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Writing Todd Lerner played the instruments, sang and did all the engineering for his new recording. songs began when he was 10 as a SUZANNE CHESSLER progression from working with music just about forever, he's never steal the CD!' Special to the Jewish News chords. appeared on any kind of stage. The title track relates his sense After attending the Parsons "I've been playing instruments of life. In other tracks, "Television odd Lerner is giving away School of Design in New York, and writing music all my life," says light" has to do with being happy free samples from his first Lerner, who has worked for Lerner, 45, who researched and with himself, and "Fa fa fa fa" CD to anyone with a corn- Rolling Stone, Spin and Blender studied recording technology to describes frustrations with people puter. It's his way of introducing magazines, became an illustrator take charge of producing the CD. who are evasive. and promoting songs he has writ- and graphic designer. He moved "Because of the way technology Although other tracks are not ten and recorded. on to writing copy, producing has developed, I could do all the for downloading, they can be Lerner has been preparing for advertising and exploring mar- work in a home studio." heard on the Web. his debut album, If Right Now keting before deciding to launch Lerner decided to try the give- "I've never been in a band or Played Guitar, for 10 years and is his own agency. away approach based on career tried doing live performances offering the first track, "Song for Lerner moved to Michigan 10 experiences. because I thought recording would Free,' to people who can download years ago and married Nancy While earning his living be a better way to pursue my own, it from his Web site, Koziatek, a Michiganian whom he through Todd Lerner Advertising, very personal vision of music:' wwwSongforFree.com . The sam- met in New York. Although they operated out of his Farmington Lerner says. "Now, I'm thinking ple is one of 11 numbers that divorced after having two daugh- Hills home, the music enthusiast about getting a group together!' express his outlook through alter- ters, Koziatek can be heard on has done lots of work with direct native pop-rock arrangements. Lerner's CD. marketing. After offering free mag- While the recording itself repre- "I worked with a computer, azines to potential customers, he Learning Music sents a personal milestone, it also synthesizer, piano, real drums, thought to do the same with his Lerner, who grew up in represents a public milestone bass guitar, electric guitar and recording. Philadelphia, learned how to play because it becomes the first time mixing system' , ' Lerner says. "I "Take this song for free',' is the the piano from his father, Harold he's performed for the public. played the instruments, sang and message of the sample song Lerner, an instrumental hobbyist Although it seems to him that he did all the engineering. I alsb released on his label, Todd Lerner who emphasized the importance has been experimenting with designed the CD packaging and Music. "Share the song but don't of knowing chords and included --- : T 50 kept it all with a minimalist appearance." One surprise for Lerner came after selections from If Right Now Played Guitar were broadcast by a local radio station. Interest in the CD spread to podcasts, including WWW. MUS ic.podsh OW. CO m. 'As an independent record pro- ducer, I can't get on the big radio stations, so getting heard on pod- casts has provided a wonderful opportunity for me he says. "I like being part of any radio show posted on the Internet, and I'm glad these songs are being down- loaded to computers and iPods of listeners." Besides pursuing his business and recording interests, Lerner is reconnecting with Judaism. Raised with a secular outlook, he is trying to bring a Jewish per- spective to his daughters, who are getting a Christian orienta- tion from their mother. "I recently signed up on J- Date, and I'm now looking to fall in love with a nice Jewish woman for a change explains Lerner, who enjoys playing pool for recreation. "It was connecting with JDate that gave me the idea to send the press kit for my CD to the Jewish News." El To sample Todd Lerner's CD and for purchase information, go to www.SongforFree.com . November 24 • 2005 .