Two Local Michigan Entertainment Buffs Honored With Microsoft Start Something Amazing Awards

Two Local Michigan Entertainment Buffs Honored With Microsoft Start Something Amazing Awards

Bill Gates Recognizes Local Musician and Comedy Show Producer for Their Unique Uses of Windows Technology

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- After conducting a five-month nationwide search, Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) today announced the five winners of its Start Something Amazing Awards, honoring Andre Isom of Benton Harbor, Mich., and E.J. Dyksen of Lansing, Mich., for their unique and inspiring uses of Microsoft(R) Windows(R)-related technology to pursue their passions for entertainment. Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates will meet the winners today at Microsoft's headquarters. Gates will present Isom with the award for the Music category based on his use of technology to run his own music studio and will present Dyksen with the award for the Memories category for his use of Windows-based technologies to create a sketch comedy show.

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"Today we celebrate the achievements of five highly creative individuals who used the Microsoft Windows platform to pursue their passions," Gates said. "Their stories, along with those of thousands of others who entered the Start Something Amazing Awards, are inspirational examples of the transformative power of technology."

The Start Something Amazing Awards were created to support the global awareness campaign called Start Something, one of the largest and longest marketing campaigns in the Windows brand history, which celebrates the countless possibilities for Windows to bring what people are passionate about to life using the hundreds of thousands of software applications and devices that work with Microsoft Windows XP.

Isom always dreamed about being a music producer, artist and engineer, but those dreams seemed out of reach until he saw others using a PC to produce, compose and arrange music. Isom now runs his own music studio and production company, Trac-Head Productionz, where he uses Windows XP and programs such as Propellerhead Reason, Steinberg Nuendo and Wavelab to lay tracks, record vocals and master his music. His use of technology has also carried over into his job as a radio disc jockey, where he runs his weekly gospel show, "BiGgDrE'z Inspirations," from his laptop using Windows Media(R) Player. Isom is sharing his love of music with others in his community as well, using his Windows-based studio to produce several local hip-hop, gospel and R&B artists.

"I feel blessed and honored to win this award," Isom said. "Music is my source of inspiration, and Windows XP makes it easy to mix and master my tracks. Everything I need to produce my music is on my PC."

Armed with a handful of witty friends from his college improv troupe and Windows-based technologies, Dyksen created a comedy show called "Laughterhouse Five." He was thrilled to find a way to combine his interests for comedy, filmmaking and computers -- whether using his Windows XP-based Tablet PC with Microsoft Office OneNote(R) to script show ideas, Windows Server(TM) 2003 to communicate through message boards or his Media Center PC to edit footage. After completing an eight-minute pilot sketch last spring, Dyksen and his friends now plan to distribute their comedy show using Windows Media Video HD technologies -- all from his dorm room in central Michigan.

"I've been using Windows since I was a little kid, and it's a dream to meet Bill Gates and show him how I use Windows technology to produce 'Laughterhouse Five,'" Dyksen said. "Our group is using Windows and several software programs to pursue our passions for comedy and filmmaking, and we couldn't do it without technology."

Isom and Dyksen will receive $5,000 worth of the latest Windows technology, including a Media Center PC, Tablet PC and iriver H10 portable music device. In addition, they each win once-in-a-lifetime experiences based on their interests. Isom and a guest will travel to New York for VIP access to a Live@VH1.com performance with an opportunity to meet the artist, program a block of music videos on VH1 Classic, and receive 20 DVDs and 20 CDs. Dyksen will receive a movie premiere weekend, including VIP access to a major movie premiere in New York City or Los Angeles, with first-class airfare, two nights' hotel accommodations, invitations to an after-party and $500 in spending money. Dyksen's prize package is provided by Entertainment Weekly magazine.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

NOTE: Microsoft, Windows, Windows Media, OneNote and Windows Server are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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Source: Microsoft Corp.

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or Karissa Sams, +1-425-452-5400, or ksams@webershandwick.com, both of Weber
Shandwick, for Microsoft Corp.; or electronic media, Media Relations at WCTV,
+1-212-445-8220, or mediarelations@wctv.com

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/

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