[Mickey]

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) January 7, 2003-Essential Records' pop-rock band the Paul Colman Trio, received its first GRAMMY® Award nomination today, announced at an early morning press conference in New York. The nomination marks the culmination of a phenomenal debut year for the group, who toured as part of Third Day's best-selling "Come Together" tour and was named among the Top 10 breakthrough artists of 2002.

Nominated in the category of Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for its debut label release "New Map of the World," pc3 was the only new artist among the group's nominees. Also nominated were labelmate Jars of Clay for The Eleventh Hour, Newsong for The Christmas Shoes, Kathy Troccoli for The Heart of Me and Essential Records' male vocal foursome True Vibe for See The Light.

"This nomination was definitely unforeseen, which makes it all the more enjoyable," comments frontman Paul Colman. "The guys and I couldn't be more pleased with our reception here in the U.S. and are moved that the Academy has recognized our efforts."

The Nov. 8 issue of Radio & Records magazine recently ranked the Paul Colman Trio third on the publication's chart highlighting the year's best in Christian music. Derived from radio airplay and chart positioning, Paul Colman Trio was named among other breakthrough talents, including Mercy Me and Toby Mac. The group's first single to Christian radio, "Turn," was also cited as having tied the record for the longest time spent by a debut single atop any Christian chart.

In addition to being dubbed one of 2002's best new Christian acts, Paul Colman Trio spent the majority of its debut year on tour with labelmate Third Day as part of the 76-city "Come Together" tour. A special guest on both the spring and fall legs of the tour, the trio performed in front of an estimated audience of 300,000.

Formed in 1998 in Melbourne, Australia, Paul Colman Trio (pc3), is Paul Colman (lead singer/songwriter/guitarist), Grant Norsworthy (bass/vocals) and Phil Gaudion (drums/percussion/vocals). Having released four independent albums, titled Serious Fun, Turn, pc3 Live Electric and pc3 Live Acoustic, the group was named Australia's Artist of the Year in 2000 and 2001 by The Rock Across Australia chart.

Since signing with Essential Records in 2001, the band released its debut label project, New Map of the World, last May. The record generated multiple radio hits, including "Turn," which reigns as the longest running No. 1 song on the Christian Hits Radio chart in Radio & Records history (10 weeks) and the fastest rising No. 1 single from a new artist on R&R's CHR chart (8 weeks). "Fill My Cup," peaked in the Top 5 on R&R's Adult Contemporary chart and "Run," Paul Colman Trio's current single, currently ranks at No. 2 on the publication's CHR chart. For more information on the Paul Colman Trio, visit: www.paulcolmantrio.com.

Provident Music Group is among the world's top Christian music companies and includes Essential Records among its labels. Provident Music Group is a division of the Zomba Group of Labels, which was recently acquired by BMG.

For much more on The Paul Colman Trio, click here