Kickstarter

"Wahida" means Unity or Oneness in Urdu and Arabic.  Tom Larson and Andrew Ward are trying to complete an album of traditional gospel, bluegrass and New Orleans style songs translated into Urdu.  These songs have been carefully chosen to bridge the cultural divide existing between the US and the Urdu-speaking world - namely Pakistan and India.  Connections between the ecstatic gospel tradition and the Sufi qawwalis have be found and emphasized.  No song chosen involves Hellfire or brimstone; they make no effort to judge, convert or convince.  These songs are strictly about living rightly and justly and doing everything we can to make the world a better place for everyone who lives in it regardless of where they call home or what language they speak.

The money raised through this kickstarter will go to paying the musicians, certifying translations and mixing and mastering the album.  The Nashville recording sessions will be held on April 22nd and April 29th with such luminaries as Jonnell Mosser and the McCrary Sisters lending their extraordinary skills to this noble endeavor.

Our long term goal is to further the cause of peace and unity through music by bringing over the entire band and performing these songs in Pakistan and India.