PRESS RELEASE:

Pastor, teenage son co-author "8-Track Parent in an MP3 World" to bridge musical gap, set guidelines

HOUSTON - Todd Stocker is an ordained Pastor who happened to grow up loving 1980s rockers like Van Halen and Def Leppard. And while Stocker now presides over his Christian flock at Lutheran South Academy in Houston, Texas, his musical past and present collided one afternoon when his 13-year-old son, Nathan, called his father from a local record store.

"Dad!" Nathan shouted over the thumping bass in the background. "Grandma and I are at the music store, and I have to ask you a question!"

"Let me guess - you want to buy a CD," Todd Stocker replied, figuring his son was trying to choose between Christian bands like Reliant K and Audio Adrenaline.

"Yeah," Nate said, then asked the question that became a seminal moment in Todd Stocker's life. "So which band is better - Def Leppard or Van Halen?"

What followed was the first of many debates and discussion father and son would have when it came to music, and the result is 8-Track Parent ($9.95, ISBN 978-1438262161) a must read for any parent wanting to establish and agree upon guidelines with their children regarding which songs are acceptable from a Christian and Biblical point of view and why.

Using Scripture as its foundation, the book lays out God's purpose for music and why it moves people so deeply, along with giving guidelines that will help parents and kids decide together which music is acceptable and healthy and which is not. Written by Todd Stocker and including several sections of "Nathan's Notes" where the 13-year-old weighs in with his thoughts on the process, 8-Track Parent

is a fast-paced, hip guide that fosters healthy discussion between parents and children when it comes to the purpose of music and why it's important to think about what you choose to listen to.

Todd and Nathan Stocker are available for interviews to discuss the book and the process involved in writing it, including:

*           How father and son came up with guidelines they could both agree upon

*           What type of impact the musical discussion has had on Todd and Nathan's relationship

*           How both parent and child found their musical tastes expanding and changing after listening to one another's favorite genres and artists

*           Why music genre labels like "Christian" and "Secular" can be deceiving

*           What type of impact today's music has on parents and kids alike

*           How the wrong kind of music can be offensive and hurtful to your relationship with God

*           The step-by-step format father and son use to evaluate a new song choice

*           Five key questions you should ask before agreeing whether or not a song is okay to listen to

Todd Stocker is a pastor, professional speaker and writer who directs the spiritual life at Lutheran South Academy in Houston, Texas. He and his wife, Kellie, have three children, including 13-year-old Nathan, who leads the middle school praise band and is currently developing his talents in music composition, leadership and sports.

8-Track Parent in an MP3 World    was released in December 2008 and is currently available for sale on Amazon.com. More information, media copies of the book, press releases and photos of the authors are available by contacting Todd Stocker at 832-373-8934 or stockertodd@gmail.com