Ernie Ball/Music Man Welcomes New Artists & Bands to Family of Endorsees

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA (April 23, 2007) - Ernie Ball/Music Man is proud to announce the expansion of the Ernie Ball family of artists, excitedly adding several new artists and bands to the company's already long list of endorsees.


Among the welcomed artists are guitarist and singer-songwriter Chris Cornell, as well as acclaimed musical groups Sevendust, Snow Patrol, Interpol, Muse and The Academy Is.


"We are always proud to embrace artists who are new to the Ernie Ball/Music Man family, and we couldn't be happier to welcome such a widely acclaimed and worldly group of musicians," said Derek Brooks of the Ernie Ball Company. "It's great to know we're still making products that artists are eager to get behind, and it's that type of brand loyalty that continues to drive our success."

Details on the aforementioned artists follow:

• Chris Cornell - Best known for his roles with Soundgarden and Audioslave, guitarist and singer-songwriter Chris Cornell is working on his second solo album Carry On, due in stores summer 2007. Growing in popularity among a number of audiences, Cornell also wrote and performed the opening pieces for the 2006 blockbuster Casino Royale. He is currently on tour.


• Interpol - An American indie rock band formed in 1998, Interpol has received critical acclaim for past albums Turn on the Bright Lights and Antics. Their yet-to-be-named third album is scheduled for a June 2007 release date.


• Muse - Having sold over seven million records worldwide, the English rock band Muse has proven global appeal. The group has taken home a whopping 20 musical awards since 2000 and has received accolades for their four albums Showbiz, Origin of Symmetry, Absolution and Black Holes and Revelations. The group is currently touring internationally.


• Sevendust - With a name inspired by a pesticide product found in bassist Vinnie Hornsby's grandma's garage, Sevendust from Atlanta, GA has released six studio albums, including Asylum, the hit record that debuted earlier this year. The band is currently on a 57-date headlining tour that will wrap at the end of the month.


• Snow Patrol - Currently on tour in Europe, the alternative rock band Snow Patrol has released four albums to date, including Songs for Polarbears, When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up, Final Straw and Eyes Open. In recent years, the group has gained popularity among TV audiences thanks to the use of its songs on hit shows like Grey's Anatomy, The 4400, One Tree Hill, and more.


• The Academy Is? - ock band The Academy Is? has released two albums, including Almost Here and this year's Santi, which debuted earlier this month. The group has been flagged as one of "10 artists to watch" by Rolling Stone Magazine and is currently slated to join the lineup for the 2007 Honda Civic Tour, which also features Fall Out Boy, +44, Cobra Starship and Paul Well.

Ernie Ball was the first to offer rock strings with the creation of Slinkys, and further revolutionized the market by offering guitarists Custom-Gauge single strings. The Ernie Ball Company also produces Music Man guitars and basses, volume pedals, and other accessories. The company's strings and accessories are available in more than 6,000 music stores throughout the U.S. The company also exports to 82 countries. For more information, contact the Ernie Ball company at (800) 543-2255, 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