PHIL VASSAR SIGNS WITH UNIVERSAL RECORDS SOUTH

PHIL VASSAR SIGNS WITH UNIVERSAL RECORDS SOUTH
Submitted By Elaine Schock
Mar 6, 2007

Nashville, TN March 5, 2007 - Arista Nashville has agreed to release Phil
Vassar from his contract, in order for him to sign with newly reorganized
Universal Records South.

"Arista's been my record label from the beginning, and it's been an amazing
seven years - from 'Carlene' on to last year's 'Greatest Hits' and going
number one with 'Last Day of My Life,'" Vassar says. "I think that as
artists change and grow musically, it's important to shake things up on the
business side, too. And a career mile marker like the Hits disc just makes
the timing feel right to make a fresh start."

This change marks a new creative step for Vassar as he begins his
relationship with Universal Records South.

"I have admired Mark Wright and his production for years," Vassar adds. "I
am excited to be able to work with Mark both as my label president and my
producer. Fletcher Foster [GM of Universal Records South] was one of the
people who signed me to Arista. His passion and excitement is contagious."

Wright, President of Universal Records South, said, "Phil has written, for
himself and others, songs that have shaped the sound of country music as we
know it today. His live performance and incredible vocal abilities round out
the triple threat it takes to be a superstar. We're very honored that he has
chosen to join the Universal Records South team."

Vassar's star continues to rise in 2007 as ongoing critical acclaim praises
him for his innate songwriting abilities and addictive, enthusiastic
performances, with the NEW YORK TIMES calling him "both a winsome singer and
a successful songwriter," and the CHICAGO TRIBUNE stating "Phil Vassar has
the talent of a legend." He is rarity in country music as his instrument of
choice is the piano and he has proven himself as a performer and songwriter
< having been named 2006 NSAI Songwriter/Artist Of The Year. Vassar and
Wright are recording a new album of original material scheduled for release
in 2007.

About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is the world's largest music company with wholly owned
record operations or licensees in 77 countries. Its businesses also include
Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry's largest global music
publishing operations.

Universal Music Group consists of record labels Decca Music Group, Deutsche
Grammophon, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Geffen Records, Island Def Jam
Music Group, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury
Nashville, Mercury Records, Philips, Polydor Records, Universal Music
Latino, Universal Motown Records Group, Universal Records South and Verve
Music Group, as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by
its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group
owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which is marketed
through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.)
and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group
also includes eLabs, a new media and technologies division, and Universal
Music Mobile.

Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and
communications company.