 In January 2008, Reach performed as guest artist with the Howard Paul Trio at the Jazz Corner on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, a venue he returned to with his own trio on October 3 and 4.On March 20, 2008, at the invitation of Chuck Leishman, publisher of "The Birmingham Weekly", he directed the house band at the 2008 Birmingham Area Music Awards.From July 20–26, 2008, he performed at the W. C. Handy Music Festival.