News from Sheila E.'s web site http://www.sheilae.com

Mars Music, the nation's hottest seller of musical instruments, recording equipment and pro audio gear, Toca Kaman, leading hand percussion innovators, and Heaven Productions Music, Sheila E's music production company, is sending eight talented children, ranging in age from 3 to 16, to Los Angeles later this month to record and perform live with Sheila E.

The lucky children, winners in a nationwide drumming contest, are:
Caleb Saunders, age 3, from Tampa, FL
Mitchell Reitman, age 7, from Milwaukee, WI
Marcus Gullen, age 10, from Tampa, FL
Jonathan Paz, age 10, from Marietta, GA
Ebony Peterkin. Age 14, from Los Angeles, CA
Ayeisha Mathis, age 14, from San Raphael, MA
Shyam Bhagat, age 14, from Richmond, VA
Herb Foerstel, age 16, from Las Vegas, NV

The eight youngsters will be flown out to Los Angeles on Friday, November 2, 2001, where they will have the opportunity to record with Sheila E. for a CD to be released as the proceeds from sales will go the Lil' Angel Bunny Foundation, for abused and abandoned children, as well as the Mars Music Foundation, leaders in the education of music for interested youth around the country. The young winners will also perform with Sheila E., her father, world renown artist Pete Escovedo, and brother, Juan Escovedo on Saturday, November 3, 2001, at a special live performance and celebration at the Mars Music superstore located at The Block at Orange (20 City Boulevard in Orange, CA).

Last July, Mars Music held the "Sheila E. Drumming Contest" in all of its 48 stores nationwide. Contestants had their performances taped, and Sheila E. herself selected the eight winners.

"It has been a life long desire of mine to work with children. These selected winners are up and coming artist in their own right, and it will be my pleasure to record and perform with them. My family and I were blessed to be able to have hand percussion instruments at home. So many children don't have that luxury or opportunity. Collaborating with Mars Music Stores and Kaman Music is a dream come true. Together, with the development of the Sheila E. Players Series for kids, and the opportunity to be apart of the education process for young percussionist and drummers, working on this project, is simply Heaven!"

About Mars Music
Based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Mars Music, Inc. was founded in 1997 by Mark Begelman and currently operates 48 stores in 24 states, plus a Web site at www.marsmusic.com. Each "concert hall-size" superstore is filled with more than 100,000 name-brand musical instruments and recording and pro audio products. All Mars Music stores also have a full-size stage and Entertainment Center, recording studio and Learning Center. Through a variety of innovative programs (the Learning Centers, the Mars Music Foundation, Rock U., Be A Player, Mars Babies Make Music), Mars Music is already the largest provider of private music instruction in the United States, having given more than 1 million lessons since the company's inception.