Contact: Judy McDonough

Compendia Music Group                                                                                        

615-277-1824

jmcdonough@compendiamusic.com

Rock Band Kansas To Record Live DVD Project for Compendia Music Group
DEVICE VOICE DRUM scheduled for release on October 8

NASHVILLE, TN - (May 29, 2002) Multi-platinum rock band Kansas will release DEVICE VOICE DRUM, a live concert recorded for DVD and featuring performances of such mega hits as Dust In The Wind, Carry On Wayward Son and Point Of Know Return, on the Compendia Music Group label on October 8. Michael Olsen, COO of Compendia, made the announcement today.

DEVICE VOICE DRUM will be recorded on June 15 at EarthLink Live in Atlanta, Georgia; film company Real 2 Reel Studios will film and record the live DVD. In addition to the new live concert, DEVICE VOICE DRUM will feature archival footage of and interviews with members of Kansas - Phil Ehart (drummer), Billy Greer (bass guitar, vocals), Robby Steinhardt (violin, vocals), Steve Walsh (lead vocals, keyboards) and Richard Williams (lead and acoustic guitar) - as well as behind-the-scenes footage that the band has been filming with hand-held cameras over the last several months.

"This project, from start to finish, is about giving something back to the fans," said Ehart. "DEVICE VOICE DRUM is our first DVD, and we've spent the last 6 months working with Real 2 Reel Studios and Compendia Music Group making sure that this project will be all that it needs to be. That's why the project is being shot on film, not video; as a band and as individuals, we've always had a commitment to high-tech quality.

Formed in Topeka in the early 70s, Kansas has decisively left its mark on rock history with over 30 million albums sold. LEFTOVERTURE, SONG FOR AMERICA, TWO FOR THE SHOW, MONOLITH and THE BEST OF KANSAS are among the band's best selling albums; additionally, Kansas is currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of their landmark 1977 album, POINT OF KNOW RETURN. Kansas appeared on the Billboard charts for over 200 weeks throughout the 70s and 80s; the band remains a staple of classic rock radio, with Carry On Wayward Son named as the Most Played Track of that format in 1997. Kansas has played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan, and continues to pack venues throughout the world, playing before nearly 1 million people every year.

"I've had the privilege of working with Kansas on prior projects, so I'm familiar with their fan base," said Compendia's Olsen. "Kansas fans are high-tech consumers, and are actively looking for this band's music on DVD. But there is also, in general, a demand for music recorded for DVD that, combined with Kansas‚ universal appeal, means that rock fans of all ages and musical tastes will enjoy what DEVICE VOICE DRUM will offer."

Video and audio post-production for DEVICE VOICE DRUM will take place at Real 2 Reel Studios in Jonesboro, GA; final on-line edit and DVD authoring will take place at MPL in Nashville, TN. Real 2 Reel's Michie Turpin will be the project's director, and Steve Shepard will be the director of photography. Five 16mm film cameras, along with numerous digital video cameras, will be used for the shoot. All audio will be recorded on a Sony 3348 digital 48-track tape machine, which will then be transferred to Real 2 Reel‚s ProTools HD system for editing and mixing in Surround.
 

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