|
MYSTIC –
Bill Pere, an internationally published songwriter, has released his 15th
CD, “Dare to Dream.” Known in the national songwriting community as an
exceptional lyricist and songwriting educator, Pere has produced this new
30song, 2-disc collection which looks at the panorama of human experience
from birth to death, through our dreams, hopes, and aspirations.
The CD was recorded over a three-year period at the
Mystic-based Connecticut Songwriting Academy, and includes participation
from many guest artists and area youth from 12 different schools. Included
are tracks featuring vocals from the 2006 Voices for Hope winners Jaclyn
Sabogal, from Massachusetts and Kayla Bogan, from New Jersey.
Pere, one of Connecticut’s Official State Troubadours
(‘ 95), is the founder and executive director of L.U.N.C.H. (Local United
Network to Combat Hunger), which uses the power of popular music to produce
positive social action. Proceeds from the sale of the recording will benefit
local social service agencies in Southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Since 1989, Pere’s recordings have raised tens of thousands of dollars for
programs which provide assistance for those in need of food and shelter,
while giving hundreds of area students a service-learning opportunity
Top |
|
to
record
professionally and to see that they can make a difference in the lives of
others.
Featured on the CD is “The Wish,” written by Pere in 1997, and originally
released on “The Time is Now,” a compilation of songs relating to hunger and
poverty, with such other noted artists as Pete Seeger and John Cafferty.
“The Wish” reached 1 on the Number One Music folk charts during the week of
March 4, 2007. Also featured are “Alizarin Crimson” and “Flickers,” two
songs about Pere’s experience as a young teenager, watching his father’s
descent into the world of Alzheimer’s disease. Pere will designate royalties
from these songs to benefit Alzheimer’s research and support groups.
The CD is available through i-Tunes, through the LUNCH
Web site at
www.lunchensemble.com, through Best Buy, and will soon be available
worldwide through all the other major digital download sites such as
Rhapsody and Music Net. Pere’s next performance with the LUNCH Ensemble will
be Saturday March 24, 3 p.m. at the Bradford Elementary School, Bradford,
R.I., to benefit the Jonnycake Center. He will be performing at the Shubert
Theater in New Haven on June 1 with the original Harry Chapin Band |
