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MARYLAND ROCKER PHIL RITCHIE FINALIST ON CBS’S ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA

Ocean City, MD – (June, 2006) On Friday June 23, CBS unveiled the 15 finalists chosen from more than 25,000 applicants worldwide, who will compete in the latest season of the reality series "Rock Star", and Ocean City’s Phil Ritchie of the band Lennex was among the top.

Titled "Rock Star: Supernova," this season's contenders will be competing for the chance to join drummer Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), bassist Jason Newsted (Metallica) and guitarist Gilby Clark (Guns N' Roses) in the newly formed band Supernova as their lead singer.

Phil has provided lead vocals and trumpet for Lennex since 1997 with band mate brothers Brian Luckett (guitar) and Brandon Luckett (drums), their cousin Derek Boening (guitar) and Bruce Long (bass). The band’s music has been described as a powerful, absorbing and widely accessible vortex of hard-rocking rhythms and ethereal melodies. Touring well beyond their Ocean City, MD home; Lennex has had the opportunity to open for acts the likes of Cake, Fuel, Bon Jovi and The Goo Goo Dolls.

The special 90-minute premiere episode of "Rock Star: Supernova" will air on Wednesday, July 5, followed by a second episode on Thursday. The following week, the show will move into its regular Tuesday (performance) and Wednesday (results) slots. Last season's performance episodes averaged about 6.3 million viewers (the finale drew close to 8 million), while the results shows drew about 5.4 million. First season co-hosts Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Brooke Burke (E! channel’s “Wild On”) will both return for Rock Star's second run.

Following the September finale, Supernova will record an album with the winner. A fall release and worldwide tour will ensue. Last season's winner was 31-year-old Canadian J.D. Fortune, whose first single with INXS, "Pretty Vegas," helped push the band to its highest-charting debut ever.

Phil and Lennex have employed the marketing and promotional services of Impact Artist Promotions including studio and live photography sessions, photo optimization/touch-up and poster prints.

ABOUT PHIL RITCHIE:
Once a straight-A student and former marching band member, tattooed rocker Phil Ritchie is a bundle of surprising contradictions wrapped in a coolly confident demeanor.

Born in 1978 in the small town of Shadyside, Maryland; Phil was constantly on the move as a child, finally landing in Ocean City, Maryland. It was there that the impeccable student and jazz band member found life in rock and roll after he was asked to audition for the band Lennex. He nailed the audition, subsequently fronting the group with such success that they've toured the country racking up impressive stage time.

An enigmatic, powerful performer, Phil finds musical inspiration in the likes of (and among many others) Tom Petty, Tool, Soundgarden, and Jeff Buckley. Additional information on Phil can be found by visiting lennex.com, myspace.com/lennex, myspace.com/philritchie and artistpromo.com

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