Monica Rizzio

Monica Rizzio Brings In Some Friends for Unifying 'Lady Liberty': Premiere

Division in the U.S. is what led Monica Rizzio to unite some good pals -- Tom Rush, Patty Larkin and Mark Erelli specifically -- for her new single, "Lady Liberty," premiering exclusively below. The Texas-born singer-songwriter, now living in Cape Cod, wrote "Lady Liberty" during 2017 as she watched the first year of the Trump presidency unfold. "Just being an independent woman, I really saw the division in our country and I wanted to write a song about it," Rizzio tells Billboard. "I always felt (the Statue of Liberty) embodies that hope and opportunity for us and America. I wanted to write a song about unity and bring that unity back to America and how strong we are when we're united. I'm just trying to say enough is enough and we need to start uniting together and stop dividing." Recruiting "Lady Liberty's" guests was relatively easy, according to Rizzio. "I called Tom Rush and said, 'I've got this song and I can't think of anybody better for the male part than for you to chime in and sing,'" Rizzio says. Larkin and Erelli are friends and, in the latter's case, an occasional co-writer. "I wanted three really strong voices," Rizzio explains. "I feel like Tom Rush comes from that (protest) movement in the folk world. Patty Larkin represents that female independent side of it and Mark represents that newer side of folk music."

Rizzio hasn't decided if "Lady Liberty" will be part of the former Tripping Lily member's sophomore solo album, which she'll be recording during April in Nashville for an October release. Michael Rinne is producing, and Rizzio says that "we still have a big batch of songs we're drawing from," including co-writes with Mandy Smith, Gwen Sebastian, former Guster member Joe Pisapia and others. "I'm so fired up and ready, and Michael has incredible ideas and is ready to hit this with me. And I had the opportunity to co-write with a bunch of friends, whereas on the first album (Washashore Cowgirl) there wasn't much co-writing. I'm really looking forward to making this one." - BILLBOARD- Gary Graff

"I met songwriter Monica Rizzio last year at the 1st DIY Musician Conference in Chicago, where we shared some ideas about crowdfunding (I’d just wrapped up a PledgeMusic campaign and she was about to launch one).In the months following, it’s been interesting to see how her campaign — and the album it brought about — took shape. From a marketing perspective, Monica hit all the right notes: good music, a story that makes an interesting hook for press, visual branding that enhances that story, advanced praise from some high-profile professional contacts, and more. One of the things that really interested me, though, was that in the month leading up to her album release her music was getting played a ton around the country and her songs were performing well on folk radio charts. I asked her a bit about the release of Washashore Cowgirl and the process of promoting her music, particularly to radio." - Chris Robley- CD Baby

"Monica Rizzio is a Washashore.  Not only is she a Washashore, but she’s most definitely a Washashore Cowgirl.  For those of you not “in the know,” a washashore is what born and bred Cape Codders call those who move there from anyplace beyond the Bourne Bridge, the bridge that connects the Cape to the rest of the state of Massachusetts.  Monica’s roots are in Texas and was very much a cowgirl so it seems only natural that her upcoming debut solo album be calledWashashore Cowgirl. She’s a most talented multi-instrumentalist and songwriter; she’s on a journey to spread her music far and wide and may be washing ashore at a town near you any day now......." - NO DEPRESSION - Kathy Boehmer

MONICA RIZZIO had to write this single back in 2017. She had something to say about the state of unity (or lack thereof) in the United States. She saw, as many of us did, the division that was being baked into politics, and the right into our cultural discourse. The breath of polarization was just starting to fissure some of the fabric of the country. Monica wanted to say that “we need to look at what America truly represents. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and enlightenment. Like anything in life, America is best when we work together.” We think we all can agree on that sentiment. With deep roots in Texas, the folk/country artist keeps the singles humming, especially with her honest an melancholically positive vocals. - ComeHereFloyd

"I don’t often like to look at an artist and think of their pedigree before listening to their music, but with Monica Rizzio and her latest record “Washashore Cowgirl”, its tough to do.Fronting a well established and engrained bluegrass band in the New England community and looking at the liner notes with a list of “who’s who” in the bluegrass realm (Sierra Hill, Mark Erelli, Brittany Hass and more) certainly helps add to the high expectations of a record. The former Tripping Lily front gal hung up her condenser mic for a more robust band line up and it certainly shows on this latest release............ - RED LINE ROOTS: Brian Carroll

"During her decade-long run in Tripping Lily, Monica Rizzio proved she could perform carefully composed folk tunes like few others in the Northeast. Though Rizzio’s talents were always apparent and it seemed natural she would want an opportunity to perform lead vocals on more than a few tracks out of an album, it was difficult to imagine her performing anything other than the delicate note-perfect type of music she had become known for. Washashore Cowgirl, Rizzio’s debut solo album, makes those expectations seem insulting and limited."......... - Trevor Christian

# 14 Americana at Sirius XM (Internet / Satellite – The Bridge)" -

“Top 5 Most Added Americana” with 13 ADDS Reported to the AMA (Americana Music Association) -

"I made the tactical error of inviting Monica Rizzio to share the stage with me at Symphony Hall and she went and stole the audience right out from under me!" -

"Monica Rizzio's songs feel both rustic and refined, and she delivers them in a compelling voice that's equal parts tenderness and sass. She reminds me of a slightly duskier Nanci Griffith." -

"She has reinvented the landscape with her unique voice and technicolor sound, redefining what has gone before. I am so glad she has washed ashore! -

“Washashore Cowgirl” Charts # 2 on the Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Traditional Folk Album Chart -