13 YTV Teams Up With Multi-Grammy Winner Ken Lewis

BOSTON—September 1, 2009—As students and teachers return to their classrooms over the next couple of weeks, many will be greeted by sizeable staff layoffs, inflated class sizes and extracurricular programs cut as a result of the fragile economy. Recognizing this, Boston-based rockers, Thirteen Yards to Victory (13 YTV) are announcing a massive community service, revenue-generating project, founded in the universal language of music.

On Tuesday, September 15, 2009, 13 YTV will release an EP titled American Dreamers, distributed by Tunecore, with 100% of the profit generated from this exclusive digital download release benefiting arts and music education programs across America.

Inspired by President Barack Obama’s United We Serve campaign and The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, the band’s project is designed to tap into the diversity that is America while providing a measurable financial impact on music and education programs across the United States, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories.

“Music is my life. It’s how I express myself to the world. I believe music is very powerful and I hope our public service commitment will inspire others to use their own talents, whether in music or not, to benefit people in the community,” said 19-year-old 13 YTV guitarist and vocalist Vinny Prezioso.

The band formally invites everyone everywhere to declare his or herself an “American Dreamer” as part of the band’s I’m an American Dreamer campaign and contest.

13 YTV is looking for the most creative, innovative and unique interpretations of what it means to be an “American Dreamer.” Entrants may submit videos, original music compositions, essays, the spoken word, artwork, photography or any other creative expression of his/her personal interpretation. Videos/musical compositions/presentations submitted must be less than five (5) minutes and essays should not exceed 1,000 words.

“As a bunch of guys who recently graduated from high school, we can’t imagine not having had programs like marching band, art, or theater. We, and so many of our friends, benefitted greatly from having these kinds of programs in our schools,” commented 22-year-old bassist Dave Rossi.

13 YTV approached music industry powerhouse Ken Lewis (Usher, Kanye West, Fall Out Boy, Mariah Carey, Jay-Z) to produce and mix the CD. Once the major-label, multi-Platinum producer, multiple-Grammy Award winning mix engineer and musician heard the initial tracks and the intent of the EP, he immediately signed on to the project.

Photo Credit: James Pickett