The Iron Rod
(See Iron Rod for the usual meaning as mentioned in the Book of Mormon).
The Iron Rod is the name of a radio show out of Boise Idaho that officially represents the LDS Institute of Religion on the Boise State University Campus, and unofficially represents the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints. The Iron Rod is played on AM730 in Boise, AM1450 in Twin Falls, and on FM89.9 in McCall. They also have their show being podcasted on their site, www.ironrodradio.net and on iTunes.
The Iron Rod has been going for about 2 1/2 years (as of 7/2006). The Iron Rod is a radio show that OFFICIALLY represents the Boise Idaho LDS Institute of Religion on the Boise State University Campus and UNOFFICIALLY represents the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints. With a built in audience at the LDS Institute of Religion on the BSU campus, they quickly became one of the most listened to Student Radio Shows on the University Pulse. The Iron Rod is currently being played on the radio on AM730 Boise, AM1450 Twin Falls, and 89.9 FM McCall, over the internet at pulse.boisestate.edu, and their podcast at their website www.ironrodradio.net and all over the internet! They give Institute announcements and activities, Church news, Family Home Evening Ideas, Dating Ideas, special interviews, cd reviews, all kinds of things. Most of all, they play great LDS and other contemporary Christian artists from all around the nation. If you are thinking "Mormon Tabernacle Choir?" then you are wrong! All kinds of interesting music is being played! Give them a listen!
The Institute has had a radio show in the past, and Rob wanted to start it again! Their first show aired on March 7, 2004. First, the show started with three hosts, Ben Johnson, Rob Ormond, and Ben's brother, Randy. Back then, The Iron Rod was weekly, and only a half hour. Airing at 8:00pm to 8:30pm, it was a good time for people to hear since church services were over. After a while, Randy dropped out and it was just Ben and Rob. Ben and Rob continued to improve and to take The Iron Rod to the next level. On September 26, 2004, The Iron Rod went to an hour long weekly show starting at 7:00pm to 8:00pm.
Soon The Iron Rod got it's own website, began contacting record labels and distributing companies to increase their music library, and even were being contacted for promotional events like handing out tickets for events in the valley just like "big-time" radio shows, and giving away tons of great cds! Even a bit of advertising at Deseret Book was pursued. Soon, Ben and Rob started the Iron Rod Radio Committee at the Institute and added so many more people and resources to The Iron Rod's arsenal. Soon "Best of" shows were being produced and distributed, and listener emails even began to come in.
The crowning moment for The Iron Rod is when they registered the domain "www.ironrodradio.net" and set up their Iron Rod Podcast. Soon they were posting all kinds of shows, downloads, and videos for everyone to download. The website has become just as important as the show itself. The website offers links to the Church's and the institute's website, music/video and other downloads, the podcast, information on the radio committee at the Institute, their show's playlists, information on the producers, Iron Rod news and current events, contest information, ways to contact Ben and Rob and tons of fun things to do. The Iron Rod podcast can be found on their website as well as many other directories or portals like podcasts.yahoo.com etc. You can even find their podcast on "iTunes!"
You can hear what people are saying about The Iron Rod:
"Great show! Love it! I listen to your podcasts at work each week." -- Aaron Melenas
"I was traveling back to Boise one Sunday and heard your show. It's good that you are using the radio to spread good." -- Anonymous
"This is cool! I love listening to the radio, but I don't have time! Now I can listen to great music, hear what's going on and get ideas on how to have fun all from my iPod! YOU GUYS ROCK!!!" -- Anonymous
You can now hear The Iron Rod every Sunday on AM730 at noon. Or you can check out the website and download the shows at www.ironrodradio.net. Give them a listen and tell them what you think at [email protected].
Contact: Ben Johnson [email protected] Rob Ormond [email protected]
