Incoming! Rick Monroe

 

Nashville, Tenn. (April 17, 2024) -- Authentic, original, and genre-bending are three ways people describe TLG/Virgin recording artists Rick Monroe & The Hitmen, who continue to push the needle to the edge of format constraints with their latest offering, SIX GUN SOUL, released to radio today and slated for impact on April 29..  Recorded over the last couple of years, SIX GUN SOUL solidifies Rick Monroe & The Hitmen's signature “Blue Jean Rock” sound with a collection of 11 tracks of pure grit; the majority produced by the multi-platinum, award-winning producer, Malcolm Springer, (Matchbox Twenty, Collective Soul, The Low-Down Drifters, Nappy Roots), with additional tracks produced by Lynyrd Skynyrd's Peter Keys, Brandon Britton and Rick Monroe & The Hitmen. The album contains co-writes by Keesy Timmer (Kelsi Ballerini's "Yeah Boy," Brett Young's "In Case You Didn't Know," Lainey Wilson's "Those Boots"), Nashville engineer JD Schuff, Beeler, and rock artist Zach Williams (Dead Eyes). Current ACM nominee, pedal steel legend Dan Dugmore also appears on the album. The album also heralds the addition of Monroe's now permanent band, Bobby Perkins(guitar), Alan Beeler (bass), and Jason Bohl (drums), also known as The Hitmen. The final track on the album is the group's new single "Which Way Is Home." Written by Monroe and bassist Beeler, the tune offers a poignant reflection of the emotionally taxing, untethered life of a touring musician longing fora place to land while being driven to fulfill a dream. It is also a timely metaphor for Rick Monroe & The Hitmen's journey in finding their "musical home," and it mixed by the highly sought-after Billy Decker. The final track on the album is the group's new single "Which Way Is Home." Written by Monroe and bassist Beeler, the tune offers a poignant reflection of the emotionally taxing, untethered life of a touring musician longing fora place to land while being driven to fulfill a dream. It is also a timely metaphor for Rick Monroe & The Hitmen's journey in finding their "musical home," and it mixed by the highly sought-after Billy Decker. Their first full-length VINYL album, SIX GUN SOUL cements their old-school approach to music--to refine a signature, evolutionary sound, one seasoned with sweat equity and heavily steeped with their many musical influencesthat range from Bocephus, Garth Brooks, Jim Croce, and the Eagles, to Judas Priest, Van Halen, Reo Speedwagon, Jeff Pocaro (Steely Dan/Toto), and Josh Freese (The Perfect Circle/Foo Fighters). The result is a raucous blend of rock, country, and southern rock genres.

Focus tracks for the project include "Devil On Both Sides" (a track that examines the internal battle between good and evil and man's duality), "Bad Stretch Of the Road" (an upbeat and a little grungy, definitive genre bender about powering through rough times. Worth noting is the unique use of banjo and Sweepy Walker on harmonica) and "Moonshine Man" (a swampy banger ode to the legendary bootleggers of Kentucky and eastern Tennessee), and the title track "Six Gun Soul" (a foot-stomping country-rock anthem of unbreakable inner strength and the ability to fight back. The song also features an incredible performance from Josh Matheny on dobro).  While SIX GUN SOUL will also be offered in digital and compact disc formats, every vinyl record is as unique as the person buying it. SIX GUN SOUL was manufactured using a special effect color vinyl process in which the press is hand fed a biscuit comprised of remnant vinyl of varying colors and finishes to create an unreplicable, kaleidoscopic record that is both visually and sonically  pleasing.   ABOUT RICK MONROE & THE HITMEN: World-class entertainers Rick Monroe & The Hitmen have no desire to trace the trail of every trend. Instead, they serve up a “poly-jam-orous” recipe they call “Blue Jean Rock”--artistically organic, and spiced with heavy blend of their musical influences to reflect country sensibilities with a rock and roll beat. For fans, it fits like a favorite pair of jeans that never goes out of style—it’s both comfortable and classic.  As a result, the group has shared the stage with a diverse array of artists, from Queensrӱche and Lynyrd Skynyrd to Dwight Yoakam and Eric Church (just to name a few). Monroe has performed in every U.S. state and 17 countries, including performances for the USO, AFE, played in Vietnam for VOA (Voice of America), and former Soviet President, Mikhail Gorbachev. Rick Monroe & The Hitmen have built a solid legion of fans across the globe and recently surpassed 4.5 MILLION logged views on YouTube and over 1.6 MILLION captured streams without the benefit of ever appearing on a core editorial playlist. For those unfamiliar with their music, Monroe 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 Monroe & The Hitmen have sponsorships and endorsements with NOS/Full Throttle energy drink, Number Juan Tequila, Tony Chachare’s® Famous Creole Cuisine, Remington, GHS Strings, SE electronics, Roper Western Wear, Shubb Capos, Speakeasy Original, Westone Audio & Fishman Audio. For more information, visit www.RickMonroe.com.