New news. Sounds like another good purchase that will continue to add to the bottom line.
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Tuesday December 7, 8:00 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
TBA Entertainment Acquires Mike Atkins
Management, Expands Artist Management Division
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 1999--TBA Entertainment Corporation (Nasdaq:TBAE - news) has
acquired Mike Atkins Management, Inc., one of the largest artist management companies serving contemporary Christian
music.
The Nashville-based, Mike Atkins Management represents several of the top names in the contemporary Christian music
market including Point of Grace, Jaci Velasquez, Wayne Watson, 4HIM, FFH, Scott Krippayne and Petra.
``The contemporary Christian music industry is the fastest growing genre of music today,(1) and we are eager to expand into
this segment of the music market, which has consistently averaged growth in excess of 20 percent since 1991,' said TBA
Entertainment Corporation Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Thomas Jackson ``Jock' Weaver III.
Mike Atkins founded the management company in 1996, following 12 years of concert promotion, public relations and artist
management with Atkins-Muse and Associates, Inc.
``Mike Atkins is one of the finest managers in the industry,' commented Bob Titley, executive vice president of TBA
Entertainment Corporation and head of the company's Artist Management division. ``He integrates successful business
practices with a high level of personal character and concern for the artist's career and well-being. That combination is rare and
critical to a manager's success, and a fundamental part of TBA's management philosophy.'
``Since 1996, I have focused solely on the careers and personal welfare of the artists to whom I have committed my life, and
now with the union with TBA Entertainment, the possibilities are unlimited for the growth of these artists,' said Atkins from his
Brentwood, TN office. ``Further, I am looking forward to joining such an incredible company and most importantly the synergy
of the people at the company.'
Atkins and his staff will relocate their offices to TBA's Nashville office at 300 Tenth Avenue South. This acquisition marks the
seventh for TBA in the last 18 months. Last week, the company announced plans for the acquisition of Romeo Entertainment
Group, one of the largest producers of outdoor fairs and festivals in the U.S.
TBA Entertainment Corporation is a diversified entertainment company that will produce more than 2,000 events next year for
corporate clients and entertainers worldwide through its nationwide offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, Chicago,
Dallas, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Omaha and Denver. TBA produces corporate meetings and
private shows through TBA's Corporate Communications and Entertainment division; develops innovative music marketing
initiatives including concert tours, festivals and television broadcasts through TBA's Entertainment Marketing and Special
Events division; designs, manufactures and fulfills merchandise for large entertainment and sporting events through TBA's Event
Merchandising division; and manages the careers of some of today's most successful entertainers through its Artist Management
division.
(1) Source: Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) 1998 Consumer Profile Report. Gospel Music's market
share grew from 4.5 percent in 1997 to 6.3 percent in1998, marking the largest growth margin of all genres of the music
industry.
MIKE ATKINS MANAGEMENT
ARTIST ROSTER
Point of Grace
Super group Point of Grace, the reigning 1999 Dove Award Group of the Year, has gained multiple Dove Awards and
Grammy nominations. Point of Grace currently has 20 consecutive No. 1 singles and has 6 consecutive No. 1 singles off their
debut album, a feat un-accomplished in any genre of music. Point of Grace continues to build on their legacy of four Gold
certified albums and one Platinum album and have proven themselves as one of the most exciting, original and inspiring arrivals
to contemporary Christian music. Point of Grace has had major television and print exposure including Regis and Kathy Lee,
CNN Show Biz, VH1, CBS This Morning, and The View. In support of their new Christmas album titled, ``A Christmas
Story,' Point of Grace is currently touring with the Amy Grant Christmas tour, ``A Christmas to Remember.'
Jaci Velasquez
Only two years after taking home the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, Jaci Velasquez was named Female Vocalist of
the Year for 1999. After gold-selling status on each of her first two Contemporary Christian Music recordings, this teen
sensation has released her first Spanish project on Sony Discos. With explosive sales and her first single topping the Billboard
Hot Latin tracks for 3 consecutive weeks, Jaci continues to broaden her base to both the Anglo and Spanish markets. Jaci was
the fourth top-selling teenage female artist in the United States in 1998 in any genre of music.
Wayne Watson
With some 20 years and 15 albums with 21 number one songs, singer/songwriter Wayne Watson continues to encourage fans
and families through his challenging delivery of profound lyrics. Wayne has had four Dove awards and two Grammy
nominations. Wayne's composition ``For Such a Time as This' was featured in the 1999 season premiere of the No. 1 rated
CBS drama, ``Touched By an Angel.' ``For Such a Time as This' was also the No. 1 Inspirational Song of the Year in 1999
and was performed by Wayne at the Columbine High School Memorial service in Denver.
4HIM
Three-time Dove award group of the year 4HIM is the premier male group in contemporary Christian music. 4Him continues to
be a mainstay in the industry with over 20 No. 1 radio singles, a Grammy nomination and sales in excess of 2 million records.
4HIM is currently in the studio working on their 9th album scheduled for release in March 2000.
FFH
FFH is one of the top-selling new Christian music acts of 1999. The group's tremendous success as a debut artist has garnered
critical acclaim industry-wide. FFH wrote and recorded a song used in a Coca-Cola national radio advertising campaign that
aired on over 4000 radio stations. They are currently preparing for the release of their second project slated for March 2000 to
be supported by their first major headline tour.
Scott Krippayne
One of the most prolific singer/songwriters in contemporary Christian music, Scott is currently touring in support of his new
album ``Bright Star, Blue Sky.' His writing has charted five inspirational No. 1's and nine inspirational top five's. He was named
number one Christian Artist of the Year by American Songwriter Magazine in 1996 and received Dove Award nominations for
New Artist of the Year and Inspirational Song of the Year.
Petra
Petra is one of Christian music's top selling bands, with more than six million albums sold and receiving two Gold records. They
have earned three Grammy Awards, nine Dove Awards and more than two dozen CCM Christian Reader's Poll Awards.
Now after 27 years of ministry, they have been pioneering the very essence of contemporary Christian music. |
