Rick Monroe, talks about his family life, his influences, and the fact that he runs Divorce Records.
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.
