Jim Caparro to Jam at EAT'M; Chairman of the Island Def Jam Music Group Will Be Keynote Speaker at the Emerging Artists & Talent in Music Third Annual Conference

Business Wire, March 1, 2000

Entertainment Editors

LAS VEGAS--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--March 1, 2000

Jim Caparro, chairman and chief executive officer of the Island Def Jam Music Group, will deliver the keynote speech on June 9, 2000, at the third annual Emerging Artists & Talent in Music (EAT'M) Conference, Showcase & Festival Keynote Luncheon.

Caparro is responsible for the consolidation of the label that has enjoyed tremendous success with such diverse artists as Melissa Etheridge, Dru Hill, Sisqo, Bon Jovi, Hanson, Shania Twain, LL Cool J and Jay-Z. EAT'M's keynote speakers for its first two conferences were George Martin and Ahmet Ertegun.

The three-day event, hosted by the Rio All-Suite Casino Resort in Las Vegas, has an impressive list of panelists and spokespeople, including new additions MP3 CEO Michael Robertson, Hillary Rosen, president of the RIAA, a Latin Explosion panel moderated by Jorge Pinos, entertainment attorney Peter Lopez, Immortal's Happy Walters, and many more.

According to Lisa Tenner, founder of EAT'M, "In an effort to provide even greater opportunities for showcasing talent, the number of performing bands will be reduced this year so that attending A&R executives, publishers, agents, managers and bookers can see more of the bands."

The success of the showcases is indisputable, with signings including Slipknot to I AM Recordings, produced by Ross Robinson; Mytown to the Universal Music Group; and most recently, Lefty to Interscope.

In addition, Kevin Lyman has committed to adding some of this year's EAT'M bands to the upcoming Van's Warped Tour, and HouseofBlues.com, one of EAT'M's newer sponsors, will be interviewing each of the bands at its booth.

NARAS is actively involved as well. The booth will provide a forum for attending artists to meet and speak with prominent producers, publishers and other industry heavyweights in its "Coffee and Conversation" environment. One of the organization's main focuses this year is the Latin Explosion and participation on that panel is planned.

Presenting sponsor SpinRecords.com is providing a 2000 SUV vehicle, which one EAT'M artist will win. Other key sponsors include vegas.com, Las Vegas Weekly and Speed Monster. The Guitar Center and I AM Recordings Inc. are each sponsoring a stage.

An elite group of music industry pros are currently in Las Vegas listening to impressive music from around the world. The number of showcase submissions skyrocketed this year, with a dramatic increase from Japan and Australia, and more diversified representation from cities throughout the United States.

Selections for showcasing artists will be announced on March 30, 2000. Showcases will take place at Las Vegas venues, including five stages at the Rio All-Suite Casino Resort, four stages at the MGM Grand Hotel, the Joint, House of Blues, Las Vegas Hilton, Pinkees and the Beach, nightly throughout the conference, from June 7-10.

Registrations are discounted through April 30, 2000. The hotline number is 702/792-9430 or visit the EAT'M Web site at www.eat-m.com.