On March 23, 2004 the American Family Coalition released a new Compact Disc featuring songs inspired by the Middle East Peace Initiative (MEPI). The 14 tracks on the CD represent a wide array of artists whose musical styles and influences are as varied as the multicultural make up of the MEPI and its supporters.

There is a very interesting story here. In October of 2003, Utah state senator Howard Stevensen traveled to Israel on the third MEPI Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Senator Stevensen was moved to tears by his experience in Jerusalem and upon his return to Utah, testified about his trip to his close friend and colleague, Senator Orrin Hatch.

Now I didnt know this, but Sen. Hatch is a prolific songwriter who has produced several CDs with his friends in Utah, including Dan Whitely, a former member of folk group, The Lettermen. Senator Hatch and Dan wrote a song based on the inspiration of the MEPI ("The Jerusalem Peace Song"), which in turn inspired Jim Flynn and MEPI leadership to produce a CD of music about peace and reconciliation. They asked me to put together a compilation CD (in about two weeks!) in order that it could be available for the Ambassadors for Peace/Coronation banquet that took place in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. on March 23.

At about the same time, Rick Jozwick from California was working with composer Barry Fasman (producer of the hit movie "Fame") to produce a peace song based on the MEPI slogan ---"PEACE, SHALOM, SALAAM ALAIKUM." At Jim Flynns request I contacted Rick and a number of our musician friends who are involved in peace issues to ask them to "donate" a songs to the project.

We wanted to call the CD "Heart to Heart" which was the theme of the MEPI rally in Jerusalem on December 22, 2003. Since we didnt have a title song I quickly set about to compose the song "Heart to Heart" with my good friend and partner in peace, Lynda Laleh Nader. We were able to get it recorded in just two days.

The CD cover is a photo of the "Heart to Heart" peace walk in Jerusalem. The slogan of "Peace, Shalom, Salaam Alaikum" has become the official chant/motto of the MEPI rallies and as youll hear, it features prominently in a number of the songs on the CD including live audio from the "Heart to Heart" rally in December.

___s enchanting arrangement of Jean Sibelius "Song of Peace" was the music used in the Coronation ceremony in Israels Independence Park and is also included on the CD.

In addition to Laleh, ___ and myself, other artists represented on the MEPI CD include Jamie Peterson, Raoul Joseph, Rev. Philip Thomas, Second Generation singer songwriter Chris Alan Derflinger, Mzuri, the Sadoc Christian Singers, Kevin Pickard, Randy Remmel, Diego Costa and Senator Hatchs collaborators from Utah.

The "Heart to Heart" CD can be purchased on line for $15 plus $4.95 for shipping and handling at www.peacerally.info

On my return to Israel for the WFWP conference in May, I met many more musicians who wanted to contribute their songs to a future MEPI CD project.

Stay tuned!

1.) Peace Marches (:27)

(Live audio from the MEPI peace rallies in Jerusalem, 2003)

2.) Peace, Shalom, Salaam Alaikum --- a cappella version (:44)

Vocals by Rev. Philip Thomas, Laleh, Raoul Joseph, David Eaton

3.) We Will Stand (3:51)

(Rev. Philip Thomas/David Eaton) Vocals by Rev. Philip Thomas

4.) Cool Revolution (3:53)

(Laleh/Dezrock) Vocals by Laleh

5.) We Are (5:06)

(Chris Alan Derflinger) Vocals by Chris Alan

6.) True Love Will Find a Way (4:31)

(Laleh/David Eaton) Vocals by Laleh

7.) Peace, Shalom, Salaam Alaikum --- West Coast version (4:23)

(Barry Fasman & Rick Joswick) Vocals by the Sadoc Christian Singers

8.) Soulin (3:44)

(David Eaton) Vocals by Mzuri, Rev. Philip Thomas

9.) Jerusalem Peace Song (3:50)

(Orrin Hatch/Howard Stevenson/Dan Whitley/Stan Seale)

Vocals by Jeff Gregerson, Mel Teeples, Dan Whitley, Brooks Teeples

10.) Peace, Shalom, Salaam Alaikum --- South American version (3:34)

(Diego Costa) Vocals by Diego Costa

11.) Morning Of An Age (3:36)

(Randolph Remmel & Kevin Pickard) Vocal by Jamie Peterson

12.) A Song of Peace (5:26)

(Jean Sibelius) Vocal by ___

13.) Peace Shalom, Salaam Alaikum --- Gospel version (2:28)

14.) Heart to Heart (4:02)

(Laleh/David Eaton) Vocals by Laleh

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