Hey, I think we just got our winner for tackiest press release of 2003. Congratulations go to D. Baron Media Relations out in lovely Santa Monica. Our source notes:

Are "teen cancer victims" now the hot accessory, thanks to Michael Jackson? Kids are going to start lopping off limbs for the next American Idol. And note the involvement of Jerry Heller, former NWA plantation master, infamous for the classic Snoop lyric on the Chronic: "Fuck Mr. Rourke and Tattoo, aka Jerry and Eazy."

MARIAH INVITES BECCA SOLODON, l6, RECENT AMPUTEE, TO OPEN SANTA BARBARA SHOW

MUSIC BIZ PALS RALLY TO MAKE CANCER VICTIM S DREAMS COME TRUE

LOS ANGELES, CA - Becca Solodon, l6, who just 2 weeks ago had her leg amputated due to the progression of her cancer, will be the opening act for Mariah Carey on Monday, December l5, at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. Carey personally extended the invitation toBecca, after hearing about her condition from producer Damian Young, who has produced Carey and is part of a group of recording industry professionals spearheaded by Sam Frankel and Jerry Heller of HQZ Management which organized support of Becca s dream of becoming a recording artist.

A student of Dos Pueblos High School inSanta Barbara, Becca plays guitar and piano and has been singing for as long as she can remember. She suffers from soft tissue sarconia, a progressive cancer the victims of which are generally teenagers. Last month, Becca scondition came to the attention of Frankel and the legendary Jerry Heller. Frankel put together a recording session, with Damian at the production helm, Ronnie King (producer and keyboard player of Offspring), and a slew of studio musicians who donated their time so that the high school student could record a song before she underwent surgery for the amputation of her leg.

I was so inspired byBecca s determination in the face of her illness, we marshaled the forces to get her into the studio before listening to her voice, says Frankel. We had a great day. And low and behold, whenBecca started to sing, she blew us away. She s was great! Becca says, It s amazing unbelievable that I was able to record. I m a member of my school s jazz choir and have performed live, but I didn t realize how much work that went into the recording process and how much fun it was going to be.

Beccarecorded Simon , hit track by platinum recording group Lifehouse, and she will perform it on Monday when she opens for Carey. I was stunned when she asked me. I was just blown away ..I think I m just gong to stand because I can t move a lot, Becca explained. I am very excited. I have butterflies but since it s Mariah, that s appropriate.

Beccaperforms with Mariah on Monday, December l5, at The Arlington Theatre, 1317 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 805 963 4408