For Immediate Release

COMPENDIA MUSIC GROUP GETS “HAGGARD” WITH HAG RECORDS

Compendia to market/distribute Merle Haggard’s

HAGGARD LIKE NEVER BEFORE, released September 30

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 4, 2003) – Compendia Music Group has formed an agreement with Hag Records, the new label founded by country music legend Merle Haggard. Compendia will provide marketing and distribution in the U.S. and Canada for the label’s first project, Haggard’s HAGGARD LIKE NEVER BEFORE; the new album, scheduled for release on September 30, contains the provocative new single “That’s The News.” Both Michael Olsen, president of Compendia Music Group, and Tom Thacker, president of Hag Records, made the announcement.

“Working with Hag Records allows Compendia the great privilege of working with a true country music icon,” says Olsen. “We’re thrilled with all the early attention that the single, ‘That’s The News,’ is getting – but we’re not surprised. Merle Haggard often uses his music for social commentary, and we welcome such passionate, creative artists at Compendia.”

HAGGARD LIKE NEVER BEFORE features nine new Haggard cuts and two cover tunes, including the Woody Guthrie classic “Reno Blues (Philadelphia Lawyer),” a duet with Willie Nelson.

About Compendia Music Group

Compendia Music Group is an independent record company structured as four “parent” labels – Compendia Records, Light Records, Life² and Intersound Music – in addition to a distribution arm, Compendia Distribution Group. These labels, each with a separate staff and musical focus, produce and distribute a wide variety of music, including rock, R&B, soul, pop, gospel, lifestyle/inspirational, country, Christian and classical. For more information, visit www.compendiamusic.com.

# # # #

Radio contact:

Ric Pepin, VP of promotions and marketing, 615-277-1826, rpepin@compendiamusic.com

Holly Nelson, national promotions manager, 615-277-1842, hnelson@compendiamusic.com

Press contact:

Tresa Redburn, DEPT 56, 818-702-6253, tmumba@aol.com

Distribution contact:

Terry Donovan, VP of distribution and sales, 615-277-1852, tdonovan@compendiamusic.com