PLEDGE AND ESCROW AGREEMENT
THIS PLEDGE AND ESCROW AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of March __, 2005 (the
"Effective Date") by and among XXXXXXXXXX EQUITY PARTNERS, LTD. a Delaware corporation (the "Pledgee"), AMERICANA
PUBLISHING, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Colorado (the "Pledgor"),
and XXXXX XXXXXXXX, ESQ., as escrow agent ("Escrow Agent").
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, on even date herewith, the Pledgee and the Company entered into an Promissory Note for the
principal amount of Eight Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($820,000) (the "Note"), a copy of which is attached as
Exhibit "A;"
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Note, the Company is obligated to make certain payments to the
Pledgee, as more particularly described in the Note; and
WHEREAS, in order to secure the Company's obligations under the Note, the Pledgor has agreed to pledge
to the Pledgee 187,000,000 shares (the "Shares") of the Pledgee's common stock of the Company, which are owned by
the Pledgor.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, agreements, warranties, and representations
herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Pledge and Transfer of Pledge Shares. The Pledgor hereby grants to Pledgee a security interest in
all Shares beneficially owned by such Pledgor as security for Company's obligations under the Note.
Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement and the closing of the transactions contemplated under the
Note, Pledgor shall deliver to the Escrow Agent stock certificates representing the Shares, together with duly
executed stock powers or other appropriate transfer documents executed in blank by Pledgor (the "Transfer
Documents"), and such stock certificates and Transfer Documents shall be held by the Escrow Agent until the full
payment of all amounts due to the Pledgee under the Note or the termination or expiration of this Agreement. The
Pledgor hereby grants Pledgee a further security interest in any stock rights, rights to subscribe, stock
dividends, new securities, or other property (excluding cash dividends) to which the Pledgor is or may hereafter
become entitled to receive on account of the Shares originally pledged hereunder. In the event Pledgor receives
additional property of such nature ("Additional Pledged Property"), the Pledgor shall immediately deliver such
Additional Pledged Property to the Escrow Agent to be held by the Escrow Agent in the same manner and on the same
terms as the Shares originally pledged hereunder
2. Title to Pledge Shares. From the Effective Date, subject only to the security interest of Pledgee
created hereunder, the Pledgor shall be the legal and record owner of their respective Shares, and shall be
entitled to vote the Shares, to receive dividends and other distributions thereon, and to enjoy all other rights
and privileges incident to the ownership of the Shares, subject to the restrictions herein. Upon the occurrence
of an Event of Default (as defined herein), the Pledgee shall be entitled to vote the Shares, to receive
dividends and other distributions thereon, and to enjoy all other rights and privileges incident to the ownership
of the Shares.
3. Release of Shares from Pledge. Upon the full payment of all amounts due to the Pledgee under the Note,
the parties hereto shall notify the Escrow Agent to such effect in writing. Upon receipt of such written notice,
the Escrow Agent shall return to the Pledgor the Transfer Documents and the certificates representing the Shares,
whereupon any and all rights of Pledgee in the Pledged Materials shall be terminated. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained herein, upon full payment of all amounts due to the Pledgee under the Note, this
Agreement and Pledgee's security interest and rights in and to the Shares, shall terminate.
4. Event of Default. An "Event of Default" shall be deemed to have occurred under this Agreement upon an
Event of Default under the Note.
5. Remedies. Upon the occurrence of the Event of Default, Pledgee shall provide written notice of such
Default (the "Default Notice") to the Escrow Agent, with a copy to the Company and the Pledgor. As soon as
practicable after receipt of the Default Notice, the Escrow Agent shall deliver to Pledgee the Pledged Materials
held by the Escrow Agent hereunder, whereupon Pledgee may exercise all rights and remedies of a secured party
with respect to such property as may be available under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of
New Jersey.
6. Concerning the Escrow Agent.
6.1. The Escrow Agent undertakes to perform only such duties as are expressly set forth herein and no implied
duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Escrow Agent.
6.2. The Escrow Agent may act in reliance upon any writing or instrument or signature which it, in good
faith, believes to be genuine, may assume the validity and accuracy of any statement or assertion contained in
such a writing or instrument, and may assume that any person purporting to give any writing, notice, advice or
instructions in connection with the provisions hereof has been duly authorized to do so. The Escrow Agent shall
not be liable in any manner for the sufficiency or correctness as to form, manner, and execution, or validity of
any instrument deposited in this escrow, nor as to the identity, authority, or right of any person executing the
same; and its duties hereunder shall be limited to the safekeeping of such certificates, monies, instruments, or
other document received by it as such escrow holder, and for the disposition of the same in accordance with the
written instruments accepted by it in the escrow.
6.3. Pledgee, the Company and Pledgor hereby agree, jointly and severally, to defend and indemnify the Escrow
Agent and hold it harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, actions, suits, or proceedings at law or
in equity, or any other expenses, fees, or charges of any character or nature which it may incur or with which it
may be threatened by reason of its acting as Escrow Agent under this Agreement; and in connection therewith, to
indemnify the Escrow Agent against any and all expenses, including attorneys' fees and costs of defending any
action, suit, or proceeding or resisting any claim (and any costs incurred by the Escrow Agent pursuant to
Sections 6.4 or 6.5 hereof). The Escrow Agent shall be vested with a lien on all property deposited hereunder,
for indemnification of attorneys' fees and court costs regarding any suit, proceeding or otherwise, or any other
expenses, fees, or charges of any character or nature, which may be incurred by the Escrow Agent by reason of
disputes arising between the makers of this escrow as to the correct interpretation of this Agreement and
instructions given to the Escrow Agent hereunder, or otherwise, with the right of the Escrow Agent, regardless of
the instructions aforesaid, to hold said property until and unless said additional expenses, fees, and charges
shall be fully paid. Any fees and costs charged by the Escrow Agent for serving hereunder shall be paid by the
Pledgor.
6.4. If any of the parties shall be in disagreement about the interpretation of this Agreement, or about the
rights and obligations, or the propriety of any action contemplated by the Escrow Agent hereunder, the Escrow
Agent may, at its sole discretion deposit the Pledged Materials with the Clerk of the United States District
Court of New Jersey, sitting in Newark, New Jersey, and, upon notifying all parties concerned of such action, all
liability on the part of the Escrow Agent shall fully cease and terminate. The Escrow Agent shall be indemnified
by the Pledgor, the Company and Pledgee for all costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees in connection with
the aforesaid proceeding, and shall be fully protected in suspending all or a part of its activities under this
Agreement until a final decision or other settlement in the proceeding is received.
6.5. The Escrow Agent may consult with counsel of its own choice (and the costs of such counsel shall be paid
jointly and severally by Pledgor, the Company and Pledgee) and shall have full and complete authorization and
protection for any action taken or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the opinion of
such counsel. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any mistakes of fact or error of judgment, or for any
actions or omissions of any kind, unless caused by its willful misconduct or gross negligence.
6.6. The Escrow Agent may resign upon ten (10) days' written notice to the parties in this Agreement. If a
successor Escrow Agent is not appointed within this ten (10) day period, the Escrow Agent may petition a court of
competent jurisdiction to name a successor.
7. Conflict Waiver. Pledgee acknowledges and agrees that the Escrow Agent is solely representing the
Pledgor in connection with this Agreement and the Note and Pledgee waives any objection it might have with
respect to the Escrow Agent acting as the Escrow Agent pursuant to this Agreement.
8. Notices. Unless otherwise provided herein, all demands, notices, consents, service of process, requests
and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered in person or by overnight courier
service, or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed:
(i) If to the Pledgor:
Americana Publishing, Inc.
000 Xxx Xxxxx XX - Xxxxx 000X
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xx.
with a copy to:
Xxxxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx - Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
(ii) If to the Pledgee:
Xxxxxxxxxx Equity Partners, Ltd.
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx - Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxx, Portfolio Manager
Any such notice shall be effective (a) when delivered, if delivered by hand delivery or overnight courier
service, or (b) five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, as applicable.
9. Binding Effect. All of the covenants and obligations contained herein shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the respective parties, their successors and assigns.
10. Governing Law; Venue; Service of Process. The validity, interpretation and performance of this
Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey applicable to contracts made
and to be performed wholly within that state except to the extent that Federal law applies. The parties hereto
agree that any disputes, claims, disagreements, lawsuits, actions or controversies of any type or nature
whatsoever that, directly or indirectly, arise from or relate to this Agreement, including, without limitation,
claims relating to the inducement, construction, performance or termination of this Agreement, shall be brought
in the state or Federal courts located in Xxxxxx County, New Jersey, and the parties hereto agree not to
challenge the selection of that venue in any such proceeding for any reason, including, without limitation, on
the grounds that such venue is an inconvenient forum. The parties hereto specifically agree that service of
process may be made, and such service of process shall be effective if made, pursuant to Section 8 hereto.
11. Enforcement Costs. If any legal action or other proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this
Agreement, or because of an alleged dispute, breach, default or misrepresentation in connection with any
provisions of this Agreement, the successful or prevailing party or parties shall be entitled to recover
reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs and all expenses even if not taxable as court costs (including, without
limitation, all such fees, costs and expenses incident to appeals), incurred in that action or proceeding, in
addition to any other relief to which such party or parties may be entitled.
12. Remedies Cumulative. No remedy herein conferred upon any party is intended to be exclusive of any other
remedy, and each and every such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given
hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity, by statute, or otherwise. No single or partial
exercise by any party of any right, power or remedy hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise
thereof.
13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
an original, but all of which together shall constitute the same instrument.
14. No Penalties. No provision of this Agreement is to be interpreted as a penalty upon any party to this
Agreement.
15. JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PLEDGEE, THE COMPANY AND THE PLEDGOR HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND
INTENTIONALLY WAIVES THE RIGHT WHICH IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF
ACTION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE DEALINGS BETWEEN PLEDGEE AND
PLEDGOR, THIS PLEDGE AND ESCROW AGREEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR ANY COURSE OF
CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY HERETO OR THERETO IN
EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY OR OTHERWISE.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Pledge and Escrow Agreement as of the
date first above written.
XXXXXXXXXX EQUITY PARTNERS, LTD.
By:
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Portfolio Manager
PLEDGOR
AMERICANA PUBLISHING, INC.
By:
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xx.
Title: CEO
ESCROW AGENT
By:
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
