Contact: Judy McDonough

Compendia Music Group                                                                                        

615-277-1824

jmcdonough@compendiamusic.com

Platinum-Selling Artist Tony Rich Signs With Compendia Music Group
Grammy winner’s first Compendia project to be released in June, 2003

NASHVILLE, TN - (January 14, 2003) Singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Tony Rich, whose critically-acclaimed, platinum debut project featured the million-selling single “Nobody Knows,” has signed with Compendia Music Group. Michael Olsen, president of Compendia Music Group, made the announcement today.

Rich’s upcoming project on the Compendia label is scheduled for a June, 2003 release, with the first single released to radio in April.

“Tony Rich is one of those rare artists who brings genius to everything he touches,” said Walt Wilson, general manager and vice-president of Compendia Music. “We couldn't be more proud to add Tony to this creative family we're building . . . with artists like Tony Rich on the roster, it’s no wonder that people love our label.”

ALL MUSIC GUIDE has described Rich as “adhering to the sophisticated styles pioneered by Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye . . . touching on lite-funk, reggae flourishes, pop and soul.” Critics and fans alike were thrilled with WORDS, Rich’s debut; the album achieved platinum success within 4 months of its release, and helped earn Rich four Grammy nominations (winning for “Best R&B Album of the Year”) and “Best New Pop Artist” honors at the Billboard Awards. Rich’s second album, BIRDSEYE, solidified Tony Rich as a truly gifted artist, featuring the work of legendary guitarist Eric Clapton on many of the album’s tracks.

In addition to his recording career, Tony Rich has gained an impressive songwriting and producing reputation with his work on projects from Toni Braxton, Boys II Men, Michael Bolton, CeCe Winans, Anointed and many others.

“I feel strong, confident and excited about my new venture with Compendia Music,” said Rich. “Our partnership is quite unique; from the first meeting, I knew that Walt Wilson, Stephen McCord and I were all on the same page. Both were very familiar with my first and second albums, and both understood the direction of my new record, even before we discussed it. Compendia’s excitement is exciting. Tony Rich is alive and resurrected.”

"It's truly a blessing to work with an artist with such depth and soul as Tony Rich,” said Stephen McCord, director of marketing and A&R for Compendia Music. “His wealth of talent - as a songwriter, musician, artist, producer - simply can't be measured, and we are thrilled about this partnership!"

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