Program Provides High School Students Across The Country An Insider's Perspective of Careers In The Music Industry

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2006) — The GRAMMY FoundationTM today announced the schedule for its 2006 GRAMMY Career DaySM, a national program that brings top music industry professionals together with high school students to present an insider's perspective on working in the music and recording industries. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this distinguished program kicked off on Jan. 13 in Portland, Ore., and it continues throughout the school year with events in 13 cities across the United States, including Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Nashville, New York and San Francisco. GRAMMY Career Day is presented by Gibson Baldwin Music Education and is completely free of charge.

"GRAMMY Career Day is a unique opportunity for high school students to learn about the diverse career opportunities available in the music industry today," said Recording Academy® and GRAMMY Foundation President Neil Portnow. "We are proud of 20 years of providing students with an opportunity to work directly with successful individuals drawn from a broad spectrum of the music industry, which continues to provide valuable insights for the next generation of music professionals."

GRAMMY Career Day begins with a panel comprising recording and music industry talents interacting with students in a dynamic talk-show format. Following the panel discussion, students attend one of numerous interactive workshops offered on topics such as songwriting, engineering, production, instrumental techniques, marketing and public relations, music video production and new media careers.

"Gibson Guitar and Baldwin Piano are committed to music education and to fostering a lifelong appreciation of music," said Henry Juskiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar and Baldwin Piano. "GRAMMY Career Day gives young people direct access to working professionals and increases their awareness about the range of career options in the music industry, and we are proud to support a program of this caliber."

The 2006 GRAMMY Career Day program will visit the following cities:

• Jan. 13             Portland, Ore. — Portland Community College
• Jan. 19             San Francisco — San Francisco State University
• Jan. 20             Tacoma, Wash. — University of Puget Sound
• Feb. 3              Memphis, Tenn. — University of Memphis Scheidt School of Music
• Feb. 6              Los Angeles — University of Southern California Thornton School of Music
• Feb. 23            Miami — University of Miami School of Music
• T.B.D.              Washington, D.C. — T.B.D.
• Mar. 9              Philadelphia — University of the Arts
• Mar. 15            Nashville — Belmont University
• Mar. 22            New York — Pace University
• Apr. 5               Kyle, Texas — Hays Performing Arts Center
• May 10             Atlanta — Kennesaw State University
• May 18             Cleveland, Ohio — Case Western Reserve University

Since its launch in 1986, GRAMMY Career Day participants have included behind-the-scenes music professionals (engineers, producers, songwriters, music publishers, entertainment attorneys, label executives and more) as well as widely recognized artists such as Ashanti, Erykah Badu, Clint Black, Boyz II Men, Deana Carter, Common, Chuck D, Bo Diddley, Floetry, David Foster, Peter Frampton, Vince Gill, Sammy Hagar, Faith Hill, the Hooters, Jimmy Jam, Dave Koz, LL Cool J, G. Love, Monica, Greg Phillinganes, Linda Ronstadt, Brenda Russell, Carlos Santana, Jill Scott, Jon Secada, Sisqo, Usher, Diane Warren, Wynonna and Trisha Yearwood.

The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture — from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with The Recording Academy to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. For more information, please visit www.grammyintheschools.com.

Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., also known as The Recording Academy, is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY® Awards, The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs — including the creation of the national public education campaign What's The Download® (www.WhatsTheDownload.com). For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.

For more than 100 years Gibson Guitar and Baldwin Piano have made an unmatched commitment to musical excellence. This commitment has not only been to produce the world's finest musical instruments, but also to support and promote music education. Under the sponsorship of the parent company, Gibson Guitar Corp., scholarship funds have been established and significant contributions made to various charities whose mission promotes music and music education. In furthering its commitment to music and music education, Gibson Baldwin Music Education is proud to introduce a collection of introductory musical instruments sold through mass merchants with partial proceeds going directly to music education foundations.