RICH ROSSI
- David Lannan
- Aug 8
- 7 min read
Two things inspire me to write. First is my passion for storytelling. Almost everything I write is born of at least a kernel of truth, taken from my own personal experiences.... My second inspiration? Deadlines. - Rich Rossi
SINGER/SONGWRITER RICH ROSSI SPENDS HIS TIME CRAFTING NEW SONGS FINDING LITTLE TIME TO TOUR
By David C. Lannan
OPENING ACT
Rich Rossi of Carolina Beach, NC, got his start like many did - singing in the grade school choir. Since then he has graduated to songwriting and playing with the band Rumble Strip. He had many influences but he also had an uncle who was a “one man band” on early radio programs in the late 40’s, early 50's.
“I once heard that when Johnny Cash was playing a gig in Newark, NJ in the 50’s, as the story goes, one of Johnny’s band members was too drunk to go on,” Rossi said. “So the last second replacement was…my uncle. Or so the story goes. My mother still has an old black and white photo he took of her standing next to Cash after the show.”
Let’s go behind the scenes with Rich Rossi and Rumble Strip, who has a new album dropping August 22.
Q&A WITH RICH ROSSI
DL: What instruments do you play and how do you feel it helps your musical journey?
RR: I play guitar when I write. I find that it’s very helpful when I’m trying to flesh out a story or simply put me in the right mood to write. Americana and Folk are ideal genres for folks like me who love to tell stories. All that said, I never play on any of the albums I’ve worked on as my collaborator in Rumble Strip is Dave Nachmanoff. Dave has been playing guitar for platinum recording artist Al Stewart for many years, playing thousands of shows all over the world.
DL: Have you written any of your own music or songs or co-wrote with anyone?
RR: Many times. Everything I’ve done with Rumble Strip is a co-write with Dave. I’ve also co-written with others including Jamie Hoover (Spongetones) and John Wicks (The Records). Jamie is probably best known for having written the ABC News “Skinny” segment as well as several power pop classics. John’s songs have been covered by Al Stewart, Mary Chapin Carpenter, REM and others.
DL: What is your inspiration for your songs?
RR: Two things inspire me to write. First is my passion for storytelling. Almost everything I write is born of at least a kernel of truth, taken from my own personal experiences.
My first gig was writing jokes for a greeting card company. It was a blast and forced me to learn how to tell a story in very few words. The need for brevity has made me a better lyricist. My second inspiration? Deadlines.
DL: What is your favorite or couple of favorite originals you have sung/written and what do they mean to you?
RR: My two favorite originals are “Bourbon Understands” (written with Jamie Hoover) and “Sayonara, Baby”, written with Dave Nachmanoff. Regarding “Bourbon Understands”, alcoholism has always been very close to me, unfortunately. Addicts develop a personal relationship with their poison of choice. That’s the dynamic I tried to capture with “Bourbon Understands”.
“Sayonara, Baby” is loosely based on a friend and his biggest mistake. Some background: My wife and I attended his wedding, held at the legendary CBGB in NYC a year or two before it closed its doors. The marriage lasted all of 3 weeks. To make matters worse, he’s a recovering alcoholic.
The night after she told him “I want my old life back”, he called me on the phone, crying. So I suggested we meet at a bar and talk about it. In his darkest moment, I invited an alcoholic to a bar. Brilliant. But the story has a happy ending. You’ll have to listen to the song to find out why.
DL: Do you have any albums or original songs recorded and if so, what are they and where can readers get thTH p em?
RR: I have three albums and two EPs to my credit. The discography is below. All are available digitally through Amazon, Apple Music, and Bandcamp among numerous other lesser known digital outlets. CDs have been sold out for some time on previous titles however Sayonara, Baby (the album) releases on August 22 and will be available on CD as well as digital.
2020 For the Record: A Tribute to John Wicks - Various (Kool Kat Records)
2021 Let’s Roll! - Rumble Strip (Martini Time Music)
2023 Top Banana. - Jamie Hoover (Martini Time Music)
2024 Category Four - Glenn Erb (Martini Time Music)
2025 Sayonara, Baby - Rumble Strip (Martini Time Music)
DL: Do you have a label or are you publishing songs independently on your own?
RR: I release everything under a self-run label, Martini Time Music. Running a label requires wearing a completely different hat. Business and promotion usually doesn’t come naturally to artists. However, I found myself involved in promotion years ago (back in the 90’s) when I was asked by two power pop legends, John Wicks (The Records) and Paul Collins (The Nerves, Paul Collins Beat) to promote an acoustic tour they did together. I learned a lot about what’s required to put fannies in the seats. It was an invaluable experience.
DL: What do you find most challenging about the music business?
RR: Navigating change. For example, in the old days, one always released new material on a Tuesday. Now, we do this on a Friday. Why? Because everything is consumed, both sampled and purchased online. Folks tend to do that on the weekend.
But that’s just the beginning. Thanks to the new digital world, distribution is no longer a problem. But cutting through the cacophony, the millions of releases all vying for attention, can be a sobering task. Keeping up with technology, social media, etc. Blink for a moment and you may miss the next big thing.
DL: What is your favorite part of the music business and why? Your least favorite?
RR: My favorite part is the creative part, of course. Seeing a song through to its eventual birth. They really are like children. But then that’s not really the music “business”. My favorite part about the business comes when I have the opportunity to meet others at songwriter’s retreats and similar events. Hearing my music on the radio will never get old, so there’s that.
My least favorite part has to be licensing. I’ve recently gotten much more involved with trying to place my work with music supervisors, libraries, etc. It’s an arduous task but the rewards are worth it – not for the money but for the exposure. Old school promotional ideas still work here.
DL: If you could perform with anyone in the music business who would it be and why?
RR: I am first and foremost a writer, a lyricist in particular. So performing isn’t something I think about.
DL: Where is your favorite place to perform and why?
RR: My bedroom. I have my guitar, my laptop to record on and quiet.
DL: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
RR: I hope I’ll continue to write songs I like – and songs that resonate with others.
DL: What advice do you have for anyone wanting to get in the music business as a singer/songwriter?
RR: There are always doubters. Don’t let them fool you. If your effort is sincere, there is an audience waiting to hear from you. Work your ass off and they’ll come around.
DL: Did you have professional coaching or lessons when you first started?
RR: No. I kinda fell into it.
DL: Have you always wanted to be a singer/musician? If not, and you couldn't be in the music business what career would you choose?
RR: When I was a kid, my chosen creative endeavor was drawing. I would later graduate from art school, illustrate childrens books for Scholastic, editorial illustrations for GuitarWorld, Guitar Player, and others. I enjoyed creating greeting cards, sold nationwide in Target stores.
All this time, I was writing music, promoting musical artists and acting as a booking agent. A musician friend and mentor told me that the stuff I wrote was pretty good, the lyrics in particular. And so I made the leap.
DL: Have you ever sang or thought about singing a different music genre? Why did you pick country as your main focus?
RR: My main focus is actually not country. It’s Americana. Roots music is what I have loved since I was a kid listening to Johnny Cash.
DL: Do you feel like you have missed anything or had to make sacrifices for your musical career?
RR: Everything worthwhile requires sacrifice.
DL: Is there anything you would like to add about your music journey or life in general?
RR: I never would have imagined the path I took. It was strange, but I have stories to tell. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Rossi’s mentor, John Wicks, passed away in 2018, unfortunately. He met many of the people he writes with while putting together a tribute album to John.
“I acted as executive producer and many of John’s friends sung his final compositions for him as he passed away before he was able to do so,” Rossi said. “Many are well known in folk and Americana. People such as platinum selling artist Al Stewart (Year of the Cat, Time Passages), two-time Grammy nominated Peter Case, Chris Thompson (Blinded By the Light) and others. I often wonder what John would say if here were still here.”
Nachmanoff and Rossi write all of the songs for Rumble Strip. Nachmanoff produced the new album and Rossi said he plays just about everything including (but not limited to): bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, nylon string guitar, slide guitar, piano and mandolin. And he’s the lead vocalist.
“We have some very talented guest musicians who play pivotal roles. Bart van der Zeeuw plays drums on the lion’s share of the songs on Sayonara, Baby and his contribution is significant,” Rossi said. “The same can be said for Megan Kleven, a superb singer and our backing vocalist.”
Nachmanoff is busy most of the year with his other band, The Usual Culprits, and teaching at various guitar camps. They play live shows pretty much all year. He's also recording another LP this fall which takes 2025 out of consideration.
“With the time we have, we write and record. Perhaps there'll be live dates some time in the future as circumstances permit. If that were to become the case, Bart and Megan would be the first calls I make,” Rossi said.
HAVE A LISTEN
SoundcloudCheckin’ Out
Youtube
Checkin’ Out https://youtu.be/mGWQ9eIcyUM
Uber Driver https://youtu.be/DulrkntAyv8
In addition to writing this blog for KICR, David C. Lannan is a freelance writer with feature stories published across the country and a graphic designer. He is also a member of the Board of Advisors for The Branson Opry. If you would like to be considered for a future blog, send your contact info and links to your music to dlannan@LFE.design.
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