Bob Feldman, President of Red House Records, Dies at 56

January 12, 2006

Bob Feldman, founder and president of world-renowned folk and roots music label Red House Records, died yesterday at age 56 at his home in St. Paul, MN. The stunning report of his death came as a shock to his friends and co-workers even though Feldman had been battling a series of health issues in recent months. Red House headquarters has received an overwhelming number of calls and emails from artists, friends, fans and people in the music industry expressing their shock and sadness at the loss. He is survived by his wife Beth, son Ari, parents, Sydney and Toby, brother Alan and sister Sheri Cerny.

Feldman was known across North America as a tireless music promoter and record producer who devoted his life to building and enhancing the careers of many of today's finest roots music artists. As the head of a record label, he had a unique reputation for trusting his artists’ instincts and allowing them ample creative control over their work. Not coincidentally, Feldman maintained close personal relationships with many of the musicians on the label. He acted as a friend, fan, and business partner to many Red House artists – a combination rarely found between artists and the record executives they do business with.

Red House Records boasts a long list of internationally recognized recording artists including such luminaries as Greg Brown, Lucy Kaplansky, Guy Davis and recent Grammy nominee Eliza Gilkyson (a complete list of artists is available at www.redhouserecords.com). Over the last two years, Feldman made a conscious effort to expand the label’s scope by signing artists who stretched the boundaries of what many consider folk music. Such acts include Austin, Texas based Jimmy LaFave and a bevy of Canadian musicians -- The Wailin’ Jennys, The Bills, David Francey, Ray Bonneville and Lynn Miles (set to release her first Red House album, Love Sweet Love, February 7th).

The staff of Red House Records – long-time friend and V.P. of Production Eric Peltoniemi, V.P. of Operations Chris Frymire, Director of Publicity and Marketing Alex Seitz, Director of Promotions Ellen Stanley, accounting assistant/bookkeeper Megan Hire and members of the Customer Service Department Roland Trenary, Rachel Goligoski and Beth Engelman – will continue operations and passionately pursue Bob Feldman’s vision of cultivating new talent and bringing the highest quality independent music to fans around the world.

Memorial services will be held tomorrow, Friday, January 13 at 11:30 a.m. at Beth Jacob Synagogue located at 1179 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118. Memorials should be directed to the Breast Cancer Fund care of Red House Records, P.O. Box 4044, St. Paul, MN 55104.