COLLEGE STUDENT TAPPED TO BE GOSPEL/CHRISTIAN MUSIC'S RISING SUPERSTAR

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19-Year-Old CARLI MARINO Wins Nationally Televised Gospel Dream Competition

* Marino Wins Recording Contract with SONY/BMG’s Zomba Gospel Label; Will Release Her First Album in 2007

ATLANTA, Dec. 7, 2006—Wednesday night, with many of America’s 80 million gospel/Christian music fans across the country watching, Gospel Dream—Gospel Music Channel’s “Idol®”-style competition in search of America’s next gospel/Christian music star—launched the gospel music recording career of 19-year-old Carli Marino.

Cool and casual under pressure, the statuesque blue-eyed blonde captured the audience’s heart wearing jeans and a sweater to sing the gospel classic, I Surrender All. “I’m so excited about winning Gospel Dream!” the teen exclaimed. “I can’t believe this has happened . . . I’m just overwhelmed!”

Marino is now poised to record her first album under Sony/BMG’s Zomba Gospel Label, which has turned out albums for top gospel and Christian artists including Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Michael W. Smith, Third Day, and Casting Crowns.

“We believe she embodies the total package needed to be a star,” said Max Siegel, head of the Zomba Label Group, who served as a judge for Gospel Dream 2006. “Carli is a gifted performer with great style. We are very excited about her future as a recording artist.”

Marino was chosen from thousands of hopefuls from across the country. The competition began in June with a series of six regional auditions and culminated with a final sing-off in Nashville on Friday, Dec. 1.

ABOUT THE GOSPEL MUSIC CHANNEL: Launched in October 2004, Gospel Music Channel is the first 24-hour all-music television network devoted to the best of gospel/Christian music. Led by cable network veterans Charley Humbard, Discovery Channel’s former general manager of digital networks, and Brad Siegel, former president of Turner Entertainment Networks, Gospel Music Channel is currently available on cable systems in 80 markets and more than 2900 cities nationwide. From the soulful sounds of Yolanda Adams to the country roots of Randy Travis, to the contemporary stylings of Kirk Franklin, Mercy Me, and Amy Grant, the Gospel Music Channel celebrates a musical genre that crosses cultures and generations and delivers a fan base so large it deserves its own network. Gospel Dream was conceived by music industry veteran, Elvin Ross.