DECATUR - With the right combination of melody and lyrics, the pop-alternative band Walking Limbs believes its music can touch people's souls.

Plainfield-based Walking Limbs will perform Saturday on the Main Stage of the Lakeside Music and Arts Festival.

"We hope that our music can actually do some good, and that's always been our hope," guitarist Barry Tegel said. "We want what we do to affect other people in a way that will hopefully change their life in a positive way."

Whether or not Walking Limbs' music does reach the masses and change people's lives, the musicians know they've touched one soul.

Karla Miller, widow of Rodney T. Miller, an Illinois state police officer killed in the line of duty in May 2006, found comfort in their song "Beautiful Life" after her husband died.

"It really resonated with me," she said. "They helped me get through the grieving process, and they didn't even know it."

Miller came upon the band at her hairdresser's, where a Walking Limbs CD was being played. She liked the sound, which she called "different and fresh," and found out they were a local band.

After tracking down its Web site, Miller took the band's CD to Lakeside organizer Brian Byers to request that Walking Limbs play at the festival.

"We were incredibly moved by (her story)," Tegel said. "She shared with us how our CD helped her along. For us, this is an honor to play."

"Very humbling," added violinist Nick Lane.

"It's why we do what we do," Tegel said.

Completing the band's lineup are vocalist Brianne Marsel, Dan Cullnan on drums and Terry Rollins on bass. Lane, Tegel and Marsel are Millikin University graduates.

The band's music has received exposure by being added to the playlists of such nationwide clothing stores as Abercrombie and Fitch, Hollister and Pacific Sunwear. The band has also been asked to play on NBC's "The Morning Show" but had to reschedule due to prior commitments. As of now, a new date has not been set.

Lane, the only Decatur resident, said the band was sought after by Atlantic Records but has not yet been presented a record deal. They remain hopeful of a contract with Atlantic, he said.

Walking Limbs was formed in 1997 as an acoustic duo. The members believe they have created a unique sound, mainly because of their instrumentation.

"The acoustic with the violin is a very interesting combination of instruments," Tegel said. "I think that's what draws a lot of people in. It's a little bit different, and we kind of have a pop alternative feel to what we do."

The band is working on a live album as well as its third studio album, which should be released in the fall. The band will perform songs from the upcoming album at Lakeside.

"We write (lyrics) that will hopefully stop and make people think," Tegel said.

"Hopefully, they'll hear a lot of songs they don't know that they'll fall in love with," Lane said, "and they're going to hear a few songs they do know with a different twist."

WHO: Walking Limbs.

WHEN: 1:05 and 2:15 p.m. Saturday, July 5.

WHERE: Main Stage, Lake Decatur.

COST: Free.

ON THE WEB: www.walking limbs.com.

Alicia Spates can be reached at aspates@herald-review.com or 421-6986.