The connection between rock music and alcohol isn't always a flattering one: Images of intoxicated artists tripping over instruments and fumbling song lyrics while drunk fans flail around in mosh pits may come to mind. But Seekonk resident and musician Phil Ayoub is helping to forge a different relationship between alcohol and music through his involvement with the Ground Control drunk-driving prevention campaign.

The campaign was started last year by Ron Bellanti, founder and president of Beverly-based Illumina records, after a 15-year-old girl died in his arms as the result of a drunk driving crash.

Ground Control spreads the drunk driving prevention message through a number of programs that leverage the power of music and art, including music-oriented presentations in schools, music festivals, fashion shows, a "Rock & Roll Circus," an art series with the anti-drunk driving message at its core and compilation CDs.

"What better way to create awareness or get somebody's attention than with music or the arts?" said Brooke Anido, vice president of operations at Illumina Records. Ayoub, 33, will appear on both the Providence and Boston "Rockers for Life" compilation CDs, which fund Ground Control's programs and media campaigns while giving local artists greater exposure.

The CDs are sold through Discarc.com and Newbury Comics as well as through the musicians featured on them; each musician is required to buy 50 copies of the CD with the option to sell them or give them away.

Artists are promoted on the Illumina Records Web site, the "Rockers for Life" MySpace page, as well as posters and other promotional material. They are selected for inclusion on the CDs based on their desire to help as well as the quality of their music. "This is not a talent competition," Anido said. "We're looking for talented people, of course, but at the same time we're looking for people with good hearts."

Ayoub - a full-time musician in the Americana/pop/rock genre who cites his influences as U2, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan - was contacted by Illumina Records through his MySpace page. Although he hasn't been personally affected by drunk driving, Ayoub said he was immediately interested in the cause.

"It's a two-fold thing," he said. "It gets my music out there, which is sort of of secondary importance to helping out the charity. Any sort of good cause, if I can be a part of it musically or any other way, I will."

Ayoub has taken part in charity efforts to benefit several causes, including multiple sclerosis, homeless pets, and the Jimmy Fund. As a musician performing in locations where liquor typically flows freely, he said the issue of drunk driving is particularly relevant.

"It's difficult because sometimes if I'm onstage or talking to people in the crowd, I sort of get a sense for how drunk they are," he said. "And sometimes I do sit and wonder to myself, is this person going to be driving home? Obviously I can't be a policeman to everybody, but it is something you sort of ask yourself: Where is this person going from here, and how are they getting there?"

For more on Phil Ayoub, visit www.myspace.com/philayoub.

For more on the Ground Control drunk driving prevention campaign, visit www.preventdrunkdriving.net or www.myspace.com/rockersforlife