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Springboro teen gives a positive spin to rap

Austin Puckett, a Springboro High School student with muscular dystrophy, rhythms at a fundraiser for Devon D’Aurora. Puckett also has recorded his own hip-hop album.

Teesha McClam Austin Puckett, a Springboro High School student with muscular dystrophy, rhythms at a fundraiser for Devon D’Aurora. Puckett also has recorded his own hip-hop album.

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By Terry Morris, Staff Writer Updated 11:40 PM Saturday, January 23, 2010

SPRINGBORO — Gary King said he has recorded thousands of singers and musicians.

Austin Puckett reminds him of “a young Will Smith,” the recording engineer at ReFraze Studios in Kettering said.

“He’s a throwback with an upbeat rap. It comes across as fresh again. There’s a happy tone in his voice that makes it distinctive. It’s like, ‘I’m telling a story. Just check it out.’ ”

Puckett, a senior at Springboro High School who turned 18 on Thursday, Jan. 22, wishes more people would check it out.

He self-recorded his first album, “Million Dollar Dreams” at ReFraze last year and has it up on his Web site (www.pucksmilliondollardreams.webs.com). King estimated the studio cost at about $100 a song.

The 13 tracks express Puckett’s philosophy and describe a life of challenges.

“When I say hip hop, you probably think gangsters, big rims and iced-out chains. That could not be further from what my music is about,” he said. “It’s the story of my life up and down. I would like to have people hear what I have to say.”

But it’s not all serious or heavy. A common theme has to do with the opposite sex, and how he, just a nice guy, doesn’t do so well.

“I’m a good guy. Why would she want that?” he chants during one track.

Known to friends and family as Puck, he describes himself first as “a hip hop artist.” But other things about him are way more obvious at first.

He’s confined to a motorized wheelchair because he was born with muscular dystrophy, which prevents him from walking and causes other health complications.

“If Austin gets the flu, he ends up in the hospital,” said his mother, Robin Flynn, who is 5 feet 1, 115 pounds. Her son weighs 285. “He’s a big boy. I dress him, shower him and toilet him,” she said.

He was 11 when his father died of a heart attack at age 40. After that, the family moved from Centerville to Springboro, where Flynn operates a hair salon in their home, which allows her to remain close to her son during her workday.

He’s involved in typical school activities. He was student manager for the Springboro High football team last fall and serves in the same capacity for the girls’ basketball team. He was a member of the 2009 homecoming court and opted to wheel the girl he escorted around the stadium on the back of his chair rather than sitting with her in a Mercedes convertible.

His class schedule includes algebra II, government, physics, digital media and English.

He’s considering attending Wright State University next year, possibly majoring in music.

It’s not just the “street” accent, manicured facial hair and the rap wardrobe, postures and movements he has adapted for use in his chair that makes him a genuine rapper, despite being white and living in a comfortable Midwestern suburb.

“I’ve been writing songs since I was little. I started to like what I was writing when I was in the fifth grade. Writing songs meant finding something I was good at. It was a way to get my struggles out,” he said.

“When I get on stage, people don’t really know what to expect. Once they hear me, they are usually surprised. I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I think they usually respect what I do.”

He didn’t have to prove himself during his last appearance, Jan. 10, at The Springs Bar and Grill in Springboro. The occasion was a fund-raiser for Springboro classmate Devon D’Aurora, who needed surgery to remove a blood clot on his spine.

Springs owner Tammy Jackson wanted to hear Puck’s recordings before bringing him in to perform.

“I don’t know much about hip hop, but what I heard sounded pretty good,” she said.

His favorite track is the highly personal “Life and Times,” which touches on the death of his father and expresses his beliefs. “Never walked in my life,” he sing-speaks. “Always stood as a man.”

He became acquainted with rap through his sister and brother, who are both at least 10 years older.

“My mom wanted to name me Elvis when I was born and I used to like country music. We have videos of me wearing cowboy hats and stuff,” he said.

Puck’s mom describes him as “a fighter. There’s a spirit about him. He’s been the reward of my life,” she said.

Springboro senior Michael Tepe, who was in the audience for the performance at The Springs, said, his friend “is always looking out for the other person before himself.”

Another classmate, Jason Stinebaugh, said, “He’s a fun guy who’s always up for doing anything.”

Puck’s sister, Kasey Greer of West Carrollton, said her brother “is the most inspirational guy I know. He was dealt a trying situation and rose above it.”

Puckett hopes his recordings will eventually be heard by lots of people and that he will get to live out his dreams. In the meantime, he’s starting on a second album. He spent 90 minutes at ReFraze on his birthday to work on the first track.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2377 or tmorris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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