Recording Academy and America Online Launch Official 'Behind-the-Scenes' Music Sites for 44th...

Business Editors/Entertainment Writers

SANTA MONICA, Calif. & DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 2002

Relationship Expands Academy's Online Reach and Provides Insider's

Experience of Music's Premier Awards Show for Both AOL Members and

Internet Music

Comprehensive Coverage of the 44th Annual Grammy(R) Awards Available

at GRAMMY.com and at AOL Keyword: GRAMMY

The Recording Academy and America Online, Inc. - the world's leading interactive services company - have formed an alliance to provide the most extensive, behind-the-scenes experience of the upcoming 44th Annual GRAMMY Awards to date, it was jointly announced today by Michael Greene, President/CEO of the Recording Academy; Barry Schuler, Chairman/CEO of America Online, Inc.; and Kevin Conroy, SVP and General Manager of AOL Music. As part of the multi-year relationship, AOL Music will host the online destination for the GRAMMY Awards, bringing the behind-the-scenes excitement and glamour of the world's premier music awards show to more than 33 million AOL members and the vast Internet audience.

Available now at AOL Keyword: GRAMMY and on the Web at www.grammy.com, music fans have access to exclusive content preceding, during and after the GRAMMY Awards on February 27, including exclusive behind-the-scenes web cams, creating a dynamic "all-access pass" to GRAMMY activities and events.

"Our new relationship with AOL Music ensures that the excitement of the GRAMMY Awards will reach millions of online visitors with a greater impact than ever before," said Greene. "The Recording Academy's online presence has been growing its unique content and building a robust platform for the GRAMMYs and our year-round organizational activities. This partnership will provide an outstanding array of new opportunities that will make AOL Keyword: GRAMMY and GRAMMY.com must-visit entertainment and information destinations on the Web."

"Music is one of the fastest growing and most popular categories of the Internet," commented Schuler. "This association with the Recording Academy further demonstrates AOL's leadership in the category, and gives consumers even more reasons to log on to experience top quality content and unique events."

"The GRAMMY Awards is clearly the most exciting and important music event of the year," added Conroy. "We are thrilled to establish this relationship and be able to offer millions of online music fans unprecedented access to the artists, activities and rich history surrounding the GRAMMY Awards."

With the GRAMMY's presence on both AOL and the World Wide Web, visitors will enjoy a one-of-a-kind glimpse of the backstage excitement at the show, including:

-- Exclusive coverage of three days of GRAMMY rehearsals as the performers and
crew prepare for the event.

-- Live day-of-show Red Carpet Web cast, a first for the GRAMMY Awards.

-- Only at AOL Keyword: GRAMMY, AOL members can monitor exclusive,
behind-the-scenes web cams offering an insider's view of the red carpet and
backstage activities.

-- On-demand streams of video interviews with nominees and other celebrities.

Visitors on AOL and on the Web will enjoy coverage of the VIP, invite-only MusiCares Person Of The Year dinner and performance - celebrating GRAMMY-winning artist Billy Joel with performances by A-list artists including Tony Bennett, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Garth Brooks, Diana Krall and Matchbox Twenty's Rob Thomas, among others.

Other key online features include an exclusive GRAMMY photo gallery; a searchable database of past GRAMMY winners; complete lists of GRAMMY Hall of Fame inductees, Lifetime Achievement, Trustees, and Technical GRAMMY recipients; information on GRAMMY history and the Recording Academy's year-round music education, health and wellness and arts advocacy initiatives and cultural activities; a complete list of this year's nominees; an explanation of the Awards process; and insider editorial on this year's award categories, nominees and the year's music. A complete list of this year's winners also will be posted immediately following the telecast.

Additionally, the Recording Academy and AOL are teaming with eBay to present an auction of exclusive GRAMMY items ranging from signed guitars to official GRAMMY jackets. The auction proceeds will help support the MusiCares Foundation's ongoing mission to help musicians in times of personal, financial and medical crisis.

The 44th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Wednesday, February 27 at Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast on the CBS Television network at 8 p.m. (EST/PST).

About the Recording Academy

Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., also known as the Recording Academy, is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural conditions for music and its makers. An organization of 20,000 musicians, producers and other recording professionals, the Recording Academy is internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards, and is responsible for numerous groundbreaking outreach, professional development, cultural enrichment, education and human services programs.

About AOL Music

AOL Music reaches the largest audience of online music fans in the world through a rich array of programming, products and services that make it easy to discover, experience, listen to and buy music on the Web. AOL Music's leading offerings include the number one Internet music destination, AOL's Music Channel; premier online radio products Radio@AOL and Spinner; and the most popular audio jukebox player, Winamp. AOL Music also provides music programming, products and services throughout the AOL Service, AOL High Speed Broadband, and AOL's family of Web brands, including Netscape, CompuServe, AIM and ICQ.

About America Online

America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner, Inc. (NYSE: AOL). Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.