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Local Rock Band and Author Team Up for Literacy Initiative

Profits to Benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation

             They may seem to some like they belong at opposite ends of a spectrum, but two worlds are about to collide when rock meets literature. Fast on the heels of the release of Marc Spicer’s Saviors Among Us: Situation Critical, local rock band Knatty Zeff has released an original CD single based on the work. The end result is a special Limited Edition copy of the novel that comes complete with an exclusive copy of Knatty Zeff’s CD Single and a host of coupons for free food from local venues while raising funds for a very worthy cause.

The project began shortly after Knatty Zeff’s lead guitarist, Terry Fisher, purchased a copy of Spicer’s novel. “We were celebrating my son’s 12th birthday,” explained Fisher. “He was given a video game system, video games, remote control cars, and a digital camera. He snatched Saviors Among Us: Situation Critical out of my hand and read it cover to cover. Everything else sat in the corner.”

Fisher then had the idea of resurrecting a song written by the band’s bassist and lead vocalist, Keith Jeror, and rewriting the lyrics to reflect Spicer’s novel. “We invited Marc to attend one of our rehearsals last spring. He excitedly gave the song his approval.”

It was at this point, Spicer explains, that the “Rock & Read” project was born. “After the rehearsal, Terry, Keith, Scott McGovern (drummer), and I sat down to discuss what we could do with the song and the novel. We decided to rerelease Saviors Among Us: Situation Critical with a free cd single of the song.”

“Saviors Among Us” is a described by Fisher, as a musical experience that brings Spicer’s adventure to life. “Recorded in July 2010 at NCPR, Canton, NY by Joel Hurd and mastered by music industry legend James Phillips, the song combines over 30 individual tracks into one four-minute high-end sound experience.” The CD single of “Saviors Among Us” by Knatty Zeff features Keith Jeror - Bass Guitar & Lead Vocals; Terry Fisher - Lead Guitar & Vocals; Alex Vangellow - Drums & Vocals; with guest Marc Spicer - Vocals.

“We agreed right from the beginning,” Spicer said, “that the intent was to create an initiative that would encourage young adults to read. We also agreed we would not seek any profits. The problem was what to do with any profits that might be generated through the project.”

“One day,” Fisher said, “Marc called me and suggested we donate any (and all of the) profits to the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Northeast New York. This organization grants wishes to kids who are facing life-threatening illnesses. How wonderful is that? Keith and I were instantly on board.”

“We are issuing a challenge to local organizations to match the funds we raise for the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” Spicer said. “The Rock ‘N’ Read project will only raise a couple hundred dollars, so the financial commitment isn’t really that big. However, if several local organizations pledge to match our total donation, match us up to a certain amount, or donate a certain amount, then together we can make a huge donation.”

The average cost of a wish in the Northeast New York chapter is $10,000.

Both Spicer and Fisher are hoping that through the generosity of local organizations, enough funds will be raised to grant a wish. “This is a chance for local organizations to show what the North Country is all about. And what better way than to make a child’s dream come true?” Organizations wishing to make a donation are encouraged to visit the novel’s official Web Site at www.SaviorsAmongUs.com.

Saviors Among Us 1.0: Situation Critical (Limited Edition with Knatty Zeff CD Single “Saviors Among Us”) is a local release only and will be sealed in a comic book bag and packaged with a brand new cover by Megan Manson of Immortal Phoenix Studios, comic book backer board, three coupons for free Burger King Food, and gift certificates for a free taco from Taco Bell (Malone), a free donut from Dunkin Donuts (Malone), and a large ice cream cone or fountain soda from Collins Green Stop (North Bangor).

The Limited Edition package is now on sale for the same amount as the book’s original release price of $16.96 and will be available at:

• Collins Green Stop (N. Bangor)
• Chez Madeline (Malone)
• Bronze Image (Malone)
• Borders (Plattsburgh)
• Alix's True Value Hardware (Chateaugay)
• Northern Music & Video (Potsdam).

For more information, visit www.SaviorsAmongUs.com. Several music videos for “Saviors Among Us” are also available on YouTube.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.  The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York serves the 15 counties comprising the 518 area code.  The chapter grants 90 to 100 wishes each year and has granted more than 1,125 since 1986.

For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.neny.wish.org or www.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish^®.