Rick Monroe

“Great Minds Drink Alike“ is Rick Monroe’s latest single off his It’s A Love Thing CD. The song was co-written by Dan Adams.

Let me tell you, these guys know how to write a good-time tune. This southern fried rock uptempo anthem makes you feel like you want to get up and dance, just as much as go mudding or riding a jet ski. Like this earworm melody sings, “Having a good time is something we all want to do.”

Listening to “Great Minds Drink Alike” is like hearing a party, and you’re gonna wanna go out, cut loose and get your get on! Definitely a ditty that gives you permission to let your hair down and celebrate life, and that’s what it’s all about.

I hope “Great Minds Drink Alike” reminds you to take a break from life and have fun as often as you can. One of my favorite parts of the song is:

“The captain took a swing at Jack, Evan Williams had his back with his tall cool friend Budweiser”

Perfect lyrics for a feel good party song. I find myself not being able to stay still when listening to it. Wanna get a party started, pop this in and hit play at any occasion: instant celebration atmosphere. Well written with an awesome beat to back up the lyrics, this is one of my favorites by Rick Monroe.

“Great Minds Drink Alike,” will be hitting radio May 18th. Be sure to call your local radio station to request it.

“Gravel roads and dance halls you know we know how to live y’all Great minds drink alike.” - Carol Sweeney

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 17, 2015) – Rick Monroe, whose current single “Great Minds Drink Alike” is rising both the Billboard Indicator and Music Row radio charts, will join the Jägermeister Presents: Lee Brice country concert series as the brand ambassador and emcee for the seventh consecutive year.

“I am honored to be invited back as the Jägermeister brand ambassador and emcee of the concert series,” says Rick Monroe. “This will be my seventh Jägermeister tour, having performed on this tour with Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Randy Houser, Eli Young Band, Aaron Lewis, and a few others. These shows are something the fans look forward to, as much as I do, because they know it is always a party!”

With its long history of promoting a myriad of musical genres as diverse as the brand itself, Jägermeister has recently announced its partnership with GRAMMY award nominated country artist Lee Brice for the “Jägermeister Presents: Lee Brice” country concert series. The multi-city tour will run through September and October, and feature some of today’s brightest up and coming stars at the shows.

Find Rick Monroe online at www.rickmonroe.com.
For more information on Jägermeister, visit jager.com or facebook.com/jagerusa.

Tour dates are as follows:
9/11 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre
9/12 – Los Angeles, CA – Club Nokia at LA Live
9/13 – Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery
9/16 – Worley, ID – Coeur D’Alene Casino Resort Hotel: The Event Center
9/17 – Boise, ID – Revolution Center
9/18 – Minden, NV – TJ’s Corral at the Carson Valley Inn
9/24 – Springfield, MO – Shrine Mosque
9/25 – Enid, OK – Enid Event Center
9/26 – Muskogee, OK – Muskogee Civic Center
9/30 – Fredericksburg, VA – Celebrate Virginia Live at Pancho Villa Pavilion
10/1 – Williamsport, PA – Community Arts Center
10/2 – Wallingford, CT– Toyota Presents Oakdale
10/3 – Niagara Falls, NY – Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel
10/8 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center Arena
10/9 – Indianapolis, IN – Old National Centre: Murat Theatre
10/22 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
10/23 – Danville, IL – David S. Palmer Arena
10/24 – Davenport, IA – Adler Theatre

ABOUT RICK MONROE
2015 is proving to be a busy year for Monroe who posted a Billboard Top 50 hit with the sensual track “Fire’s Out,” a single from his EP “It’s a Love Thing.” Monroe has toured extensively both as a solo act and as an opener for some of country’s biggest stars. He has played for audiences as diverse as local festivals to command performances for heads of state. An ambassador for country music, Monroe travels the world to perform his unique brand of country, and he was among the first country singers to perform in Russia and China. He’s opened for Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels Band, Eric Church, Dwight Yoakam, and Aaron Lewis, just to name a few.

ABOUT JÄGERMEISTER: Jägermeister, which translates to "master hunter,” is the #1 selling imported liqueur in the United States and one of the top shot brands in the world. The full-bodied flavor of Jägermeister, which includes cinnamon, star anise, ginger and cardamom, is a result of a lengthy maceration to extract aromatic compounds from a closely guarded recipe of 56 herbs, roots, blossoms and fruits, plus aging in oak casks for one year. The production process is exacting and includes sourcing the ingredients in their raw, unprocessed form, along with 383 quality checks to ensure its iconic taste profile. Jägermeister Liqueur is 35% Alc. /Vol. and imported exclusively by Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc., New Rochelle, NY. JÄGERMEISTER IS DEDICATED TO MUSIC, NOT UNDERAGE DRINKING. - Webster PR

“This oomphy rocker is produced and sung with great gusto. And who can argue with a title this witty? Shut up and dance.”
- Robert K. Oermann, MusicRow Magazine (May 15, 2015) - - Robert K. Oermann, MusicRow Magazine

Rick Monroe’s latest single “Great Minds Drink Alike” is an ode to the bar culture. To bars out in the country, to bars in little towns, to honky-tonks and hellraisers everywhere. We’re all going to be there and we can’t wait to see you it’s our every weekend special.

What I love about this song so much is that it perfectly lays out what it is. It starts out with “What I’m saying ain’t nothing new ain’t gonna reinvent the wheel we’re having a good time something we all wanna do we’re just saying what we think and feel.” A little while in he says “Yeah, you’re right this ain’t no love song but it’s the best that I can do.” An honest line if ever there was one, this song makes known exactly what they’re looking for and chasing after - that every Friday night until Sunday morning time, drinking and hanging out with all their friends. We’re all glad to be together, been waiting on this all week and now we’re going to get “hot women cold beer, Chevy trucks and John Deeres, everybody’s hitching a ride.”

My favorite of Monroe’s songs I can’t wait to play this song on repeat in whatever bar I’m in. His voice, the guitar and distinctive lyrics are all on par and are the best I’ve heard from him yet! If you can’t wait to hear/see more either he’s on tour in California this month and for June he’s going to have a New Jersey show along with a couple of shows and appearances at CMAFest. - Lovin Lyrics

If you are one of those people who refuses to listen to country on principle, you will be missing out on the excellent collection of songs that make up Smoke Out The Window. Listening to Rick Monroe sing feels like listening to a story. The music is interesting and always full of the soul while never overpowering the lyrics. This is an album that will entertain any and every listener, even fans of other genres. - Karen Shalev

Rick Monroe is a man of many hats. On his newest effort, Smoke Out the Window, the singer and songwriter shows just how versatile he is and how he can do just about whatever he wants and still sound good.

Monroe may have his feet in the country music arena, but they surely aren’t planted there. Sure, there are plenty of songs on Smoke Out the Window that feature a familiar country twang, but most either flirt with other genres or outright embrace them without restraint.

“Cocaine and Whiskey” is a fun, honky-tonk singalong, as is “Truth in the Story,” and they are the two numbers on this album that most closely resemble a good ol’ country vibe. But this isn’t a plain and dry country album. Monroe likes to mix it up, and he does so without fear of consequence. The title track is drenched in a funk groove, complete with a hint of Latin percussion, and “Good as Gone” has a sharp rock edge, thanks to an electric guitar kissed with distortion.

Monroe really flips the script with “I’ll Try,” a ballad that is more pop/rock than anything else and lets him show off his soulful vocal chops. He digs deep with his vocals on the similarly emotional, big, heart-heavy ballad “October.”

From the serious to the fun, the country to the pop, Rick Monroe dabbles in a little of it all and somehow manages to make it all gel together without any of it feeling disjointed on Smoke Out the Window. - Jason Savio

Rick Monroe – a performer that came to my attention a few years ago – has released a new disc with eleven great tracks that will please listeners of different genres that combine rock, country, folk… you get the point! Disc opener “Good As Gone” kicks things off in the right direction with a perfect blend of southern rock and country, with some killer tempo and bottom end from the drums and bass. The lyric is contagious and the vibe of the track is nothing but fun. “Cocaine Cold & Whiskey Shakes” kicks the music in a different direction, but well within what is expected of Rick and his music. This song has country written all over it. The lyric is fun and tells a cool story that is perfectly represented by the musical accompaniment. “Nothing To Do With You” is one of the coolest tracks on the disc, thanks to a fun lyric that describes a ton of one-night stands or a relationship at the end of its rope. The guitars are perfect for the song and the rhythm section keeps things rolling along. “Truth In The Story” has a cool swagger to it that helps it stand out a bit from the other tracks on the disc without being cast out as being too different. The hearty layered background vocals provide punch between verses, while the tempo of the track gets the head rocking a bit through the verse. “Rage On” delivers one of the best blues riffs on the disc, thanks to the Fender Rhodes / B3 combo that opens the track and weaves itself into the fabric of the track from open to close. With this one in the CD player, I want to reach for a stiff double pour of something in the whiskey or bourbon family and enjoy the slow burn of the song and liquor together! Disc closer “Tempt Me” let’s Rick show off the smokier side of his voice and the mellower side of the disc at the same time. The song is a bit slow to close out the collection; he bucks the norm of taking you out as hard and strong as he brought you in on these songs. Be sure to pay attention to the lyric on this one – we have all felt this emotion and sentiment at least once!

The discs title track “Smoke Out The Window” leans heavier into the country vein than the rock side, but the has something that gets the foot tapping and the lyric hooks you and before you know it, you are singing along as Monroe proclaims ‘Let it roll like Smoke Out The Window’ between verses. This song should go over well in a live situation. “I’ll Try” is a great ballad-like track that shows off Rick’s softer side. This track – co-written by Hinder’s Marshal Dutton and Cody Hanson – has a vocal that delivers the emotionally charged lyric with precision and brings you into the mindset and heartbreak behind the songs story line. “Stomp” has its feet planted in a heavy county sound, but the song is made to be cranked in a dark venue or a backwoods bar – the chorus is straightforward and the vibe of the track is sure to please people who like their country on a darker / heavier side. “This Side Of The Dirt” revisits the rocker-tinged sound of the disc opening track and delivers on all fronts. The song has a cool blend of guitars and vocals that swirls in the mix with the rhythm section. Add in the stacked vocals from Rick and the trio of guys laying down background vocals and you have a wall of sound that comes together like a perfect storm. “October” is a cool track that sounds as if it were written and produced for radio – it has that steady sound that peppers most hit songs on modern country stations. The guitars add depth to and drives the track through the bridge and between verses and chorus. This one features a little cello tossed into the sound of the guitars. The vocals are the real star on this track as they give Monroe a little room to show off different sides of his voice as the song progresses.

Tracklisting: Good As Gone – Cocaine Cold & Whiskey Shakes – Smoke Out The Window – Nothing To Do With You – I’ll Try – Truth In The Story – Stomp – Rage On – This Side Of The Dirt – October – Tempt Me - Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

On September 21st, Rick Monroe, the seven-time Jägermeister Country Brand Ambassador, released his album, “Smoke Out the Window,“ via Thermal Entertainment.

From the raw grit of the opening track “Good as Gone” to the honky-tonk twang of “Truth in the Story” to the soulful testifying of “Rage On” to the sensitive revelations of “October,” Smoke Out the Window signals a powerful new direction for a man who has an unbridled passion for performing in front of audiences all across the globe. In fact, in 2017 alone, vocalist/guitarist Monroe and his ace touring band logged over 120,000 miles and performed more than 170 shows as a result — proof that they’re all serious road dogs to the very core. “Honestly, everything we put into the making of this album has been gauged around what we do in our live show,” Monroe admits. “The truth is, this record was developed because of our live show.”

At the heart of it, these 11 tracks of Smoke are the literal extension of Monroe’s stage presence, now properly unleashed in the studio environment, with the resulting music having forged a category all its own. “I know we’re not up-the-gut mainstream country by any means — and I don’t even know what mainstream country even is anymore,” Monroe confesses. “I also know we’re not super-heavy rock either, so I’d like to call what we do blue-jean country rock. Fashions come and go, but blue jeans are a timeless statement that never fades — and that’s what I want my music to be.”

Monroe’s ultimate goal is to be recognized as a multi-faceted performer whose very name defines who he is as an artist. “No doubt about it, that’s the hardest level to get to,” he acknowledges. “Some people find that early in their careers, but I just needed a little more time to find out who I am as an artist. When you grow up with so many musical influences like I did, you kinda think you can do a little bit of everything. I probably chased more directions than I needed to. But with this record, we all finally honed in on, ‘This is you. This is what you do, and this is what you thrive at doing. Stick to this.’ And that’s a healthy thing to finally be able to realize, because now I can focus on doing the best of what I do.”

Learn more about Rick Monroe in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you now? Is there music playing in the background?

Well, right now I’m on the road and as far as the music we are listening to it’s White Zombie. I know, not your usual country fair but it is really early in the morning and we’ve been on the road for about 10 hours.

Now that we are on the back end of the year, how do you think 2018 has treated you and your career? What has been one goal that you have had this year and how close are you to reaching it? Or did you already reach it?

This year was a great year. We really needed to find out what our sound was and with “Smoke Out The Window “ I think we found it. With us really focusing on that we were able to make an album that I feel is the best one I’ve ever made. Plus we got to do a lot of shows which helps a lot for solid and consistent musical growth.

The biggest goal was to come up with something that was more reflective of our live sound and yeah I really believe that we nailed it this time.

Growing up, was music always a big part of your life? Can you recall your first ever musical experience? Can you see yourself ever doing anything else?

Growing up no one in my family really played music but they’re all big music fans with very diverse tastes. My first recollection of music was of my mom breaking to the beat of her favorite song and I think that’s why I started out on drums until I realized it was too much gear to carry. At this point I can’t see myself doing anything outside of music but I have learned a lot of marketing skills so you never know.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

As far as the biggest surprise, I’m constantly surprised by so many different things, especially the randomness of the music business. Something you think would be a sure fire hit misses completely. Where as something that you didn’t even expect comes out of nowhere and explodes. You just have no idea, there’s no real rhyme or reason

How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown and where you live today?

Since I’ve moved around so much I have no “hometown.” I was born in Clearwater, FL, lived in England, Connecticut, Kansas, North Carolina, California, back to Florida, and now Nashville. I’m influenced by everything around me, everything I see and everything I hear. It’s like I always say “LIFE is my number one influence.”

How does your forthcoming album, “Smoke Out The Window” show your overall growth as an artist? How does it show what you have continued to maintain through the years?

I have to say that “Smoke Out The Window” is the culmination of several years of really heavy touring and concerted effort to focus on and to define my sound. We tried to hone in on what seemed to work at our live shows and capture that in the studio. Until now that aspect of raw honesty wasn’t quite getting there in my last recordings. Not until we sat down with my touring band all in one room doing what comes natural.

How did you approach the making of “Smoke Out The Window”? Did you go into the studio with a definite plan unlike your previous collections?

We initially went in only to demo a couple songs because I liked the way “Rage On” turned out and I wanted to go back and work with that same producer to see if some of the newer stuff would work. A lot of the songs are songs we’ve been playing live that have never been recorded and we figured it was time to get them down. We kept working and putting new songs in until we finally ended up with 11 songs. I know I use the word organic quite a bit but it’s exactly what it was. It was an organic experience of just going in and making music. We stayed out of our own way and just let it happen.

“Good As Gone” was the first track to be cut. That was one that I had a riff that I kept trying to find someone to write it with and finally Matt Willis and I were writing another song and at the end of the session I played him the riff and he was like “I’ve got the hook” for that. That one came along as an afterthought and it’s one of my favorites.

Can you pick out of a few of your favorites songs on this new album and talk about the inspiration behind them? How did they get to a part of this album?

“October” is an extremely personal song but that one would take a whole lot of time to get into – just know that one means a lot to me. Obviously as a songwriter, songs become like your children so you love them all even with their little bumps, bruises and disfigurements.

The last song that we wrote was “Truth to the Story.” This song came about because JD Shuff, the producer, was pushing us to do one more new song. He had a drum groove, I had a riff that just matched it. So, with the help of Sam Persons we wrote the song in the studio and I knocked it out that day and now it’s on the record.

So what does it mean to be a seven-time Jagermeister Brand Ambassador? How did this first happen?

The whole Jager thing came about because I pushed them into doing country music and in return I got to be kind of the face for Jager Country. I did all the tours with Lee Brice, Dierks Bentley, Aaron Lewis, Eric Church, Pat Green, Eli Young Band and Randy Houser. I really loved my time with them but now I’m with Monster Energy drink and I couldn’t be any happier. They are a great, forward thinking company that understands music and the needs of the artists they sponsor.

Why do you think that Thermal Entertainment is the right place for you and your music today?

I believe the guys from Thermal Entertainment understand the new landscape of the music industry. With this record not really being “mainstream” and a little more “out there”, I think working with a company that works with predominately Active Rock / Rock acts might be more beneficial for us to pioneer our own direction.

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how your own music is reflecting this time period or is your music more of an escape from all that?

Politics, yeah I’m a musician, I don’t talk about that. I feel it’s more my job to help people escape some of the craziness instead of just reminding them of it or grinding them down about it. I don’t think I need to push my personal view or opinion on people just because I have a platform. I believe God will sort it all out.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?

Social media is amazing and the best way to stay directly connected with the people that you’re making music for. It gives me the opportunity to interact with my fans on a regular basis and makes it more personal.

My favorite social media platform kind of changes day by day, Man – depends on what you’re trying to promote.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

My favorite artist is a really difficult one because I have such a diverse taste in music. I love everything from A-to-Z. I’ll listen to Avril Lavigne, ZZ Top, Blackberry Smoke to Vern Gosdin, Vivaldi to Slipknot, Garth Brooks to the Foo Fighters. Yeah, I know I look like Dave Grohl. There’s so much music out there, there are so many different great artist, people that have never even been on the radio. So the short answer is I love MUSIC.

It depends on the project, but there are a lot of people I’d love to work with like a duet with Izzy Hale or a real good honky-tonker with Garth Brooks.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island forever, what musical item would you take with you and why?

Yeah, I’ll take a Framus Guitar and about eight cases of ghs strings. That way I can keep playing music no matter what happens.

If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?

I think “Good As Gone” or “This Side Of The Dirt” would be great for any high energy sport… an ESPN break, NASCAR of course, the Lucas Oil Dirt Track or even the Monster Jam. I think “Tempt Me” would be great on a Lifetime movie, my wife would love that. Hopefully they will all become the soundtrack to several peoples lives.

Do you have any tour dates you would like to tell our readers about? What has been a favorite performance of yours? What do you think makes an idea show for you? What’s next on your musical agenda?

We’re basically on tour all the time. We are out almost every weekend so just check out our tour schedule on RickMonroe.com

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music? I’d like to know more about how you want your music to be timeless?

As far as being timeless, we tried to create a record that wasn’t chasing any kind of trends or fads. We kept it to basic instrumentation, real musicians and left the mistakes (aka the happy accidents) happen. I think of it as the Blue Jeans of music. Trends will come and go, fashions will change, but jeans will always be there. In a world where everything is very disposable we tried to create something that had a little more substance to it. You know the candy at the checkout is great but it’s not gonna keep you full for long. Hopefully we created something that is more of a hearty meal for the soul. My biggest hope is that people enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it. - Leah Brungardt

Rick Monroe’s ultimate goal is to be recognized as a multi-faceted performer whose very name defines who he is as an artist. No stranger to the stage, he’s performed in 17 countries and has opened for artists such as Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Aaron Lewis, Eli Young Band, Charlie Daniels Band and a whole lot more. In 2017 Monroe traveled over 100,000 miles and played over 120 shows. Now based in Nashville, the seven-time Jägermeister Country Brand Ambassador will be releasing his latest album “Smoke Out the Window” on September 21, 2018 via Thermal Entertainment.

Balancing the swing of country, the grit of blues and the solid impact of rock, Monroe’s sound is set to leave a lasting impression on a wide range of music lovers. In the grand scheme of things, Rick Monroe looks the part of the road warrior, writes his own songs, and sings them with passion and authority.

In an arena of Rick Monroe fans, I’d probably fit right in because he attracts genuine people. Every song on this album speaks to me on some level. I love how many of the songs remind me of classic country but with a far more bluesy-rock feel. While most artists strive to copy trends at mainstream radio, Monroe doesn’t follow the beat of that drum.

His latest album features a strong dose of emotional ballads, personality-infused tracks and downright homegrown rockers. Monroe’s enormous vocal talent blend perfectly with the gorgeous and gritty production, allowing many of its tracks to scream potential hit.

Rick Monroe knows his way around some crowd-pleasing, radio-ready fare like “Cocaine Cold & Whiskey Shakes”, “Nothing To Do With You” and “I’ll Try”. This triad of tracks feel like they could’ve been hits from any past era up until now.

However it’s the opening track, “Good As Gone”, as well as cuts like “Truth In The Story” and “This Side Of The Dirt”, which are forged with true grit and passionate performances that shows us what Monroe is packed to gills with. They show off an uplifting, spirited personality juxtaposed with emotive vulnerability.

As his career evolves, Rick Monroe has figured out what makes his music get even better and better, and he injects this album with that glowing formula. Every single word and note was written with purpose, and from the start to the finish, we are invested.

Monroe also does a lot of reflecting with this record, and he is most impressive on the soul-searching slow burners – “The Rage”, “October” and “Tempt Me”. This is where Monroe switches over into croon mode, and it’s a beautiful thing indeed.

It is evident that he poured his entire heart and soul into the making of this album. I can tell that purely by the way he performs these tracks. He puts it all out there, and leaves nothing behind. No matter what he is singing about, the music is always authentic.

Every song leaves an imprint and is easily relatable, which makes this record a strong addition to Rick Monroe’s incredible catalog of music. The powerful musical and lyrical imagery of “Smoke Out the Window” ignites a project for a depth of tastes that will forsake the rigid marketing lines of genre. - Jeena Johnson

What do you get when you combine the no-bull honesty of Hank Jr with the 90’s dance hall country vibe of Travis Tritt? Well, you get get country newcomer Rick Monroe’s latest release “Smoke Out The Window”, available in stores and on all streaming services now! - Shauna "WhiskeyChick" Castorena

Country Music artist sensation Rick Monroe brings his music and charismatic personality wherever he goes. With Monroe’s down-to-earth Country personality, he is no stranger to the stage: he’s performed in every U.S. state except for Oregon. The seven-time Jägermeister Country Brand Ambassador has opened for some of the best Country artist in the business including: Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Aaron Lewis, Eli Young Band, Charlie Daniels Band, Dwight Yoakam, Montgomery Gentry and more. Monroe has entertained former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, and U.S. troops in Vietnam. Monroe’s third Billboard hit “Great Minds Drink Alike” video has 300,000 views on YouTube and added to Monroe’s massive fan base. If you are not familiar with his music, Rick advises to come to the show for a good time and to be ready for “just about anything.” “I love to play, and I want everyone to play along” says Monroe. “I like to think of my shows as an interactive sport.” If you enjoy hanging with down-to-earth, charismatic, fun music loving individuals, then you need to meet Rick Monroe. So, grab a couple Monster Energy drinks (Monroe is sponsored by Monster) and head to show for the opportunity meet and hang out with a future country legend! -