Rock 'n Roll Benefit for Prevention

By Lisa Adler with John Aulabaugh

Alt country rock ‘n roll singer and storyteller John Aulabaugh is all about using music to help those struggling with addiction and recovery. The former Fairfax County businessman is a man with a mission and cause to not only entertain but leverage the healing power of music.

With Rami Jaffee of The Foo Fights and The Wallflowers as the executive producer of his new debut album, Aulabaugh hopes his music reaches a wide audience that benefits his charitable efforts to help those impacted by substance abuse. His new album, Of Sins Present and Past, will be released next month and features Jessy Greene (who has toured with the Foo Fighters, Wilco and Pink) on strings and Dave Krusen (Pearl Jam) on drums.

Aulabaugh will present his “Live Music with Purpose” on Friday, Feb. 27 as a special benefit in support of the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County (UPC). The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at Old Fire Station #3, located at 3988 University Dr. in Fairfax, Va. This event is restricted to those 21 years and up.

We really appreciate this opportunity for John Aulabaugh to share his inspiring music of hope and empathy to benefit the Unified Prevention Coalition in its work to keep youth and young adults safe and drug free. At UPC, we know the devastating consequences that drugs and alcohol abuse can have on teens, young adults and their families.

Aulabaugh said it was his personal experience of witnessing several in his life fall prey to the destruction of alcohol and drugs that inspired him to use his music to help those struggling with addiction and recovery.

We talked with John about his own advice on talking with your children about drugs and alcohol. “The key time to start the conversation is when your kids are tiny,” he said, adding that it is part of being a good parent just as “When they’re young, dive on the floor with them and be a part of their world. When they’re curious, put down your iPhone and turn off the football game to read to them…READ TO THEM. Explain the world in a realistic and hopeful way that doesn’t judge anyone and gives everyone the benefit of the doubt.”

“How is it that my kids have their heads on straight about drinking and drugs?” he said. “It’s not really about substance abuse at all, it’s all about self-respect and self-control.”

Aulabaugh admits that “advising a parent with a teenager who might be tempted to experiment is a little out of my comfort zone,” as he has been fortunate that hasn’t been an issue for his family.

His 18-year-old twins graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology last year, and “both boys are in top colleges studying computer science.”

“While they both have watched their roommates and dorm friends stagger in from bars and vomit in the halls, my boys have been content to watch this world from the outside looking in,” he said.

For parents of teenagers, he does have some suggestions:

• Say NO. Your child wants to stay at a friend’s house and you aren’t comfortable with it, chances are your child isn’t either and WANTS you to say NO. It won’t go over well and you’ll be the bad guy, but there are worse options.
• ALWAYS CHECK any story out that you are given. If your child has lied to you, treat it as a disappointment and not a capital offense.
• Provide a stable and loving environment. Talk calmly and listen completely. Explain and compromise within reason. Make your child feel like he has a choice in his future.
• Let your child know how important his future is every day! Tell him he can do anything he sets his mind to.
• Make home a place your child wants to be
• Stick to a schedule and regimens – dinner together, limited TV and internet time, encourage creative things your child will love like music, sports and art. This gives a high that also provides peace.

“How do you talk to your child about not doing drugs?” Aulabaugh said. “Don’t talk to your child with the purpose of keeping him from doing drugs, talk to your child because you love your child and you want to enjoy him forever.”

We hope you’ll come out and rock ‘n roll and help the Unified Prevention Coalition in our efforts to keep our youth safe and drug free.

TICKETS: Online ($20 for preferred seating and $10 general admission) at http://johnaulabaugh.com/shows_page/oldfirestationno3/ If still available, $12 at the door (doors open at 6:30 p.m.). This event is restricted to those 21 years and up.

Lisa Adler is the president of the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County.

John Aulabaugh is a singer-songwriter. To learn more and hear his music, please visit www.johnaulabaugh.com.

The Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County is a nonprofit organization with more than 60 community partners working together to keep youth and young adults safe and drug-free. Visit www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org and www.facebook.com/unifiedpreventioncoalition. Follow the group on Twitter at www.twitter.com/keepyouthsafe. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org/donate.