High-precision (o < 0.01) new K-band observations of a sample of the brightest and nearest red clump stars in the solar neighborhood are used to determine a distance modulus for the LMC. The resulting value of 18.47±0.03 implies a very small correction to the Cepheid PL relation due to the difference in metallicity between LMC Cepheids and Cepheids in the solar neighborhood. © 2009 American Institute of Physics !