Forget the velvet rope. No talkin' your way onto the VIP list. In fact, leave the guest passes at the door. Backstage access to today's hottest artists isn't invite-only anymore.

Striking a harmonious chord with music enthusiasts, SBC Communications Inc. announced the debut of the SBC Blue Room, the company's Web site featuring exclusive musical content, in-studio interviews, live performances and unedited commentary of chart-topping artists. Visitors to the site, http://blueroom.sbc.com, will be treated to fresh new content each week of the biggest names in rock, alternative rock, country, and hot adult contemporary.

The site gives fans a backstage pass to musical content, such as:

• Audio files and streaming video of acoustic and behind-the-scenes performances
• Interviews from studios and inside musicians' homes
• Never-released footage from music video shoots and concerts
• Sound bites from red carpet events
• Profiles of cutting edge up-and-comers

Features for the SBC Blue Room will be culled from various SBC music sponsorships - most of it exclusive to SBC Blue Room. Each week, visitors will be treated to new content.

In addition, consumers can quickly link to complementary SBC Yahoo! DSL services such as Yahoo! Music(R) clips, information on the latest releases, and more from the featured SBC Blue Room artists. Consumers can also enter contests to win trips and tickets to shows, or spend time with featured artists.

Scott Helbing, senior vice president, SBC Consumer Marketing stated, "The SBC Blue Room experience is designed to feel like an 'unplugged' performance - intimate and engaging. We're treating music fans to rich, compelling content they haven't had access to before as we let our customers experience how SBC products and services help connect them, increasingly, to entertainment."

Soon, Spanish speaking consumers will have access to in-language content within the SBC Blue Room.

The SBC portfolio of out-of-the-box entertainment marketing initiatives include an ongoing alliance with legendary artist Eric Clapton, which includes featuring his classics "Layla" and "Wonderful Tonight," and his images in current SBC advertising. The company was also the presenting sponsor of last summer's Crossroads Guitar Festival featuring Clapton, Jeff Beck, James Taylor, B.B. King and others, which raised money for the alcohol and drug treatment and education organization founded by Clapton in 1997 through a three-day concert series, displays and a Christie's auction. Performances were made exclusively available online to SBC Yahoo! DSL members through a live Webcast.