Contemporary and Classical Music Converge in Unique New Concert Series, 'Argent Mortgage Orchestrated'

Contemporary and Classical Music Converge in Unique New Concert Series, 'Argent Mortgage Orchestrated'

LeAnn Rimes and Boston Pops Orchestra to Kick Off Unique Series in Boston on May 23

LOS ANGELES, April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Pairing popular recording artists with symphony orchestras in "one night only" engagements, Elevation Entertainment, a Los Angeles and Cleveland-based entertainment marketing and promotion company, has announced the launch of a new concert series, Argent Mortgage Orchestrated(TM).

The concept of Argent Mortgage Orchestrated(TM) is to present popular artists in the opposite environment of the critically acclaimed "MTV: Unplugged" format. Instead of stripping music down to the core, the series will offer artists an unconventional opportunity to perform their songs in ways that they choose, with the full backing of some of America's finest symphony orchestras. Each concert will be a "one night only" engagement and staged in intimate, beautiful concert facilities. The series will present up to eight (8) live concerts in various cities across the U.S. during 2005.

The first three concerts will feature multi-platinum recording and award winning artists. The series will open in Boston's Symphony Hall with Grammy Award winner LeAnn Rimes and the Boston Pops Orchestra on May 23. The second show, at Minneapolis' Orchestra Hall on June 13, will feature a second Grammy Award winner, Seal, who will perform with members of the Minnesota Orchestra. The third show will feature Jewel performing with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra at Cleveland's Cain Park on July 30. All information related to additional concerts will be released shortly.

"We have been planning this series for quite some time and are pleased that Argent Mortgage has agreed to sponsor this unique musical experience," said Allen Shapiro, a partner in Elevation Entertainment and principal & president of its joint venture entity Mosaic Media Group. "After seeing a few bands in an intimate symphony environment over the past several years, we thought the time was right to stage a series of shows under one banner. We are proud of the line-up assembled so far and look forward to working with other talented artists."

"I am thrilled to have been selected to kick off this amazing new series," shared LeAnn Rimes. "For my band and me to perform our show and my songs in new arrangements with the Boston Pops is not only flattering, but, as an artist, an amazing challenge. I am very excited and look forward to my evening at the Pops."

"Sponsoring the Orchestrated series is a natural fit for us," stated Wayne Lee, president of Argent Mortgage. "This musical convergence of world-class orchestras and top performing artists offers a unique and innovative experience. Likewise, Argent takes an un-conforming approach to mortgage lending that helps independent mortgage brokers deliver a superior lending experience for consumers across the nation. We are proud to have the Argent name associated with this sensational concert series."

Internationally acclaimed conductor, composer and arranger Frank McNamara has been chosen to arrange and conduct each show. McNamara, a native of Ireland, has a lengthy and impressive resume including work with the Irish Tenors, the American Tenors, The Who's Roger Daltry, Jeffrey Osborne and others. This past November and December, McNamara arranged and conducted the LeAnn Rimes Orchestra Christmas Tour.

Tickets for the first three shows go on sale this Friday, April 15. Tickets will be available as follows:

LeAnn Rimes / Boston Pops Orchestra Symphony Hall Box Office (888) 266-1200 / (617) 266-1200 www.bostonpops.org

Seal / Minnesota Orchestra Orchestra Hall Box Office (800) 292-4141 / (612) 371-5656 www.minnesotaorchestra.org

Jewel / Cleveland Pops Orchestra Ticketmaster (216) 241-5555 / (330) 954-9400 / (330) 747-1212 www.ticketmaster.com

ABOUT ARGENT MORTGAGE

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Argent Mortgage Company is a leading national mortgage lender. The company works exclusively with independent mortgage brokers and bankers across the country through loan processing centers in California, Illinois and New York. For more information about Argent Mortgage or to locate an independent mortgage broker near you, visit the company's Web site at www.argentloans.com.

ABOUT ELEVATION ENTERTAINMENT

Elevation Entertainment is a leading sports, entertainment, cultural & leisure sponsorship and event management agency, a joint venture between Mosaic Media Group and the Elevation Group of Companies. Elevation has nearly two decades of sports and entertainment marketing, activation and event implementation experience, chiefly working for some of the country's largest brands.

ABOUT MOSAIC MEDIA GROUP

Mosaic Media Group, launched in July 1999, unites film and music company Atlas Entertainment, and its affiliated division Atlas/Third Rail Management, with the talent management group The Gold/Miller Company. Its diversified interests include a stake as controlling shareholder in dick clark productions and ownership of Mosaic Music Publishing, including the Aerosmith and ZZ Top catalogues. Mosaic's talent clients include Jim Carrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Will Ferrell, Kristin Davis, Sean Hayes, Tea Leoni, Garry Shandling, Kevin Sorbo, Sacha Baron Cohen (Ali G), Vince Vaughn, Jay Roach, Judd Apatow, David Hollander, The Goo Goo Dolls and Green Day.

Contacts:

Lynda Dorf / Dvora Vener Englefield BWR Public Relations (310) 248-6138 / (310) 248-6161 ldorf@bwr-la.com / dvener@bwr-la.com

Source: Elevation Entertainment

CONTACT: Lynda Dorf, +1-310-248-6138, ldorf@bwr-la.com, or Dvora Vener Englefield, +1-310-248-6161, dvener@bwr-la.com, both of BWR Public Relations, for Elevation Entertainment; or Sharon Villanueva Scott of Gladstone, +1-949-218-8008, sscott@newhousepr.com, for Argent Mortgage Company

Web site: http://www.ticketmaster.com/

Web site: http://www.bostonpops.org/

Web site: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/

Web site: http://www.argentloans.com/

------- Profile: Ent