FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 16, 2013 POPA CHUBBY PLANS EXTENSIVE U.S. TOUR UPON HIS RETURN FROM EUROPE IN SUPPORT OF UNIVERSAL BREAKDOWN BLUES New York, NY --- Popa Chubby has announced plans to continue touring North America following a July European run. Ted Horowitz, aka Popa Chubby, released Universal Breakdown Blues on May 28th via Provogue / Mascot Label Group. The album marks a premeditative return to the world of Blues, and it has received raves from media across the globe. Vintage Guitar Magazine offered, "... if his tour-de-force rendition of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' doesn't get him more attention, there is no justice. He continues to create relevant blues in his own image, full of damaged relationships, dark humor, reefer, and balls-to-the-wall guitar ." Over the course of his career that dates back to 1994, his tempestuous, soulful playing has never been more powerful. An imposing figure with a shaven head, tattooed arms, a goatee and a performance style he describes as “the Stooges meets Buddy Guy, Motörhead meets Muddy Waters, and Jimi Hendrix meets Robert Johnson," Popa Chubby is an endearing character who is one of the genre’s most popular figures. His career has always been about moving forward and carving a place for himself in the imposing terrain of the music business, overcoming odds to continue growing and maturing as a creative force. He has built a constantly increasing base of fans across the world, where in many territories he is a star. Universal Breakdown Blues features a dozen compelling songs where searing guitar lines and heartfelt lyrics are the stars. His offerings provide a parallel to the lament that inspired such blues icons as Howlin’ Wolf and Robert Johnson, digging deep and coming up with some of the most intense repertoire he has ever written. His catchy, sublime slices of his fractured life are offered in a manner where the sentiments sung are relatable, and amongst the most universal of themes, he explores the passage of love, loss and having to find the path back. Amongst the originals, Popa Chubby offers a mind-bending version of the classic "Over The Rainbow." He wrings out every emotional nuance out of the song in an inventive manner. He shares, "I started doing that song a couple of years ago, and crowds just go crazy for it. There is so much emotion there. I'm good at rearranging and I just went for it. I'm all about going for the big moments and there are not many songs that are as big as that one. So I thought, 'why not cover it? I do what I want to do.'" The complete track listing features the dozen songs, "I Don't Want Nobody," "I Ain't Giving Up," "Universal Breakdown Blues," "The Peoples Blues," "Rock Me Baby," "69 Dollars," "Over The Rainbow," "I Need A Lil' Mojo," "Danger Man," "Goin' Back To Amsterdam (Reefer Smokin' Man)," "The Finger Bangin' Boogie," and "Mind Bender." Upcoming Appearances include: 7/30 Annapolis, MD Ram's Head 7/31 New York, NY B.B. King's 8/03 Londonderry, NH Tupelo Music Hall 8/08 North Truro, MA Payomet Performing Arts Center 8/09 Quincy, MA South Shore Music Hall 8/10 Jermyn. PA Mountain Sky Blues Festival 8/14 Bloomington, IL The Castle Theatre 8/15 Milwaukee, WI Shank Hall (w/ Chris Duarte) 8/16 Chicago, IL House of Blues 8/17 Keokuk, IA Rollin' On The River Festival 8/18 Sunrise Beach, MO Franky and Louie's 8/21 Auburn Hills, MI Callahan's 8/22 London, Ontario Rumrunner's Music Hall 8/23 Kingston, Ontario Limestone Blues Festival 8/24 Trois Rivieres, Quebec City Trois Rivieres En Blues Festival 8/25 Northampton, MA Iron Horse Music Hall 8/30 Woonsocket, RI Chan's 8/31 Hamden, CT Spaceland Ballroom 9/01 Westport, CT Blues, Views & BBQ 9/06 Plains, PA Rive Street Jazz Cafe 9/07 Wyomissing, PA Building 24 9/20 Rogers, AR Blues, Brews & BBQ 9/28 Junction City, KS Junction City Blues Festival In October, Popa Chubby travels to North South Wales, Australia for the Great Southern Blues Festival. Upon his return, he heads to sea for the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise departing Ft. Lauderdale on October 18. He will spend November touring Europe. http://mascotlabelgroup.com/ http://www.popachubby.com/ .