Steve Marshall of the Kenny Chesney Band Saddles up with the Music Man Bongo Bass

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA (September 13, 2005) - Steve Marshall of the Kenny Chesney Band has joined the legion of professional musicians choosing the Bongo bass as their main axe. For the past two months Marshall has been playing a Bongo and is blown away by it.

"I've been playing the Stingray bass since 1978," said Marshall. "I've always been a Music Man player - it's always been my preference. But the Bongo has become my favorite. It has great sound that really growls."

Marshall explained that after the first show playing his new Bongo, the sound technician commented that the bass sound was clearer and more tonally distinct than ever before. "I like that the Bongo can sustain sound better than any other bass. You play a note and it will ring out forever," said Marshall.

He also noted that he enjoys both the look and feel of the unique Bongo. Not only does it have an unusual appearance, but also the weight of the bass is evenly distributed, and a well-placed strap prevents it from just hanging around the neck of its player. Given Marshall?s acclaim for the product, it's not surprising that Music Man is currently building him a second Bongo - with a custom yellow body.

While the Kenny Chesney band has finished touring for the summer season, they will be performing at an upcoming New Orleans benefit and are planning to participate in Farm Aid on September 18. Marshall will be playing the Bongo at both performances. Their band's new CD, The Road & The Radio, is set for release November 8.

Music Man is recognized as the benchmark of modern bass guitar design and manufacturing since introducing the Stingray bass in 1976. Music Man was founded by Leo Fender, Forrest White and Tom Walker in 1972, and acquired in 1984 by Ernie Ball Inc. The company has since developed many groundbreaking guitars and basses. For more information, contact the Ernie Ball Company at (805) 544-7726, or visit their website at www.ernieball.com.

These products are Ernie Ball trademarks registered in the USA and many foreign countries:

ERNIE BALL®     CUSTOM GAUGE®     SLINKY®     EARTHWOOD®
MUSICMAN®
STINGRAY®     SILHOUETTE®     AXIS®
STERLING®     4+2®     3+1®

Trademark ownership is indicated by the symbol ®, however, for the sake of brevity it is omitted during the story.

Contact:
Derek Brooks
Ernie Ball, Inc.
(800) 543-2255

Media Contact:
Keith Negrin
MORSEKODE
(952) 853-9555