Two area men are using their talents to help kids make the right choices in a troubled world.

        Songwriter Wayne Perry, a Hamilton native who lives near Nashville, Tenn., joins stand-up comedian Paul Jones of Green Township and Texas singer Daron Norwood in Keep It Straight, a drug, alcohol and violence-avoidance program for young people.

        “Too many times, people are influenced by negative outside sources — movie stars, sports figures and music stars,” Mr. Perry said. “Keep It Straight gives a positive message and entertains through the music and stories of our own real-life experiences.”

        Mr. Jones often joins Mr. Norwood in speaking to students, who receive a certificate of attendance. The program features 30 minutes of music and personal comments from the performers.

        “The testimonials we receive are terrific,” Mr. Jones said. “Children want somebody to tell them the truth. In society today, we protect our kids and don't put any responsibility on the individual.”

        Mr. Norwood, who at 19 left Texas for Nashville to pursue his dream of becoming a country-music singer, signed with Giant Records several years ago.

        Unfortunately, he struggled with alcohol.

        About three years ago, he formed Keep It Straight to spread his message to children. He estimates he has spoken to more than 200,000 students.

        “Our main goal is to teach children about responsibility and respect, to get them involved and helping other people,” Mr. Jones said.

        The three performers met in the office of Mr. Jones' personal manager in Nashville. They didn't know one another but felt a bond.

        “We were all brought together by strange circumstances,” Mr. Jones said. “At 11 a.m., I was introduced to Daron, and then Wayne walked in the room. We shared Daron's interest in helping the kids. The next thing I know, we don't part company until 3:30 a.m. the next day.”

        Mr. Jones and Mr. Perry write and perform songs for Keep It Straight's Internet site. The songs can be sampled through MP3-Real Audio files: Mr. Perry's “Shooting Stars” and Mr. Jones' “Remember the Child,” “Always in Our Hearts” and “On the Other Side.”

        More songs will be written, recorded and added to the site, www.keepitstraight.org, this year.

        “I got the idea for my song from the school violence we read about so often these days,” Mr. Perry said. “It's all such a waste.”

        Mr. Jones performs comedy across the country. He volunteers with Parents of Murdered Children and Ohio COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors), which raises money for families of fallen police officers.

        Mr. Perry performed in area rock and country bands in the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1990s, he started writing hits for Holly Dunn, Tim McGraw, Collin Raye (“Every Second”) and Lorrie Morgan (“What Part of No”). In 1996, he wrote a No. 1 single for the Back Street Boys, then known only in Europe. The group has recorded five of his songs.

        “The choices that children make will affect them for the rest of their lives,” Mr. Perry said. “We want to tell them about the hidden dangers of making wrong choices — and to lead them to the right ones.”

       Randy McNutt's column runs on Saturday. He may be reached at 860-7118 or at The Cincinnati Enquirer, 4820 Business Center Way, Cincinnati 45246.

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