Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Music News Report

Music For The Soul Announces Newest Musical Release Addressing the Rise in Anxiety Disorders

The Non-Profit's Entire "Musical Healing" Catalog Now Available for Any Gift Amount


New Music Release Addresses the Rise in Anxiety Disorders


RSS Icon 

NEWS SOURCE: Adams Group
October 15, 2024

For Immediate Release (Nashville, TN) — Music for the Soul, a non-profit organization endorsed by the American Association of Christian Counselors, announces the release of their latest musical project, "What Hope Says." This new recording project aims to provide solace and hope to those struggling with anxiety, a condition that has seen a significant rise in recent years.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the United States every year, making it the most common mental illness in the country. The pandemic, social media pressures, and political polarization have only exacerbated these numbers, leading to a mental health crisis that demands attention.

"All our consulting therapists told us that anxiety was the thing they were hearing about the most from their clients,” says Steve Siler, founder of Music for the Soul. “I worked with songwriters Scott Krippayne and Tony Wood to undertake the writing of the 12 new songs. Our 30 years of co-writing collaboration allowed us to dig deeply into the issues involved. As with all our projects, the whole process was undergirded by prayer.”

“What Hope Says” features a diverse array of songs, each arranged to best convey the message of the lyrics, according to Siler. The project begins with “Prayer for the Anxious” which Siler says is a song that captures the essence of the project.

“In the past, it has been our policy to lead off with a song that captures the feeling of being trapped in pain,” says Siler. “I’ve learned that people will not trust you with their hope unless you demonstrate that you understand their pain. However, knowing that all of us experience anxiety at one time or another, I felt that offering this moment of gentle relief, reminding the listener of God’s promise to always be with us no matter what, was an important place to begin.”

Siler also draws attention to the new song “Merciful Jesus,” which is based on a 16th century prayer by St. Teresa of Avila.

“’Merciful Jesus’ is both an expression of gratitude and a plea for the continued care of Christ in our lives,” says Siler. “It isn’t a worship song in the congregational sense. But for me personally this prayer, written over 500 years ago, is a worshipful experience for me every time I hear it.”

Since its founding in 2001, Music for the Soul has addressed 44 difficult topics through music including eating disorders, pornography addiction, abortion recovery, suicide, and grief. Their work is supported by professional Christian therapists and endorsed by organizations such as Hope for the Heart and the American Family Association, among others. Siler says there is brain science behind every project they produce.

“God has designed us so that a song is uniquely able to communicate healing,” says Siler. “Language (lyrics) is processed primarily in the left hemisphere of the brain. Melody is processed primarily in the right hemisphere of the brain. As it turns out, that is where our trauma is held. So, when I talk to you, I’m only getting half of your brain and it’s not the half where your trauma lives. But if I sing a song to someone, I’m speaking to the whole brain, and the music can seep through the cracks in that wall of defense and gently open their heart where we can lay a healing message. And because melody and rhythm are memory devices, whatever I sing to you is going to have a far greater chance of being remembered. The therapists we work with tell me that our songs fast track the healing process.”

In addition to the release of "What Hope Says," Music for the Soul is making their entire catalog available for a gift of any amount to churches, counseling centers, and the general public. 

"I never want anyone to go away without taking something they need because they feel they can’t afford it," says Siler. "The main thing is that these 225 recordings we have produced touch people with hope and healing. This new approach is about making these resources more widely available to serve those who need them. Making them completely free would suggest they have no value, when they have already proven to be invaluable for so many people over the years through the countless testimonies we have received.” 

For more information about "What Hope Says" and to access Music for the Soul's resources, visit https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/what-hope-says/.

About Steve Siler:

Steve Siler is founder and director of Music for the Soul. He is an accomplished songwriter and music producer with over 500 songs recorded in the Christian, country, and pop genres. His songs have been recorded by pop and country artists such as Kenny Loggins, Smokey Robinson, Patti Labelle, Kenny Rogers, and The Oak Ridge Boys, among others. In the Contemporary Christian music field, Siler won the Dove Award for Inspirational Song of the Year, and has nine #1 and 45 top ten CCM songs to his credit. Siler has written extensively for television including theme and underscore work for children’s animation, sitcoms, drama, sports, game shows, and news programming. He has also had songs featured in theatrical motion pictures. He is the author of three books, and the co-host of the Music For The Soul Podcast. Visit https://www.musicforthesoul.org/



###




Leave a Comment

 

News Report Archives

[2025]
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

[2024]
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

[2001 - Present]
Visit our complete MUSIC NEWS ARCHIVE

 



Return to Main News Page

 

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Wednesday, July 16, 2025
SINGLES
1K Phew Yet - Single [Reach]

This Friday, July 18, 2025
ALBUMS
Justin Gambino Just Like Jesus - EP [Residence Music]
The Inspirations Up Above The World So High [Horizon]
Mary-Clair Enough [Vere]
MotionPlus Improper Decorum [SoulFeeder, Polished Arrow Music]
Planetshakers Weight of Heaven [Venture3Media]
The Rocky Valentines Music On The Shelf [Velvet Blue]
Emilie Weiss Come Through (Studio Session) - EP [BEC]

SINGLES
Chris Caro OTW - Single [Syntax]
Aaron Cole Mercy - Single [RCAI]
Melvin Crispell III Reason To Dance - Single [RCAI]
Crowder STILL (feat. Zach Williams) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Ellie Holcomb Hope's Gonna Find You - Single [Capitol CMG]
Influence Music How You Do It - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Holy Ghost (ft. Lady Audri) - Single [Syntax]
Paul and Hannah McClure Holy Hands (Live) - Single [Bethel]
Lizzie Morgan Can't Help But Praise - Single [Provident]
Kevi Morse Honest Cvlture ft. STIXX aka Conejo) - Single [Syntax]
Shekts Nelson Your Love - Single [Churchboy]
Blessing Offor Crying Out Loud - Single [Capitol CMG]
Remedy Drive Brighter Than Apathy (Reimagined) - Single (independent)
Rhymes in Harmony Lift Your Name - Single [Syntax]
Speedy the Artist Reach For Elohim - Single [Syntax]
Thrive Worship The One Who Saves - Single [Integrity]
Zane Walls Think About Me - Single [DREAM]

This Sunday, July 20, 2025
VINYL
King's X Manic Moonlight Vinyl [Girder]

Next Wednesday, July 23, 2025
ALBUMS
Eric Roberson Beautifully All Over The Place (independent)

Next Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images