get_theme_mod

gistfile1.php

<!-- in footer.php -->
<div class="footer-text"><?php echo get_theme_mod('footer_text') ?></div>

<!-- rendered HTML content -->
<div class="footer-text">&copy;2012 Site Name</div>

<!--in functions.php (to enable the field in the Theme Customizer) -->

<?php

$wp_customize->add_section( 'footer', array(
		'title'          => 'Footer',
		'priority'       => 105,
	) );

$wp_customize->add_setting( 'footer_text', array(
		'default'        => '',
	) );

	$wp_customize->add_control( 'footer_text', array(
		'label'   => 'Footer Tagline',
		'section' => 'footer',
		'type'    => 'text',
	) );

I posted this as part of a support forum ticket on WP.org, but I figured someone else might find it useful. Enjoy!

Awesome - thanks for this Clark