Florida Teen Show Interviews 12 Multi-Platinum artists including 3 of the Grammy Nominees for Best New Artist

Florida teens take music television into their own hands and after 3 seasons, have picked a lot of winners...long before the artists ever appeared on tv or were heard on radio.

(Boca Raton, 1-31-03)    The reporters average 15 years old, the cameramen 16, the floor manager 13, but theyve got a knack for picking winners in the music business. In 3 seasons of local South Florida television, the Swept Away TV teens have interviewed 12 multi-platinum artists, most of them before their music was ever heard on local radio. At the top of their list, Singer-songwriters John Mayer, Michelle Branch, Vanessa Carlton and Avril Lavigne and thats just for starters!

   Sisters Jaime,22 and Amanda Rich,18, founded the show and created the non-profit 501c(3) organization in order to give other teens a shot at learning to produce, film, direct and edit their own programs. When they left for college in Orlando, a gang of younger teens took over the production of the show. Their 16 year old brother Zach, 16 year old Nick Corirossi, 16 year old Michelle Nash,13 year old Gaby Wagner,12 year old Brittany Rich, 16 year old Erica Connelly, 17 year old Sam Retteen, and 17 year old Jeff Hendler recruited teenagers from Miami to Ft Pierce. The teens put together a weekly show centered on the music that they enjoy, from developing artists everywhere. The teens select the artists they would like to interview and work through the artists manager or record company to make it happen.

   Amanda Rich remembers,"One of Jaimes friends had a boyfriend who knew John Mayers road manager. This was back in 2001 before his album was released on Aware. She turned us on to him and we started trying to arrange an interview with him . It took 6 months but we finally were in the same place at the same time. He wasnt on the radio, mtv or vh1 at that time, but we loved his music and were determined that everyone should hear him! The interview is amazing and hes a brilliant songwriter. Now hes a 2 time Grammy nominee for best new artist."

   The Swept Away gang has a website where many of the interviews can be downloaded and watched. The website address is www.sweptawaytv.com. The gang also welcomes suggestions from other teens about who theyd like to see on the show and on the website.

   We even have our own American Idol contestant, Bettis Richardson who will compete on the American Idol show the week of February 4th. Bettis performed on the very first episode of Swept Away TV back in 2000 and were very proud of him. Weve got everyone watching and voting for him, added Jaime Rich.

   For more information about how you can be involved with Swept Away TV, visit their website at www.sweptawaytv.com or email showhosts@sweptawayonline.com.

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