SALT LAKE CITY — The renowned voice of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ “Music and the Spoken Word” is set to present his final program after nearly 35 years. Lloyd Newell, who has been the voice of the program since 1990, will be stepping down this Sunday.
Newell’s departure marks the end of an era for the 95-year-old broadcast. He will be taking on a new role as a mission president in Los Angeles, accompanied by his wife. Reflecting on his long tenure, Newell expressed deep gratitude during a press conference at the Salt Lake City Tabernacle. “It’s hard for me to put into words what this has meant to me over the years,” he said.
Starting Sunday, June 23, Derrick Porter will take over as the new announcer. Porter, an entrepreneur from Bountiful, acknowledged the challenge of following in Newell’s footsteps. “The only thing I can do is seek to stand on his shoulders and continue the great efforts and work of this broadcast,” Porter stated.
Newell’s nearly 35-year run makes him only the third announcer in the program’s long history. “I’m humbled at the end of my years… to think that I was blessed to be part of this,” Newell remarked. “This broadcast that went on the air in 1929 and [for] 95 years. To be one of three announcers to announce and write ‘Music in the Spoken Word’ has just been a privilege and honor.”
KSL NewsRadio will continue to air the program every Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
For over nine decades, “Music and the Spoken Word” has been a beacon of peace, hope, and inspiration. The Tabernacle Choir has delivered this weekly program without interruption, making it a unique and enduring broadcast. Public audiences are invited to join the live performances each Sunday morning on Temple Square. Additionally, the program can be streamed from anywhere in the world via YouTube.
On certain dates, “Music and the Spoken Word” will be preempted on KSL due to other programming. However, viewers can still watch the broadcasts on BYUTV, the KSL app, or YouTube. The program has been a tradition since 1929, even continuing during the pandemic using archived digital recordings. Modern technology allowed for new Spoken Words to be added, providing timely inspiration for global audiences.
Admission to public performances is free but limited to those eight years of age and older. Doors open at 8:30 a.m., and guests should be seated by 9:15 a.m. The broadcast lasts 30 minutes, ending at 10:00 a.m. Even during the Christmas holidays, no tickets are required for the December Sunday broadcasts in the Conference Center.
In 2024, there will be specific dates when rehearsals and broadcasts will be moved or preempted. For example, rehearsals will be closed to the public on certain dates in preparation for General Conference. During the summer months and holiday season, live Sunday performances will move from the Tabernacle to the Conference Center at Temple Square.
Starting May 9, 2024, the Choir’s weekly rehearsal and Sunday broadcast will move to the Conference Center. They will return to the Tabernacle on September 10, 2024, until the holiday season. Weekly rehearsals are open to the public and typically held on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the Tabernacle, except during the end of the year when they move to the Conference Center.
“Music and the Spoken Word” has a rich history, beginning with its first broadcast on July 15, 1929. The initial airing was a makeshift setup, with a local radio crew running a wire from their control room to an amplifier in the Tabernacle. The program has since evolved, making the jump to television in 1962 and later to cable and satellite broadcasts. Today, it is frequently viewed on social media channels like YouTube and Facebook.
The program has been inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the National Radio Hall of Fame. It has touched the hearts of listeners worldwide, from the United States to the Philippines and England.
The first regular program narrator was Richard L. Evans, who served from 1930 to 1971. He never missed a broadcast, even after becoming an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His uplifting sermonettes addressed themes from the Choir’s music, resonating with listeners. J. Spencer Kinard followed Evans from 1972 to 1990, and Lloyd Newell took over in 1991, continuing until now.
As Newell prepares to say his final words on the program, the legacy of “Music and the Spoken Word” remains strong. The broadcast continues to inspire and uplift audiences, carrying forward a tradition that has spanned nearly a century.
