Rick Monroe & The Hitmen – Common Ground

By starrymag | September 22, 2022

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

 

 

Q) How would you best describe your sound? 

 

A) It’s difficult because we have so many diverse influences and because we’re independent we can explore all different kinds of styles. If I HAD to be more specific, I would say we are a Southern Rock/Blue Jean Rock band – you know, because jeans never go out of style.

 

Q) Who are your Top 3 musical influences? 

 

A) That changes, but I’d say Jim Croce, The Eagles and Garth Brooks. Oh, and Elvis Costello and Hank Jr.

 

Q) Tell us the story behind “Common Ground.” 

 

A) Alan, Brandon and Grxxly sent me a track. I wrote the hook, and we started looking for someone to do the rap. We happened to be in the studio with B’s manager, brought up the idea for the song.  He took it to B and he agreed to do it, but took him a few months to come up with the right verses.  As B says, “A little common ground can unite the states of America.” Mixing country, rock, and hip-hop I think we found some common ground.  That really answers the next question too.

 

Q) Earlier this year you also released “Best of You” and “World’s Gone Crazy.” With the release of these songs along with “Common Ground,” is there a full-length album in the works? 

 

A) We have most of an album in the can. We will keep doing them as singles until we have enough interest to do a vinyl pressing or an EP.

 

Q) “Common Ground” also features B. Stille from Nappy Roots and Grixxly. How that collaboration come to be and how was it getting to work with them on this song? 

 

A) Amazing. They’ve really taken to the added influence of The Hitmen.

 

Q) This summer you hit the road with Ted Nugent. What has been one of your favorite stops on the tour so far? 

 

A) I’d like to say all of them, but KEMBA Live! In Columbus, Ohio, and Freedom Hill (Michigan Lottery) Amphitheater in Detroit, Michigan. Getting to play The Motor City with The Motor City Madman himself… I’m not sure it gets better than that.

 

Q) What song is your favorite to perform at shows? 

 

A) Probably “Devil,” which we open our set with. It surprises everybody. I love seeing the looks on people’s faces because they are expecting a sleepy country band and then we kick into it.

 

Q) Now I have to ask because I saw it on your YouTube page, what is #bootsandshorts and when will we get to see it? 

 

A) Well, it started when you would go to your hotel with what you were wearing to your show and forgot to bring other shoes. The next day, you are stuck wearing your boots with shorts. We have a lot of them posted across all our social media platforms already and we do have a very special one coming very soon.

 

Q) Who are you currently listening to? 

 

A) Recently we have all been devouring the 70’s station on SiriusXM.

 

Q) What message do you hope fans take away from your music? 

 

A) We’re just trying to make real music for a world’s that gone crazy – something that connects with people.

 

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters of your music? 

 

A) THANK YOU!!!!! Without you there would be no us.