R&B trio TLC [ tickets ] and MP3.com -- the company that will sponsor the group's upcoming tour with Destiny's Child [ tickets ] -- unveiled the first "Dime-a-Download" initiative for charity at a Monday (9/27) press conference in Atlanta.

Under the program, TLC has donated an exclusive track to MP3.com that fans can download from the company's website for free. In exchange, MP3.com will donate ten cents to the Sickle Cell Disease Association each time the song is downloaded. MP3.com has agreed to donate up to $100,000 to the charity through the promotion, and kicked off the drive Monday with a $25,000 check.

TLC member Tionne ''T-Boz'' Watkins has been diagnosed with Sickle Cell disease, a hereditary blood disorder that can interfere with the proper functioning of major organs.

Under a two-year cross-marketing agreement between TLC and the download site, MP3.com will also host TLC chats, contests, preferred ticket sales and webcasts.

MP3.com plans to work with other selected artists and the charities of their choice on other ''Dime-a-Download'' programs.

TLC's camp continues to put the finishing touches on the group's tour plans. It was announced at Monday's press conference that the tour will kick off in Montreal on Oct. 15, but a detailed itinerary wasn't released. According to Columbia Records, the label of Destiny's Child, the U.S. leg of the tour will open Oct. 21 at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, S.C. Onsale dates have not been announced.

After breaking for the holidays, TLC will tour Europe and Southeast Asia in early 2000 before returning to North America for more shows in the summer.