COUNTRY WEEKLY Announces Role as “Official Information Source”

 for Alabama’s Historic “American Farewell Tour”

Nashville, TN - In an unprecedented alliance, COUNTRY WEEKLY magazine has joined forces with legendary supergroup Alabama as the “Official Information Source” for their historic “American Farewell Tour,” set to launch in 2003.

Starting with the official kick-off show at the Aladdin Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve, COUNTRY WEEKLY will provide country music fans with up-to-the-minute information throughout the coming year including details of all 40 concert dates, ticket sales, and the release of Alabama’s new interactive CD album, In The Mood: The Love Songs. Also revealed will be the variety of exclusive services, features, and gifts available only to concert ticket and CD buyers.

“Alabama has always been a fan favorite, and no magazine reaches country music fans like COUNTRY WEEKLY,” says Neil Pond, Editor-In-Chief. “We are thrilled to be able to bring our readers on board for the full, start-to-finish scope of this historic event.”

The “American Farewell Tour” show, which will feature a dazzling new set and state-of-the-art production, promises to be an event worthy of Alabama’s legendary 25-year career. The main portion of the tour will run June through November 2003 and fans can access all related information in the magazine starting in the October 15, 2002 issue, and on the COUNTRY WEEKLY website, www.countryweekly.com.

Alabama’s much-anticipated new album In The Mood: The Love Songs, goes on sale February 4, 2003, and will play an integral role in propelling advance ticket sales for the tour. Included on this special interactive CD is a “passport” feature that enables the owner to immediately purchase “American Farewell Tour” concert tickets before they go on sale to the public March 15^th.  What’s more, all pre-purchase ticket information will be available only on the album. According to TicketMaster, this exclusive option has never before been offered in any format, and it sets the bar for future ticket sales strategies by affording the most targeted consumer the best advantage. Those without computer access will still be able to buy advance tickets by using secret passwords found inside the CD package. In addition, fans will be able to access inside information about the tour and the band through the CD.

Special VIP packages will also be available for advance purchase through the CD. The top package, “Platinum Bama”, offers die-hard fans the privilege of front row seats, backstage passes, a photo opportunity with the band, plus an exclusive limited edition Epiphone by Gibson electric guitar.  The highly collectible “American Farewell Tour” custom guitars are all numbered, autographed, and feature the official tour logo. Dale Thompson, President of the GRAMMY Art of Music Collectibles, estimated the current minimum value of the guitars at around $3500.00, and predicted that “the tie-in with (Alabama’s) final tour and future unavailability will only add to the guitar’s future value.”  Other VIP packages will also include various limited edition commemorative gifts.

As a special “thanks” for twenty-five years of support, Alabama is also offering an unprecedented “Gift With Ticket” bonus to all fans that attend their final concerts. All “American Farewell Tour” ticket holders will receive the official full-color, 72-page collectors’ commemorative Tour Program book at the end of each show.

Tickets to Alabama’s spectacular New Year’s Eve kick-off performance at the all-new Aladdin Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, go on sale September 28^th and are available at $175, $125, and $85.00. For hotel reservations and ticket information, call (877) 333-WISH or log on to www.aladdincasino.com.

Fans can also catch them at the brand new Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, as they perform during “Finals Night” at RodeoHouston, on Sunday, March 16^th.  Season tickets for RodeoHouston, a division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, go on sale September 9^th and are available at (832) 667-1000. Individual performance tickets will go on sale in early to mid-January, 2003.

COUNTRY WEEKLY is read by more than 3.3 million country music fans each week and is sold at more than 94,000 checkout locations across the nation.

American Media, Inc. is one of the largest media companies in the U.S. The company publishes 6 of the 14 best selling weekly magazines, including the #2 and #4 titles, the National Enquirer and Star. The company also publishes the best selling country music magazines, Country Weekly and Country Music, a Latino entertainment magazine, Mira!, a mass market automotive magazine, AMI’s Auto World and over 200 Mini-Mags and Digests. Besides print properties, American Media owns Distribution Services, Inc., the country’s #1 in-store magazine merchandising company.

The “American Farewell Tour” is produced by Clear Channel Entertainment in association with The Land of Os, Inc.