XM Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: XMSR), the nation's leading provider of satellite radio with more than 7.6 million subscribers, announced today that Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. has extended its agreement with XM as its factory-installed satellite radio provider for Toyota and Lexus vehicle models. The new agreement extends the current partnership between the two companies through 2017. Toyota's annual factory production of XM-equipped vehicles is expected to exceed one million by 2010.

"We're pleased to extend our agreement with Toyota through 2017, making XM available as the sole provider of factory-installed satellite radio for one of the world's largest and most successful auto manufacturers," said Nate Davis, president, XM Satellite Radio. "XM looks forward to broadening our reach to millions of loyal Toyota and Lexus customers."

"XM provides exceptional entertainment programming and innovative data services like real-time traffic, recently launched on the all-new Lexus LS. Our agreement with XM will help us continue to provide these services and develop additional in-vehicle applications for future products," said Dave Danzer, group vice president of strategy and product planning for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "XM will be available as a factory-installed service on Toyota and Lexus vehicles."

In 2006, Lexus introduced factory-installed XM as a standard feature on the new 2007 Lexus LS 460 L. XM Radio is also available in the 2007 LS 460, which includes the service in its navigation packages. Later this year, Lexus will provide factory-installed XM as standard equipment on the upcoming luxury hybrid, LS 600h L.

Every Toyota and Lexus vehicle equipped with factory-installed XM comes standard with a 90-day trial subscription.

American Honda and XM Expand Relationship Through 2016

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — XM (NASDAQ: XMSR), the nation's leading provider of satellite radio, today announced that it has extended its relationship with American Honda Motor Co., Inc. under a 10-year agreement through 2016.

XM is the exclusive satellite radio provider for American Honda, which markets both Honda and Acura vehicles. An original strategic partner in the launch of XM, American Honda introduced its first factory-installed XM vehicles in 2003 and is projecting production of 650,000 factory-installed XM units for 2007 model vehicles. American Honda has produced more than 1.5 million cars with XM factory-installed to date.

"XM is the leader in providing satellite radio to the new car market and Honda is one of the world's most successful automobile manufacturers, which has exposed millions of consumers to XM through its dealerships and XM- equipped vehicle sales," said Steve Cook, executive vice president, Automotive, XM. "We are pleased to continue this relationship with American Honda through 2016, broadening our reach to their loyal customers."

"The roll-out of XM in our vehicles has been one of the fastest in the car industry and over the years XM has become an increasingly important entertainment service to our customers. We look forward to providing XM's great content for many years to come," said John Mendel, senior vice president, automobile operations of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

XM Satellite Radio is available as a factory-installed feature on 2007 Honda models including the Civic, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, Accord, Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Odyssey and Element.

XM is also a standard factory-installed feature on every 2007 Acura model including the RL, TL and TSX performance luxury sedans as well as the MDX and RDX luxury SUVs. XM NavTraffic, XM's real-time traffic information service, is standard on all 2007 Acura vehicles equipped with the AcuraLink™ satellite communication system.

Every American Honda vehicle with factory-installed XM also comes standard with a three-month complimentary subscription.

American Honda and XM also recently launched satellite radio trial programs for Honda Certified Used Cars and for Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles equipped with XM Satellite Radio.

About XM

XM (NASDAQ: XMSR) is America's number one satellite radio company with more than 7.6 million subscribers. Broadcasting live daily from studios in Washington, DC, New York City, Chicago, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Toronto and Montreal, XM's 2007 lineup includes more than 170 digital channels of choice from coast to coast: commercial-free music, premier sports, news, talk radio, comedy, children's and entertainment programming; and the most advanced traffic and weather information.

XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for the automobile market and is available in 140 different vehicle models for 2007. XM's industry-leading products are available at consumer electronics retailers nationwide. For more information about XM hardware, programming and partnerships, please visit http://www.xmradio.com/.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements in this press release include demand for XM Satellite Radio's service, the Company's dependence on technology and third party vendors, its potential need for additional financing, as well as other risks described in XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.'s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 3-9-06. Copies of the filing are available upon request from XM Radio's Investor Relations Department.

About Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Established in 1957, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion in the United States, marketing products and services through a network of more than 1,400 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers in 49 states. For more information, please visit http://www.toyota.com/, http://www.lexus.com/ and http://www.scion.com/.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements in this press release include demand for XM Satellite Radio's service, the Company's dependence on technology and third party vendors, its potential need for additional financing, as well as other risks described in XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.'s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 3-9-06. Copies of the filing are available upon request from XM Radio's Investor Relations Department.

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Sony BMG Music Entertainment has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated federal law when it sold CDs without telling consumers that they contained software that limited the devices on which the music could be played, restricted the number of copies that could be made, and contained technology that monitored their listening habits to send them marketing messages. According to the FTC, the software also exposed consumers to significant security risks and was unreasonably difficult to uninstall. The proposed settlement requires Sony BMG to clearly disclose limitations on consumers’ use of music CDs, bars it from using collected information for marketing, prohibits it from installing software without consumer consent, and requires it to provide a reasonable means of uninstalling that software. The settlement also requires that Sony BMG allow consumers to exchange the CDs through June 31, 2007, and reimburse consumers for up to $150 to repair damage to their computers that they may have suffered in trying to remove the software.

“Installations of secret software that create security risks are intrusive and unlawful,” said FTC Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras. “Consumers’ computers belong to them, and companies must adequately disclose unexpected limitations on the customary use of their products so consumers can make informed decisions regarding whether to purchase and install that content.”

According to the complaint detailing the charges, Sony BMG embedded in its music CDs content protection software, also known as Digital Rights Management software, which installed itself on consumers’ computers to restrict the number of times the audio files could be copied. It also prevented the music from being played on certain portable digital devices. The music could not be transferred directly to iPods, for example. In addition to restricting the use of the CDs on computers using the Windows Operating System, the software, which was concealed from consumers, created security vulnerabilities that could allow hackers and other third parties to gain access to consumers’ computers.

The FTC alleges that the installation of software without consumer consent that exposed consumers’ computers to security risks was unfair and violated federal law. In addition, the complaint alleges that hiding the software from consumers and failing to provide a means to uninstall it also were unfair practices in violation of federal law.

The agency charged that it was deceptive for Sony BMG to fail to disclose adequately that software would be installed on consumers’ computers, and that the software would limit consumers’ copying and use of the CDs on their computers. The FTC also alleged that it was deceptive, in violation of federal law, to fail to disclose that Sony BMG’s monitoring technology, included on many of its CDs, monitored consumers’ music listening preferences and sent targeted marketing ads to their computers.

The settlement requires clear and prominent disclosure on the packaging of Sony BMG’s future CDs of any limits on copying or restrictions on the use of playback devices. It bars the company from installing content protection software without obtaining consumers’ authorization, and, if Sony BMG conditions consumers’ use of its CDs on installation of the content protection software, it must disclose that requirement on the product packaging.

In addition, the settlement bars Sony BMG from using the information on consumers’ listening preferences that it has already gathered through the monitoring technology it installed and bars them from using the information to deliver ads to those consumers. For future CDs containing such technology, the agreement requires that, before transmitting information about consumers, their computers or their use of the CD, Sony BMG must clearly disclose on consumers’ computer screens what the technology will do, and obtain consumers’ consent. If it conditions consumers’ use of its CDs on their agreement to have information collected, Sony BMG must disclose that condition clearly on the CDs’ packaging.

The settlement bars Sony BMG from installing or hiding content protection software that prevents consumers from finding or removing the software, and requires that it provide a reasonable and effective way to uninstall any content protection software. It requires that for two years, Sony BMG provide an uninstall tool and patches to repair the security vulnerabilities created on consumers’ computers by previously installed software. The company is required to advertise these free fixes on its Web site.

As part of the settlement, Sony BMG will allow consumers to exchange CDs containing the concealed software purchased before December 31, 2006 for new CDs that are not content-protected, and will be required to reimburse consumers up to $150 to repair damage that resulted directly from consumers’ attempts to remove the software installed without their consent. Sony BMG is required to publish notices on its Web site describing the exchange and repair reimbursement programs.

Sony BMG also is required to provide financial inducements to retailers to return the CDs that create security problems for consumers’ computers. For CDs already in its stock that are sold to retailers, Sony BMG is required to disclose on the product packaging the restrictions on use and the security vulnerabilities.

Finally, the settlement contains record-keeping and reporting provisions designed to allow the agency to monitor compliance with its order.

The Commission vote to accept the proposed consent agreement was 5-0. The FTC will publish an announcement regarding the agreement in the Federal Register shortly. The agreement will be subject to public comment for 30 days, beginning today and continuing through March 1, after which the Commission will decide whether to make it final. Comments should be addressed to the FTC, Office of the Secretary, Room H-135, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. The FTC is requesting that any comment filed in paper form near the end of the public comment period be sent by courier or overnight service, if possible, because U.S. postal mail in the Washington area and at the Commission is subject to delay due to heightened security precautions.

NOTE: This consent decree is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by the respondent of a law violation. 

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Country superstar Trace Adkins will appear as a special guest on ABC’s Emmy-Award winning reality show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on Sunday, February 18 at 8pm ET.

Adkins recently performed a benefit concert in Austin, Texas where proceeds of more than $75,000 went toward paying off the current mortgage of a local couple, whose five out of six children have been diagnosed with varying degrees of autism. Portions of the concert will be included in this episode. The show’s design team will present the family with a brand new renovated home that will better meet the needs of their children.

Adkins’ 2007 Dangerous Man Tour begins tomorrow, February 1 in University Park, PA, with special guests Craig Morgan and Danielle Peck. His latest Top 5 single is “Ladies Love Country Boys” from the Dangerous Man CD. For latest news, visit: www.traceadkins.com.

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Rockin’ Country duo Montgomery Gentry have recorded close to 60 songs on their five Columbia Records studio albums, but they have never done over 80 versions of one song…until now. Their new single “Lucky Man” has been edited with 81 different college and professional sports teams in over 60 markets, and each version has been serviced to the country radio station in those cities.

The second line of the song reads “Last Sunday when my Bengals lost, Lord it put me in a bad mood.” In the edited versions, Montgomery Gentry replaced “Bengals” with every team in the NFL and Major League Baseball, several from the National Hockey League and numerous colleges.

In a move to spur a little extra competition between the two Super Bowl cities, the Colts version was sent to the country radio station US99 in Chicago, and the Bears version was sent to WFMS in Indianapolis.

“This is probably my favorite song on the whole album,” said Eddie Montgomery. “T-Roy and I both grew up in Lexington, so we saw plenty of bad Bengals years – definitely a few good ones, but a lot of bad ones.”

“Yeah, and this song really lent itself to plugging other teams in there,” added Troy Gentry. “Every team has bad seasons just like we have good and bad seasons in our life. You just have to appreciate whatever you’re going through – good or bad.”

In addition to the major league teams, college versions of “Lucky Man” include:

Alabama Crimson Tide
Arizona Wildcats
Arkansas Razorbacks
Boston College Eagles
Clemson Tigers
Duke University Blue Devils
Florida Gators
Florida State Seminoles
Georgia Bulldogs
Kansas Jayhawks
Kentucky Wildcats
Louisville Cardinals
LSU Tigers
Miami Hurricanes
Michigan Wolverines
New Mexico Lobos
Nevada- Las Vegas Running Rebels
North Carolina Tar Heels
Ohio State Buckeyes
Oklahoma Sooners
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
South Carolina Gamecocks
Tennessee Volunteers
Texas Longhorns
USC Trojans
Utah Utes
Wake Forest Deacons
Wisconsin Badgers

The new single follows on the heels of their Top 10 smash “Some People Change” from the album of the same name. Written by Dave Turnbull and David Lee, it embraces family, friends and appreciating what you have.

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Every year, GRAMMY® Presenters and Performers receive the famed Gift Bags which hold ultimate products. Previous GRAMMY Gift Bag goodies have included everything from pricey electronics to complimentary Lasik eye surgery. This year, the GRAMMY Bag will take a family-friendly turn with the inclusion of "Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions" CDs from Baby Rock Records. The 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live on Feb. 11, 2007 on CBS at 8pm ET/PT.? ?
The Rockabye Baby! series – which features 13 titles so far – transforms timeless songs by acclaimed rock, alternative and metal bands into beautiful instrumental lullabies. Included in the GRAMMY Gift Bags are a variety of Rockabye Baby! series CD titles, among them those featuring the music of Pink Floyd, Coldplay, The Beatles, the Ramones, U2, No Doubt and Metallica.? ?
Says Lisa Roth, vice president of CMH Records (parent company of Baby Rock), "I am incredibly excited to share our music — something we take very seriously — with the music community. We picked these particular bands because we’re fans ourselves, they’re influential and we knew it would be wild to transform their music into lullabies.”

Distinctive Assets is the L.A.-based company that produces the GRAMMY Bags. When Roth sent CD samples last month to the founder of Distinctive Assets, Lash Fary, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Said Fary, "The moment I heard about the brilliant concept behind the Rockabye Baby! series I knew it simply must be a part of the official GRAMMY Gift Bags that we create. I am truly excited for the music legends who will be presenting and performing at the GRAMMY Awards this year and to be able to share this fabulous gift with the children in their lives. There may be more expensive gifts in this year’s Gift Bag, but there is no other item that is more perfectly suited for this audience. In fact, I’m certain that there will be at least one or two famous rockers who receive the Rockabye Baby! series who will exclaim, ‘Why didn’t I think of this!?!?!?’”?
Children's music is the fastest growing segment of the music industry, recently surging 60%, and the Rockabye Baby! series is already making a big impact. Releases for 2007 include the Eagles, Queens of the Stone Age, U2, the Ramones, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins, No Doubt, The Beatles, Bjork, Bob Marley, Green Day and Black Sabbath. These collections join previous lullaby CDs of Metallica, Radiohead, Coldplay, Tool, Pink Floyd, Beach Boys, The Cure, Nirvana and Led Zeppelin.

Roth came up with the idea for the series two years ago. "I had to buy a gift for a baby shower," she recalls, "and was completely underwhelmed by the choices. I wanted to find a music CD with a little irony, a little humor, something with a little edge that would appeal to both the parents and babies.” Co-creator and executive producer Valerie Aiello began work on the Rockabye Baby! series in 2006 with music producer Michael Armstrong. The media have taken notice of the Baby Rock phenomenon, with recent features running on ABC World News, in the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, as well as both In Style and Entertainment Weekly adding the CDs to their 2006 Holiday Gift Guide and Must List, respectively.

The Rockabye Baby! series is available through the company Web site, www.babyrockrecords.com, at regular music retail outlets and on Amazon.com. 

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Due to the current restructuring of Rust Records, The PovertyNeck Hillbillies have announced their departure from the label's artist roster.

The band, which includes Abby Abbondanza, Chris Higbee, Dave Cramer, Ryan Lucotch, Jeff Volek and David Guthrie, has established great success as a young act.

Prior to their relationship with Rust Records, the band released two albums entitled Don't Look Back and Hillbillies State of Mind. These albums sold over 50,000 copies, largely due to the Hillbillies' devoted fan base in the northeast.

In 2006, the group released their Rust Records debut album, a CD/DVD package that included footage from a syndicated WQED/PBS concert special.  During this past year's CMA Music Festival, the album was the 3rd top seller, only being outsold by Carrie Underwood and Phil Vassar.  They also took the title of top independent seller for the week.

Their "Mr. Right Now" video, featuring Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, was in the GAC Top 20 Countdown for a total of thirteen weeks, eight of which were #2.

The band continues to hold an exclusive representation agreement with the Nashville based agency, Buddy Lee Attractions, Inc. (BLA).  They are now being managed by Shawn Pennington who may be reached at 615-491-8285 or scpenn@mac.com.

The band continues to have a heavy tour schedule and an upcoming album is already in the works.  While no obligation to Rust Records exists, management is currently seeking new opportunities.

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