MSN Makes for the Ultimate Music Experience With Star-Studded Music in High Places Web Adventure

LOS ANGELES, April 17, 2001 — Today top recording artists Alanis Morissette, Brian McKnight, Shawn Colvin and Collective Soul will come together for the MSN® gala at the Museum of Television & Radio in Beverly Hills, Calif., to show support of the dynamic role of MSN in Music in High Places (MIHP) and to celebrate the key offerings and accomplishments of MSN in the music space. MIHP is an international television and Internet series that takes top recording artists on musical adventures as they travel and experience some of the world’s most ancient and mystical locations. By extending the MIHP television series to the Web, MSN provides fans across the globe with an exciting digital music experience and top-notch MSN content and services tailored specifically for each artist’s musical journey.

“Music in High Places gave our band the opportunity to go to Morocco, talk with the local people, experience the North African culture firsthand and actually sing on location at some of the most significant and historic places on Earth,”
said Collective Soul’s Ed Roland.
“Having our adventure on the Web is an added bonus because, with MSN, millions of people worldwide can share in those same experiences.”

The Music in High Places Web adventure, found exclusively on MSN at http://www.musicinhighplaces.msn.com/ , guides music fans through an online adventure into their favorite recording artist’s musical experience. On MSN, fans get up-close-and-personal, real-time conversations on MSN Live Chats; full-length, uninterrupted, acoustic performances at each location; and never-before-seen footage of MIHP recording artists as they travel to these ancient locations, explore the history and culture of each area, encounter its nature and wildlife, and bond with its indigenous peoples.

“Our work with MIHP is one more way MSN is delivering on its commitment to bringing consumers the ultimate online musical experience,”
said Jeff Camp, general manager for MSN Music Service at Microsoft Corp.
“Microsoft is a driving force in the digital music industry, and MSN is adding to that by giving millions of music enthusiasts another reason to enjoy music online.”

“We are in the throes of a new, exciting era in entertainment where all media for programming delivery, including satellites, broadcast television and the Internet, can offer music fans a new way of experiencing entertainment,”
said Parvene Michaels, creator and executive producer of MIHP.
“MSN’s technology expertise and broad consumer base have been vital in helping us to reach our goal of bringing the world to the viewers’ doorstep with their favorite recording artists as their guides.”

The Music in High Places online experience is one of many recent advances MSN has made to solidify its role in the online music space and provide consumers worldwide the best digital music experience. Launched earlier this month, MSN Music, a unique listening experience available at http://music.msn.com/ , is the place for consumers of all ages to go for an easy, free* way to search for, listen to and discover music they like, whether their tastes include pop, rock, hip-hop or any of the more than 100 other styles offered on the service. Combining technology and music expertise, the first beta release of MSN Music delivers unique tools to locate, listen to and learn about music and the artists who produce it.

In November of last year, MSN announced its relationship with jive recording artists *NSYNC to deliver the ultimate online experience to *NSYNC fans across the United States by tailoring already-popular MSN services such as MSN Messenger and teen-oriented MSN Communities and delivering them through a cool, co-branded Internet Access service, *NSYNC@MSN. Over 10 million music fans came to MSN last year when it hosted the largest webcast in history featuring Madonna performing live from London. With the integrated Microsoft® Windows Media™
Player in MSN Explorer, fans were able to surf the Web and listen to the music event that was
“heard around the world”
all at once.

Windows Media Player, the fastest-growing media player, is just one of many reasons production companies, recording artists and other key players in the music industry are turning to the industry-leading technology expertise and vast consumer reach of Microsoft and MSN. Last month alone, more than 230 million unique monthly visitors visited MSN, making it the most popular destination on the Web and an ideal way for businesses, labels and artists to connect with a broad reach of consumers through a secure, compelling forum.

About Music in High Places

Music in High Places, debuting April 23 on MTV, is a co-production of three independent companies: three-time GRAMMY® award-winning Tall Pony Productions Inc.; TBA Entertainment Corp., one of the industry’s top entertainment and communications corporations; and leading entertainment event, media and marketing firm Innovative Media Productions Inc. Music in High Places was created by independent producer and marketing executive Parvene Michaels of Innovative Media Productions. Anthony Eaton of Tall Pony Productions, Marc Oswald and Michaels serve as executive producers of the series. Directed and edited by Alan Carter, the series is produced by Danny Harris, Jamee Younger-Tenzer and Lewis Friedman; co-produced by Tisha Fein; and written by Friedman. Allen Cody serves as coordinating producer; Spencer Thornton is post-production/second unit producer.

About MSN

MSN gives consumers a new home on the Internet – a central place where they can get everything they need from the Web and make the most of their time online. With more than 230 million unique visitors monthly, the MSN integrated network of content and services is the most popular destination on the Internet. MSN is available in 33 markets and in 17 languages — a broader global presence than any other portal. MSN takes advantage of the Microsoft® .NET Platform to offer leading services, any time, any place and on any device, with an integrated and personalized user experience for communications, search, shopping, personal finance and entertainment. MSN Internet Access and the recently introduced MSN Explorer offer quick, personal and exciting ways to get on to and take advantage of the Web. Best-of-breed services include the MSN Hotmail® Web-based e-mail service, the world’s largest Web-based e-mail system; MSN Messenger Service, one of the fastest growing instant messaging services on the Web; MSN Search, the second most popular online search service; MSN Mobile, the customizable wireless information service; the award-winning MSN MoneyCentral™
online personal finance guide; MSN eShop, the one-stop online shopping resource; and MSN Custom Web Sites, the easy way to share information on the Web. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com/ .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

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