Your Radio

Have you listened to yourLDSradio.com? It offers music that makes you feel great! Founded by father of five, Gaylen Rust, in 2008, yourLDSradio began operating with a commitment to serve audiences and artists alike. This unique station strives to play audience favorites, while at the same time introducing up and coming artists who will shape tomorrow's catalog of LDS music.

yourLDSradio’s program director, performer Sam Payne, has a passion for high quality music and an appreciation of genuinely talented artists. As a respected musician and songwriter in the LDS culture, Sam is familiar and well acquainted with both classic and contemporary LDS artists. By weaving this station with only threads of excellence, yourLDSradio.com is cloaked as the number two internet station in the inspirational genre of well over three hundred stations operated by Live365 station software. To top it off, during the holidays, the Christmas stream was clearly an audience favorite…and Santa Baby was no where to be found!

“Music is an important and powerful part of all of our lives,” says Gaylen Rust. yourLDSradio.com is being bookmarked by listeners the world over. Their rapidly growing audience is evidence the world is craving music that invites the Spirit and glorifies good. Forty years ago the First Presidency issued this statement:

“Music can be used to exalt and inspire or to carry messages of degradation and destruction. It is therefore important that as Latter-day Saints we at all times apply the principles of the gospel and seek the guidance of the Spirit in selecting the music with which we surround ourselves.”

yourLDSradio.com advocates this counsel in its music line up 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, 365 days a year.

Music is not the only enriching offer this one of a kind station has for its listeners. Radio Family Journal is a delightful weekly feature on the site:

In a style that is at the same time innovative and rooted in the deepest storytelling traditions, Sam Payne presents inspirational stories in a format that families will love. Payne wraps his one-of-a-kind skills as a word-smith and vest-pocket philosopher around two-minute stories that resonate with the deep Latter-day Saint values of family and faith. LDS men, LDS women, and their families should consider the Radio Family Journal with Sam Payne as a thoughtful beginning to a Family Home Evening, or as the perfect way to start your work week.

If this is your first peek into the Radio Family Journal, there is no need to feel like you have missed out. You are invited and encouraged to visit the archive where you can listen to previous stories. You’ll find your visit pleasant and you’ll linger longer than you expected, smiling as you reflect upon the time you have just shared with Sam Payne.

Stop by yourLDSradio.com. Download a stream or two or three and let it carry you as you do a little work, or read a favorite scripture. Enjoy the music that uplifts. It can be thought provoking, and inspirational. Or just come to feel great.

Bloggers at the Neighborhood!

Everyone is doing it these days . . . blogging, that is. You can't go to a newspaper, news station, entertainment, company, etc. website and not have someone blogging about something. yourLDSneighborhood also has it's own bloggers. We're very cool, even if I do say so myself.

Of course you know there are multiple blocks at the Neighborhood filled with wonderful vendors, musicians, authors, artists . . . all great places to browse and shop. But did you know that each block has a Blogging newsstand that is at the end of the block? All you have to do is click on the arrow titled "More shops and blogs here" and you'll walk the block straight to our fantastic bloggers.

We have bloggers from all walks of life. So let me give you a little run down on each one and invite you to drop by the Neighborhood and enjoy ever aspect of this fantastic site along with our new . . . wait for it . . . radio station! Oh yeah, we're the ultimate in cool. Really!

The Arts & Entertainment Block has two bloggers: Gaynell Parker and Tristi Pinkston.

Gaynell Parker covers all things related to art. She is a middle aged mom who loves her amazing hubby, children and writing - though not always in that order. I love the Lord Jesus Christ, this great United States, cooking, writing, painting and reading. Oh...and anything chocolate. Writer, artist and mom, there's no question she always has great insights.

Tristi Pinkston is our movie reviewer and is an LDS historical fiction author with three published novels -- "Nothing to Regret," "Strength to Endure," and her newest release, "Season of Sacrifice." Tristi has two new book coming out this year, one in May and one in November. She also has three more completed and twenty+ on the drawing board. She is a stay-at-home mom, homeschooler, and media reveiwer.

Our Books Block has one blogger, our book reviewer Alison Palmer.

Alison Palmer is a book reviewer extraordinaire and is the author of seven published books who wears many hats. She states, "Obviously, writing is my favorite past time, but I also love to read (mostly juvenile and young adult). I like to spend time sewing, cooking, taking naps and long walks, playing piano or enjoying music, playing with my children and generally avoiding housework as if it were the plague."

On the Clothing & More Block we have blogger Nichole Giles.

Nichole Giles knows clothes and jewelry unlike anyone else I've seen. She lives with her husband Gary and their four kids ages eight to fourteen. When she has a spare minute, she is usually working on at least one writing project, and often several at once. Her current published works can be viewed in several children’s magazines including Highlights for Children, The Friend, and Boy’s Quest or at www.LDSWritersblogck.com. She is excited for the future publication of her first two book-length projects, which will hopefully be on shelves in the next two years.

With the Health & Food Block, we have Keith Fisher, our resident national Dutch Oven champion.

Keith Fisher blogs about all things Dutch Oven. He is a writer of fiction and his hobbies include Dutch Oven Cooking, Gardening, camping, and fishing. Keith has competed for years in outdoor cooking competions with his wife and they won the IDOS World Championship cook off in 2005. Keith loves to share tips, and advice which help you be the champion cook in your campsite or backyard.

No Neighborhood would be worthwhile without a block dedicated to Home & Family.

Again, Tristi Pinkston who is the mother of four children as well as an accomplished author, writes about all things surrounding home and family.

Our LDS Outlet Stores Block has great vendors as well as two bloggers: Heather Justesen and C.L. Beck.

Soon to be published, Heather Justesen, blogs about gardening and landscaping for the Neighborhood. She lives with her husband, one dog, two cats, four geese, seven ducks, a slew of chickens, a bunny, nine quail, and three fish in the small town where she grew up. She works two part-time jobs and works her writing in around the edges of my day. She rarely turns on the television or radio, and if she took a test on pop culture, she says she would flunk, but there are worlds in her head just fighting to get out, so she writes. She recently signed a contract with Cedar Fort for her first novel, to be published in early summer '09. She writes women's fiction, mostly romance, but not strictly, and is working on a non-fiction title as well.

And of course, our humorist is C.L. Beck whose unique style of humor has folks giggling at the crazy happenings in rural America. Her bi-weekly column, The Writing on the Wall, is a must read, and was awarded first place for "Best Feature Column" by the Utah Press Association in 2008, for category one newspapers. Her short stories have appeared in the nationally published anthologies, Cup of Comfort for Horse Lovers, (titled, "Horse on Lap"), and Cup of Comfort for Breast Cancer Survivors (titled, "Dancing in the Moonlight.") In addition, she has a story in Life is Like Riding a Unicycle, by Shirley Bahlmann (titled, "Priming the Pump"). She also has a short story in the upcoming My Dad is My Hero (titled, "A Whap on the Head," release date Spring 2009).

The Music Block is loaded with incredible musicians from all genres. Our blogger is musician Julie Keyser:

Julie Keyser blogs about all aspects of the music business. If there is one thing she is in this world…it’s passionate! One of the things she's most passionate about, besides her husband and family, is songwriting and all things musically inclined. This passion led her to become the Utah chapter head coordinator for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), a nonprofit organization aimed at help aspiring songwriters. She's been blessed through NSAI and various other musical organizations to get to know many amazing artists, musicians, and songwriters. Through yourLDSNeighborhood, I’ll be bringing many of these amazing musical Mormons to light.

The New Neighbors Block is where each new vendor is introduced for a week and as well as on their permanent block. Here we have author, Cheri Crane blogging about travel and traditions.

Cheri Crane is a published author and traveler. She is perfect for blogging on the New Neighbors block. Funny, informative and a grandmother!

Our Religious Block is a great place. Rebecca Talley blogs on all things spiritual and gospel related.

Rebecca Talley, a published author, lives on a small ranch with her husband, eight of her ten children, horses, goats, a dog, a cat, and a llama named Tina. She has wonderful insight into the Gospel and all things related spiritually.

The Scrapbook & Crafts Block is an oft visited block by our visitors and shoppers. It's just too much fun. Here, we have Kim Thompson blogging about scrapbooking and crafts. I had no idea there was so much to learn!

Kim Thompson is the mother of six children ranging in age from 5-16. Also an aspiring LDS fiction writer, she likes to play, read, scrapbook, write, cook, and loves learning new things. If you love to scrapbook or craft, this blog is a must read.

Our Services Block has great vendors and a great blogger who reached out across the world, Liz Adair.

Born in New Mexico; Liz Adair, a published author, lived in lots of places including Alaska, Wyoming, Arizona, Utah. She loves the Pacific Northwest, but likes to go back to the desert to nourish her roots. She is the mother of seven, grandmother of 15 1/2 and still counting. She teaches seminary--some of whom are said grandkids. Liz also work in construction management with husband, Derrill. Best of all, she believes that senior citizenship is the sweetest state of all. She does a great job of blogging about service around the world.

Our Social Networking Block is new and so much fun! We're all over the social networks and even created one of our own, Neighborhood and Friends (pssst, come and join us there)! Our blogger, Rachelle Christensen is great at helping intrepid internet travelers navigate the intricacies . . . or simplicities, of social networking.

Rachelle Christensen grew up on a farm in rural Idaho and still loves wide open spaces. Now she lives among the mountains of Utah. Rachelle is a creative person and loves writing whenever she can get the chance. As a stay-at-home mom of 3 and consultant for Story Time Felts the writing time is hard to come by, but the creative experiences are plentiful!

And of course we have to have a Sports & Recreation Block. Please . . . what is Mormon culture without sports & recreation? Steve Christensen is our resident sports expert.

Steve Christensen is a sports fanatic with a family of females--but now he has his own little boy! All is good and right in Steve's world.

And least, but in no way least, our Weddings Block. Also a very popular block, Danyelle Ferguson, an author and wedding planner, blogs about preparing for a wedding, the day of your wedding, your reception, your honeymoon . . . all things wedding.

Danyelle Ferguson is a self-proclaimed wedding addict. She truly loves weddings. When she was little, she fell in love with Cinderella and Prince Charming . . . and continues to dream about happily ever after. And she is happy to say her little girls are just as in love with Cinderella and happily ever after as she is. She is a stay-at-home, working mother with four wonderful boisterous kids. She is a: Writer, Book Editor & Reviewer, Mommy Extraordinaire, Queen of the Clan and a Daughter of God.

And those are our blocks and bloggers. Certainly worth dropping by every Monday and checking out what's new in the Neighborhood Blogland!

yourLDSneighborhood has added exciting new things to its website. Pake a look, browse around, check out our vendors, our radio station, the associated music download site, our authors, our musicians, our artists and more.

And while you're there, subscribe to the yourLDSneighborhood Newsletter. In addition to being able to shop in the new virtual neighborhood, the newsletter brings you articles, products, services, resources and interviews from around the world-all with an LDS focus. Look for issues delivered to your email inbox every week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Radio You Have Been Looking For

Looking for a lift? Yourldsradio.com hits the internet airwaves on Monday, November 3. It's a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week internet radio station dedicated to the music Latter-Day-Saints love. Wherever they are, and whenever they're connected to the internet, people who love LDS music can tune in for the best in uplifting inspirational music by their favorite Latter-Day-Saint artists.

The station brings together the talents of some of the LDS music industry's finest, including composer, playwright and radio broadcaster Steven Kapp Perry, long-time arranger and producer Greg Hansen, poet and songwriter Sam Payne, and former ops manager for "The Glenn Beck Program," David Dalley.

In addition to an always-on radio stream of great contemporary LDS music, visitors to yourldsradio.com can enjoy weekly audio segments like Steven Kapp Perry's "Cricket and Seagull fireside chat" (featuring interviews with prominent Latter-Day-Saint authors, artists, personalities, and more), the "Radio Family Journal with Sam Payne" (featuring two minutes of hometown wit and wisdom), and Greg Hansen's "New Artist Show" (featuring brief interviews with new faces in the LDS music community). Sunday listening options include a one- hour program of peaceful sacred music--just right for the Sabbath day.

With a built-in discussion board, yourldsradio.com provides a place where people can request songs, meet other LDS music aficionados, or comment on the music they hear.

Gaylen Rust, founder of yourldsradio.com, sees the internet as the perfect place for great LDS music to be introduced and enjoyed. “The beauty of an online radio station," he says, is that "it can be heard anytime, anywhere." With the world increasingly turning to the internet for news, information, and entertainment, chances are you spend some time in front of a computer screen. Anytime you're connected, enjoy the best in music for Latter-Day-Saints.

24-hours a day of the best in Latter-Day-Saint contemporary music: if you've been looking, you've found it! Make yourldsradio.com a part of your day.