ADVISORY/Photo Opportunity: Phil Vassar Appears At Sam Goody Central; Country Artist Slated to Autographs Copies Of His Latest Album `American Child'.

News/Assignment Editors

ADVISORY...for Friday (Aug. 9)

--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)

    WHAT: Country artist Phil Vassar is slated to sign copies of his
        latest album American Child at Sam Goody Central on Friday,
        August 9.

    WHO: Phil Vassar began his career in music while working in a
        Nashville restaurant, where he played keyboards a few hours a
        week for the public. Soon after, his song "Once In A While"
        was passed on to Engelbert Humperdinck, which established his
        name in Nashville.

        Vassar's album American Child will be his second album and
        includes songs co-written with Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 and
        Miles Zuniga of Fastball. He has also previously written No. 1
        singles for country artists such as Jo Dee Messina (Bye Bye),
        Tim McGraw (My Next Thirty Years) and Alan Jackson (Right On
        the Money).

        Recently, Vassar was presented with the Top New Male Vocalist
        of 2002 award from the Academy of Country Music. In 2000, he
        was Billboard's Top New Country Artist of the Year and Music
        Row magazine's Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

        American Child will be released nationally on August 6.

    WHEN: Friday, August 9, at 6:00 p.m.

    WHERE: Sam Goody Central
           Mall of America
           Bloomington, Minnesota