MCCORMICK(R) PRESENTS RAY CHARLES TRIBUTE ON ICE to Be Taped at Staples Center October 5, 2002 and to Air December 21, 2002, 4-6PM (ET) on NBC Network

LOS ANGELES, July 25 -- McCORMICK PRESENTS RAY CHARLES TRIBUTE ON ICE is set to be taped at STAPLES Center October 5, 2002 in Los Angeles, California, and will air Saturday, December 21, 2002, 4:00p.m.-6:00p.m. (ET), on the NBC Television Network. This entertainment spectacular stars international music icon and 12-time GRAMMY(R) Award winner Ray Charles in a live performance, and features the skating of 1988 Olympic Champion Brian Boitano and 2002 Olympic Pair Champions Jamie Sale & David Pelletier.

Guest stars include Olympic Silver Medalists Brian Orser and Rosalynn Sumners, three-time U.S. National Pair Champions Jenni Meno & Todd Sand, five-time U.S. National Dance Champions Elizabeth Punsalan & Jerod Swallow, eight-time British National Champion Steven Cousins, and World Bronze Medalist Caryn Kadavy.

Beloved throughout the world for his indelible renditions of songs like "Georgia On My Mind," "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "America the Beautiful" (the latter two he'll perform during the special), Ray Charles is a member of no less than four Halls of Fame: Rock and Roll, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues (of which he was also elected Honorary Life Chairman), and Florida Artists. Included among his countless awards are the prestigious National Medal of Arts and the Kennedy Center Honors, the latter presented annually to individuals who, through a lifetime of accomplishment, have enriched American life by their achievement in the performing arts. This month he also received the inaugural GRAMMY "Heroes" Award.

Accompanying the musical artistry of this unique event will be the skating artistry of Brian Boitano. Since landing his first triple jump at the age of 11, Boitano has won over 50 skating titles in his storied career. In addition to his Olympic Gold Medal, he is a 2-time World Champion, 4-time U.S. National Champion and 6-time World Professional Champion. In 1996, Boitano was inducted into both the U.S. and World figure skating halls of fame. In 1999, the Professional Skaters Association awarded Boitano the Gustav Lussi Award, given to a male professional skater who "has brought recognition to skating in a positive and favorable manner."

McCormick Presents Ray Charles Tribute on Ice will also feature Olympic Pair Champions Jamie Sale & David Pelletier. Thrust into the spotlight of an unprecedented Olympic controversy in the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City, the Canadian duo won the hearts of millions with their incredible grace on and off the ice.

McCormick & Company, Inc. was founded in 1889 in Baltimore, Maryland, and today is the largest spice company in the world. McCormick sources the finest ingredients from around the globe to bring the highest quality flavors to consumers. In the United States, it markets products under the McCormick, Old Bay, Golden Dipt, and Produce Partners brand names.

Steve Disson of Disson Skating is executive producer of McCormick Presents Ray Charles Tribute on Ice. Peter Shakkour of TWI will produce the event for television, with Yvonne Gomez directing. Lea Ann Miller has been selected as skating choreographer. Simon Miles will serve as lighting director, with set design by Lolly Gallup.

Tickets for McCormick Presents Ray Charles Tribute on Ice go on-sale Sunday, July 28, at 12 noon, and are available for purchase at all Ticketmaster retail ticket center outlets including Tower Records, Robinsons- May, Ritmo Latino, Wherehouse Music and Tu Musica locations, Charge-by-Phone at (213) 480-3232, (714) 740-2000, (805) 583-8700, (619) 220-TIXS and via www.ticketmaster.com .

SOURCE McCORMICK PRESENTS RAY CHARLES TRIBUTE ON ICE

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