Modern Southern Rock with Country Soul
Nashville-based | Full Band + Acoustic Duo | Festivals | Rallies | Theaters | Clubs | Casinos | Direct Support
The birth of the Hitmen.
For years Rick Monroe has been a solo artist hiring players as needed and doing the Nashville shuffle of interchangeable bands, but during covid everything changed. In 2020, Rick and the band, with Bobby Perkins & Alan Beeler, were set to have an amazing year starting off with a West Coast tour when the world shut down. Instead of everyone going their own way, they all stuck together and started streaming live shows from their basements, garages and living rooms. At the same time Rick and Alan Beeler started a standing Tuesday writing meeting which eventually became the bulk of their current album. Through some mutual friends, Rick met Malcolm Springer and they decided to track a few songs and see how it went. Once in the studio it was obvious that this was quickly becoming more of a band situation and when Malcolm brought Jason Bohl in, the sound finally came together. Rick joked one night about how the band was killing it and bam, someone said “The Hitmen”, and that was that.
Rick Monroe – Vocals, Guitar
World-class entertainer Rick Monroe brings his music and a magnetic presence wherever he goes. With a down-to-earth Country resonance, Monroe is no stranger to the stage: he’s performed in 17 countries and every U.S. state, including Washington, D.C. & Puerto Rico. The seven time Jägermeister Country Brand Ambassador has toured with Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Aaron Lewis, Eli Young Band, Pat Green & Randy Houser as well as has opened for Country Music Legends like Charlie Daniels Band, Dwight Yoakam, Travis Tritt, Patty Loveless and more; entertained for the USO, AFE, U.S. troops in Vietnam and the former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. His brother called him “Elvis Gump” because of all the amazing people and places his career has led him.
Show-goers can expect to hear some of Rick’s new material as well as hit singles like the sultry “This Side of You,” and the Southern rocker “Cocaine Cold & Whiskey Shakes.” As well as several Top 40 hits from the IT’S A LOVE THING, GYPSY SOUL EPs & Full Albums SMOKE OUT THE WINDOW & AGAINST THE GRAIN.
For those who aren’t familiar with his music, Rick advises them to come to the show for a good time and to be ready for “just about anything.” “I love to play,” the singer notes. “And I want everyone to play along. I like to think of my shows as an interactive sport.”
Rick grew up in a variety of places, California, Connecticut, Kansas, North Carolina, even England, and his love of music and outgoing personality naturally drew him to the stage. Now based in Nashville, Monroe believes GYPSY SOUL shows the kind of diversity he can offer as an artist. He says, “I’m not so linear in my approach to music; I’m more diversified. My influences range from A to Z and I always try to put that into my music. But my home base will always be Country because it’s not just about the hype of an idea; it’s based on songs.” Fans can expect to hear a wide range of material–but Rick promises that it will all be quality. If his chart success is any indication, it’s clear Monroe knows what folks want to hear–and he’s eager to give them exactly that.
The “Great Minds” music video and “This Side of You” Lyric video have logged over 1,500,000 views on YouTube. His music has also surpassed 1,000,000 streams without the support of curated playlists.
Rick enjoys sponsorships and/or endorsements with Monster Energy Drink, GHS Strings, sE Electronics, Roper Western Wear, Shubb Capos, Speakeasy Original, Westone Audio & Fishman Audio.
Bobby Perkins – Guitar, Vocals
Bobby Perkins has been a guitarist for 23 years and a Hitman for 5 years.
His roots start from his hometown in upstate NY where he was surrounded by a musical family who always supported his musical endeavors. He has always taken a liking to rock and metal but has over the years cultivated other styles into his playing such as country, jazz, pop, hip hop, etc.
Guitars: Gibson Les Paul Classic Gold top G&L ASAT, Classic American Tele Bluesman, Vintage Relic Tele
Amps: Fuchs ODS II, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, Kemper Stage Profiler
Alan Beeler – Bass, Vocals
Alan Beeler has always loved going deep, so it makes sense that he would pick up a bass.
He currently resides with his mother and cat, as most bass players do, and enjoys the meth-like high of going through excel spreadsheets and color coding various lengths of wire.
He also plays the banjo…’nuff said, am I right?”
Jason Bohl – Drums
Born in Southern California and shaped by years in the Seattle music scene, Jason brings a versatile, groove driven approach to Rick Monroe & The Hitmen.
After relocating to Nashville in late 2018, Jason established himself as a session musician, recording on a range of major label and independent projects. His work has contributed to recordings with millions of combined streams, and his studio experience is part of what first connected him with Rick and the band.
Influenced by jazz, rock, and R&B, Jason blends precision, feel, and power behind the kit, giving the band a strong rhythmic foundation both live and in the studio.
Jason plays Gretsch Drums, DW pedals and hardware, Paiste cymbals, Evans drumheads, Vater drumsticks and sE Electronics.