[Mickey]

(NASHVILLE, TN) July 18, 2002-Sparrow Records' critically acclaimed rock band The Elms have been scheduled to go on the road with the legendary Peter Frampton for several of his August and September tour dates. Having been impressed by the band's music, Frampton extended the invitation.

"We realize how great of an opportunity this is and we are honored by it. It's something to write home about," said Owen Thomas, lead singer of The Elms.

Key markets and venues will include Chastain Park in Atlanta GA; Innsbrook Pavilion in Richmond, VA; Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA; and House of Blues in both Orlando, FL, and N. Myrtle Beach, SC. More dates will be announced soon.

In addition, the fall holds the release of The Elms' highly anticipated sophomore album TRUTH, SOUL, ROCK & ROLL. This time around, The Elms have opted for a grittier, soul-driven sound. To achieve this goal, they acquired the talents of producer Brent Milligan (Seven Day Jesus, Chasing Furies) and engineers Richard Dodd (Sheryl Crow, Delbert McClinton, Wilco) and David Bianco (Tom Petty, The Black Crowes). The release date has been slated for October 22, 2002.

"With this record, The Elms will continue to legitimize themselves as a band with musical weight, and the ability to put words to feelings we all experience," stated Milligan.

Owen Thomas continued, "It's been like breathing new air to see this album come together. We've made an album we love - a special record, and I hope people will be excited to share it with us."

Being hailed as "one of the best bands to come along in Christian music," by ChristianityToday.com, The Elms have received credible praise for their distinct sound and thought-provoking lyrics. Following the widespread critical acclaim of The Big Surprise, The Elms garnered two nominations for the 2002 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. The album was nominated for Modern Rock/Alternative Album of the Year, and the single "Hey, Hey" received a nod for Modern Rock/Alternative Song of the Year. "Hey, Hey" was also the band's first music video and has received consistent airplay on MTV2's "120 Minutes."

For more information about The Elms, visit the band's website at www.theelms.net or at www.sparrowrecords.com. To book The Elms, please call The William Morris Agency at (615) 963-3000 or go to www.WMA.com. For management, contact Mr. Shannon Brown with Alabaster Arts at (615) 662-7400 or via the web at www.alabaster.com.

Brentwood, Tennessee-based EMI CMG was founded in 1994. It is the world's largest Christian music company, operating the Sparrow, ForeFront, Worship Together and EMI Gospel labels in addition to EMI CMG Publishing and Chordant Distribution Group.

EMI CMG is a unit of EMI Music, the third largest recorded music company in the world.

For much more on The Elms, click here