Sporting a melodic voice coupled with McCartney-esque whimsy, Lee MacDougall has already built up a following in London clubs while garnering comparisons to folks like Bob Dylan and Van Morrison. Or, as Word Magazine’s Kate Mossman said, “He’s amazing and very confident. Like Freddie Mercury meets Rufus Wainwright. He’s going to go a long way.”

MacDougall embarks on his first-ever U.S. tour beginning later this month. Accompanied by Rob Hargreaves on guitar and backing vocals, MacDougall’s journey begins at New York City’s Bitter End Feb. 25. Other stops include the Passim Folk Music & Cultural Center in Cambridge, Mass., Feb. 28; Philly’s North Star Bar March 2; Durham, N.C., at the James Joyce Pub March 5; Nashville at 3rd & Lindsey March 9; Denver’s Larimer Lounge March 24 and Hollywood’s Hotel Café March 31.

The tour continues into April with shows in San Francisco (April 2), Portland (April 7), Seattle (April 8), Vancouver (April 10), Minneapolis (April 13), Chicago (April 14), DeKalb, Ill. (April 15), Pittsburgh (April 20), Albany (April 21), New York City (April 22) and Wilmington, Del. (April 23).

The singer / songwriter will also be in Austin for SXSW March 17-19 (venues to be announced).

MacDougall is releasing an 11-song self-produced CD, If Walls Could Talk, to go along with the tour. He’s also been working in the studio with Jim Lowe (Stereophonics, Charlatans, Taylor Swift), recording several tracks including a version of “She” that is currently available as part of a three-song package on iTunes. A self-produced version of the song appears on If Walls Could Talk.

Meanwhile, He’s introducing himself to America. For more information, check out his Internet real estate at MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and iTunes.