Rick Monroe Releases Gypsy Soul
- Freshly Brewed Country
- May 12, 2017
- 4 min read
Singer/songwriter Rick Monroe has been hard at work for the last several months promoting the release of his new EP, Gypsy Soul.
One Country premiered the disc's title track Wednesday, and fans were able to listen live when Rick visited with Devon O'Day on WSM-AM's "Nashville Today" show. The Boot premiered "Rage On," the Outlaw/Southern Gospel sensation from the six-track EP; The Alternate Root will feature the gritty number in their Top 10 Songs of the Week on Saturday. Sean Giovanni (John Rich, Clint Black, Big & Rich) produced five tracks for the project, while renowned engineer/producer JD Shuff (Collin Raye, CeCe Wynans) helmed one.
Freshly Brewed Country was lucky enough to have the opportunity to interview Rick about his new EP Gypsy Soul available everywhere today.
FBC: You had a role in writing every song on Gypsy Soul, where did you get the inspiration from?
RM: It’s not one particular source, sometimes it’s a line in a movie, a phrase that I overhear or even a saying on a t shirt. You always have to keep your eyes and ears open and the hooks will come to you.
FBC: What was your favorite song to write on this EP?
RM: They were all great to work on. “Rage On” is one of the most different tracks that came out of a simple conversation with JD Shuff about that moment before a show starts, the calm before the storm.
FBC: What can fans expect to hear in this EP?
RM: Hopefully they’ll hear positive growth and I believe it's my best work to date.
FBC: What do you hope fans take away from Gypsy Soul?
RM: That they enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it. I hope these song connect with them and find a place in the soundtrack of their lives.
FBC: Why did you choose "This Side Of You" to be the first single released from Gypsy Soul?
RM: The last few singles were up tempo “party” songs & we thought it would be good to show the other side of me :)
FBC: Your music has always had a modern flair while preserving a traditional country sound. Why is it
important for you to maintain that traditional aspect?
RM: I have to give a lot of the credit to my Producer Sean “Gio” Giovanni. He always approaches each song with so much detail that by the time we've finished pre-production all I have to do is my sing from the heart. He has a way of finding that perfect balance of incorporating the new/fresh sounds without losing sight of what country music is based on. Together we just try bring out the best of what each songs has
to offer.
Early reviewers have said:
"Really enjoying this EP. Fine original Country with some great perceptive lyrics."
- David Allan, Country Music People Magazine
"A great introduction to Monroe's skills as a singer and songwriter. It's a journey that visits just about every facet of his musical soul, and with sumptuous results."
- Greg Victor, ParcBench
"The face of tomorrow's Country. Well done."
- Midwest Record Recap
The EP's groove-based first single, "This Side Of You," is already resonating with radio and listeners alike. The track is currently sitting at #52 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout™ Chart, and holds the #60 position on the BILLBOARD Indicator Chart. Fans can enjoy the track on Spotify.
Rick's live shows are also garnering attention, and promoters are applauding his talents:
"WOW! People were talking about this for weeks after his performance. Not an empty seat in the house. Oh, did I mention, he was up against Miranda Lambert who was in concert down the road?"
- HonkyTonk Saloon (Ladson, SC)
"Rick Monroe put on an awesome show; he had the crowd rocking from the first song till the last."
- Ben Owenby, Owner of Johnny and June's (Winston-Salem, NC)
"Rick is a favorite at the Mad Boar. A class act, one of the best we have ever had, can't say enough about him as an artist and a person."
- Julius L. Wilson, Director of Hospitality - Mad Boar and River Landing (Wallace, NC)
Gypsy Soul is available now on iTunes.
In addition to performances and appearances at CMA Music Festival 2017 Rick's upcoming shows include:
MAY 12 - Savannah, GA - Saddle Bags
MAY 13 - Augusta, GA - Coyotes Nightclub
MAY 16 - Murrells Inlet, SC - The Little Original Beaver Bar
MAY 17 - Murrells Inlet, SC - The Little Original Beaver Bar
MAY 19 - N. Myrtle Beach, SC - Pirate's Cove Lounge
MAY 20 - Wallace, NC - The Mad Boar
MAY 26 - Rock Island, IL - RIDRS
MAY 27 - Wisconsin Dells, WI - Edge O Dells Resort
MAY 29 - Madison, WI - The World's Largest Brat Fest with Joe Diffie
JUNE 2 - Shawnee, OK - Brickhouse Saloon
JUNE 3 - Oak Creek, WI - Bootz Saloon & Grill
JUNE 9 - Madison, WI - Red Rock Saloon
JUNE 10 - Nashville, TN - CMA Music Festival - Budweiser Forever Country Stage
JUNE 10 - Nashville, TN - CMA Music Festival - Roper Booth
JUNE 16 - Alamosa, CO - San Luis Valley Brewing Company
JUNE 23 - Shelbyville, IN - Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
JUNE 24 - Roanoke, VA - Sidewinders
JUNE 25 - Newport, KY - The Southgate House Revival
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