FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

One World Beat Launches Global Music Festival for Charity
Musicians of all styles and levels unite to make a difference through their music.

Lausanne, Switzerland (February 7, 2003) -- One World Beat today announces the launch of a grassroots global music festival for charity to take place on the first weekend of spring, March 21-23, 2003. Musicians and bands of all kinds, as well as music venues, promoters and non-profit groups will unite for performances around the world to communicate one message:
Music Making a Difference.

Proceeds of each benefit will be donated to a local or international aid organization of the participants’ choice.

Events around the world
As word has circulated about this very special project, a steady stream of enthusiastic musicians and organizations from around the globe have added their names to the rapidly expanding network of concerts planned for the festival weekend. There are already over 30 confirmed events -- in Canada, United States, Australia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Germany, Brazil, Bolivia, Romania, England, Tunisia, Gibraltar, Japan and Switzerland -- and new participants are signing up every day. Legendary recording artist Phil Collins has also expressed his support for this innovative festival.

The basic philosophy of the One World Beat festival is simple: to give musicians and bands from all walks of life the opportunity to take part in a global event for a good cause. There are no restrictions as far as the size of a festival concert. They will range from several high-profile shows at the Hard Rock Cafes in San Francisco, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Philadelphia, PA; and B.B. King’s Blues Club in Los Angeles, CA; to three-day marathons of local artists at Zaphod Beeblebrox in Ottawa (Canada), Toronto (Canada) and Duisburg (Germany), to one day events in La Paz (Bolivia), Norwich (England), Ingle Farm (Australia), just to name a few. Browse all events at the official festival website: www.OneWorldBeat.org.

One World Beat Partners
The success of the festival is due in part to the strong support One World Beat is getting from music web sites and webmasters who have been putting up banners and informing their communities. One World Beat’s partners include: Hamptons Entertainment Group, GlobalArtistVillage.org, ModernRock.com, ReggaeTrain.com, GlobalTrance.co.uk, SeattleMusic.com, Indie-Music.com, LongIslandMusicScene.com, GuitarPlayersAssociationAmerica.org, SAMusic.com and many more local music sites.

Join the One World Beat Music Festival 2003
To make the first edition of the One World Beat music festival a big success we are inviting musicians, bands, music venues, promoters and non-profit organizations to join the global music festival. They can do so either by organizing a local event or joining one already planned in their area. More information about what it takes to get involved is available at www.OneWorldBeat.org.

One World Beat was founded by Swiss songwriter and musician Andy Treichler in March 2002 to raise awareness and funds for global and local charitable projects. The organization’s headquarters is in Lausanne, Switzerland. Over the past 10 months he has developed a network of volunteers, musicians and promoters who have combined their efforts to make the first One World Beat Music Festival a reality.

"The idea of giving musicians the possibility to be part of a humanitarian project in a direct way was a natural one to me," says Treichler. "After all, so much music is about changing the world, about making it better. I see One World Beat as a way to allow musicians like myself to do something more than just sing about making a difference. Now, we have an opportunity to actually do it."

Other participants share his enthusiasm:

"My company and its recording artists are very proud to be a part of the One World Beat festival," says Ray Los, founder of the Hamptons Entertainment Group in Long Island, NY.

“The One World Beat music festival is a chance for our organization to put itself on the map and to showcase Zimbabwe’s local music talents,” says Novell Zwangendaba, president of Music for Peace in Zimbabwe.

“We have watched Bono and U2 playing for international aid organizations and have waited for an opportunity like this to participate in a global charity project and help people through our music,” says Kelly Pink of the Toronto-based Metal band Tripchord.