Elvis Monroe: "Be The Change"
We all have events in our lives that we will never forget where we were. For my parents’ generation it might by the assassination of President Kennedy or the landing on the moon, for me it’s the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle, the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building, the plane attacks of 9/11, and, more recently, the mass shooting in Las Vegas. On the first night of our girls’ trip, October 1, 2017, we walked out of a show at The Mirage to a hectic scene, but not surprising for Vegas. Emergency vehicles coming from every direction, tourists running and screaming, police officers barking orders quickly revealed this was something more. Once sequestered in the closest casino, we watched the story unfold.
A few blocks away, Bryan Hopkins and Ben Carey of Elvis Monroe were at the Harvest Music Festival a few blocks away. Ben suffered a gunshot wound to the arm. They saw people mortally wounded around them; they helped people shelter, including Hopkins’ now girlfriend.
More recently, when Hopkins’ girlfriend, Nicole, came in from a work shift overwhelmed by the enormity of COVID-19 patients early on in the crisis, he recalled how they met at the show in Las Vegas and how he had even overcome hurricanes and earthquakes throughout his life. While different kinds of trauma, he related to coming through the other side and everyone having a story to tell. He expanded on music that had been sent to him by Carey and “Be the Change” was born. They quickly called upon other musicians to finish out the song, including Matt Nelson, David Pichette, and Chris and Ashley Reeve.
Hopkins said this is their tribute to frontline workers meant to inspire fans to smile through a difficult time. It definitely feels like an anthem, a call to arms. “You’ll be the story, be the change.”
Hopkins of Paperback Hero and Carey of Lifehouse met in 2008. Their music connection was instant and Elvis Monroe was born.
Regarding the change that the current state would bring to the music industry, Hopkins was steadfast in his love for performing. He expressed appreciation for the fans, known as the Elvis Monroe Mafia, and said nothing could compare to performing live.
When I asked how fans could support Elvis Monroe during this challenging time, the ever humble Hopkins said he felt that he knew they were more fortunate than some and “continue listening to our music, stay safe, and come see us when we are back out there.”
“Just close your eyes, have a little faith,” is probably what all of us need to hear right now.
Check out the “Be the Change” video here: