Q

Hi Ronny, thank you so much for taking the time out to do this interview.  Would you start with a brief history of your career?

A

I started playing drums at the age of 9 and then I wanted something more, and when I heard the song Man on the Silver Mountain, it made me step out from behind the kit!

Q

I read you wanted to be a rock star from very early on in your childhood.  Which rock star did you emulate in front of the mirror?

A

Dio , Dickinson and Halford were my biggest metal influences so it would be any or all of those great singers.

Q

Do you remember the first time you got on stage and did you expect to still be performing some thirty years later?

A

I honestly did think I would be doing this, my first gig was in a high school auditorium to 500 people and I wasn’t nervous, that’s when I really knew that I would be rocking for a long time!

Q

Your solo project cd “The Fire Within” will be released in May. I understand you and Metal Church founding member/guitarist, Kurdt Vanderhoof, are co-producing the album; you obviously work well together! Please tell me more about the new album.

A

'The Fire Within' comes out in April and it's 12 tracks of blistering metal. My label is Rat Pak Records and they're doing a great job, we also have distro through Century Media which is very cool. I’m very proud of these songs and I was graced by Michael Wilton of Queensryche on a couple of  tracks and Randy Cooper from THC. I think the fans are going to love it, its straight ahead metal!!

Q

A

It's mostly my songs and I have more freedom to do what I want to do than with Metal Church but with that said, Kurdt gives me a lot of freedom with Metal Church as well, it's just different when you're in control, or at least think you're in control! lol

Q

A

Joe O'Brien did. I’ve known Joe now for a few years and he is very tenacious and knows his stuff and he's a good guy. That counts a lot for me. I’m really looking forward to the future!

Q

You are going to be recognized for your outstanding contribution to metal music at this year’s Mortal Fest to be celebrated on May 3rd, 2009 in Guadalajara, Mexico. How did you feel when you were got the news?

A

I thought, who’s messing with me?!  No, I was and still am very thankful for this, there are a lot of others out there that have done a lot as well but it is an honor for me! And I thank all at Mortal Fest.

Q

Going back to your early days of Madhouse, I believe ‘Man On the Silver Mountain’ has always been a favourite of yours. Is it true that it was this particular song you sang which impressed your friends so much?

A

I don’t know if it impressed them much back then, it probably irritated them lol.  But I did sing it a lot!!

Q

I know it’s stating the obvious but there is so much emotion in your writing and vocal ability.  Would you say it’s a natural gift or learned?

A

I think it comes from inside and we all have emotions we can draw from and that’s what I do.

Q

It’s wonderful to see somebody giving back to their local community and getting involved with charity work.  Is this something you have always done?

A

I think you should help others when you can because someday you may need help yourself!

Q

Does negative press bother you? I am just starting out at 18, but from time to time I have experienced the odd idiot who is an ‘expert’ in something they know nothing about.  At first it bothered me, but I have come to realize that you can’t please everyone all of the time. How would you respond?

A

Are they saying your name? Then that’s all that counts, good or bad!!

Q

And lastly, what was the last gig you attended which wasn’t your own?

A

Helloween in San Francisco at the Fillmore.

To check out more about Ronny Munroe, visit

www.myspace.com/ronnymunroe  

and

www.ronnymunroe.com

I would like to once again thank Ronny for this interview.

Keep It Loud!