CARLOS SANTANA AND MARY J. BLIGE RECEIVE ROCK THE VOTE 2001 PATRICK LIPPERT AWARDS

Mary J. Blige

Los Angeles Feb 6, 2001 -- Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana and Grammy Award-winner Mary J. Blige have been chosen to receive Rock the Vote Patrick Lippert Awards on Tuesday, February 20th at the Los Angeles House of Blues, it was announced today by Rock the Vote founder and record industry executive, Jeff Ayeroff.

     Carlos Santana will be honored with the 2001 Patrick Lippert Award for his long-time support in the fight for the rights of indigenous peoples as well as his work with the Milagro Foundation which he founded in 1998 with his wife, Deborah. The Milagro Foundation provides support for grassroots organizations working to enable vulnerable communities to succeed and supports educational efforts aimed at creating healthy, literate and culturally enriched lives for at-risk children. Mary J. Blige will be honored with the 2001 Patrick Lippert Award for her countless hours of community activism with organizations such as the Partnership for a Drug Free America, the Million Family March, the Christopher Wallace Foundation, the United Nations, Special Olympics, and the M.A.C. AIDS Foundation among others. The evening presented by MTV: Music Television will feature a live performance from the Foo Fighters who are currently nominated for three Grammy Awards; Jill Scott who is also nominated for three Grammys as well as critically acclaimed hip-hop artists Black Eyed Peas. The evening will be hosted by singer/actor/model/MTV personality Tyrese.

Carlos Santana

     "Rock the Vote has always celebrated the artist as activist. This year we are honoring Carlos Santana and Mary J. Blige for embodying the spirit of community activism that is being embraced by youth across America," said Ayeroff.

     Tickets to the annual event are available to the public and can be purchased by calling 310.559.9334

     As former president of Rock the Vote, Patrick Lippert led an innovative voter registration project that resulted in a historic 20% increase in youth-voter turnout in the 1992 Presidential Election and was also instrumental in the passage of the highly anticipated "Motor Voter" bill. Lippert died in 1993 to AIDS-related pneumonia and the annual award given in his name celebrates his spirit and example of activism.

     Previous Rock the Vote honorees include: Neil Young, Wyclef Jean, Sting, Bono, R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Queen Latifah, Chuck D., Hootie & the Blowfish, Sheryl Crow, L.L. Cool J., Steve Young, Beastie Boys and Salt-n- Pepa.

     Rock the Vote is a non-partisan, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, founded in 1990 by members of the recording industry in response to a wave of political attacks on freedom of speech and artistic impression. Rock the Vote is dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and empowering young people to change their world.

     For additional information on Rock the Vote visit www.rockthevote.org # # # Media Contact: Elizabeth Chanley/ Jake Schwartz at Scoop Marketing