UNIVERSAL SOUTH RECORDS CELEBRATES GOLD SUCCESS OF FLAGSHIP ARTIST JOE NICHOLS

Nashville, TN – July 9, 2003 – Last night more than 300 guests joined Universal South Records--a joint venture between Universal Records and highly respected music executives Tony Brown and Tim DuBois—at a party to celebrate the Gold certification of Man With A Memory, the Grammy nominated debut album from their debut artist, Joe Nichols.

After presenting Nichols with his Gold plaque, Universal South Senior Partner Tim DuBois commented, “It's a great day for Universal South and for Joe. When we started this label only eighteen months ago, Joe was our very first release. It's a real tribute to our staff's determination as well as to Joe's immense talent that we are able to celebrate such an accomplishment.”

Universal South Senior Partner Tony Brown added, “It's thrilling to see this artist finding his audience. His success proves that there is still a great desire for a traditional country music out there. Our industry is ready for another great traditional talent, like George Strait and Alan Jackson, to emerge. Joe is that artist.”

The Gold plaque was not Nichols's first award this year—in May Nashville's hottest newcomer was awarded the statue for Top New Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music, and in April Nichols received top new artist honors from CMT: Country Music Television, when he received their Flameworthy Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

Released on July 23 of last year, Man With A Memory debuted at the top of Billboard's Heatseekers Chart and received three Grammy nods--for Best Country Album and Best Country Male Vocal Performance, and the album's debut single, “The Impossible” was nominated for Best Country Song. Both singles released from Man With A Memory have reached #1 on the country radio charts.