(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — 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. 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.
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 c/o Red House Records, P.O. Box 4044, St Paul, MN 55104.
