Whyville Rolls out the Red Carpet to Its Citizens for a One-of-a-Kind, Interactive Virtual Concert

PASADENA, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Whyville.com) - Whyville.com – the only learning-based virtual world for today's digital kids – is hosting a unique live concert featuring Grammy-nominated rock and hip-hop artist tobyMac on Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 2:00 PST. Unlike a concert in the real world, Whyville's virtual world technology allows the thousands of expected concert-goers the exclusive chance to interact in real time with tobyMac, by asking him questions and possibly being invited to join him 'on-stage.' Whyville's more than 2.3 million registered users have already responded by reserving a record number of tickets at the virtual box office. The performance is expected to exceed the 6,000 attendees at Whyville's first live concert held last December. Whyville citizens will also participate in concert related festivities, including a tailgate party and after-party.

tobyMac from ForeFront Records is slated to perform songs from his new album, Portable Sounds, as well as play a few of his old fan favorites, voted upon and selected in advance by the citizens of Whyville. tobyMac will appear live as an avatar in Whyville's Greek Theater, while thousands of his fans in attendance at the concert listen-in while reading the artist's real-time commentary in chat and asking him questions in front of the entire audience. One hour before the concert, a tailgate party will be the place for thousands of virtual concert-goers to eat, hang out, toss around Frisbees and balls, and even purchase and download tobyMac ringtones and songs. At a special after-party sponsored by Scion, citizens will continue the celebration in an invitation-only location within Whyville.

'We are thrilled to partner with ForeFront Records and EMI to present tobyMac live in concert in Whyville," said Jay Goss, Chief Operating Officer of Whyville. "Whyville is a "seriously fun" extension of today's kids' real lives and our virtual world technology allows thousands of concert-goers to interact with an entertainer like tobyMac while at the same time assuring a great experience for everyone.'

In the less than one week since tickets went on sale in Whyville, more than 4,000 reserved tickets have been sold for 20 clams each, Whyville's virtual currency. Clams are typically earned when citizens participate in Whyville's learning activities. Kids can join Whyville for free by gaining their parents permission and logging onto Whyville.com.