ADVISORY/Splinter Chosen as Semifinalist in America Online's 'First Break' Competition; Philadelphia AOL Members Have Just One Week Left To Vote For Hometown Band!

Entertainment Editors

ADVISORY...

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

America Online (NYSE:AOL)

WHO:    Now that "American Idol" is over, Philadelphia members can
        continue to lend their votes to support hometown band Splinter
        as they have been chosen as semifinalists in the First Break
        competition on AOL Music.

        Splinter hit the scene in 1997 with a musical style so broad
        that descriptions have ranged from "acoustic dreaminess" with
        "entrancing lyrics" to "industrialized throttle" and
        "industrial with a heart." Subsequent years found the band
        touring the east coast, drawing fans from New York to Florida
        and captivating audiences with an intense live show.

WHAT:   "First Break" is an AOL Music Programming franchise initiative
        in which AOL members have the exclusive opportunity to choose
        an unsigned talent and award them a demo deal from Atlantic
        Records, an appearance on the popular Sessions@AOL program and
        a one-year membership to Tonos (AOL Keyword: First Break).

        Thousands of original entries were sent to AOL Music and five
        June finalists have now been selected by an AOL Music panel of
        judges for their song writing, performance and musical
        abilities.  Splinter is one of them!  All of the June
        finalists, including Splinter, are now posted at AOL Keyword:
        First Break and AOL members are invited to vote for their
        favorite -- so get your local AOL members online right away!
        Tehree, an R&B artist from Durham, NC, has won the May finals
        round.  Tehree and the winner of the June finals round will go
        head-to-head during the first two weeks of July.  At that
        time, AOL members will vote for the ultimate winner.

WHEN:   AOL's First Break schedule follows:

April 1-15: Entries were accepted for May competition
April 16- May 15: Entries were accepted for June competition
May 1- 29: Online voting to select May finalist
June 1-29: Online voting to select June finalist
July 1-15: Final voting of top May finalist vs. top June finalist
July 16-31: First Break winner's song will be showcased on AOL Music

The bands are available for interviews and AOL Music executives are available for comments regarding First Break, the selection process and the AOL member reactions.

If interested, please contact Rachel Lizerbram at 212-484-7784 or [e-mail]