Local teenagers, 18 and younger, are invited to submit their original music for consideration of use on a drunk driving awareness CD.

“What better way to use my music than to save other kids’ lives,” Becca Levy, 13-year-old singer and songwriter, said. “Drunk driving affects everyone regardless of his or her age. I hope you will join me in this fight. Together we can all make a difference.”

Levy, a Washington, D.C. native, is all too aware of the dangers associated with drunk driving teenagers.

“I became aware of some sobering statistics,” she said. “I decided that this was an area that I wanted to try to make a difference in. People are dying at an alarming rate because they drive after drinking. It’s just stupid, and it is 100 percent avoidable.”

With a mindset and a resolve that seldom come at such a young age, Becca turned to the best way she knows how to make a statement: her music.

“I have been lucky enough to be named National Spokesperson for the Stop Drunk Driving Now Kids Saving Kids CD campaign,” she said.

The campaign marks the first time that talented young musicians from across America will work together to use their music to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence.

“The response from America’s young musicians has been just great,” she said. “We have received music from across the nation.”

Sean Hardin, 14, Sugarland, Texas, was recently selected to represent the Houston area.

“I’m excited to be a part of this campaign to save other kids lives with my music,” Hardin said. A total of 30 artists from across the country will appear on a digitally distributed CD, and the music of these talented young people will be available for free downloading by anyone in America.

When people visit the page to hear the music, they will see a host of messages – designed by high school and college students – about the brutal costs of drunk driving, as well as prevention messages.

“This is another weapon in our drunk driving prevention arsenal,” said Ronald Bellanti, president of Boston-based Illumina Records and the founder of the Kids Saving Kids program. “The earlier we start kids thinking about not getting behind the wheel drunk, the better.”

The artists that appear on the CD will all be younger than 18. That means that the music will not only be created by young artists but geared to young listeners.

“I am very excited to join forces with many talented young performers,” Levy said. “This is a great way for kids from across America to work together and save lives. To be able to achieve that through our music is amazing.”

Interested teens must submit an MP3 or a WAV file of one of their songs, along with the musician’s age, hometown and parents’ or guardian’s contact information.

Musicians must be 18 or younger and have at least one recorded, original song to submit.

Music can be submitted at ksksubmit@stopddnow.com. For more information about Levy and to hear her music, visit www.beccalevy.com.

For more information about the Kids Saving Kids requirements, visit www.myspace.com/ksk01.

http://www.news-star.com/news/education/x1121878816/Local-teen-musicians-sought-for-national-drunk-driving-awareness-CD