For immediate release - Contact: Bruce Kaplan: 310-305-3727

Hollywood to Hyannis Tour: CLAUDIA RUSSELL kicks off U.S. tour to support new CD Song Food

Folk and Roll singer Claudia Russell hits the road this summer to support her debut CD, Song Food on Radio Rhythm Records. Russell's CD, recorded in Los Angeles and Memphis, is currently climbing the folk and Americana charts around the country and features players from the touring bands of Bonnie Raitt, Dwight Yokam and Robin and Linda Williams.

Russell's first national tour takes her to central California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Boston, where her CD is getting heavy rotation on two stations there: WUMB, one of the leading folk stations in the country, and WFMO. She returns to Los Angeles for a July 30 live broadcast on Pacifica Radio's long running show Folkscene. Additional dates are planned for the fall including the Boston Folk Festival on Sat., Sept. 23. Russell is touring as a duo, with her husband Bruce Kaplan accompanying her on mandolin and guitar.

Russell is an awesome vocalist who plays a style all her own: eclectic folk music with traces of blues, western swing, roots rock and country. Drawing from original compositions, obscure gems, folk and pop classics as well as contributions from her many talented songwriter friends, Claudia's performances are truly heartfelt and entertaining. Using humor, personal stories and her enchanting "Who, me?" attitude, Claudia quickly bonds with her audience, winning them over with her powerful voice and signature guitar voicings.

One track from the CD, Blue Flame Cafe, is featured in the upcoming film, Trixie, starring Nick Nolte and Emily Watson and produced by Robert Altman. (Film release date: June 30, 2000)

A former member of the award winning a cappella trio The Life is Grand Band as well as BMG/JRS recording artists Maggie¹s Farm, Claudia performs regularly to sold-out houses in Los Angeles and has appeared at Farm Aid (sharing the stage with Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson), the Kerrville Folk Festival and the Milwaukee Repetory Theater, where she drew rave reviews for her performance in "Old Friends," a musical revue featuring the songs of Paul Simon. [end]