"We can change the world with love. A spiritual awakening is upon us," says Garden City's resident musical talent Tom Humbert. The last year of the 20th century brought Humbert success and recognition as the release of his new CD, The Way of Life hit stores and he toured the country bringing his message of faith and joy of life to enthusiastic audiences. Now, in the dawning of a new era, he expands the scope of his musical message with a series of concerts and the creation of a new website: www.tomhumbert.com.

At the church where he is musical director, St. Gregory the Great in Bellerose (718-347-3707), he will kick off the celebration of what the church has termed, "The Jubilee Year" with a special millennium concert at 8 p.m. on Jan. 8. Humbert says of his CD and the upcoming performance, "It is my hope that these songs will help you on your journey as we all prepare for the new millennium and beyond. Peace!"

Humbert, a Libra born on Oct. 20, loves spending time with his wife and new baby Joanna Marie, and an eclectic array of hobbies, including carpentry, tennis, skiing, skate boarding, golf, frisbee, jogging, watching the New York Jets and cooking and entertaining with friends. His new CD reflects his own diverse CD collection with samples from Linda Eder, SmashMouth, Pink Floyd and Puccini. Humbert is, as most deeply spiritual people, a man who can list his favorite gospel passage, but is also a young, hip Garden City resident who lists his favorite food as a slurpy and his favorite clothes as T-shirts and "loud jackets." He says his favorite word is "'and', because there has to be more." At 6'2" and 190 lbs. with blonde hair and blue eyes he has fans not only for his musical talents and spiritual message, but his engaging looks, but while he finds the admiration of his female fans flattering he says that's not what he's about.

Amid his thanks to musicians who performed on the CD with him like Richie Cannata of Billy Joel concert fame, he sends special thanks out on his new website to "Saint Gregory the Great Chamber Singers, Children's Choir, and friends -- could not have done it without you! ... If it wasn't for Monsignor Jim Lisante, this may have taken even longer; Thanks for the push! I thank God every day for my wife Lisa. She is my inspiration, my anchor and my best friend. I love you baby! To my daughter Joanna Marie, for nine months I asked her to wait until this recording was finished before she entered the world and she did. That will probably be the last time she listens to her father. Finally, none of this would have been possible without the creative vision and executive expertise of Kathleen McVetty. From the very beginning, she believed in me and the message that I sing. You're my guardian angel Kathy! God smiled on me the day you came into my life!"

The CD, which features musical arrangements by Brian D. Taylor, Tom Humbert, and Paul Trueblood, as well as vocal arrangements by Tom Humbert, Brian D. Taylor, and Bettina Covo, features a choir of: Matt Bellas, Julia Bodden, Diane Capuano O.P., Ronnie Dart, Jim Flynn, Tom Humbert, Madeleine Maier, Theresa Rowden, Brian D. Taylor, Cecelia Vaicels, Sonja Zahn and Lynn Zeuner. Also, a children's choir features: Julianne Alonza, Christina Buoninfonte, Kristina Connors, Lisa Corvo, Mary Crimmins, Margaret Doherty, Elizabeth Flynn, Patty Forgione, Emily Graney, Hope Hallazgo, Melissa King, Kelly Lynch, and Amanda Mathew. Also, the photography on the back cover of the album is by Humbert's wife, Lisa and on the inside cover the work is by Barry Burns. The front cover's artwork and design is by Maureen E. Carey, O.P. Graphic Design was done by Kas Carey and Cousin Graphics, Inc.

Since the first time Garden City Life featured a story about The Way of Life, readers have called asking where the CD is available locally. Some retailers carrying the CD besides suppliers like Amazon.com are: Advent Religious Supplies at 40 North Village Avenue in Rockville Centre (536-7900); Greystone Abbey Religious Goods at 564 Westbury Avenue in Carle Place (334-3757); Walsh-Conley Religious Goods at 38 N. Franklin Avenue in Hempstead (485-4222); The Rock at 2013 Wantagh Avenue in Wantagh (221-7722); and Lond Island Catholic Supply at Roosevelt Field Mall (746-5660).

Fans of the album and audience members inspired by his concerts have been sending fan mail to his producer which is now being posted on his website. To add to the fan club's outpouring, write to JSC Productions at 175 Fifth Avenue, #2252, NY, NY 10010. Fans have written such praise as, "Some of your music just lit me up smiling and dancing ... and in the next breath I cried so hard I don't even know where the breath came from Your CD is incredibly wonderful. I hope the whole world will get to enjoy it. ...your music is inspiring and touches the soul. It touched mine. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know how I felt. -- Kimmy C. from Orlando, FL." Another wrote, "I believe in you. ... All my friends believe in you. Anyone whose ever heard you sing or seen you perform (unless they're crazy) believes in you. God believes in your talents. He gave you these gifts and sprinkled you with a 'sparkle and shine' personality, so you would do just what you're doing now and glorify Him... You save souls through your singing... -- Bernadette P., Queens, NY."

The next local concert listing for Humbert following the Jan. 8 concert at St. Gregory the Great, he will be performing on Jan. 30 at 3 p.m. at the United Methodist Church on Main Street and Grant Avenue. Call 694-3424 for more information. This concert will feature vocals and a trumpet and organ concert with Rodger Lee-Trp for Les Miserables. Concert listings are also posted on the website and updated regularly.