ABC Pick

Fester Hagood & Caroline Monroe

Friday, June 16, Eastwood Pub

originally published June 14, 2006

The last time Flagpole caught up with Fester Hagood, he had just released his debut solo effort Gypsy and was knocking around town in the feel-good bar band Ray-Ray and The Hog Mountain Boys. On the surface, things were looking copacetic. “Truth is, my band was kinda’ breaking up at the time - but that’s about the time I met Caroline [Monroe]. I went from writing a ton of rock songs back to my country roots. Caroline plays country suited for the radio, so it’s helped me become more versatile.”

The duo is hard at work applying the finishing touches to Monroe’s forthcoming debut Ghost Town and can be tracked down at Eastwood Pub this Friday evening with special guest Ty Manning of the Bearfoot Hookers. In addition to collaborating with Hagood, Monroe performs songs written by her father, aspiring novelist and former Creative Loafing senior editor Doug Monroe. “He tells me it’s the most fun he’s ever had writing,” says Caroline. Sometimes they strike gold, and other times they fall a little short. “He had an idea that I thought was way too cheesy, but I think Nashville will love it," she laughs. "Without revealing too much, it’s called 'www.Don'tYouKnowILoveYou.com,' and my dad loves it. I think he’ll end up recording it himself.”

Speaking of Nashville, Hagood has just returned after pitching some tunes. “It’s the second time I’ve been up there," he says. "I went about five years ago and it’s what I’ve expected. A lot of promise, everyone says they like it and I never heard anything. But, I’ve met a lot of people and got my music out there and that’s what’s important - but I’m not gonna dance until I see something in writing.”

David Eduardo

David Eduardo