Do You Have A Burning Desire To Be A Country Music Star?

CINCINNATI, Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether you like to sing in the shower or are an aspiring Country Music star, Prilosec OTC and the Country Music Association (CMA) invites Country Music fans to turn their talents into "heartburning" lyrics and sing their hearts out. Prilosec OTC, the number one selling over-the-counter remedy for frequent heartburn (FHB), and CMA are kicking off the "Burning to Sing Your Heart Out" contest, which will award prizes to Americans who write and sing the best song about how they overcame their most "heartburning" experience.

The Ultimate Country Music Grand Prize Package

The grand prize promises to be an ultimate experience for Country Music fans looking for their chance in the spotlight. The lyrics of the Grand Prize winning song will be musically arranged by award-winning singer/songwriter Phil Vassar. The winner will then perform the winning original song on November 11, 2005 at the American Freedom Festival in New York City at the famed Roseland Ballroom, with legendary Country Music artist Charlie Daniels. The American Freedom Festival is a benefit concert where proceeds help to provide educational opportunities and assistance in the general welfare of America's veterans and their families. The winner's name will appear on the billing with several other Country Music stars that are also performing that evening.

"We are thrilled to be working with Prilosec OTC and to help give someone the chance to live out their dream of performing on stage," said famed Country Music legend, Charlie Daniels. "The concert will be an incredible evening of performances in honor of our country's servicemen and women at this historical New York City venue. It just doesn't get any better than that."

The grand prize winner plus two other finalists will win VIP ticket packages to the 2005 CMA Awards to be held for the first time ever in New York City on November 15. This includes a trip to the city, spa treatments and an unforgettable night of Country Music with the stars.

"Prilosec OTC and Country Music have something in common -- they are both ranked #1 with people who suffer from frequent heartburn. Recent survey results show that 38% of FHB sufferers chose Country Music as their most preferred musical genre and Prilosec OTC is the number one-selling OTC acid reducer**," said Kip Olmstead, Brand Manager of Prilosec OTC. "P&G is excited to see how consumers express their thoughts and feelings through music. We hope this contest not only helps people express what makes their heart burn, but entertains them too".

About the Contest

The "Burning to Sing Your Heart Out" contest is a singing/songwriting contest where contestants are challenged to come up with original lyrics for a song about heartburn -- either the medical condition or an emotional state that made their heart burn. The words "heart" and "burn" must be included somewhere in the song, but do not have to appear together. The song should also carry a message about overcoming the "heartburning" obstacle and getting on with life.

"For me, singing and song writing are the best outlets to express my feelings and experiences, and hopefully, this contest will help release the inner writer that is burning to come out in some talented person out there," said Country Music singer/song writer Phil Vassar. "Prilosec OTC has already helped me by giving me the freedom to perform without worrying about my frequent heartburn, now it could help someone live out their dreams of being a star."

A panel of judges including Phil Vassar, Charlie Daniels, a Country Music producer and a member of the P&G Prilosec OTC team will evaluate the entries based on creativity, vocal ability, lyrics, and general appeal. The entries will be narrowed down to three finalists whose submissions will be posted on the official contest website http://www.prilosecotccountry.com/ in mid-October. From there, consumers will have a chance to help the judges select the grand prizewinner. When consumers vote on-line for their favorite song and performer, they also get the chance to win an all-expense paid trip to the 2006 CMA Awards, which will be held in Nashville, Tenn. The grand prizewinner will be chosen by a combination of the consumer and judges votes combined.

How to Enter

Entries for the "Burning to Sing Your Heart Out" Contest will be accepted from July 31, 2005 through September 7, 2005. Contestants must submit a VHS videotape of their performance with handwritten/typewritten lyrics. Performances must be a maximum of three minutes long and can be sung a cappella or to original music. The person who performs doesn't have to be the author of the song, but only the performer is eligible for the grand prize of singing with Charlie Daniels. For more information on how to enter the "Burning to Sing Your Heart Out" contest, where to submit the video, and to obtain a copy of the official rules, please visit http://www.prilosecotccountry.com/.

About PRILOSEC OTC

PRILOSEC OTC is the #1 Doctor-+ and Pharmacist-++ recommended OTC acid reducer, the first of a new class of OTC heartburn medicines that works differently from every other over-the-counter heartburn medication. PRILOSEC OTC is the only OTC that can work for 24 hours with one pill a day by directly shutting down many acid pumps in your stomach *. In the two years since PRILOSEC OTC was launched, it has become the #1 selling OTC acid reducer** on the market. For more information about PRILOSEC OTC, visit http://www.prilosecotc.com/. PRILOSEC OTC is available over-the-counter through an alliance between P&G and AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca continues to market and sell prescription PRILOSEC.

About Procter & Gamble

Two billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the largest and strongest portfolios of trusted quality brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Bounty(R), Pringles(R), Folgers(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Actonel(R), Olay(R) and Clairol Nice 'n Easy(R). The P&G community consists of nearly 98,000 employees working in almost 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

About the Country Music Association

The Country Music Association was the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music in 1958. Based in Nashville, CMA currently has more than 5,000 organizational and professional members around the globe representing every facet of the industry from songwriters, to record producers, artists, musicians, talent agents, publicists, radio programmers, music video directors and more. The objectives of CMA are to guide and enhance the development of Country Music throughout the world; to demonstrate it as a viable medium to advertisers, consumers and media; and to provide a unity of purpose for the Country Music industry through its signature events the CMA Music Festival and CMA Awards.

About Phil Vassar

Having made the journey from award-winning hit songwriter to chart-topping and tirelessly-touring recording artist, Vassar has earned his reputation as one of country music's hardest working and most gifted performers. And that recognition has him popping up in a variety of high-profile venues, from his stint as a judge on the USA Network's talent search series "Nashville Star" to the Prilosec OTC national print and TV campaign featuring his new single "Good Ole Days." Phil has performed the track on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the music video, which pays homage to fun-loving frat-house movies, can be seen on CMT and GAC. He can also be heard voicing "Live For Today," a song he wrote that's being used by NBC's Today Show on a segment of the same name.

About Charlie Daniels

Legendary country superstar Charlie Daniels, known for his fiddle playing, has been a music icon for over 40 years and has become an integral part of the American popular culture. CDB music, as Daniels likes to call it, is an exhilarating mixture of rock, country, bluegrass, blues, and gospel. Although geared to the mindset of the southern lifestyle, Daniels strikes a chord with all Americans since his music at times can be rebel rousing with the spirit that embraces the American ideal. Charlie Daniels' energy and strong support for our nation is evidenced by his many accolades. His volunteer spirit and down to earth philosophy exemplifies this true American patriot.

About The American Freedom Foundation, Inc.

The American Freedom Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 public benefit corporation organized to honor veterans of America's armed forces and raise money and awareness for various veterans' organizations with special emphasis directed to welfare and educational issues facing those wounded in action, amputees, and families and children of veterans killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. American Freedom Festival is a concert event which features country music performers, actors, athletes, dignitaries and other supporters, joining together to help support and fulfill the mission of the American Freedom Foundation, Inc.

+ NDCHealth, NDC Physician Recommendation Audit (April 2004 - September 2004, Acid Reducer Category). Data on file. ++ Based on share of recommendations: Pharmacy Today 2004 OTC Survey, Acid Reducers. * Use as directed for 14 days for treating frequent heartburn. Not for immediate relief. ** Based on Dollar sales. AC Nielson FD+ dollar share of heartburn (12/28/03 -- 4/23/05).