GRAMMY AWARD WINNING, MULTI-PLATINUM RECORDING ARTIST CIARA TO PERFORM AT VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC HAMPTONS BENEFIT WITH VERY SPECIAL GUEST - LYFE JENNINGS

East Hampton, N.Y. (July 7, 2006) - Multi-platinum selling superstar Ciara will headline the 4th Annual VH1 Save The Music Hamptons Benefit presented by Crest Whitestrips Friday, July 28th at the home of Jaci and Morris L. Reid in East Hampton. The event, which will also feature Sony Urban Music/Columbia Records artist Lyfe Jennings, is among the most anticipated of the Hamptons' summer social calendar and is expected to raise more than $300,000.

"We are excited to announce that two of the music industry's fastest rising stars, Ciara and Lyfe Jennings, have agreed to perform at our annual benefit for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation," said Morris L. Reid, managing director of Westin Rinehart, a Washington, D.C. strategic communications firm. "In addition to being incredibly talented singers and performers, Ciara and Lyfe are both songwriters which hits home with the Foundation's mission to support music education."

"VH1 Save The Music is so thankful to Morris and Jaci for inviting us into their home for the 4th Annual VH1 Save The Music Hamptons Benefit," said Paul Cothran, executive director, VH1 Save The Music Foundation. "This year's event is more important than ever as The Foundation approaches our 10th anniversary. Our commitment to public school music education is made possible by the generosity of people like Morris and Jaci."

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education in America's public schools by restoring music education programs that have been cut due to budget reductions or to save programs at risk of elimination due to lack of instruments. The organization also conducts awareness campaigns on the importance of music participation for America's youth.

"Music education is often the first subject cut when lawmakers start wielding the budget ax," Reid said. "That is why my wife and I host this event each summer: to purchase instruments so that all children have the opportunity to learn about music and showcase their natural talents."

Ciara burst onto the music scene in 2004 with her debut album "Goodies," which sold more than three million copies and produced chart-topping singles "1, 2 Step," "Goodies," and "Oh." The 18 year old Atlanta beauty and Grammy Award winner, who has collaborated with artists such as Ludacris, Missy Elliott and Bow Wow, is currently in the studio recording her sophomore album.

The evening's entertainment will also include singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist Lyfe Jennings, who was a record-breaking five time winner on television's famed "Showtime at the Apollo." His starkly soulful platinum debut album "Lyfe 268-192" was released by Sony Urban Music/Columbia Records in 2004 and his new album "The Phoenix" is scheduled to be released August 15th. Local Hampton favorite and Cinematic Records Recording artist Niki Jean will be the opening musical performer.

In addition to Crest Whitestrips, major sponsors for this year's event include: Anheuser-Busch, Elle, jetBlue Airways, Grey Goose, Mercedes-Benz and Sephora. Year-round supporters of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation include: Curve Fragrances, Kozy Shack and Nikon. To purchase tickets, please call 212.846.7882 or e-mail rsvp@vh1.com.

About the VH1 Save The Music Foundation
Since 1997, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has provided more than $30 million worth of new musical instruments to more than 1,200 schools in 80 communities, affecting the lives of more than 700,000 public school children. VH1 Save The Music's many honors include the Governors' Award (a special Emmy Award), the George Foster Peabody Award for broadcast and cable excellence, and many Beacon Awards. For more information on the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, visit www.vh1savethemusic.com.


For more information on the VH1 Save The Music Hamptons Benefit, please contact:

Kathy King/Westin Rinehart 202.466.1396, kathy@westinrinehart.com
Alonza Robertson/Westin Rinehart 202.466.1933, alonza@westinrinehart.com
Maura Wozniak/VH1 212-846-7325, maura.wozniak@vh1staff.com