A new style of political protest arrives in State College tonight in the form of song.

Mark Erelli, a singer/songwriter with a message, will play as part of a concert series held by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County.

Erelli said his music is very lyrical and that he approaches the song as a writer, and therefore the songs that he sings deal with issues that are important to him.

"There are so many ethical dilemmas you can find just by looking at the headlines these days, especially with the current administration. The effort to find morality and hope tend to inspire my songs," Erelli said.

Erelli said although many people have termed his songs political, he sees them as more of personal expression.

"I'm not trying to write songs that are going to get someone into Congress, that's why I vote. I write songs that have topics that are deeply personal and interesting to me, and the current situation of our nation is what I care about," he said.

Erelli also said it is tricky to write about current events because there is a fear, from the songwriter's perspective, that the song will lose its meaning after a few months.

He said "The Only Way," the first song he wrote for his new album Hope and Other Casualties, is a song that hasn't lost its relevance, even after five years.

"I wrote the song after 9/11, but it's not really about 9/11. It's about the world as it could be after the tragedy. It was at a time when we were still in the stage where we had strong feelings about national unity," he said. "The song addresses the need for us to dig deep and define ourselves -- as individuals and as a nation." Erelli said the song is a reminder not to lose hope or take it for granted.

Fred Volz, the organizer of the concert, said he chose Erelli to play because of his message in his songs.

"He has an amazing ability to send a strong message that doesn't throw any stones," Volz said. "He makes it clear what he believes but doesn't attack anyone's different beliefs."

Volz said the issues Erelli addresses in his music apply to everyone. "It gives people an opportunity to look at a variety of issues, from the small every day ones to the larger ones about the war and America's global status and the war in Iraq," he said.