Ennis-born musician releases first EP

ENNIS – Ennis-born 40-something musician Monte Richardson recently released his first independent country music EP, titled “Completely Unknown.”

All the songs on the EP are written by Richardson.

The EP is available on most streaming sites, and Richardson said, “I know it’s ambitious, but right now I’m aiming for one-million streams by the end of 2022, so we’ll have to see how that goes.”

It has only been one month now since the official release, so he said he has not had the chance to get a “full picture of how many streams the songs have gotten through all the streaming sites.” He also has a limited number of physical copies too.

Four of the five songs on the EP are about love “in some form or fashion,” Richardson explained. “The last is in a way, about love lost.”

He said his inspiration is more “I take it as it comes,” style.

“The muse strikes when it strikes,” he added.

“I’ve been writing lyrics off and on since high school, and I keep a five-subject notebook with me at home for ideas that may come to me.

“I also keep a small notebook in my car, in case an idea comes to me when I’m driving and I’m able to pull over and write it down.

“Sometimes it’s a life experience or a feeling, sometimes it’s a memory, sometimes it’s a thought or a wordplay that comes into my head.

“I have pages of them in my notebook that I can use for future song ideas.”

Richardson attended school in Ennis and played football. He said he has a wide range of music that he listens to now and a number of hobbies like music, bowling, card magic, watching sports, and spending time with his family.

“I started learning guitar as a teenager, partially inspired by the music of Garth Brooks,” he explained.

“My main lyric writing revolves around the country genre, and I’ve been writing in that genre off and on for years, and will occasionally write lyrics in another genre.”

Richardson did briefly leave Ennis for a stint in North Dallas in the early 2000’s. He married in 2004, and had a son in 2005.

He is a software engineer by day with over two decades of experience.

And another fun fact, he owns a number of guitars. His favorite acoustic guitar is his Takamine GB-7C Garth Brooks signature edition.

His EP is something he has wanted to do since high school. The process, once he got started, however didn’t take very long at all.

“As far as this particular release, once I selected the songs, the recording, producing, and artwork took about a month or so,” he said.

“I released the EP digitally through CDBaby’s digital distribution, which took another eight to 10 days.

“Artwork and design of the album artwork is my design as well.

“I actually recorded the vocals for this album in my garage.”

His next project is to continue writing and recording as his time permits, and as he finishes the lyrics.

“I’d like to do a Christmas album next, but we’ll have to see how things go for the remainder of 2022,” Richardson concluded.

“After that, who knows? But I’d like to keep putting stuff out as long as I can get it recorded.”

Check it out: www.monte-music.net