Music for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has taken a new spin since the days of Mormon Rap.

Jericho Road did what no LDS artist had done before, selling 30,000 CDs in the first six months.

But is it commercialization of the church or a route to clean music?

Singer/songwriter Brett Raymond writes LDS music on the side, but fully supports those who write and sing only LDS music.

"I have no problem with it as long as they're not putting out garbage that they don't believe in," Raymond said. "Everyone I've seen is especially sincere about what they do."

Unlike some artists who stay in the LDS genre of music, Raymond mostly writes music for secular stations and shows. ABC's Wide World of Sports, the Oprah Winfrey Show, and NBC's Today Show all play Raymond's music on their show.

"Less than 10 percent of my income is from church music," Raymond said.

Raymond, who produced LDS hit "Primarily For Grown-ups," saw first hand how copyright works in the church. Taking primary songs and putting a jazzy beat to them, he did what few had done before.

Under current law, copyright lasts for the life of the creator plus 70 years. An older version of the copyright law provided a copyright term of 75 years.

Many church songs are under public domain because they were written over 75 years ago, which means anyone can use the work whether it be printing or recording the work.

More recent songs or borrowed songs, like "Because I Have Been Given Much," put in LDS hymnbooks with permission from the Presbyterian Church, must get permission from the copyright office for the church.

Raymond said it is better to ask permission from the church about using a song to avoid inappropriately using a song.

LDS Artist Aaron Edson, who writes all of his songs, said he's committed to positive entertainment.

"My personal goal is to keep doing things that are uplifting and entertaining for those who want to hear it," Edson said. "Right now, that's the LDS market. If someone would give me a job in something other than making music, I wouldn't do it."

Edson said he wants to make enough money in music to be secure, with at least the essentials in raising a family.

He quoted President Spencer W. Kimball's address in the 1978 titled "The Gospel Vision of the Arts," "In our world, there have risen brilliant stars in drama, music, literature, sculpture, painting, science, and all the fields of excellence. For long years I have had a vision of members of the church greatly increasing their already strong positions of excellence till the eyes of all the world will be upon us."

Ron Simpson, general manager of Tantara Records and Young Ambassadors' associate director/music producer has helped artists like Jericho Road get to the top.

"The people putting out the wrong records and movies are brilliant, well-trained, and hugely paid," Simpson said. "If we start thinking that the only valid, positive alternative should be the work of amateurs who aren't paid, then the equation doesn't benefit the Lord's side."

Copyright Brigham Young University 13 Nov 2003