BAND LIGHTHEADED RELEASES SECOND CD

Dustin Burnett, 21, isn't looking for celebrity and fame but if that's what God has in mind for Lightheaded, it's OK too.

Burnett is the lead singer and songwriter for the Metropolis, Ill.- based band Lightheaded. Other members of the band are his brothers Dillon, 18, and Reid, 16, and friends Michael Gregory, 18, and Josh Koster, 17.

Last week, the band released its second CD, "Because of Him This." It is sold at Disc Jockey Records in Cape Girardeau. The band has been performing together for three years.

Although the members of Lightheaded may not have the advantages that age brings, their sound and lyrics make up for all their youth lacks.

With songs like "Silence" and "Difference," the band wants its listeners to know they are not alone in their feelings and that Jesus Christ offers help.

Even the band's name is scripturally based. The name is taken from Ephesians 5:8-14 and is a reminder to focus on the things God has planned so that they will be continual "lights to the world."

So if fame is part of the deal, great. If not, Dustin and the band won't be too upset.

"I like to sing for people and get the message across," he said. "And at this scale we've not done bad. We are proud of our accomplishments."

And they should be. The band is one of a few Christian groups in the area to release more than one CD and to get some Christian radio airplay, particularly in Southern Illinois and western Kentucky. They also have an expanding circle of fans in the Bootheel.

Lightheaded plays at Solid Rock Cafe tonight in Risco and at Unity Baptist Church in Benton Oct. 10. Nearly every weekend until year's end the band is booked with concert dates, said the band's manager Darrell Burnett. He's also father to Dustin, Dillon and Reid.

The band's sound is "just good standard pop," Dustin said, "but we think our lyrics are different."

And they are. The band's songs are written from personal experiences and feelings. "It's stuff that I know and relate to and I'm just as normal as anybody else. Maybe I express it differently, but others feel the same thing, whether they're down or happy or melancholy," Dustin said.

Dustin first started writing songs after returning from a mission trip about three years ago. He felt moved to write songs and started doing so. A guitar player, he needed more instruments and musicians for the band so he recruited his brothers and a few friends. They taught each other about music and playing together, Dustin said.

"We didn't have a clue how to play," he said. But they kept playing and started calling churches asking for concert dates.

Getting started was hard because people were skeptical of a band they'd never heard before, Dustin said. "The more we play, word gets out and they know who we are."

And the band's identity isn't one linked to fame and celebrity. "We are eager to meet everybody and spend time with the people after the concerts. We want to make friends."

The band also has a Web site at http:\\members\xoom.com\floorboard which offers photos and background on the band. E-mail can be sent to lighthead1@aol.com