 | Rick Monroe Bio
Rick Monroe takes life experiences that we all share, the events that touch our hearts and creates music that speaks directly to the soul in each of us. Whether in an intimate setting accompanied only by his acoustic guitar, a good old honky-tonk, or on stage playing with his band to thousands at an outdoor festival halfway around the world, Rick strives to connect to his audiences. With a perfect blend of Alt Contemporary/Classic Country, a dash a Roots Rock, a big swig of Texas Swing and a ton of showmanship, he is always a
huge crowd pleaser.
Against The Grain, his third release on the Divorce Records spawned two charting releases, single "I Remember The Music" and a haunting remake of the Allman Brothers classic "Midnight Rider". The video for “Midnight Rider” a collection of “snapshots from the road” taken with Rick's own camera, debuted on the syndicated television show Extra and is still in rotation on CMT appearing often on Wide Open Country.
Live performances are where Monroe thrives and the road is where he gets the inspiration for his music. His extensive touring history includes performances throughout the United States, Russia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Hungary, Honduras, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Bahamas, Germany, England, Netherlands and Switzerland, sharing the stage with a whoʼs who of musical greats. At the request of Pete Peterson, US Ambassador to Vietnam, Rick performed at the week-long 4th of July celebrations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Mihn City. Monroe was honored to sing the US National anthem for
the 5-year anniversary of the re-opening of diplomatic relations between the countries. This marking the first time the anthem had been sung at a public event in Vietnam in over 25 years.
He followed that up with a Command Performance for the former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev on the USS Sequoia Presidential Yacht, Washington, DC. This lead to a trip to Russia where Monroe performed at several orphanages and was a featured performer on REN TV's Bulat Okudzhava Festival in Moscow, Russia. After touring Europe for the 3rd time, Rick proved once again that country music is alive and well across then pond! “Our tour took us thorough Germany, the Netherlands and
Switzerland and at each stop the venues were great and the crowds enthusiastic. It's also amazing how country music really breaks down the language barriers. Because country is the stories of our lives the lyrics are clear and it is easy for people to understand, no matter what language they speak.”
“It's said we were all born with a calling, I feel like I won the lottery that mine is to play music and entertain others.”
|
|
|
 |
 | Joshua Carre' Bass
Born and raised in Orange County, CA Josh is a groove style player who loves to dig in with the drummer and lay down a solid foundation for the music. A graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, he is fluent in all styles of popular music (“and a few unpopular ones” he always adds) having played Soul/R&B, Jazz, Rock, Country, Blues, Latin and World Music throughout his career. He has crafted his own style from the influences of such greats as James Jameson (Motown), Donald “Duck” Dunn (Booker T. & the MG’s), Ron Carter (Miles Davis), Ray Brown (Oscar Peterson), Jaco Pastorius, “Pops” Popwell (The Crusaders), Aston Barrett (Bob Marley), Rocco Prestia (Tower Of Power) and John Paul Jones (Zep) just to name a few.
|
|  | Zack Stewart Drums
After playing in local bands in and around his hometown for most of his teenage years Zack decided he wanted to advance his drumming skills. So, at the age of 19, he moved to Hollywood to attend the Percussion Institute of Technology. At PIT Zack studied with many great teachers leading him to study privately with percussion greats Rob Carson, Virgil Donati, Andy Megna, Ellis Hampton, and Jim Bailey before relocating to Nashville. Zack toured with several bands including The Van-Dells “The Nations #1 Rock ‘n Roll Review’’ before signing on to tour with the Rick Monroe Band full time.
|
|  | John Szetela Guitar
John Szetela is from Owensboro, Ky, and has been playing guitar for most of his life. He has played in many diverse musical situations such as 50's and 60's rock n roll, country, blues, soul, funk, jazz, reggae and fusion. John has toured with the Nations 1 Rock n Roll Review The Van-Dells. As well as Nashville recording artist Rick Monroe Band, Len Snow Band, Christian Bradley and many other great artist. John studied at Musicians Institute(G.I.T.) in Hollywood, Ca under Scott Parker, George Lynch, Jimmy Scott, Paul Gilbert, Joy Basu and many other great musicians. Currently living in Nashville, Tn, John is doing what he loves, performing and writing music.
|
|
|
|
