Today we’d like to introduce you to Rico Monaco
Hi Rico, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have developed multiple music industry businesses. You must have multiple revenue streams to survive as a musical artist: in my case, guitarist, songwriter, performer, producer, band leader/manager, and music instructor.
- Rico Monaco Band: from www.ricomonaco.com- Rico is an award winning guitarist, songwriter, producer, and band leader. He has led his band (as large as 17 pieces) with great success to shows in Italy, Paris, France, New York City, San Francisco, Washington DC, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and many other locations. He has performed onstage with legendary performers such as Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony (of Van Halen). His band has opened numerous shows for National Acts. He also leads Rico Monaco w/Special Guest Tito Puente Jr. in performances all over the world performing Rico’s arrangements of Tito Puente songs, classic remakes, and his original songs.
In the last 14 months: Rico Monaco has performed in Italy, Cabo San Lucas Mexico at Sammy Hagar’s Birthday Bash, Showcase at the APAP Conference in New York City, Florida Festivals, Japan, Connecticut and the releases listed below!
LATEST RELEASES 2023-2022: Rico wrote, produced and released the following Singles along with associated videos. You can find them on all music platforms including Spotify, Apple, YouTube, Amazon, Deezer, TIDAL, etc..
2023: Renaissance Latino, Oliver Sings, I’m A Fan
2022: Magnifico, Gotta Keep Moving, I Want To Love You
2021: Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen (Live) Ciao Bella Signorina (Live), Born To Run (Live), Hey Tito (Live), Spirit (Live)
2019: In My Blood, Oye Como Va with Classic Rock Medley featuring Tito Puente Jr., El Cayuco featuring Tito Puente Jr, Hey Tito (Unplugged), A Million Stars A Million Kisses, Hey Tito featuring Tito Puente Jr,
We have released 9 albums that are available on line including:
2001-Rico Monaco & Sol Sons- self titled debut (award winning album, song of the years, band of the year, musician of the year, national battle of the bands champs, etc.) 2006- Luna Salerno
2010-The Passion Theory Rico Monaco Guitar Method ( available at www.ricmonmusicschool.com)
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2013-Genre Bending
2015-We Rock You Rust EP
2015-We Rock You Rust II (full length album)
2016-We Rock You Rust Unplugged
2016- Christmas Rocks Father V and Rico Monaco
2021-Live In Pembroke Pines
Rico Monaco Band Music Industry Quotes:
~ I have had the pleasure of jamming with Rico on many occasions at the Cabo Wabo Cantina. From Van Halen to Santana, Rico rocks!!
-Sammy Hagar The Red Rocker
~ Rico Monaco is a consummate musician of the highest standards. He’s a monster on stage! -Michael Waggoner Gibson Guitar Corporation Director of Global Marketing
~ There is no doubt that musician Rico Monaco is Central Florida’s best kept secret. -Jen Coffman, Examiner.com
~“Rico Monaco Band continues to bring a breath of fresh air to the Dr. Phillips Center with their one-of-a-kind sound and passionate, Latin Rock loving fans. Rico is a talented writer & musician, his exceptional band records & performs original work & covers.” – Katherine Ramsberger, President and CEO,
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
~Rico Monaco Band, along with sensational Tito Puente Jr., delivered an amazing nonstop high energy “Mambo Rock” performance that appealed to all ages and populations”.
– Linda Moore, City of Casselberry, Florida
- SonicWave Band, private event band Bio. from www.sonicwaveband.com website
Elevate Your Event with Unforgettable Music.
Welcome to SonicWave Band, where we turn your event into an extraordinary experience with our exceptional live performances. Our band delivers top-notch renditions of your favorite songs across a variety of genres, including Modern Pop/ Dance, Classic Dance, Classic Rock, and Latin Pop/Rock. Whether you’re looking for a themed show or a diverse setlist, we craft performances tailored specifically to your needs.
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Experience Excellence with SonicWave Band.
With Rico Monaco at the helm, you’re guaranteed a performance that’s not just heard but felt. Let SonicWave Band provide the soundtrack to your unforgettable event. Contact us today to discuss how we can make your occasion truly spectacular.
- Ricmon Music School: from the www.ricmonmusicschool.com website
Rico Monaco started his music instruction business over 30 years ago, and is an award winning musician that has led his band to shows with national artists in cities around the globe. He is now using his expertise as an instructor/musical director/producer/ songwriter, his contacts in the music industry, his proprietary methods that he has developed, and his organizational skills to offer instruction for all instruments. His roster of instructors include top-notch professional instructors/musicians such as Jessie Caraballo, the drummer for Marc Anthony.
Guitar Lessons from Rico Monaco organizes his guitar lessons that is based on music theory, and that builds a musical foundation for students of all ages and levels. Rico’s method includes a Daily Lesson Plan workout that is based on building a solid musical foundation.
You will be developing your technique (dexterity, flexibility, coordination, precision, and speed) while at the same time you are learning to apply the essentials of music theory. These items in the Rico’s Daily Lesson Plan are vital if you want to be able to play songs, solos, improvise, communicate with other musicians, write music, and continue to grow on your own for the rest of your musical life.
As you progress through this course, you will know exactly what to work out on during you practice sessions so you can maximize your learning. You will learn scales, chords, arpeggios, melody, harmony, soloing, writing, performance, improvisation and much more.
Ricmon Music School offers professional music instruction in your home, our studios, or virtually online for guitar, piano, drums, voice, horns, etc. All Ages and All Levels, Beginner to Advanced. Our instructors have successfully taught students from 3 years old to 86 years old! Our goal is give the musical items and exercises to get the student MAKING MUSIC as soon as possible. It does take effort from the student but you will save time and money by using our professional instructors because we have proven methods from many years of experience as musicians/instructors.
Remember, “You have to be a great musician to be a great teacher; but not every great musician is a great instructor.”
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Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all. It’s been an amazing musical roller coaster ride of incredible experiences and very challenging periods as well. To be a professional 24/7 musician you have to LOVE music so much that you are willing to deal with all the ups and downs that inevitably come. And if you are songwriter/artist/performer with an
original act, you are trying to compete in the most difficult part of the music business. Many good musicians take the much easier path of playing in tribute bands which are all the rage right now. Tribute and cover bands also give musicians the ability to make a decent income but they are not allowed to play any of original music. For me, the creative writing side of music is half the reason I became a musician. I enjoy playing covers and creating my own versions of classics but writing original songs is what I have spent my life doing along with developing my skills as a guitarist/band leader. It takes a massive effort to continue to develop your skills as a musician, writer, producer, engineer, band leader. Social media, marketing, promoting, booking shows that want your original material performed, is very difficult. I LOVE all the great music of the past and amazing modern music that is being released today. I understand that the audience/ average music fan wants to hear songs they are familiar with at events. There certainly is business in that lane for musicians. But that is a very different path and doesn’t require the same incredibly important skills a songwriter/artist has to develop. Developing a unique style such as I have tried to do makes it even more challenging. But I do this because I love it and I really don’t have a choice. Music chose me. And I believe, if you have the ability as an artist to create something meaningful and of high quality, then you must do it, if at all possible. The world, fans of music, need to hear music performed with passion, that celebrates life and contains skills that are developed only after thousands of hours of practice. The healing qualities of music are essential in my life. I have been fortunate to have achieved many goals that I never dreamed would be possible as a young musician. I seemed to be able to pour my passion into my music, my guitar, vocals, from an early age. But it has take many years and tens of thousands of hours to be sitting here writing this to you, surviving as a 24/7 guitarist, performer, songwriter, producer, band leader, instructor.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think I have answered this in previous questions.
But most importantly, please find my music on Spotify, YouTube, Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Follow and Like us, Share the music/videos, add us to your playlists, Subscribe, all of these are essential in the music business of today. Engagement and numbers of followers, likes, subscribers, shares, all are what the music industry promoters look at first to help decide if they want to book your band or maybe license your music for a movie, commercial.
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Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Life is very fragile and we need to enjoy every minute of everyday. I actually learned this lesson when I was very young. I had a very fortunate happy childhood due to my parents and the wonderful Italian family culture I was surrounded by. And the sacrifice of my Grandparents immigrating from Italy through Ellis Island to NYC. But unfortunately I saw how fragile life was from the very young age of 3 when my oldest sister passed away at 19 years old from Hodgkins Disease. This affected my upbringing in ways that I did not understand until I was much older. And it was followed by tragic deaths of friends when I was 10 & 13. And most profoundly when I was 27, my nephew tragically lost his life at 12 years old. Those unfortunate experiences led me to do what I love the most in this world because I saw first hand how it could end, abruptly. This is part of the reason I became a full time musician because I thought I better spend my time doing what I love. And I saw how miserable people could be doing something they don’t enjoy at all, even though they might be making money from it. Balancing living a joyful productive, compassionate life with earning enough to thrive or at least survive, is the greatest challenge for most musicians.
Pricing:
- Call for pricing for shows, studio production services, and private music instruction in your home or our studios.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ricomonaco.com, www.sonicwaveband.com, and www.ricmonmusicschool.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricomonacoband/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ricomonacoband
- Twitter: @ricomonaco
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ricomonacoband
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ricomonacoband
Image Credits
Gordon White
