Do you have an aspiring musician in your home? Do you have teens making music in your garage or basement? USAA and U-TURN have partnered to bring a very cool opportunity, a contest, for the musician in your home.

USAA and U-TURN are looking for the Next Great American Road Song. Sponsored by USAA the call for entries has begun for U-TURN's annual Garage Band Playoff '09 (www.garagebandplayoff.com), a national battle-of-the-bands competition.

This year - in the tradition of songs like Stepenwolf's "Born to Be Wild," and Rascal Flatts' "Life is a Highway" - U-TURN's judges are seeking original compositions that celebrate cars, driving and the freedom of the open road. Song entries can be something the artists have previously written and recorded or a completely new creation.
If your song makes the cut you will face off in a series of online, head-to-head match-ups against others...until only one song is left to be named "The Next Great American Road Song."

THE GRAND PRIZE INCLUDES:
• $2,500 cash
• a professional photo and video shoot
• an in-depth interview on U-TURN's audio podcast
• tons of free buzz on MySpace, Facebook and more!

RULES OF THE ROAD:
• Open to solo artists, groups and bands of any musical genre
• Song must be original (no covers)
• Song topic must be about cars, driving or the freedom of the open road (instrumentals OK if evokes a driving feel)
• Song must be clean/radio-friendly
• Solo artist or at least one band member must also be a USAA member
• Solo artist or all band members must be ages 13-21 (as of July 31, 2009)
•
DEADLINE TO ENTER AT WWW.GARAGEBANDPLAYOFF.COM IS JULY 31, 2009. VOTING BEGINS OCTOBER 16, 2009. FOR MORE INFORMATION, E-MAIL UTURN@USAA.COM.

I am going to reveal my age here but did you know the member of the folk-rock band "America" were military brats? It is true! They were the sons of American service members stationed in the U.K. They were playing in two different bands when they met...and, as we know, the rest is history. By the way, their mothers were British.

So, if your son or daughter has been making you crazy with that incessant drumming coming from the garage or the volume of their singing you can channel that energy to this great contest. If your kids have a band or are interested in forming one they could be the next breakthrough band! This is U-TURN's third Garage Band Playoff competition, but the first with a specific theme. Last year's competition involved 16 bands from across the country which ranged in style from' country' to 'metal.'

Check out the website (www.garagebandplayoff.com) for more information or email USAA at uturn@usaa.com. Let me know if your kids compete, I want to follow their progress and help pick a winner!

About a year ago my Sailor sent me a flyer about a food distribution on base and the need for volunteers. We both wanted to help so we signed up to serve.

We arrived that Saturday morning not knowing what to expect. We introduced ourselves as 'new volunteers, please put us to work.' We were directed to "Miss Tilly." Miss Tilly, age 85, is a spunky senior citizen. What she lacks in height she makes up for in energy and drive and she quickly set us to work.

I love Miss Tilly. I have worked with her for a year now and have watched her 'adopt' all the babies that come to the food distribution, give all the volunteers nicknames (my hubby has one he'll never forget - but I best not print it here).

Miss Tilly, widow of a deceased career Sailor, started passing out food (cheese) to military families from the back of her station wagon in 1985. Since then she has grown and expanded. The free Food Distibution takes place on the third Saturday of each month at NBVC-Port Hueneme's Building 19. Service members E-6 and below are eligible (E-7 with two dependents are eligible). Each month families receive a selected meat (turkeys at the holidays), staples, canned vegetables, baked goods such as breads and more. Diapers are distributed when available.

This coming Thursday (June 25th)Smokey's House of BBQ, joined by KHAY (100.7 FM) will honor Miss Tilly as she celbrates 28 years of working with the Military Families Food Bank. But more than just honoring a woman who wants "the volunteers recognized - not me" Smokey's House of BBQ will give a $10 Gift Card to everyone who donates $10 to the Military Families Foodbank between June 22-25th.

Please support the military families of Ventura County with your generous support. Smokeys House of BBQ is located at 1201 S. Victoria, Oxnard. Call 805/985-7125 or logon to www.smokeyshouseofbbq.com for more information. Smokey's is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

For more about Miss Tilly (Matilda Ahearn) click here.

Miss Tilly, thank you for 28 years of serving us, military families!