Local duo competing in ‘Don’t Mess With Texas’ competition; voting ends Monday See VOTE, Page 3A

Each entry has a different perspective, each a little different tune, but the message is the same - Don't Mess With Texas.

A common theme many of us - if not all of us - have heard since we were little kids. However, a new twist is being sought and a new sound will soon be associated with the famous slogan. Don't Mess With Texas is hosting a contest, open to individuals who are a legal U.S. resident and at least 13 years of age or older for a new sound to help spread the word to keep Texas clean. One local Big Spring musician teamed up with his bonus child and is in the running to be the Grand Prize Winner. Eddie Austin and his bonus daughter, 12-year-old Valerie Thompson have submitted their video and are seeking the community's help; go vote.

“I thought it would be pretty cool, and at the time I had a broken leg so I didn't have much to do. I've always thought about how we've had so much trash. A song isn't going to fix it obviously, but it would be really cool to figure out a song for it,” Valerie Thompson said.

Austin stumbled upon the contest as he was scrolling through Facebook one day. However, by the time he found the information for the contest, there was less than a week to put a submission together. With the creative juices flowing through Austin's mind and the talent of his bonus daughter, it didn't take long for the talented duo to put a song together and create a video submission.

“Eddie thought everyone would be using a guitar so he had the idea to use a ukulele. It would be unique; cool ... so I said yea, that sounds cool,” Thompson said. “So we figured out a rhythm. Eddie

came up with the words and I just adjusted it a little.”

The foundation was laid and within five .... maybe seven minutes the idea was formed and about 24 hours later the submission was made. Thompson's love from music that she has had since she was little and her dream of becoming a singer and songwriter one day helped her find the fun in the experience.

“I got to learn a little bit about recording, going places ... I thought it was really great since I had the chance to do this since I had a broken leg and really didn't have much to do,” she said. “I was really happy that I could make the most of it and spend time with Eddie.”

She continued, “Without the encouragement from my real dad and my mom and the teaching from Eddie I wouldn't be that interested, but learning more

and having this kind of talent I should put it to work.”

“Don’t give up because you won’t always make it the first time. You might get 500 ‘Nos’ but then finally be able to make it. Just like my mom, she has always been great at singing, but she has never really jump started it until now,” Thompson said. “It’s very encouraging to see her do everything she does - she’s a nurse, going to school and still making it work.”

Voting ends Feb. 15 and the finalists will be announced soon after. The Grand Prize in the competition will not only be the new sound behind Don’t Mess With Texas, but will receive a home recording studio. The runner up will receive a $5,000 scholarship to The School of Rock.

“It starts with one. It starts inside oneself; it’s as small as being sure your shopping cart ends up in a shopping cart stall. You just have to grab your trash ...”

The Don’t Mess With Texas is just one more extension Austin is using to help encourage his students to do the right thing. On a regular basis he is motivating and encouraging his students to do the right thing and helping them understand that it all starts with a single step, a single action.

“Grab your trash. If you opened it, if it’s your trash just put it in the trash. Spills happen ... clean it up and get it in the trash. It all starts with one. It starts with mom and dad,” Austin said. “I remember my mother always yelling at us to not step in the oil in the parking lots and well so many years after it screams in my head. It all starts with one; we all have to do our part.”

Reducing liter and encouraging the respect of the earth and surroundings is already taking place in Howard County through local efforts. Austin mentioned the fairly new start up by Chris Mason of Howard County Recycling.

“Mason had the motivation to do something with a lot of trash. Due to people like him who are actually stepping up and doing something,” Austin said.

The community is encouraged to visit https://txdotsongsearch.com/ vote/