Whether it's in the car on the way to church or in the background as the family spends time together on a Sunday afternoon, many families across Utah have become accustomed to it.
"We find that a lot of people just like having that mood in their house. Even if they're not sitting there glued to the radio, it's the atmosphere that they're after. Something to make the day different," said Steven Kapp Perry, host of FM 100.3's Soft Sunday Sounds for the past seven years.
Since it began broadcasting in smaller segments in 2000, Soft Sunday Sounds has proved to be a Sabbath Day staple. Now as an all-day program, it is the No. 1 listened-to weekend radio program in Utah, said Bill West, FM 100.3 program director.
"It did fill a need, and that's just been obvious by the ratings," Perry said.
With the goal to provide a "soundtrack for Sunday," Perry works to create a mix of old favorites and new inspirational music. While a large portion of the program's audience are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Perry tries to select music that many will relate to. "Instead of being non-denominational, we try to think of the idea of multi-denominational," Perry said. "It's basically Christian, Christ-centered music, and there will be a few specifics, (such as) LDS-specific songs or Protestant-specific songs, mixed in there."
While much of the radio industry tries to find very specific niche audiences to target, Soft Sunday Sounds seeks to appeal to multiple generations as well as multiple religions. Perry said a lot of families say they leave the radio on all day because "within the course of an hour, mom's going to hear something she likes, often there will be a version of a children's song … and then there are some things like Especially for Youth." He went on to say, "It's an unusual mix that doesn't try to be exclusionary."
By attempting to attract many different types of people to the program, Soft Sunday Sounds has been able to affect listeners on a deeper level. "The general feeling is that it is a show that reaches out and touches people on that special day," West said.
Perry receives multiple e-mails each week from listeners detailing how the show has had an impact on their lives. Many who have to work on Sunday say it serves as a devotional that helps their day go better. A few who lived in Utah but have since moved away listen to the program online to give them a piece of Utah, as well as encourage them to think about the Savior on the Sabbath day.
One listener, who was an inactive member of the LDS Church, wrote Perry and said, "The music certainly touches my heart, and the feelings I feel … really provide me with hope and faith and helps me realize that I am lacking what I need most in my life. I am ready to go back to church as well as speak to the missionaries."
For others, the songs and words inspire them to push through hard times.
"It's just amazing how music connects with people and supports people," Perry said. "We love being able to be a part of that."
For more, visit fm100.com.
e-mail: wbutters@desnews.com