RIZEN NAMED "NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT" WINNER AT 2003 RETAILERS CHOICE AWARDS

Retro Gospel Girl Groupıs Performance Captures Attention At CBA 2003

Nashville, TN ­ ChezMusique/Light Records retro gospel girl group RiZen was named the winner of the "New Artist Spotlight" at the 2003 CBA Retailers Choice Awards, sponsored by Christian Retailing magazine and held during the 2003 Christian Booksellers Association International Convention (CBA).  According to Christian Retailing, the eventıs sponsor, the "New Artist Spotlight" award, a new award this year, is presented to "a new group or performer who shows incredible talent and promise and is sure to be one to keep your eye on in the future."  RiZenıs performance during the awards program had the industry crowd dancing and was considered by many to be a highlight of the evening.

"Wow! I cannot remember the last time a group has affected me like RiZen," commented Joyce Martin McCollough of The Martins, who also performed during the event.  "Their beautiful smiles were contagious and the anointing was so strong, it was electric.  Their strong voices and choreography brought the music alive and made me want to dance.  As a matter of fact, I did dance!  I am a huge fan of these girls and cannot wait to hear how God is going to bless their ministry."

"When I first saw their video, I knew they were going to be big," says Larry J. Leech II, managing editor of Christian Retailing.  "Their energy is infectious, and we have received nothing but great feedback about their performance.  To say that we were blown away would be an understatement."

Another CBA highlight for RiZen was their performance at Monday nightıs Christian African American Booksellers Association (CAABA) third annual showcase, hosted by gospel music superstar Hezekiah Walker.  "These young ladies ministered at my church in New York City two weeks ago and blew the roof off and the doors open!" commented Walker.  "You will definitely be OUT of your seat from the moment they hit the stage."  RiZen shared the CAABA concert stage with Mary Mary and the highly respected Praise & Worship Pastor and Psalmist Clint Brown, whose Faith World Outreach ministry can be seen nationwide on CBN, TBN and BET.  Immediately following their performance, Brown invited the group to minister at his 5,000+ member church in Orlando, Florida.

In addition to their performances at the Retailers Choice Awards and the CAABA showcase, the members of RiZen performed at several showcases on the CBA floor and were interviewed by numerous media outlets during the convention.

RiZen - Adriann and Aundrea Lewis, Kanika Trigg and Ashley Jones ­ is reminiscent of the crowd-pleasing energy and sound of the girl groups of the Œ60s, such as The Caravans, which launched the careers of gospel music legends Shirley Caesar and Albertina Walker, among others.  The onstage energy and gutsiness of RiZenıs live show has been compared to that of the young Aretha Franklin with a twist of early Tina Turner and a new millennium attitude.  The group has performed with gospel legends Beverly Crawford, Shirley Caesar, Dr. Bobby Jones and Albertina Walker, as well as The Martins, Carman and Babbie Mason.  They have already been featured on Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel Show and performed at the Annual Gospel Music Workshop of Americaıs Board Meeting earlier this year.

RiZen is the first artist signed to the ChezMusique label, which officially launched this month with RiZenıs debut.  ChezMusique was founded earlier this year by award-winning producer Sanchez Harley, a former artist and writer at Motown Records.  Harley, who has helmed hit projects in both the secular and gospel fields for nearly every major record label in the music industry, has worked with a list of mega-artists that includes Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Hezekiah Walker, Daryl Coley, Kenny Rogers, Michael McDonald, John Hiatt, Patti Austin and numerous GMWA Mass Choir recordings.  The winner of two Dove Awards, Harley has produced three Grammy Award-winning albums and six Stellar Award-winning albums through his production company, Chez Musical.  For more information about Harley or ChezMusique visit www.sanchezharley.com or www.chezmusique.com.

RiZen is distributed and marketed through Light Records, one of three full-service labels, along with a distribution arm, that make up the Compendia Media Group.  Compendia Music is a division of Compendia Media Group, an integrated entertainment and media management company operating in the areas of music, home video, direct marketing, publishing and interactive TV.

RiZen is distributed by Compendia Distribution, Spring Arbor Distributors, New Day Christian Distributors and Central South Christian Distribution.