Daytime TV Host Rachael Ray and Epic Records Team up; Integrated Partnership Includes Music Series and Ringtones

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 20, 2006--Rachael Ray, the host of a new, daily daytime show, has linked up with Epic Records to introduce fans to one of her great passions -music. Together Rachael and Epic Records will release hip, every day soundtracks with songs hand picked by Rachael. The branded series will launch in October with two titles - the "HOW COOL IS THAT" CHRISTMAS CD (October 10) and RACHAEL RAY'S "TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL" MIXTAPE FOR KIDS (October 31). Other titles will be introduced in early 2007. Additionally, Rachael and Epic have inked an exclusive digital deal for which Rachael created unique cellular voicetones. Epic will distribute the voicetones -ringtones featuring messages from Rachael- to all major US carriers.

"I'm thrilled to partner with Epic...Epic is iconic!" exclaimed Ray. "We've created soundtracks that I would listen to or play at a party, starting off with my picks for Christmas and a funky mix for kids. I start singing holiday songs on Thanksgiving weekend - that's when my tree goes up as well - and, the kid's CD is filled with music that both kids and parents might enjoy."

Epic President Charlie Walk comments, "Rachael is the ultimate creative partner who shares a true passion for music. She will be intimately involved in the cross marketing of her music and voice products throughout all of her highly successful platforms. We are extremely excited to have her as part of the Epic family."

On the "HOW COOL IS THAT" CHRISTMAS disc, Rachael blends nostalgic holiday tunes, swinging classics and modern twists on the standards along with recipes and personal holiday memories. On her "TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL" MIXTAPE FOR KIDS, Rachael builds a modern songbook meant to rock the kids without driving parents crazy and includes recipes for kids to try at home. Some CDs will pack an extra surprise; an enclosed "golden ticket" which grants the contest winner four seats to the Rachael Ray show.

Rachael's music series is the soundtrack to what will be a landmark year for the TV star. This week, Rachael launches her one-hour daily syndicated series, "Rachael Ray", produced by King World Productions in association with Harpo Productions, Scripps Networks and Watch Entertainment. She currently has four popular shows on the Food Network, has written 12 bestselling cookbooks -the past three debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Last year, she launched a new lifestyle magazine called Every Day with Rachael Ray. Rachael Ray's brand empire also includes cookware, appliances and knives. She was just selected as one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World and appears on this year's Celebrity 100 list of Forbes magazine.

EPIC RECORDS, a division of SONY BMG Entertainment, is a trailblazing multi-media entertainment company and the creative habitat of some of today's most vital and diverse musical artists such as Shakira, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Natasha Bedingfield, Matisyahu, Fiona Apple, Incubus, The Fray and Los Lonely Boys to name a few.