Here's a micro-controlled MP3 player with flashcard support, etc. for $99 Canadian. I've seen these used in a lot of projects but haven't used one myself.
I've used the Rogue Robotics uMP3. It works pretty well unless you need it to run continuously unattended for several days. There's a bug in the firmware that causes it to lose a serial bit after a day or two so it will get out of sync with a controller. If it's reset once a day or so, the problem doesn't seem to show up.
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www.parallax.com/html_pages/downloads/nvcolumns/Nuts_Volts_Downloads_V6.asp
www.roguerobotics.com/products/electronics/ump3
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When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. -- HST