Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation Selects Finalists For
Battle of the Bands Competition

NASHVILLE, TN - The Muzak heart & soul Foundation has selected twelve finalists for their first Nashville Battle of the Bands competition. The competition, open to the pubic, will be held Saturday, March 29 at 7pm at Rocketown (401 6th Ave South) where bands will be judged by an expert panel.

An impressive array of 23 high school bands, representing all genres, competed in February to earn a slot in the final competition. Bands selected include: The Last of the Living, Pegram, TN; Essence of Life, Robbins, TN; Volair, Thompson Station, TN; Ivy, Nashville, TN; Ashes from Another, Centerville, TN; A City Drive, Ringgold, GA; Tie Down Teddy Roosevelt, Chapel Hill, TN; TYTEROPE, Unionville, TN; DiA, Lawrenceburg, TN; Adelphoi, Brentwood, TN; The Hannahband, Louisville, TN and Nothing But Strangers, Hendersonville, TN.

The winning band, selected by a blue ribbon panel, will take home an impressive prize package that includes prizes that will propel students even further along their career paths.

- 16 hours of recording studio time at The Castle Recording Studio to create a professionally-recorded demo
- One-year Sonicbids subscription
- One-year Onlinegigs subscription
- One song played within a Muzak program that is heard by more than 100 million people every day
- $100 gift certificate from Sam Ash Music
- One copy of the Battle of the Bands video production for personal promotional use
- 200 copies of their demo

Questions about the competition may be directed to Cathy Gurley at 615 269.0474 or Neely Vasher with the Muzak heart & soul Foundation, 803 396.3342. Details for the Nashville Battle of the Bands can be found at www.heart.muzak.com. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door (www.etix.com).

All proceeds from the event benefit the Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity established in l998 by Muzak LLC. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting and redefining music education. Sponsors for the Battle of the Bands include Muzak, Sonicbids, Sam Ash Music Stores, Edgefactory, RareType Press, Onlinegigs, and Rocketown.

The Battle of the Bands serves another purpose -- to raise awareness for the Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation's Noise! camp. Noise! is a two-week camp held every summer -- this year in Nashville, TN. During Noise!, 32 students ages 15 - 17 will gather in Nashville to meet with and learn from dozens of members of the music industry. Noise! participants receive full scholarships to learn about the careers available to them in the music industry from record label producers, music critics, event promoters, artist managers, Audio Architects and other industry insiders.

Noise! 2008 will be held July 13 - 25 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. To learn more about Noise!, please visit www.heart.muzak.com.

Carlene Carter Returns Triumphant with STRONGER
The Circle Continues...Unbroken

NASHVILLE, TN - Carlene Carter, standard bearer of the first family of country music, The Carter Family, is back, and has arrived in spectacular form with some powerful things to say. Her royal country lineage is fully evident on her new CD "Stronger". The first project to be released in 13 years, this Yep Roc release hits the streets March 4, 2008.

Produced by Doobie Brother John McFee, Carter's abilities as a songwriter have never been stronger, hitting the listener straight in the heart. She penned all twelve songs and even offers a bonus track. In a note to McFee, rock guru Elvis Costello has this to say about the project:" I couldn't let a day go by without writing a note about C.C.'s record. It is astounding."

Coming from a musical dynasty that not only includes the Carter Family, but father Carl Smith and step dad Johnny Cash, Carter has lived and learned about life in all its myriad forms and emotions. A poignant mix of grief and reliance, the record reflects on Carter's Job-like loss of her long-time partner, Howie Epstein; her mother, June Carter Cash; her stepfather, Johnny Cash; and her kid sister Rosey. All four of her loved ones died in 2003.That's some powerful grief to endure. However the record also speaks to the power of love and renewal. Carter married actor Joseph Breen in 2006.

Carter, one of the first bohemian country rockers, has always known how to mix pop, country-rock and traditional sounds, and Stronger is yet another great testament to her musical sensibilities. Slightly retro but with a modern feel, the CD begins with The Bitter End . Why Be Blue is frisky country pop. Carter channels her family's roots in a trio of mellow traditional songs, To Change Your Heart, Spider Lace and It Takes One to Know Me.

On the performing side of the equation Carter has been wowing fans and buyers alike with her mesmerizing performance and the crystal clarity of her voice. A successful tour of Scandinavia and England brought many new fans. A US tour is in the works.

Just as her family before her, there is no doubt that Carter's legacy is here to stay.