Renaissance Partners, L.C.

To Whom it May Concern

Re: Mr. Thomas Hicks and Renaissance Partners, L.C.

Dear Sir/Madam:

I am writing this letter of recommendation on behalf of Mr. Thomas Hicks and his consulting firm of Renaissance Partners, L.C. I have worked with Mr. Hicks and other members of Renaissance over the past several years on bankruptcies and insolvency related workouts. Over the course of those years I have come to know Mr. Hicks well. Based on my experiences with Mr. Hicks and Renaissance, one of which is outlined below. I have no hesitation whatsoever giving him the highest recommendation and strongly urge you to give him serious consideration in any restructuring, crisis management, bankruptcy, workout, strategic planning or similar project.

My most recent experience with Mr. Hicks and Renaissance was in the work out and subsequent Chapter 11 bankruptcy of the national musical instrument retailer, Mars Music ("Mars"). Mars and its affiliates were one of the country's largest musical instrument retailers with 52 stores operating in 20 states at its peak. In late 2001 and early 2002, Mars was experiencing financial difficulties and engaged Mr. Hicks and Renaissance based on the recommendations of Congress Financial Corporation (Florida), Mars' asset based lender. As has been his trademark over the years, Mr. Hicks worked tirelessly to assist Mars in its efforts to identify and attempt to solve its financial and operational issues. Mr. Hicks provided numerous recommendations and valuable insight to the management team and board of directors of Mars in respect of such issues. In fact, the management and board of directors of Mars were so impressed with Mr. Hicks that they asked him to assume the role of interim CFO for Mars in the summer of 2002.

Towards the end of 2002, Mars faced several insurmountable obstacles which forced it to consider and ultimately file a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Southern District of Florida. I was engaged to represent Mars in their Chapter 11 filing. As a result, I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Hicks again on a complicated and time sensitive matter. Once again, I was impressed with his skills, knowledge and abilities, including to quickly recognize business, financial and operational issues and to provide alternative solutions to such issues.

Both before and after its bankruptcy filing, Mars attempted to locate additional financing and/or potential purchasers for the assets of Mars. Mr. Hicks, through his large network of connections and contacts in the financial arena, introduced Mars and its management to numerous potential lenders and worked with such lenders and Mars' management to facilitate a refinancing of Mars' debt. Mr. Hicks also introduced Mars to several potential purchasers of assets and worked to facilitate a transaction in connection therewith. Ultimately, the board of directors of Mars chose to liquidate its assets through a "going out of business" sale.

I have been practicing bankruptcy law for over 17 years and have practiced in many jurisdictions throughout the country. In that regard I have come into contact and have worked closely with the top financial advisors and consultants in the country. There is no question that Mr Hicks and Renaissance are in the top echelon of such financial advisors and consultants. I reiterate my highest recommendation for him.

If you have any questions, please call me.

Sincerely,

Paul J. Batista