It was the album I dedicated to my father, a"h. It's been a while and a long ride since I recorded it. To celebrate all of it, the anniversary, my new newsletter, Purim, St. Patty’s day, whatever… I’m giving you TWO free MP3 downloads to enjoy. First, the title track to my current CD, “Reach Out,” and, from TIA, the Purim song, “V’nahafoch Hu” which means “it was turned around,” (referring to Haman’s foiled plan to destroy the Jews). It’s NUTS!! Enjoy it.

"10" must be my lucky number this year. “Reach Out” is also my 10th solo album. Since it’s release this past year, my musical life and priorities have changed. People ask me, “what kind of album is it?” and I had problems answering without going into a whole story, but here’s the nutshell: The album, combining Jewish origins, modern issues and diverse musical influences, is not meant to be Chassidic, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, etc... it's human and it's universal.

If you haven’t experienced it, I encourage you to get it. Try a store, my website, iTunes, etc. “Reach Out” has a special theology: Prayer may be important, but certain priorities must be in order before those prayers can have genuine value. Our fellow humans are right in front of us, yet we still can’t see how they need us.

The songs touch on our relationship to G-d, but they emphasize our relationship to our fellow man and to ourselves. “As we pray for G-d to help, we still live man-to-man.”

At the same time, many in the religious audiences are trying to resist certain musical influences into their lives. Many say they hate Jewish music, many feel it’s supposed to sound one way only. One man recently told me that if it’s not good, then it’s “goyish.” Sad, but the heck with him…

There’s a lot of damaging ignorance, hypocrisy, fear and even hatred gathered amongst listeners of Jewish music. I’ve always hoped to make important and unique statements with music that acceptable to as many people as possible, but the challenge goes far beyond art. It’s a matter of context…you must often be trusted first before they accept your music. The listener needs to be confident that you won’t violate any religious meaning or respectability when involved in religious matters. Unnecessarily difficult sometimes, but that’s the way it is.

With the help of my stage band, Takana, I have been able to convey these messages to a growing public. While in Israel this past fall, I did some performing and released an Israeli edition of “Reach Out.” I spent time with family and friends, filmed a video, met with stars and rabbis (which is often the same thing) and I learned a lot about different audiences. Originality seems to be more acceptable over there. Why? I have my theories. We’ll talk about it…

Now, I’m in my studio again, producing a “modern Jewish wedding album,” which is hard or impossible to find, especially in the United States. It’s becoming a pretty large production for me and we're looking forward to a Chanukah 2008 release to a very diverse and unprecedented audience.

Through the spring and into the summer, we have some exciting shows planned, including Chabad concerts in Montgomery County, PA, Scranton, PA and Los Angeles. We’ll even be visiting Long Branch, New Jersey on Passover at the Ocean Place Resort & Spa (we’re performing in the resort, not the spa), so hang on…it’s going to be a bumpy ride (hopefully)!

I’ve also re-opened my blog, americanjewishmusic.blogspot.com, so please come join us, add your two cents about what’s going on out there, tell your friends and let’s mix it up!

Happy Purim!

--Gershon