Harmonica Performer, Dennis Cooper, Awarded a Grant from Jim Beam

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: Harmonica Performer, Dennis Cooper, Awarded a $3,000 Grant from Jim Beam® Bourbon to Purchase New Equipment : B.E.A.M. Program to Award $100,000 in Financial Grants in 2002 : Deerfield, Ill., October 1, 2002 – Practicing in cramped spaces, re-repairing equipment and kicking the tires of a van that quit two exits before the show, emerging artists such as Dennis Cooper, known as The Harmaniac, of Weiser, Id., throw everything they have into their music. : This is precisely why Jim Beam® Bourbon created the B.E.A.M. (Benefiting Emerging Artist in Music) grant program: to give a financial, no-strings-attached lift to independent artists in any music-related direction they choose to head. With his $3,000 B.E.A.M. grant, Cooper is purchasing new recording equipment. : Cooper is the type of musician that stage hands adore. He can carry all of his equipment in the palm of his hand and yet manages to fill a venue with just as much soul, passion and vigor as a full band. Through his decades of work with several bands, Cooper has brought his awarding-winning diatonic harmonica playin’ to many stages throughout the West coast. With a follow up to his 2001 debut album, A Boy and His Harmonica, already in progress, Cooper is eager to show audiences how dynamic and huge a sound the tiny diatonic harmonica can make. : “The harmonica has long been an instrument that has accompanied bands and built the bridges in many genres and songs,” said Cooper. “Hopefully, with the help of the B.E.A.M. grant, I can continue to do what I love and push this universal instrument to the center stage.” : The support awarded to B.E.A.M. grant recipients stretches well beyond the grant money. Through the B.E.A.M. Advisory Board, grant-winning artists and bands have access to an eclectic collection of music industry professionals ranging from tour managers and record label execs to nationally recognized musicians. Co-chaired by Matthew Sweet and Pat DiNizio, frontman for The Smithereens, the B.E.A.M. Advisory Board ensures that each grant recipient meets the level of creativity, professionalism and originality the program’s criteria requires. Cooper offers audible proof of this. : “One of the coolest qualities of the B.E.A.M. grant program is its understanding that the ‘next big thing’ means something different to each band,” said DiNizio. “It is great to see deserving artists like Cooper take a step towards reaching their goals, while still maintaining complete independence.” : Here’s how it works: Jim Beam Bourbon is awarding three rounds of grants, totaling $100,000, to approximately 40 aspiring musicians throughout 2002. Finalists are selected and interviewed by a panel of seasoned music-industry professionals, including DiNizio, via a conference call. Once awarded the grant money, independent musicians may use the B.E.A.M. grant for their music-related financial need, such as purchasing new equipment, covering recording costs or funding an upcoming tour. : Since the program’s introduction in 1999, Jim Beam has awarded a total of $288,000 to 117 artists across the U.S. For the fourth year, Jim Beam is inviting musicians and music business aspirants from the United States who demonstrate a dedication to their work to apply for a B.E.A.M grant. Interested musicians can get more information by visiting www.jimbeam.com or by writing to the B.E.A.M. Advisory Board at P.O. Box 5439, New York, NY 10150. All applicants must be U.S. residents at least 21 years of age or older. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Subject to complete and official rules. : “The determination of emerging artists like Cooper is admirable, to say the least ,” said Stephanie Moritz, director, public relations, Jim Beam Brands Co. “We’re proud to honor independent musicians through the B.E.A.M. grant program who demonstrate the same level of commitment to their art that we have to delivering a superior bourbon.” : Jim Beam Brands Co. is an operating company of Jim Beam Brands Worldwide, Inc., an international distilled spirits and fine wines company that manufactures and markets more than 80 brands in 160 countries. Jim Beam Brands Worldwide, Inc. has leadership positions in bourbon, with Jim Beam® and Jim Beam® Black, the number one selling bourbon worldwide; Knob Creek® bourbon and The Small Batch Bourbon Collection®; scotch, with The Dalmore® Single Malt Scotch; and cordials, with DeKuyper®, the number one cordial line in the United States. In addition to spirits, the Jim Beam Brands Worldwide, Inc. portfolio includes Geyser Peak®, Canyon Road® and Barwang® wine brands. A joint venture between Jim Beam Brands Co. and The Absolut Spirits Company, Incorporated, called Future Brands LLC, provides sales and distribution services in the United States for the company's spirits and wine brands. Jim Beam Brands Worldwide, Inc. is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), the consumer products company. : ### : : Jim BeamÒ Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, : 40% Alc./Vol. © 2002 James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY : www.jimbeam.com : B.E.A.M. program is correctly pronounced as individual letters B-E-A-M, not as one word.