Teen Vocalist Courtney Addresses Nation Wide “Bully” Epidemic

We’ve all had our experiences of being treated less than equal, or to some degree, a second rate citizen, but those who have been a victim to actions of a bully can tell you first hand just how it feels. When we think about the actions of bullies, we think about threatening, abusive, controlling, people who are often bigger than we may be, but for sure people who want to not only ruin our day, but anything that we do in and out of their presence. The attitudes of a bully have been around for as long as we humans have existed, but until recently, major media organizations such as CNN have began to publicize what it really means to be a bully due to a long list of teen suicides, and other in excusable behavior that creates fear that many of our children are exposed to on a daily basis. Perhaps solutions may be few, but 17 year old Vocalist Stephanie Courtney has released “Taken Over”, to address issues of bullying, which is taking America by storm.

“This is about showing encouragement”, says Courtney. “One of the reasons why I wrote this song was because one of he kids in my school committed suicide due to another kid bullying him. And then there were other things that happened that got my attention. People (kids) need to know that they have their mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, teachers, and whoever in their corner when they have people who try and bully them. It’s not fun; it doesn’t feel good and who likes to be afraid of people all the time? That is not what life is about. I wrote this song to address these issues because we’ve all been down this road one time of the other. And I am thankful to say that my mother and father, and family and friends came to my aid”. Since a young age, Courtney has suffered from a skin disorder where kids in her school would tease her endlessly, making her feel less than equal. “ Yea it made me cry often, and just mad, “as she continues. “First it’s important that regardless of who you are, you have to love yourself because kids have a tendency to believe whatever people say about them. What I also recommend is that kids find a support group or organization in their communities, locally, wherever they are and get the help they need".

“Taken Over”, was written by Courtney, accompanied by Jemelle Jones as co-writer and producer. Her other work includes single “I Need You”, from album, “Lord Just Me And You”, which was written as a Gospel project released when she was 15. Soon she’s looking forward to attending the Mt. St. Vincent College in the Bronx, NY to study Nursing. The single “Taken Over” has an accompanying video available on You Tube, with the song is available at various outlets online. For more information on Stephanie Courtney, visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Courtney/ http://www.myspace.com/stephaniecourtneymusic, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tCR5FRXe6o, Twitter@stephaniesmusic and www.stephaniecourtneymusic.com