The Partnership at Drugfree.org, GRAMMY Foundation® and MusiCares® Announce 2012 Teens! Make Music Contest

Original Song and Music Video Competition Part of National Drug Facts Week

NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today marks the launch of the third annual GRAMMY Foundation^® and MusiCares^® Teens! Make Music Contest. Announced by The Partnership at Drugfree.org, along with the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares — the two nonprofit organizations of The Recording Academy^®— the contest asks young musicians, ages 14 – 18, to compose or create an original song and/or music video that explores, encourages and celebrates a healthy lifestyle or accurately depicts a story about drug abuse. Winners will be revealed during the third annual National Drug Facts Week, January 28 – February 3, 2013, coordinated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health.

"We are excited to collaborate with the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares and be part of this unique opportunity for young people across America to express their views," said Steve Pasierb, President of The Partnership at Drugfree.org. "Originally launched by NIDA in 2010, we are honored to be able to continue this successful program and recognize talented individuals helping transform the stigma of addiction into one of hope, help and recovery."

"This unique alliance between the GRAMMY Foundation, MusiCares, and The Partnership at Drugfree.org provides a visible platform for teens to share their perspectives about the dangers of substance abuse, and build awareness around the issues of addiction," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the GRAMMY Foundation, MusiCares, and The Recording Academy. "It sends a powerful message to young people to encourage healthy lifestyles, so we're proud to once again be a partner in this important initiative."

A cash award of $500 will go to the first place winner; $250 to the second prize winner; and $100 to the third place winner courtesy of the Visions Adolescent Treatment Center in Malibu, California. All winners will be invited to Los Angeles to attend the 55th annual GRAMMY Awards^® Backstage Experience, a special backstage tour that takes place while artists rehearse for the live GRAMMY Awards. They will have their musical entries posted on the GRAMMY365^® website and the MTV Act blog, as well as on the Above the Influence campaign website, sponsored by the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign — a program of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. In addition, prizes include iPads with the GarageBand app and an opportunity to release a record with Iron Ridge Road Recordings*, through Clarity Way, a drug and alcohol rehab facility in Hanover, Penn. A certificate from the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares will be given to all winners acknowledging their role in the dissemination of health information about substance abuse. The Partnership at Drugfree.org will provide technical expertise in the judging process, with points given for an accurate depiction of the subject matter.

Original music compositions or compositions with accompanying videos must be sent to GRAMMY Foundation/MusiCares postmarked no later than Monday, December 3, 2012. Entries must be no more than four minutes long. For more information, please visit www.drugfree.org/teensmakemusiccontest.

Entry address:
Teens! Make Music Contest
GRAMMY Foundation/MusiCares
3030 Olympic Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Attn: Erica Krusen

*All proceeds from Iron Ridge Road Recordings will be donated to MusiCares.

About The Partnership at Drugfree.org

Ninety percent of addictions start in the teenage years. The Partnership at Drugfree.org is dedicated to solving the problem of teen substance abuse. Together with experts in science, parenting and communications, the nonprofit translates research on teen behavior, addiction and treatment into useful and effective resources for both individuals and communities. Working toward a vision where all young people will be able to live their lives free of drug and alcohol abuse, The Partnership at Drugfree.org works with parents and other influencers to help them prevent and get help for drug and alcohol abuse by teens and young adults. The organization depends on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and the public sector and is thankful to SAG-AFTRA and the advertising and media industries for their ongoing generosity.

About The GRAMMY Foundation

The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture — from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with its founder, The Recording Academy^®, to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. Campbell's Labels for Education program is proud to be the official education partner of the GRAMMY in the Schools programs. For more information, please visit www.grammyintheschools.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, please like "GRAMMY in the Schools" on Facebook at www.facebook.com/grammyintheschools and follow @GRAMMYFdn on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GRAMMYFdn.

About MusiCares.

Established in 1989 by The Recording Academy, MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. For more information, please visit www.musicares.org. For breaking news and exclusive content, please like "MusiCares" on Facebook at www.facebook.com/musicares and follow @MusiCares on Twitter at www.twitter.com/musicares.

SOURCE The Partnership at Drugfree.org