*** PRESS RELEASE *** Kevin So Is Putting His Best Foot Forward ***

* *** PRESS RELEASE ***

KEVIN SO IS PUTTING HIS “BEST FOOT FORWARD”

“The Amy Tan of the singer/songwriter world.” -Recording Magazine

If Bruce Lee were alive today, quit acting and started singing, he would be Kevin So. Put James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, John Mayer, and Billy Joel altogether… and you get Kevin So.

With nearly 20,000 CDs sold worldwide and independently distributed, Kevin So brings forth his latest effort, the intimately acoustic “Best Foot Forward.” Following the sudden passing of his father in 2000, So embarked on an 8 year musical journey with a promise to complete a musical production of his work. Thus came “The Great Wall” (current working title) – a collaboration with Brooklyn based writer/producer Kevin Merritt and Tony Award winning librettist David Henry Hwang. Kevin has impressively continued to release an album almost every year for the past 13 years.

“I wanted to do a 180°, like many of my musical heroes. I’d released 2 full length studio albums with drums, bass, electric guitars, keyboards, background vocals, and horns, and toured all around the U.S. with various rhythm sections comprised of some of the best working musicians in town (New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin, Philadelphia, Hong Kong). This time around, I want to give back something to the fans who have stuck by me since my “folkie” days (1995-2002). It is something they’ve always said they love best - me solo acoustic. So that’s what this album is.”

Never one to repeat himself, Best Foot Forward is a collection of 15 never-before-recorded original songs (17 for digital release), including the politically charged “Letter From Guantanamo,” the anthemic and socially relevant “Stronger Side By Side,” a post break-up “Forever Friend,” and the soul-searching “Hollywood, Cherokee & Vine” – the latter two recorded and mixed in Nashville by longtime friend and producer Russell Wolff. The majority of the album marks the reunion of So and Steve Rapson, who produced Kevin’s debut CD “Pendulum” in 1996. Recorded in Winchendon, MA in September 2008 in only three days, the album captures the essence of Kevin So in his most intimate and perhaps most vulnerable setting – solo acoustic.

“For the past 5 years, it’s been me pretty much on the keyboards backed by my band (Midnight Snack), and often with a horn section. But this time I wanted to get back to the ole’ acoustic. Touring solo and opening for Keb’ Mo’ gave me a lot of affirmation – that this is what I do best right now. More importantly, it’s something I’m learning to love again. It really does feel like this is, overall, my best foot forward."

“Keep your eyes on the future The sun is rising up ahead They say the grass is always greener You can’t go living with regret

Leave the rest behind Leave the rest behind Put your best foot forward Leave the rest behind

-from “Best Foot Forward”

About Kevin So…

In over a decade of performing his music around the country, Kevin So has earned the respect of fellow musicians (Keb' Mo', Amos Lee), won over members of press and radio, and has built a loyal fan base across the US.

Born and raised in Boston, So channeled his early passion for singing into the start of a career in music with his appearance on the nationally broadcasted TV show "Big Break" hosted by Natalie Cole. In 1994, So toured the country in a cover band that would later see some of its members moving on to Britney Spears' band. It was during that period when Kevin spent a considerable amount of time listening to the early solo recordings of Bob Dylan.

By 1995, So quit the band and became a regular on the open-mic scene in Cambridge. His strong musicianship caught the attention of a Boston Globe critic who wrote that Kevin was "unusually talented." At the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, an Austin Chronicle columnist took notice, writing that So was "the big discovery." The sophomore release of So's "Individual" in 1997 was accompanied by sold-out shows at the legendary Club Passim. So moved to Chicago in 1999, booked his own gigs, performing shows in the Midwest and elsewhere. Busking in Austin the following year, Kevin was then "discovered" by The Agency Group. Subsequently, he opened for Joe Cocker, Billy Bragg, and Robben Ford.

In 2001, So moved back to Boston. Musically, he was shifting from folk to a more pop/r&b sound. The day after September 11, 2001, Kevin connected with popular bluesman Keb' Mo' and co-wrote "Talk," which Keb' would eventually record. So continued touring in 2002, becoming a favorite performer for several colleges and Asian American organizations across the US. The double-disc "Leaving The Lights On" appeared to an avalanche of praise in 2003 and throughout most of 2004, with some critics calling it "a masterpiece." Then, with two more full length CDs under his belt (The So Must Go On in 2005 and "A Brighter Day" in 2007), So continued to tour the country at a vigorous clip.

In the summer of '07, Kevin was the proud recipient of the "Overall Excellence Award" (Outstanding Music & Lyrics) for his work in "VICTOR WOO: THE AVERAGE ASIAN AMERICAN," a musical loosely based on his life. It debuted in August at the 2007 New York International Fringe Festival to packed houses. Kevin stayed on the road in 2007 and 2008, both as bandleader and as a solo act, opening for Keb’ Mo’ on several occasions. His highly anticipated solo acoustic release "Best Foot Forward" is supported by concert dates this year.

Here's what people are saying about Kevin...

“Kevin So presents his life and times in brash strokes of insight, wit, and empathy, all underscored by a deeply felt pride in being both Asian and American.” -The Boston Globe

“An original talent and tremendous performer.” -Billy Bragg

"You're the one." -Keb' Mo'

"You really inspired me." -Martin Sexton

"The new hardest working man in show business" -WFUV-FM

“He’s the man !... He’s the man !” -Richie Havens

“Kevin So is the MOST !” -Mary Lou Lord

For bookings and more information, please visit the official website: http://www.KevinSo.com

Video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=39142579