Cedar Breaks Band and Empath Media won the International Family Film Festival in Hollywood on 23 October 2016, for best Short Musical. This is the second win for the music video “Light” which has been playing in film and music festivals across the country for the past 18 months.

This is also the unprecedented third straight win for Cedar Breaks in as many years participating in the Hollywood festival held at the Raleigh Studios.

The band also won for Best Rock Song, with their new song called “Ayre,” at the 2016 Utah Music Awards which took place on Saturday, 17 September 2016, at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo, Utah. Over the past couple of years, Cedar Breaks has won awards for best music video, best folk song, best country song, best gospel song, and best rock song, in festivals across the country, showing a wide diversity across genre lines. The group is known for its original music videos using the natural beauty of Utah, solidly crafted songs, and flowing harmony, as well as strong messages of faith, family, and heritage.

According to band member Mike Ericksen, the group’s success is centered on “the demand for good family friendly content with good music that inspires. We have also been impressed with the number of Christian film festivals that have screened our films and who have had us back several times. It seems as though we have found common ground in themes that can help us look past our differences and that center on strong family values that can foster tolerance and understanding.”

Mike further explained that “Light” “suggests that we take notice of those in need and then take the time to give of our light as well as the substance that we have been given. The story is told through a dancer racing to an audition, and in a compassionate moment, she is unable to pass a stranger in need even though she might not make the audition. In the film, the dancer’s simple, selfless act aligns her with the Band’s purpose and the theme of the song. She then joins the band metaphorically and as she performs the ripple of kindness grows.”

BYU Dancer Chanel Kostich is featured in the film with her original choreography. She has performed with the band on several projects over the last three years.

Mike continued by saying that “Light” is a particular song that was written under very exceptional circumstances and contains an important message for our time. The song’s origin was also highlighted in the historical novel Upon Destiny’s Song.

Michael Gibbons sings lead on the song with Rebecca Croft and Diana Rogers Glissmeyer singing harmony. The rest of the band includes Keith Behunin, Mike Ericksen, and Guy Gibbons. “Light” was written by Mike’s brother Greg Ericksen. The original photography and editing were done by Norm Bosworth of BCI Video.