We are saddened to pass along the news that our dear friend Bob Feldman, president of Red House Records,
passed away after a brief illness on January 11, 2006. Bob was known
across North America as a dedicated music promoter, record producer and
label president – a man who had the respect and admiration of both
musicians and business partners.
Bob restarted Red House Records, Greg Brown’s dormant record label,
in 1983, while teaching business classes at a Minnesota high school.
Over the years, Red House received numerous nominations and industry
awards, including a Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album in 1996
(Ramblin’ Jack Elliott’s South Coast). Bob worked with both traditional
and contemporary folk artists throughout his career and contributed to
the development of such musicians as Rosalie Sorrels, Utah Phillips,
John Gorka, Greg Brown, Lucy Kaplansky, Eliza Gilkyson, and most
recently, The Wailin’ Jennys, Jimmy LaFave and Lynn Miles. In the late
80’s and early 90’s, he was also a folk DJ at WFAI in Minneapolis, and
helped to organize Summerfolk, a Twin Cities folk-music festival.
For us at Righteous Babe, Bob was someone we could call for advice
or to exchange ideas. He was a friendly voice on the phone, always
willing to make suggestions or just listen. He appreciated both the
challenges and rewards of running an artist-driven label. And Bob’s
knowledge of music was immense. We will miss him and our deepest
sympathies go out to his wife, Beth, and his son, Ari, as well as his
co-workers at Red House Records.
