LDS Hispanic Singers Release CD (A Spanish Noel -- in song)
Deseret News 4Dec99 A2
By Jerry Johnston: Deseret News feature writer

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- A group of LDS Hispanic singers have released their first CD - an album of christmas carols entitled, "La Primera Navidad." The CD was bankrolled by Zarahemla, an LDS spanish-language publishing house owned by former BYU professor and author Arturo de Hoyos.

To launch the CD, the group appeared at a 'mini-concert' at the Day Murray Music auditorium. And the group hopes that the music will be the start of something big, "We're hoping this will be the first CD, not the last. If we hang together, I think we can produce some beautiful things," said de Hoyos.

Deseret News columnist Jerry Johnston says that the CD itself lacks some polish, but makes up for it in charm. The lack of polish is due mostly to a shoe-string budget and the use of a small studio and not enough equipment.

Still, some names on the CD will be familiar to LDS audiences, including Martha Chavez, who has become a celebrity in Hispanic wards and branches for her tape of Janice Kapp Perry's songs, "Su Luz en Mi." Singer Raymundo Martinez is also featured on the CD.

Newcomers Camila Grover and Daniela Burrell are on the CD, along with Soraya Reyes, Brenda Cadena de Lopez and Tony Garcia.

"We just decided to jump in and do it," says de Hoyos. "I think one of the saddest things is when people have a God-given talent but have no chance to develop it. By getting together like this and seeing what each of us has to offer, maybe more CDs, more chances, will come along."