The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, GRAMMY Foundation® and MusiCares® Announce Sixth Annual Teens Make Music Contest

NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today marks the launch of the sixth annual GRAMMY Foundation^® and MusiCares^® Teens Make Music Contest, in conjunction with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids as part of its Above the Influence (ATI) campaign. The contest asks young musicians, ages 14 – 18, to compose or create an original song and/or music video that celebrates life above the influence or brings attention to the real-life consequences of substance abuse.

"We are excited to continue our partnership with the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares to recognize talented young teens empowered to share their views on substance abuse and addiction," said Marcia Lee Taylor, President and CEO of the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. "As youth are bombarded with pro-drug and pro-alcohol messages, our Above the Influence program empowers teens to stand up to the daily pressures in their lives, including drug and alcohol use. The Teens Make Music Contest is a great outlet for teens to showcase why they choose to be above the influence."

"Through this unique opportunity with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, we are encouraging young people to create stories that celebrate the positive aspects of a healthy lifestyle, or reflect on the devastating effects of substance abuse," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the GRAMMY Foundation, MusiCares and The Recording Academy^®. "The Teens Make Music Contest provides a rewarding chance for teens to speak to their parents, teachers and, perhaps most importantly, their peers."

The first-place winner will receive two tickets to the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards^® at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, two tickets to the GRAMMY Celebration^®, a grand cash prize of $5,000 courtesy of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, a cash award of $500 provided by Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, and the opportunity to perform a set at the Acoustic Tent on the 2016 Vans Warped Tour in the city closest to their hometown. The second- and third-place winners will receive two tickets to the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards, cash prizes of $250 and $100 (provided by Visions Adolescent Treatment Center), respectively, and all three winners will have the opportunity to attend the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards backstage experience during rehearsals in February 2016. Other prizes include a VISA gift card valued at $250 to be used toward airfare to and from Los Angeles, two tickets to any Vans Warped Tour show, gift bags and more.

"As the world's largest music publishing company, Sony/ATV Music Publishing treasures its aspiring songwriters. We are thrilled to be a part of something so important to this generation's young writers and musicians," shared Martin Bandier, Chairman and CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

All three winners will have their original compositions posted on the MusiCares and GRAMMY Foundation's websites, the Vans Warped Tour website, and the Above the Influence website in January 2016. Winners will also be featured during National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week℠ taking place Jan. 25 – 31, 2016.

Original music compositions or compositions with accompanying videos must be sent to the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares postmarked no later than Monday, Dec. 7, 2015. Entries must be no more than four minutes long and include lyrics. For more information and to enter the contest, please visit www.abovetheinfluence.com/GRAMMYs.

About the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids is dedicated to reducing substance abuse among adolescents by supporting families and engaging with teens. We develop public education campaigns that drive awareness of teen substance abuse, and lead teen-targeted efforts that inspire young people to make positive decisions to stay healthy and avoid drugs and alcohol. On our website, drugfree.org, and through our toll-free helpline (1-855-DRUGFREE), we provide families with direct support and guidance to help them address teen substance abuse. Finally, we build healthy communities, advocating for great access to adolescent treatment and funding for youth prevention programs. As a national nonprofit, we depend on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and the public sector and are thankful to SAG-AFTRA and the advertising and media industries for their ongoing generosity. We are proud to receive a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities, as well as a National Accredited Charity Seal from The Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance.

About the "Above the Influence" Campaign

Above the Influence (ATI) is a national program led by the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids that challenges youth, ages 12 - 17, to think critically about the adverse effects of drug and alcohol use and the potential negative influences surrounding them in their social and media environment. ATI connects directly with teens and local youth-serving organizations to deliver messages, activities and support to help teens stay "above the influence" of drugs, alcohol and risky behaviors. Multiple scientific findings indicate that teens who have increased exposure to and engagement with ATI have stronger anti-drug beliefs than teens with low exposure to the campaign.

About the GRAMMY Foundation

The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1988 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture. 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. In recognition of the significant role of teachers in shaping their students' musical experiences, the GRAMMY Foundation and The Recording Academy have partnered to present an annual Music Educator Award^TM. Open to current U.S. music teachers in kindergarten through college, the third annual Music Educator Award will be given out during GRAMMY Week 2016. For more information about our music education programs, please visit www.grammyintheschools.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, please "like" GRAMMY in the Schools^® on Facebook, follow the GRAMMY Foundation on Twitter @GRAMMYFdn and join us on Instagram @GRAMMYFdn. 

About MusiCares

MusiCares was established in 1989 by The Recording Academy to provide 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 and follow @MusiCares on Twitter and Instagram.

SOURCE The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Related Links

http://www.drugfree.org