Rick Monroe Interview

INTERVIEW WITH RICK MONROE FROM TheCelebrityCafe.com ARCHIVES

DM) What was your favorite performance?

RM) My favorite show??? Well there are many but one that happened this year does stand out. I was opening up for Marshall Tucker, remember "Can't You See," anyway it was some great dates all over Colorado. The first night was in Colorado Springs at the Colorado Springs Music Hall and I had hired Michael Lennon, from the band Venice, to play lead guitar and we were doing it acoustic. He had only learned the 1/2 hour set because the promoter said we have to stick to a real tight show. When we got to sound check they were running a few hours behind and the band had yet to take off from where ever they were snowed in at. The road manager said "I can't believe I'm about to say this but...you have to play at least an hour." Now remember he had never heard me and my guitar player only knew a 1/2 hours worth of music. Ok, it gets better, they were scheduled to do 2 shows and their plane was still snowed in. The promoter not wanting to lose money told people from the first show they had to wait and squeeze in for the second show. Now the promoters flipping out their road manager is flipping out and the crowed is getting upset. Finally, the road manager says to me "Ok the guys are an hour away, we need you to start now "and can you stretch it for at least an hour and 1/2?" Michael said I'll be right here in the wings when your ready for me." So there I was all alone with an angry crowed shouting for Marshall Tucker. I told the crowd what was up and that I was gonna be playing for a long time and they just yelled and got even more pissed off. Someone from the audience asked if I'd sing happy birthday to his wife... I did and in that the crowd mellowed they all sang and then I started my set. It just kept building and they started singing along with songs after the first chorus. I kept looking over to Michael in the wings and he'd was giving me the thumbs up. Finally, he came out some people recognized him from Venice which help and the crowd started going crazy but in a good way. When we had finished the original set, the road manager asked if we could still play more. We started making up blues tunes and thinking of every cover, we could. When it was all done I had sold every piece of product I had taken for the 3 week tour that night and we got to play as much as we wanted the rest of the tour and I still pick up gigs with them when I can.

DM) Do you read the audience's reaction a lot?

RM) That's how I pick songs. I'll have a set list but then I'll start changing things around to keep the mood right. I believe that I work for the audience. They paid money to be taken away and that's my job. I don't adhere to the, it's all about me crap! My job is to entertain and get people grooving and "A Groove Is A Terrible Thing To Waste."

DM) Do you prefer touring or recording?

RM) It won't be as long as my first answer They are two totally different animals. I love each one equally. Playing live, you get an instant response and in the studio, you really get to focus in on each song and part.

DM) Where did you first learn to play?

RM) I use to be just a singer and I was in a Hard Rock band and we had opened for Motley Crew on the Dr. Feelgood tour and after that I just wanted to go back to my roots, James Taylor, Jim Croce, Jimmy Reed and the Allman Bros. that sort of stuff. The band wanted to keep ROCKIN' so I picked up a guitar and taught myself how to play started writting songs and hit the coffee shop scene. Now I'm finally getting to the style that I've always wanted to play but never felt like I was able to do it right.

DM) What gave you the confidence that made you think you were doing something right?

RM) Is it confidence or being nieve... I just feel like I have something to share and people seem to respond.

DM) A fellow musician once commented that while he loves playing with well known musicians there are times when he feels rather envious. Do you ever feel that way?

RM) No, I enjoy working with really talented people it helps to elevate my performance. I am always open to pick up new tricks. I have respect for great musicians not envy.

DM) What musician taught you the most?

RM) Jim Croce! I love his approach to songwriting. He had fun with music and also an intensely emotional side. Jimmy Reed for that blues feel.

DM) What do you do for fun on the side?

RM) Side? I never get out of the middle. When I work it takes me away for so long and the hours seem endless that I'm kind of a home-body, a lot of blockbuster nights and just hanging with my wife and dog!

DM) Doesn't touring take time away from your wife?

RM) Of course but she knew this what I do and supports me 100% She flies out every 2 weeks if I'm gonna be gone long. It's funny a lot of women I've met are into me being a musician until It's time to hit the road and then it's hassle, hassle, hassle. So, feel very fortunate to have someone who does her best to understand and that's not always easy...for either of us.