[Mickey]

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) December 20, 2002 – Multi-Platinum selling, multi-GRAMMY winning band Jars of Clay is set to release its fifth project, Furthermore – From The Studio: From The Stage, February 4, with Essential/Silvertone Records support through a comprehensive marketing campaign. The two-disc set features an acoustic disc, From The Studio, with 11 songs, including eight new arrangements of Jars of Clay favorites and three new songs. The second disc, From The Stage, offers 10 cuts recorded live on the successful, major market The Eleventh Hour Tour.

The multi-faceted marketing plan centers on simultaneous promotions at retail, radio, Internet, publicity and touring, including the Spring 2003 college-market tour with labelmate Caedmon’s Call. The campaign will also further industry recognition through Jars of Clay’s recent American Music Award nomination, its collaboration with several humanitarian causes, as well as the band’s return to its creative roots for writing, arranging, recording and producing Furthermore – >From The Studio: From The Stage at its own Sputnik Studio in Franklin, Tenn.

Recently completing the Spring/Fall tour in support of its critically acclaimed March release, The Eleventh Hour, Jars of Clay embarks on a 40-plus city, college-market tour beginning February 12 in Grand Rapids and running nationwide through mid April. Already heralded by promoters as the “thinking man’s pop tour,” Jars of Clay will showcase acoustic versions of its favorite songs in support of Furthermore.

Jars of Clay fans currently have the opportunity to preview the band’s applauded acoustic arrangements as Furthermore’s first single, “The Valley Song (Sing of Your Mercy),” released to AC and CHR radio last week (December 13). With 15 No. 1 singles to its credit, this year, the band’s self-produced The Eleventh Hour has already garnered two No. 1 radio hits with “I Need You” and “Fly.”

Essential Records plans to promote Furthermore to CBA retail through Spring catalog advertising at all major chains and regional stores, as well as support via Provident Viewscan and in-store play loops beginning in February. Merchandising for the album, including cross-promotions with Caedmon’s Call’s Back Home, will be supported by means of in-store signage. Additionally, an exclusive, CD sampler, featuring Jars of Clay and Caedmon’s Call favorites, will be available free to Furthermore or Back Home buyers.

Jars of Clay will further be visible through its partnerships with several humanitarian causes, advocating such organizations as World Vision, DATA, Amnesty International and Open Doors International with Brother Andrew, as well as its continued compassion toward missions in China and the Zeldin Cancer Research Foundation.

Just as with the 1995 Double Platinum-selling, self-titled album, 2002 continues to mount considerable attention for Jars of Clay as the band returns to its creative eminence with The Eleventh Hour and Furthermore. Producing its first Pay-Per-View performance and The Eleventh Hour Live DVD, the success of the projects caught the attention of superstar Sheryl Crow who invited Jars of Clay to open at several of her concerts this year. Additionally, The Eleventh Hour was recently ranked among Amazon.com’s “10 Best Christian & Gospel Albums of 2002.”

Jars of Clay was also honored with the July cover of Music Biz Magazine, as well as with profiles in Teen People, Entertainment Weekly, Spin, Rolling Stone, Details, People Magazine, USA Today and Newsweek. The band continues to garner significant television coverage, including recent and past features on such programs as The CBS Early Show, TV Guide Channel, The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, CNN’s Music on the Road and Headline News, as well as spins on MTV and VH1.

For more information on Jars of Clay, including an updated tour schedule, visit www.jarsofclay.com.

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