[Mickey]

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) September 20, 2002-Bebo Norman's Sept. 10 release, Myself When I Am Real, achieved impressive first week sales. As a result, Norman's third project with Essential Records landed at No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. The record additionally claimed the No. 8 position on Billboard's Top Internet Sales chart. On the Christian market charts, it was the week's fourth best-selling album, garnering the No. 1 position on SoundScan's ® Christian Adult Contemporary Albums chart.

This is the second time Norman has attained Heatseeker's status, a category that identifies the best-selling titles by new and developing artists throughout the music industry at large. His sophomore release, Big Blue Sky, debuted at No. 4. Equally impressive, Norman's position on the Top Internet sales chart pushed him ahead of popular mainstream acts such as Nelly, Dave Matthews and Eminem. Myself When I Am Real also marks Norman's second consecutive debut in the Top 5 on the Top Christian Albums chart and his first time at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary Album sales chart.

These sales were aided in part by the buzz generated from strong print reviews prior to release day. The Dallas Morning News raves, "From the very beginning, with his first album, Ten Thousand Days, Mr. Norman showed himself to be one of the finest singer/songwriters in the Christian music industry. After Big Blue Sky and now Myself When I Am Real, he leaves no doubt that there are few better than he." Early momentum at radio boosted the record's profile as well. "Great Light Of The World," the debut radio single from his current release, continues to climb its way up the charts, positioned this week at No. 19 on Radio & Record's Christian AC Top 30 chart. Two weeks since its debut on R&R's Christian CHR Top 30 chart, the song is bulleted at No. 21.

Playing an active role in the launch of Myself When I Am Real was Oklahoma City's Mardel Christian & Education Supply. Mardel, in conjunction with local radio station KOKF, organized an exclusive free concert for consumers who purchased the album prior to the Sept. 13 event. Five hundred fans took advantage of the performance, which took place at Journey Church.

Nina Williams, Essential Records' senior director of marketing, is pleased with the early achievements of Myself When I Am Real. "Bebo worked diligently to create his most vulnerable record to date, and he accomplished this while also juggling a 53-city spring tour with Third Day. After his numerous appearances at summer festivals, Bebo's fans were primed to hear a new project, and the payoff of his hard work is reflected in these numbers."

Norman is now on the road in support of Myself When I Am Real with his 42-city "Circa 2002" fall tour. Joined by guest performers Sarah Sadler and David Crowder Band, the tour kicked off Sept. 8 and will continue through mid-December.

Bebo Norman's following continues to grow steadily, as a result of the success of his critically acclaimed projects, Ten Thousand Days (1999) and Big Blue Sky (2001), the latter ranked No. 1 on Amazon.com's list of the 10 Best Christian and Gospel CDs of 2001. Norman maintains a loyal fan base nationwide, built by years of consistent touring initially as an independent artist and later after signing to Watershed Records, a division of Essential Records, in 1999. In 2002 alone Bebo has wrapped a 53-city tour with Third Day, enjoyed his first multi-format Top 10 radio hit ("Holy Is Your Name"), performed at summer festivals around the country and appeared on the August cover of CCM Magazine.

For more information on Bebo Norman, visit www.bebonorman.com.

Nashville-based Essential Records was founded in 1992 to provide relevant music from a God-centered perspective. In addition to Bebo Norman, the label's artist roster includes Jars of Clay, Third Day, Caedmon's Call, FFH, Paul Colman Trio, Sarah Sadler and True Vibe. Essential Records, and its affiliated label, Watershed Records, is distributed through Provident Music Distribution and through partnerships with parent company Zomba Music.

PHOTO CAPTION: Bebo Norman performs music from his new release, Myself When I Am Real, at a recent "Fall Circa 2002" tour concert in Dallas at The Majestic Theatre.

For much more on Bebo Norman, click here