Sending Out an SOS to the World

This is an update to a post I wrote on September 26 about SingSOS! (sing Songs of the Spectrum), the incredibly caring and committed group whose members have been spending every waking hour of the week – month after month – for a couple of years now – putting out an album of songs they've written about the experience of living with a child (or being a child) on the autism spectrum. (Along with a specially selected treasury of must reading for anyone interested in this growing issue.)

Well, the songs have all been recorded by a fantastic roster of well-known and emerging artists, including Jackson Browne and Valerie Carter, Dar Williams, Ollabelle, Richard Julian, Teddy Geiger, Marshall Crenshaw, Jonatha Brooke and many more.

It sounds terrific, and looks terrific, too. Thanks to the many submissions received from some very talented artists with autism who vied to have their works chosen for the CD's cover, which has been designed by former Atlantic Records creative director Liz Barrett.

Now here's the real news: the SingSOS! site is now up and running. You can listen to and read about the songs, look at photos of the artists, click links to other informative sites, and most importantly, purchase the music –in your choice of digital download or physical CD package.

But you get to choose more than just how to receive the music. You can also choose which leading autism group gets your donation. All the major groups are represented in a drop down menu as you make your purchase. If your favorite group isn't there, there's a box in which you can suggest one to be added later. There's also a form for groups themselves to apply.

Ninety percent of all proceeds will go to these groups. All SingSOS! asks of them is that they promote the CD among their memberships. (The remaining ten percent goes to production costs and a war chest for another push in April, which is Autism Awareness Month.)

Great music and great information. All put together by people who really care about this growing issue.

Please buy the album. Or at the very least, spread the word.

Let's help these folks put out a much needed SOS.

Thanks.

– Mark