PRESS RELEASE

April 1, 2004 - Dean Friedman to perform UK/Ireland Summer Tour followed by Fringe Festival Run

PRESS PRESS PRESS PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS PRESS PRESS =============================================================================================================    American recording artist, Dean Friedman, announces 2004 Summer Tour culminating in appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.   [SEE GIG SECTION FOR TOUR DATES]        Real Life Records recording artist, Dean Friedman, best known to American audiences for his top 20 debut single, ‘Ariel’, and to European audiences for his classic hits, ‘Lucky Stars’, ‘Lydia’ and ‘Rocking Chair, announces a twelve city UK/Ireland 2004 Summer Tour, from July 23 to August 7, which will culminate in a series of performance beginning August 8th at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.   Over the past quarter century, since the original release of ‘Well, Well, Said the Rocking Chair’, Friedman has earned a loyal and devoted worldwide following as a consummate songsmith and recording artist with a string of international hits and gold records. Other Friedman hits include, ‘Woman of Mine’ and ‘McDonald’s Girl’. Friedman’s single, McDonald’s Girl, was officially banned by the BBC (for mentioning a tradename), but, despite a 16 year absence from recording, his ear-catching, pop-fusion songwriting style continued to influence a new generation of musicians including some of today’s most popular contemporary bands.        Bands such as Barenaked Ladies (they had their first Canadian radio hit with a cover version of his song McDonald’s Girl), Ben Folds Five, The Blenders (Scored a #1 hit in Norway with their cover of McDonald’s Girl.), and the British band Half Man – Half Biscuit (Released a best-selling EP containing a track entitled ‘The Bastard Son of Dean Friedman’.), all acknowledge Friedman’s quirky yet sophisticated brand of songwriting as an influence.        Critics have compared Friedman’s music to the likes of Paul Simon, Sting, Randy Newman and Elton John. Recent featured TV appearances on the hit BBC series,  I Love The ‘70’s, and Classic Duet and the Baddiel Syndrome, have served to firmly re-establish Friedman as a major recording artist in the singer/songwriter, pop/rock genre. Typical reviews of Friedman and his music upon the original release of ‘Well, Well’ Said the Rocking Chair’, describe him and his work thus: “Songsmith Extraordinaire’ – MUSIC WEEK. ‘Stunning musicianship’ – HOT PRESS. ‘Friedman succeeds where others fail because he takes risks and makes them come off. An exceptional talent!’  NME.   Friedman’s last appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival garnered critical praise: “Every song in this Edinburgh show is a classic. You won't see a better show.” – London Theatre Guide.  "Sophisticated and humorous work from an old master!" Scotland on Sunday / Festival Critic's Music Choice. “With his mix of jaunty ditties, sentimental ballads and bashful charm, Friedman is the pop troubador of choice.” The Scotsman.  Even Scotland’s Minister of Culture, Frank McAveety, a die-hard Friedman fan,  weighed in, ‘This is what the Fringe is all about! Beautiful, classic stuff.’       Tickets to all shows plus all of Friedman’s studio albums are available online at  http://deanfriedman.com .  [SEE GIG SECTION FOR TOUR DATES]  For info contact: Steve Schwartz info@deanfriedman.com