Press Release

FORMER SOVIET PRESIDENT MIKHAIL GORBACHEV RETURNS TO WASHINGTON, D.C. TO BE SERENADED BY RICK MONROE ABOARD THE USS SEQUOIA PRESIDENTIAL YACHT.

Nobel Peace Laureate Mikhail Gorbachev, the former President of the Soviet Union, will be treated to the singing and songwriting talents of Rick Monroe later this month in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Gorbachev returns to the U.S. capital city to chair a unique fundraising program for leukemia research on April 21st and 22nd. The two-part event will raise funds for the Raisa Gorbacheva Memorial Fund for Leukemia Research and Treatment for Children, established in honor of Mr.Gorbachev's late wife. Washington, D.C.-based Frank Foundation Child Assistance International is Mr. Gorbachev's partner in the fundraising events.

This "2001 US-Russian Presidential Gala" will feature a formal dinner at the Russian Embassy on Saturday, April 21st, and a private brunch the following afternoon aboard the historic Presidential Yacht USS Sequoia for Mr. Gorbachev and a select group of donors drawn from U.S. corporate, public service, arts and philanthropic communities. Live music will be provided on the USS Sequoia by Los Angeles-based singer songwriter Rick Monroe.

Mr. Monroe has built a strong base of fans in the United States and throughout the world due to dynamic performance appearances in U.S. cities ranging from San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Honolulu to Austin, Chicago, and Aspen; and in such overseas locales as Ecuador, Cuba, Honduras, Bosnia, Macedonia, Hungary, Croatia and Vietnam (Hanoi
and Ho Chi Minh City). Born in Florida and raised on Siesta Key, Mr. Monroe later lived in North Carolina, Connecticut, Kansas and London, England. He began his musical career in the areas of blues and rock, later turning to the introspective yet universal singer-songwriter
stylings epitomized by such leaders in the field as James Taylor and the late Jim Croce. Mr. Monroe's popular self-penned tunes include "To Believe," "Can I Call You Home," "Runaway," and "Day By Day."

Mr. Monroe's performance for the special guests on the USS Sequoia will include his own songs as well as some of Mr.Gorbachev's favorite Russian and American selections.

Website: http://www.rickmonroe.com

For further information or for an interview with Mr. Monroe, please contact

Judy Massa Managment
14910 Poplar Hill Road
Accokeek, Maryland 20607 USA
Phone 301-704-6093 ~ Fax 301-283-6093
Email: JudyMassaMgmt@cs.com