Riverton musician branches out to host radio program
Nancy Hanson is a singer, songwriter, recording artist, guitar player and teacher who discovered her deep love for music at the age of 12 when she convinced her mother to let her quit piano lessons and take up the guitar.
Hanson has won folk music writing contests and has released two albums: "Drops in a Bucket" (1997) and "All Wrapped Up" (2003). She also has close to 20 songs out on compilation CDs such as "Especially for Youth," "FM 100" and "Wasatch Christmas Albums."
Last year the Riverton resident was approached by a producer for The Mormon Channel who asked if she would be interested in hosting her own radio program.
"She has always been a heroine of mine," Tamilisa Wood, Mormon Channel lead content producer said. "I knew that she didn't have stage fright and that she isn't afraid to talk to people. We thought she would be the best person for the job."
The show is called Everything Creative, and was inspired by a talk entitled, "Happiness, Your Heritage," given by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the first presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in November 2008. The premise of the show is that every person is creative in one way or another.
Hanson was excited to get involved with the project but hadn't ever thought of herself as a radio host. Since she started in May 2009,she has had the opportunity to interview firefighters, the first LDS astronaut, a bobsledding team and fellow musicians.
"I had no prior experience with the media or radio world," she said. "I think when the Mormon Channel was starting this, they wanted a recognizable name but not someone too famous. I just represent the average person, I have no agenda. I love doing it so much, it is so fun being able to meet so many interesting, fascinating people."
One of Hanson's favorite interviews was with Peter Breinholt, a musician and friend she has performed with since 1993.
"We've spent hours and hours in conversation together," Breinholt said. "The main thing is that she is one of the best listeners I've ever known. People really sense that when she asks a question, she is listening for the answer, not racing ahead to the next question, whether it is the radio show, her kids or her audience. I've always said she should be a radio host, if not, a therapist. She is 100 percent genuine and real."
Hanson and her husband David Wood have lived in Riverton for 12 years. They have three children: Hannah, 12, Taylor, 10, and Carson, 8. Episodes of Everything Creative are available for download at http://radio.lds.org/eng/programs/everything-creative.
Caption: Nancy Hanson interviews people from all walks of life on her radio program, Everything Creative, emphasizing that everyone has a unique talent to offer the world. Pictured from left are Peter Breinholt, Hanson, and another fellow musician, Ryan Shupe.
