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Exclusive Billy Graham Biography and Live Homecoming Projects Coming Up

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – February 14, 2006 – EMI CMG Distribution and Gaither Music Group have agreed to extend a decade-plus relationship that has generated sales of more than 20 million albums, with a new, long-term agreement. The extension was announced today by Greg Bays, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for EMI CMG Distribution, and Barry Jennings, President of Gaither Music Group.

Under the new agreement, EMI CMG Distribution continues to hold exclusive rights for worldwide Christian and general market retail distribution of all Gaither Music Group audio and video products, including the popular Homecoming series and music from artists such as The Gaither Vocal Band, Bill & Gloria Gaither, Ernie Haas and Signature Sound, Lynda Randle, The Isaacs, Guy Penrod and more.

“EMI CMG Distribution has been honored to partner with Gaither Music Group for more than 12 years and is grateful for the confidence Bill Gaither and his team have expressed with this distribution agreement extension,” said Bill Hearn, President and CEO of EMI Christian Music Group (EMI CMG). “We look forward to the next chapter of our partnership and predict many rewarding years ahead.”

“EMI CMG has been a tremendous force behind Gaither Music, helping us propel our music into exciting new places where we may never have taken it on our own,” added Jennings. “Their commitment to our vision as a company and their long history of excellence are two great reasons we are thankful to continue this working relationship into the future.”

Together, Gaither Music Group and EMI CMG have sold more than 20 million albums and 14 million videos since the two companies aligned in 1994. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has awarded more than 75 gold and more than 40 platinum certifications for Homecoming videos, including multi-platinum certifications for “Old Friends,” “Ryman Gospel Reunion” and “Turn Your Radio On.”

“The EMI CMG Distribution team continues to be dedicated to providing Gaither Music Group with outstanding sales and service. Looking at the new products coming out in the next few months, we have a lot to be excited about, and look forward to a long and productive relationship,” said Bays.

With the extended contract in affect immediately, EMI CMG Distribution has already begun selling several key releases, starting with the Bill and Gloria Gaither & Their Homecoming Friends - Homecoming Live in Toronto DVD and Bill and Gloria Gaither & Their Homecoming Friends - Canadian Homecoming DVD, which both released on February 7. These new DVDs mark the 10th anniversary of the Homecoming Tour and the first time the Homecoming Tour concerts have been recorded live. More than 15,000 fans, the Homecoming Tour’s largest North American crowd of 2005, were on hand for the concerts which were staged in Toronto’s Air Canada Centre. Homecoming regulars such as the Gaither Vocal Band, The Hoppers, Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Isaacs, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, Lynda Randle, Mark Lowry and dozens more perform on the DVDs.

Then, on April 4th, Gaither Music Group and EMI CMG Distribution will release Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador, a video biography hosted by award-winning journalist Sir David Frost. The story of Billy Graham’s extraordinary life and ministry, God’s Ambassador is the only BGEA- authorized video biography of Billy Graham ever made. It features two hours of rare archival footage of Dr. Graham’s early life, ministry and worldwide evangelical efforts, as well as interview footage with President George W. Bush, former President George H.W. Bush, and NBC news anchor Brian Williams and others. The documentary also features more than one hour of bonus material, including Dr. Graham’s Portland, Oregon Crusade sermon, a message from Franklin Graham and a musical segment hosted by Bill Gaither. EMI CMG Distribution will offer extensive Christian retail support for God’s Ambassador (Twentieth Century Fox will distribute to U.S. and Canadian general market). EMI CMG’s marketing efforts will include placement on EMI CMG’s Quarterly Video Loop in 770 stores; positioning in the Gaither Permanent Display in more than 400 stores with video/audio clips as well as retailer-specific marketing efforts and catalog placements.

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