Virgin College Mega Tour Presented by Dentyne Ice & Dentyne Fire Announces Official Dates for National Spring College Tour; Michelle Branch Headlines — More Dates to Be Announced

Business Wire, Feb 24, 2004

Entertainment Editors/News Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 2004

Virgin Megastores North America and Integrate Marketing, LLC are pleased to announce the initial seventeen (17) dates of the Virgin College Mega Tour, a national college music tour featuring some of today's hottest break out artists. The Virgin College Mega Tour line-up features headliner Michelle Branch and supporting artists, Gavin DeGraw, Rooney and Joe Firstman.

Grammy nominee, Michelle Branch will headline this spring tour as it weaves across the country and hits college campuses everywhere. Join one of today's hottest rock chicks as she performs hits from her latest release, Hotel Paper. As a J Records recording artist, 25-year-old Gavin DeGraw shares his singer, songwriter, guitar & piano player talents on his debut album Chariot and on tours throughout the United States. Critically acclaimed Rooney has quickly gained national recognition after being named one of Rolling Stone Magazine's "Bands To Watch." And after the band's performance on Fox's hot teen drama, The O.C. this act will be hard to miss! Acclaimed singer/songwriter Joe Firstman will deliver songs of emotional depth and soulful meaning from his debut full-length album, The War of Women, during the Mega Tour.

"We're thrilled to host this program which will expose an eclectic group of musicians to college students. Virgin takes pride in delivering customers the best possible experience inside of our stores, and now through this tour we can deliver the latest music to college music fans right on their campuses," states Glen Ward, President & CEO, Virgin Entertainment Group, North America.

The tour will also incorporate an interactive village for students complete with special performances by Tyler Hilton, Michael Tolcher, and Chris Grace on the Behringer Day Stage as well as sponsor giveaways, activities, and a music learning center from Gibson and Epiphone guitars on select dates.

  The Virgin College Mega Tour proudly announces the following dates:
     As of 2/23/04 - Dates Subject to Change/More to Be Announced

Saturday, March 27   Virginia Commonwealth
                      University                   Richmond, VA
Sunday, March 28     Manhattan College             Riverdale, NY (a)
Thursday, April 1    University of Memphis         Memphis, TN (b)
Friday, April 2      Western Carolina University   Cullowhee, NC (b)
Sunday, April 4      University of Arkansas        Fayetteville, AR
Thursday, April 8    Northern Arizona University   Flagstaff, AZ (b)
Friday, April 9      Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo    San Luis Obispo, CA
Saturday, April 10   Cal State - Los Angeles       Los Angeles, CA (b)
Friday, April 16     Louisiana Tech University     Ruston, LA
Saturday, April 17   Mississippi State University  Starkville, MS
Sunday, April 18     University of Alabama -
                      Tuscaloosa                   Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuesday, April 20    Southeastern Louisiana
                      University                   Hammond, LA (b)
Wednesday, April 21  Arkansas State University     Jonesboro,AR (b)
Saturday, April 24   Regis College                 Weston, MA (a)
Thursday, April 29   University of Rhode Island    Kingston, RI (b)
Friday, April 30     Niagara University            Niagara Falls, NY
Saturday, May 1      Southern Connecticut State
                      University                   New Haven, CT

(a) Closed Private Show

(b) Gavin DeGraw Will Appear With Michelle Branch and the rest of the
    line-up on these dates Only

"We are thrilled about the buzz that the Virgin College Mega Tour has generated," says tour producer Martin Berman of Integrate Marketing, LLC. "It has exceeded all of our expectations."

"The feedback we have received for this tour and the talent line up is phenomenal," says Marcie Cardwell, President of Mad Booking & Events, the company responsible for booking the tour. "This has become the most talked about college tour of the spring."

The Virgin College Mega Tour is presented by Dentyne Ice and Dentyne Fire also sponsored by Volvo, Uno/Mattell, Gibson Pure, Rock the Vote and Epiphone Guitars.

For more information on the Virgin College Mega Tour please visit the official website www.virgincollegemegatour.com.