Cedar Breaks, a local Utah band, has taken their award winning music, films, and books to a new level by winning two awards at the World Music and Independent Film Festival in Washington DC for two separate music videos, “My Dog” and “Light.”
“My Dog,” written by Keith Behunin, the banjo player for Cedar Breaks, was inspired by memories of his own dog. It is a “high spirited song that is guaranteed to leave the hearer with a smile on their face.” The song which is described as witty, clever, and humorous, is brought to life through the strong harmonies and upbeat instrumentation of the band.
Using the metaphor of light to draw an analogy between our capacities for compassion and light itself, the song “Light” (“Light Up the Land”), written and copyrighted by Greg Ericksen, is a song of hope and courage. The gentle ballad expresses the concept of how one person taking a stand in the service of another can cause a ripple effect as others begin to follow suit.
The videos have played around the country in a number of film festivals to include the LDS Film Festival and the International Christian Film Festival in Orlando. Although the videos have been screened in several festivals, this is the first win for both. “My Dog” won for best Country Music Video, and “Light” for best Gospel Music Video.
The media that Cedar Breaks produces is centered around faith, family, heritage, and sharing a strong message based on the diverse culture of Utah to the world. The band which is comprised of five members: Rebecca Croft – vocals, songwriter, and manager; Michael Gibbons – vocals and acoustic guitar; Diana Glissmeyer – vocals; Keith Behunin – banjo and guitar; and Mike Ericksen – guitar has been together four years and has won numerous media awards. Keith Behunin currently lives in the St. George, Utah area and plays at events in Southern Utah. Norm Bosworth is the film producer, director and editor with BCI Video, and Chanel Kostich, a student at Brigham Young University (BYU), is the band’s choreographer and is also the dancer who is featured in many of the videos.
The band has collaborated with a diverse team of musicians, writers, dancers, and photographers to produce a unique sound that conveys both a fresh and uplifting message. Western life radio has dubbed the band’s new age folk sound as “timeless.”
The songs for both music videos are also featured in two new books. “My Dog” is featured in a children’s book published by Guardian Angel Publishing, and “Light” is featured in a book published by Empath Media LLC.
“Light” in the latest recording of “Light of the Land,” was used at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah and became the designated song of the “Second Rescue” of the handcart pioneers of 1856. The song has also been sung at a number of Native American events over the years. The story of the song can be found in the pages of “Upon Destiny’s Song,” a historical novel about the life of Ane Marie Madsen who traveled with the Willie Handcart Company.
Learn more about the band and the media produced by the group at:
Cedar Breaks Band Official Website
