In spite of all the "six-string notoriety", and just in case you didn't "know-tice", Monte isn't just a "guitar hero", "shred master" or "guitar god" as he's most often described. No, actually Monte Montgomery is much more than just a world-class guitar virtuoso with more new tricks up his fret board than your average "guitar slinger". What sets Monte apart from all others is that he's one of the most accomplished songwriters of our time, a remarkable singer and an extraordinary music arranger. Many of Monte's fans attend his concerts simply to hear his compelling vocals as he delivers his finely penned songs powerfully and passionately. To some, his incredible guitar pyrotechnics are simply an addition of tasty icing topping off a delicious cake.
Monte's latest release "Monte Montgomery At WorkPlay" (Harmonic Records - 2005), available in CD and DVD versions is a double barrel treat offering fans a visual dimension of Monte's incredible power packed live performance recorded Live at WorkPlay Theater in Birmingham, Alabama.
Monte grew up immersed in music, playing professionally since his teens and is currently one of the hottest draws on the talent-packed Austin, TX music scene and throughout the U.S. where he is well known for his electrifying performances. Monte was the first ever to be named by Guitar One Magazine on their list of Top 10 Best Undiscovered Guitarists in America and is the only winner of the "Best Acoustic Guitar Player" for 7 Years in a Row at the Austin Music Awards.
As Acoustic Guitar Magazine notes, "Monte Montgomery is not your typical up-and-coming guitar god. His exquisitely crafted, melodically and rhythmically sophisticated pop songs suggest the best of Fleetwood Mac, Squeeze and The Police, while just happening to integrate the most mind-boggling guitar work in the state of Texas."
Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, Monte first learned piano and trumpet, and was an avid listener to pop radio. After moving to Texas at the age of 12, he joined the legendary musical scene around the restored town of Luckenbach and began his impressive rise as a musical talent. Performing with his mother at a popular Hill Country picking parlor he quickly absorbed everything he could. By his mid-teens, Monte was playing gigs on his own around Austin and San Antonio, both with bands as an electric guitarist and in a variety of acoustic configurations. During this time Monte developed his guitar chops as he absorbed the work of respected players such as Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham, Mark Knopfler, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Lee, Steve Vai, Steve Morse and Larry Carlton. "I like it all," he explains of his musical influences.
Leading his own band, Monte began developing his trademark electrified acoustic guitar style. "I started playing acoustic at the beginning of each set, the response was so overwhelming that I kept the acoustic up there longer and longer. Then I just started playing all acoustic. I found I could do anything on an acoustic guitar I could do on an electric if I turned it up loud enough."
After living and playing in San Antonio for a time, Monte set out to make his mark in the highly competitive Austin musical community. Starting with a $50 half-hour gig at a small Austin Pub on a Tuesday night, Monte quickly attracted packed houses and graduated to filling the biggest clubs in the city. His live performances and albums have earned him words of praise in the music press and an ever-widening touring circuit throughout the U.S. As Texas Monthly noted, "He brings taste, precision, economy and a playful sense of timing to popish songs with sturdy hooks and sings in a voice that's equal parts grit and sunshine. And when you have the ability to make one guitar sound like two, who needs any more support than bass and drums."
Monte caught the ear of Austin City Limits producer Terry Lickona, who invited the relatively unknown talent to tape a segment of the legendary show. When Lickona introduced Monte to the audience, he described Monte's talent in a simple yet profound statement: "Monte Montgomery blows people away. There is no other way to describe it."
When word about Monte's virtuosity reached the folks at Alvarez Guitars. They quickly took a keen interest and secured Monte's endorsement. In the meantime Monte's reputation as the Hottest Acoustic Guitarist on the planet was being cultivated as he toured nationwide. This led to the introduction of the MMY1 Monte Montgomery Signature Guitar , which was unveiled at the Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, California in January 2004.
Monte's considerable musical talents have come to fruition. As leader of his own band, he continues as a national touring act and has shown a side that's more than a new found "Texas Guitar Slinger". His electrifying live shows deliver a dynamic rock n' roll experience with rich, stunning guitar work and powerful song deliveries. Monte sings and writes songs that are concise and contemporary and although his music contains a lot of guitar it's more than just a guitar show. With an appeal that extends to listeners of all ages and tastes, Monte has been making a living playing and singing for most of his life, building a career through his own hard work and talent. In fact, it's almost as if his future as a musician was all but fated. "I never woke up and said, what am I supposed to be doing with my life? I always knew, even before I played guitar, that I was going to be doing music, one way or another."
Girl Like You
Monte Montgomery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hinged upon coming back for more...
While on the other side,
Is my dream come true.
So I shuffled my feet,
And I followed through.
Just when love seemed out of reach,
I curse myself for the lack of speech. Then you smile that smile,
And I'm wondering how, I found a girl like you.
A girl like you is easy to love.
A girl like you must be sent from above.
Well a twist of fate finds a precious few...
I'm so glad that I found a girl like you.
Now, I have taken some falls from grace,
Made your eyes turn from my face.
I defended my ground when I had no clue.
Your love is like a river to my soul running through.
But now I'm counting the days to start. A celebration of the heart.
When I will take your hand and say I do...
Promise to cherish and love
A girl like you.
A girl like you is easy to love.
A girl like you must be sent from above.
Well a twist of fate finds a precious few...
I'm so glad that I found a girl like you.
You make the rain make
My heart weak and still.
I never noticed the thunder until,
I found a girl like,
I found a girl like,
I found a girl like you.
The lyrics of Monte Montgomery's song "Girl Like You" speak of the discovery of true love and the joy that comes with it. In the first verse, the singer describes the feeling of independence and freedom that comes with the thought of leaving but is torn by the possibility of finding something on the other side of the open door. Despite his hesitation, he takes the leap of faith and finds what he had been looking for. The singer expresses his gratitude and amazement at having found a girl like his lover, who makes him feel brand new and easily loved. He also admits to the mistakes he has made in the past and expresses his readiness to cherish and love her.
The chorus repeats that a girl like his lover is easy to love, must be sent from above, and is found by precious few, but the singer found her and is so glad to have her in his life. In the second verse, he admits to having made mistakes and hurting her in the past but expresses his delight at the love she still has for him, which is like a river to his soul. The singer counts the days until he can start celebrating their love, take her hand, and say "I do" to promise to love and cherish a girl like her. The lyrics further express the intense emotions and feelings of the singer by using imagery such as rain, thunder, and weakness.
Line by Line Meaning
Independence, an open door,
Hinged upon coming back for more...
Being independent means having the freedom to make your own choices and open doors for yourself, but it also means coming back for more even if it's difficult.
While on the other side,
Is my dream come true.
So I shuffled my feet,
And I followed through.
On the other side of the door is my dream come true. So, I didn't hesitate and just followed through.
Just when love seemed out of reach,
I curse myself for the lack of speech.
Then you smile that smile,
Make me feel brand new.
When I felt like I couldn't find love, I blamed myself for not being able to express my feelings. But then you smiled at me and it changed everything.
And I'm wondering how,
I found a girl like you.
I am amazed that I found someone as wonderful as you to love.
A girl like you is easy to love.
A girl like you must be sent from above.
Well a twist of fate finds a precious few...
I'm so glad that I found a girl like you.
A girl like you is rare and must be a gift from above. I am grateful to have found someone like you to love.
Now, I have taken some falls from grace,
Made your eyes turn from my face.
I defended my ground when I had no clue.
Your love is like a river to my soul running through.
I have made mistakes and disappointed you. But, I stood my ground even when I didn't know what I was doing. Your love flows through my soul like a river.
But now I'm counting the days to start.
A celebration of the heart.
When I will take your hand and say I do...
Promise to cherish and love
A girl like you.
I am eagerly waiting to begin the rest of my life with you. When I take your hand in marriage, I promise to love and cherish you forever.
You make the rain make
My heart weak and still.
I never noticed the thunder until,
I found a girl like,
I found a girl like,
I found a girl like you.
Your love makes everything around me disappear, leaving only you in my heart. I never realized how loud the world was until I fell in love with you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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