The criminal justice system often leaves incarcerated individuals feeling isolated and disconnected from society. Behind prison walls are stories of reflection, personal growth, redemption, and transformation that are rarely seen by the outside world.
A New Song USA is working to bridge that divide through the universal language of music. By bringing live concerts into correctional facilities and sharing the stories and messages that emerge from these experiences, the organization hopes to encourage rehabilitation, inspire communities, and remind people everywhere of the power of art used for good.
In this interview, founder Gedalya Sloshay discusses the origins of A New Song USA, the impact of prison concerts, the responsibility of artists, and the organization's vision to create a nationwide movement where creativity becomes a force for positive change.
Q: What inspired A New Song USA to launch this nationwide initiative focused specifically on prison concerts?
Gedalya Sloshay: The beginning of A New Song USA actually happened somewhat unexpectedly.
I was performing in Detroit when I met a prison chaplain who heard my music and felt that the messages in my songs could have a positive impact on incarcerated individuals. He invited me to come perform for a group of men inside a correctional facility.
That experience changed the way I looked at music forever.
When I walked into that room, I saw something I had never experienced before. People were completely focused. There were no phones, no distractions, and nowhere else they needed to be. They were truly listening.
I could see that the messages in the songs were reaching them—not just as entertainment, but as ideas that made them think about their lives, their choices, their relationships, and their future.
That experience became the foundation for what would eventually become A New Song USA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to using music and the arts as tools for hope, connection, and positive transformation.
Since then, we have had the privilege of bringing concerts into correctional facilities in multiple states, sharing original music and messages of encouragement with incarcerated individuals who are searching for meaning, growth, and a better future.
That experience made me realize something much bigger: art has power.
And that power is not only needed inside prisons. It is needed everywhere.
Every song, every painting, every film, every story, and every creative expression sends a message into the world. The question we have to ask ourselves is: What messages are we putting into people's hearts and minds?
Art can influence what people value, what they pursue, and how they see themselves and others. When art is used to promote compassion, responsibility, hope, and human dignity, it can help people become better.
A New Song USA was created to use music as a tool for positive change—to bring messages that inspire people and remind them that every person has the ability to grow and write a new chapter in their life.
Q: Live music has a unique way of breaking down barriers. How do the incarcerated individuals typically respond to these performances?
Gedalya Sloshay: The response has been deeply moving.
When I walk into a prison, I am not there to judge anyone or define them by their past. I am there as a musician and as a fellow human being, sharing songs about life, struggles, choices, hope, and the possibility of becoming better.
Music creates a moment where labels disappear. The audience is no longer simply "inmates," and I am no longer just a performer. We become people sharing a meaningful experience together.
Many individuals have told me that the concerts remind them that they still matter and that their story is not finished. A song can bring back memories of family, inspire someone to make different choices, or simply remind someone that there is still goodness and beauty in the world.
But I believe this message goes far beyond prison walls.
Everyone is influenced by the messages they consume. The art we create and support helps shape the culture around us.
If we want a world with more kindness, responsibility, and understanding, then we need to create and share art that encourages those values.
Q: A major part of this project involves sharing the stories and songs from these concerts with the public. What is the main message you hope audiences take away?
Gedalya Sloshay: The main message is that art matters.
We live in a world where people are constantly receiving messages about what success means, what happiness means, and what is valuable. Unfortunately, some of those messages can encourage selfishness, division, anger, or unhealthy ambitions.
But art can offer another message.
A song can remind someone about compassion. A story can inspire someone to forgive. A creative work can encourage someone to make a better choice.
I believe artists have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility. The gifts we have can simply entertain people, but they can also touch the soul and encourage positive change.
This is not only about prison concerts. This is about the entire world.
The messages we put into society influence the kind of society we create.
The mission of A New Song USA is based on the belief that music and all forms of art can help influence people toward goodness, compassion, understanding, and a greater sense of humanity.
Q: Transforming societal views on incarceration is a massive challenge. How does sharing these specific human stories foster greater empathy in communities?
Gedalya Sloshay: Human beings connect through stories.
When someone is only seen as a label, it becomes easy to forget their humanity. But when you hear someone's story—their struggles, their regrets, their hopes, and their desire to change—you begin to see a complete person.
Sharing these stories does not mean ignoring accountability. Justice matters. But so does rehabilitation.
A healthier society is one that believes people can be held responsible while also being given opportunities to grow.
Music helps us remember something important: beneath all of our differences, we share many of the same hopes, fears, and dreams.
Our goal is to help people see the possibility of transformation and recognize that every person has the potential to contribute something positive to the world.
Q: Can you share a specific moment from one of your recent prison concerts that highlights the profound impact of your mission?
Gedalya Sloshay: One of the moments that stays with me most happened during a concert at Rikers Island.
After I performed, one of the incarcerated individuals approached me and asked, "Why are you doing this?"
What he was really asking was: "Why are you coming here and performing for free? You could be out in the world performing for money, recognition, and fame."
It was a powerful question.
Instead of answering immediately, I turned the question around and asked him:
"What do you think music is supposed to be used for? Should music only speak to the body, or should it also speak to the soul?"
I explained that I believe music—and all forms of art—have tremendous power. They influence how people think, what they value, and how they see themselves and others.
Art can simply entertain, but it can also inspire. It can challenge people to grow. It can bring messages of truth, compassion, and humanity into the world.
I told him that I come to prisons because I believe my purpose as an artist is not only to perform, but to use music as a tool to encourage people to become better and to offer messages that can inspire positive change.
When I finished speaking, something happened that I will never forget.
The entire room became completely silent. There were approximately 100 to 200 incarcerated individuals there, and you could feel that everyone was reflecting on what had been said.
It was not an uncomfortable silence. It was a meaningful silence—the kind where you know something has reached people deeply.
In that moment, I felt that everyone understood the deeper purpose behind what we were doing.
That moment represents the heart of A New Song USA.
We are trying to bring people together through music and share messages that remind us of our shared humanity.
Q: As this nationwide initiative grows, what are the next steps for A New Song USA to reach even more facilities across the country?
Gedalya Sloshay: As A New Song USA continues to grow as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our vision for the future is much larger than simply bringing more concerts to more prisons.
While continuing to expand our prison concert program remains a major goal, we also want to create a nationwide network that allows more artists to participate in this mission.
One of our goals is to become an approved organization on state and federal correctional facility rosters so that musicians and artists across the country can have opportunities to volunteer their talents and bring meaningful messages into these environments.
There are many artists who want their creativity to make a positive difference. They may have spent years developing their gifts, but they are looking for opportunities to use those gifts in a way that serves something greater than themselves.
We want A New Song USA to become a pathway for artists to use their music and creativity for good—to inspire hope, encourage personal growth, and remind people of their shared humanity.
At the same time, we believe this message belongs in every community, not only inside prisons.
We hope to expand through community concerts, educational programs, and even home concerts where people can experience the power of music and conversation in an intimate setting.
Ultimately, our goal is to create a movement that reminds people everywhere that art has influence.
The messages we create and share help shape the kind of world we build together.
Support the Mission
A New Song USA is grateful to recently receive the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, recognizing our commitment to openness and accountability as we continue expanding this mission.
To learn more about A New Song USA, our programs, and our commitment to transparency, visit our Candid profile:
https://app.candid.org/profile/9908188/a-new-song-inc-85-2049604
As we work to bring more concerts, stories, and opportunities for positive artistic expression to correctional facilities and communities across the country, we invite those who believe in the power of music and human connection to support this mission.
Together, we can continue using art as a force for hope, healing, and positive change.
