When 17-year-old Zach Sobiech found out he was dying of a rare form of bone cancer, he wanted to say goodbye to his family and friends through song. Though he never could have imagined it, that song, "Clouds," has now spread a message of love and hope across the nation.

He's been featured on CNN, the Huffington Post, and Billboard. He's netted over 2 million views on YouTube. And he's been flown to New York City to meet personally with executives at BMI to sign with the mammoth music rights management company.

Sobiech is taking it all in stride. Known for his relentlessly positive attitude, Sobiech has continued to pursue music and has already penned enough additional songs to fill an album. His sophomore record, Fix Me Up, was recorded and engineered at Atomic-K Studios in Minneapolis and is due out February 16. Rock the Cause and distribution partner the Orchard will release the album locally, with BMI overseeing the collection of performance rights and promoting Zach nationally.

"It was an honor for us to sign Zach as an official BMI songwriter," says Silvia Davi, BMI's Vice President and Head of Strategic Communications and Marketing. "We were touched by his moving story, courage, and most of all his music. His 'Clouds' song showcases the healing power of music, which in Zach's case will benefit many  supporting his cause. Zach is truly an inspiration and we were delighted to host him and his family at BMI's NY headquarters where he performed for us shortly after being recognized by our Chairman and executives as a BMI member."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kPgQVF0CaKk

“['Clouds'] was originally written for just my family and others who I love, but it’s meant to raise awareness for childhood cancer because I often think it gets forgotten about," Sobiech told BMI.

Back home, a benefit concert is being organized in Sobiech's honor to do just that. Sobiech is slated to perform with his band A Firm Handshake alongside The Voice's Vicci Martinez, Kevin Bowe and the Okemah Prophets, Apollo Cobra, Squares, and several other special guests. The event, titled "Up, Up, Up," will benefit the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund at Children's Cancer Research Fund and will take place at the Varsity Theater on Saturday, February 16.