Music brings together four young men with autism

From the Del Mar Times in California:

Their namesakes are known for recording one of the most popular party songs of all time.

Now, San Diego County's version of The Kingsmen might never record a song as memorable as "Louie, Louie," but it could be argued that music is more important to them than it is to more successful bands.

You see, the four young men of The Kingsmen are autistic. And music brought them together.

The band is made up of Charlie Poole, 16, Rancho Santa Fe, vocals and keyboards; Reid Moriarty, 15, Solana Beach, vocals and keyboards; Kent Makings, 10, Encinitas, vocals and keyboards; and Conor Dawson, 15, Point Loma, drums. Also a valuable member of the group is Rachel Gant, a music therapist at the Music Therapy Center of California. She keeps things running smoothly, organizes rehearsals, helps with song choices and plays guitar.

The band has been together for about a year. But in that year, they've performed around the county, recorded a CD and will be one of three bands featured in a documentary about autistic musicians.

It was at the Music Therapy Center in San Diego where the band members met and got together, thanks to Angela Neve, the center's founder and director.

Neve said young autistic people need a lot of work on social skills, and music offers an outlet for them to do that. After working on basic skills and choosing a specific instrument, Neve said putting the young musicians in a band environment is a positive step for them in several ways.