What is your name?
RRL – I now go by Rockin’ Rich Lynch as that was my name on college radio going way back and I continued to use that moniker when I hosted a celebrity interview podcast where I got to speak to the likes of Yoko Ono, Todd Rundgren, Meat Loaf, Donovan, Jon Anderson, Randy Bachman and hundreds more.
What is your genre of music?
RRL – Pretty much rock in the “classic rock” vein. But, I also do a lot of acoustic singer-songwriter material and hope to soon release some experimental vocal explorations on a pair of upcoming singles.
Give us a little bio about you.
RRL – I was born in New York and lived most of my life in New Jersey before moving to Nashville for warmer weather and a change of perspective. Music and sports defined me early on and in many ways they still do today. Two of the most significant trips I have taken in my life were to Israel and Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. The former for its Biblical considerations and the latter due to how deeply the movie “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” impacted my formative years. Fans wanting to know a little more about me just need to listen to some of my songs as they say a lot more than I can here in a short paragraph.
What made you go into music?
RRL – I started writing lyrics in high school and played in a few short-lived pickup bands. Back then, I thought that maybe I had something to say with my songs and the idea of putting records out into the established distribution system was pretty appealing. Of course, by the time my music was ready for release the industry I hoped to enter doesn’t really exist anymore.
Who are your influences?
RRL – Tom Petty, Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Lou Reed and Vaclav Havel.
Are you a signed?
RRL – Not signed. Waiting for Jack White to give me a call.
You released your new latest Single ‘Shootout at the Not Okay Corral’, tell us more about the single and the meaning behind the song.
RRL – Sometimes songs just fall into your lap and there was a day recently when I picked up a guitar and the first line that popped out of my head was “Shootout at the Not Okay Corral”. So, from there I realized this track would be about defending good mental health in the face of a variety of fronts that are attacking our collective frame of mind. The constant threat of media lies, the ongoing outbreak of wars, corrupt politicians, social media bullying and cancel culture are all very not so subtle challenges to maintaining a positive and healthy outlook as we travel through life. This song is about me saying “enough” and trying to take my power back.
Describe the track in two words.
RRL – Fast and furious!
What was the writing and recording process like?
RRL – Well, the writing was interesting because in the middle of its composition my wife alerted me to a pack of coyotes that were making themselves known outside of our door in Nashville. It was a sound that was something like I had never heard before in my life so I recorded their howls and they make an appearance at the start and end of the song. They also influenced the third verse as they get a mention along with “the dogs of war”.
Who did you work with on the single?
RRL – This marks the twelfth song I’ve done with the amazing Dallas Jack and his Spade Creative production company. We met under the strangest circumstances in the early days of the pandemic as we facilitated the rescue of an overturned boater on the Cumberland River and a dozen tracks later I’ve never felt stronger. With him at the helm, I feel like I have found my own George Martin or Kevin Shirley who gets the best out of me each and every time.
Are we expected to see a music video for “Shootout at the Not Okay Corral”.
RRL – Well, all my songs make it to the YouTube video channel. But, none of them are actually true production projects.
If so, what can expect from it?
RRL – When my videos do finally drop I expect the first few to be based on live performance shots a la the original Billy Squier takes from the “Don’t Say No” sessions. That approach will be the most cost effective and will let me get several songs taken care of in one day’s worth of filming.
Will we see an EP or Album if so, what can we expect from it and the meaning behind it.
RRL – Yes, I have over 40 songs out now and eventually we will be able to put out a pair of solid compilations that include the best of those tracks. One of them will be named for my song “You Might Hear a Heart” to express the idea that I hope my listeners will hear and feel something in my music. At the very least, the subject matter of my songs stand the test of being mostly unique and not your standard Nashville industry fare.
Do you have any live shows coming up?
RRL – I do play out in Nashville at one of the many songwriter showcases and music rounds they have here. These gigs have all given me the opportunity to improve and gain confidence in the live setting. Next, I want to bring my band to regional clubs in the South to deliver energetic and concise sets to appreciative audiences.
Let us know where we can get tickets if so.
RRL – Watch the website www.RichLynchBand.com for breaking news.
What else can we expect in 2024?
RRL – I am in a ten-year cycle of putting out singles that goes like this: record, release, promote, repeat. For now, that remains the plan. I am always in search of great press and coverage and, Gemma, your support means so very much to me. There’s not a lot of champions left in the Indie Music Community. So, thank you for all you do to give us the strength to keep going against the odds.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
RRL – I see myself somewhere in rural Tennessee – either east or west of Nashville. One consequence of moving to the one-time “It City” is so has everyone else. Nashville was ill-equipped to handle the influx of people and modifications to the infrastructure will take at least a generation to fix. Right now, it has negatively impacted the quality of life in Music City that shows no signs of getting better. The local government has made some unpopular decisions that don’t serve its citizens that I sing about in my previous song “The Streets of Nashville”. Still, with that all being said, I do want to come back to record and watch all the changes taking place here. Never in my life have I watched so many buildings rise and fall on a continuous basis. Truthfully, it is a bit mind-boggling and disorienting to watch it all take place.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
RRL – My wife and I have a variation on the idea of always thinking things will go well for us in every situation. So, by not expecting problems or unwanted scenarios to arise – they rarely ever do. We have also come to the conclusion that having “lowered expectations” in any life situation is the best way to avoid unwanted strife and disappointment. This outlook has worked wonders for us.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
RRL – As a singer and songwriter – first and foremost – my lyrics. I won’t rely on a phone or tele-prompter. So, that does take a lot of practice to lock in the muscle memory. I also have to remember to put on my uniform that currently includes fashion (hats and t-shirts) sent to me from American Football teams from around the world. This look gives me an athletic and competitive frame of mind with which to take the stage. Then it would be – “don’t drink too much”, “don’t say anything stupid (lol)” and don’t forget to plug the websites!
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Website
BandCamp
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
