Artists Share 'Breaking In' Experiences on DVD

[J.A.F._Doorhof]

From: InsideSessions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Top Musicians And Authors Share Their Experiences In Insidesessions' New Line Of Dvds And Videos

Elton John, Sting, Sheryl Crow, Fred Durst, Shaggy, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., Tom Clancy, Nora Roberts, Amy Tan and Other Top Artists Teach Aspiring Musicians and Authors How to Break into the Industry

Universal City, CA - December 17, 2001 - People who want to break into the music or book publishing businesses can get insightful and practical advice from influential musicians, authors and industry insiders with InsideSessions' new line of DVDs and VHS videos. The products can be ordered online at www.insidesessions.com.

Universal Music Group and Penguin Putnam, Inc. recently formed InsideSessions to provide entertaining and informative distance learning products to aspiring musicians, authors and people who want to work behind-the-scenes in music or book publishing.

The Music Business: An Insider's Guide to Breaking In is available on DVD and VHS for $24.95 SRP and $19.95 SRP, respectively. It features exclusive insights and practical advice from more than 75 of the biggest recording artists, songwriters, record label executives, producers, engineers, managers and attorneys working in the music business.

Popular musicians including Sting, Sheryl Crow, Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Enrique Iglesias, Fred Durst, Rob Zombie, Nelly and Shaggy cover topics such as how to record a low-cost demo and get the most out of studio time, how to build a buzz, how to interpret a record contract, how to work with producers, songwriters and A&R execs, and how to effectively arrange a tour. Top industry insiders including Sony Music chairman and CEO Tommy Mottola, Interscope Geffen A&M chairman Jimmy Iovine, producer Glen Ballard and Def Jam Records founder Russell Simmons also explain who does what at a record company and how to get a foot in the door.

For people who want to dig even deeper, InsideSessions offers a four-volume VHS box set entitled Insider's Guide to the Music Business: The Complete Sessions for $69.95 SRP. Each volume is dedicated to a specific aspect of the music industry including who does what at a record company; songwriting and publishing; making a demo and working in the studio; and business and legal issues.

In addition to the music-oriented products, more than 60 best-selling authors, literary agents and publishers give aspiring writers valuable insights in The Writer's Process: From Concept to Publication, available only on VHS for $19.95 SRP.

Best-selling authors Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., Nick Hornby, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Tom Clancy, David McCullough, Nora Roberts, Ken Follett and Amy Tan cover topics ranging from finding your voice, to choosing a subject, to overcoming writer's block, to working with agents and publishers.

The DVD and VHS products offer a "best-of" compilation of archive footage from InsideSessions' online programs MusicSessions and WritingSessions, which are also available for purchase online at www.insidesessions.com.

About InsideSessions InsideSessions is a Los Angeles-based joint venture between Universal Music Group and Penguin Putnam, Inc. that combines education and entertainment to provide unique distance learning programs to people who aspire to break into the music or book publishing industries. InsideSessions is part of Vivendi Universal Net USA, Vivendi Universal's U.S.-based Internet and technology company. Grounded in the belief that experience is the best teacher, InsideSessions' programs open industry doors to let aspiring musicians and authors learn from the collective real-world experiences of today's most influential artists and successful industry executives. The programs are available over the Internet and on DVD and home video.