FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laidlaw Group Public Relations
Laidlaw Group, LLC
Phone: 617.423.2801 x201
Email: pr@laidlawgroup.com

GRAMMY® AWARD WINNER PATTI AUSTIN AND SONGWRITER DAWN CARROLL
LAUNCH “OVER MY SHOULDER PROJECT”

08/10/2010: BOSTON, MA — The Over My Shoulder Project, a national mentoring initiative that uses music to raise awareness of the impact of mentoring, or, “Mentorology,” was inspired by the unique relationship between GRAMMY Award winning singer Patti Austin and songwriter/designer Dawn Carroll who collaborated on the song Over My Shoulder. The song was written by Dawn Carroll, Charlie Farren, Brynn Arens and Barry Orms and premiered in June 2009 at the Power Girls Gala. As the Project grows, the song continues to influence the world of mentoring. A portion of the proceeds from Patti Austin’s new Shanachie Entertainment CD, “Sound Advice,” which will be released in September 2010, will be contributed to the Over My Shoulder Project. When Boston-based integrated marketing communications firm Laidlaw Group was added to the mix, the Over My Shoulder Project was on its way to becoming a nationally recognized advocate for the power of mentoring.

This week Patti Austin will be in Boston to promote the Over My Shoulder Project. She will be performing at the Scullers Jazz Club on August 13 and 14. Dreaming big, Patti envisions more songs like Over My Shoulder in her future as the power of mentoring helps her realize a longtime dream of becoming an interior designer. Patti says, “With everything I’m doing, my goal is to break down barriers that separate generations of people and cultures. Through mentoring, we are all increasingly interdependent on each other, rather than independent individuals. And, because of people’s interdependency, the Over My Shoulder Project hopes to foster respect, diversity, culture and individuality.”

To hear the song Over My Shoulder co-written by Dawn Carroll and sung by Patti Austin and Lianna Gutierrez, visit Patti Austin’s blog. To schedule an interview with Patti Austin, contact Tom Estey at 508-451-5246 or TJE6464[@]aol.com. For more information about the Over My Shoulder Project or this news release, contact Laidlaw Group Public Relations at 617.423.2801 x201 or email pr[@]laidlawgroup.com.