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."
Wishing Well
Monte Montgomery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I find myself again
Lining the bottom of a wishing well
With other dreams that might have been
Flattened by the pressure of what's coming down
I'm relying on faith second hand
I used to be an average man
Somehow I got lost along the way
And now I'm here
Don't you know that you could be the one
To set me free
I've waited all my life to be someone
Somebody could see
You can find me still in the corner of a box
Marked lost and found at the bottom of
A wishing well
Burdened by the weight of a wrecking ball
I'm defining my own sense of worth
I want to bathe my soul in the light
As religion finds me immersed
Destitution knows me by name
While the trick is to sit where you stand
I used to be an average man
With bigger than average plans
Somehow I got lost along the way
And now I'm here
Don't you know that you could be the one
To set me free
I've waited all my life to be someone
Somebody could see
You can find me still in the corner of a box
Marked lost and found at the bottom of
A wishing well
I'm caught shuddering by myself
Each wish in the shape of a coin
Legal tender for wishes thrown
As the water reflects the unknown
The tide rips through the surface of time
But I can't think of when it began
I used to be an average man
With bigger than average plans
Somehow I got lost along the way
And now I'm here
Don't you know that you could be the one
To set me free
I've waited all my life to be someone
Somebody could see
You can find me still in the corner of a box
Marked lost and found at the bottom of
A wishing well
The lyrics to Monte Montgomery's song "Wishing Well" seem to be about feeling lost or stuck and seeking a way out. The first verse describes the singer finding himself among other discarded dreams in a box marked "lost and found," relying on faith to keep going. The second verse speaks of feeling burdened, defining one's own worth, and seeking enlightenment. In the chorus, the singer imagines that someone could "set [him] free" and make him feel seen. The last verse references throwing coins into a wishing well, but also alludes to the passage of time and feeling unable to pinpoint the start of one's struggles.
Overall, this song seems to be about the universal feelings of doubt and insecurity that can afflict anyone at any time. The singer feels lost and seldom seen, struggling to find their footing and their place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
In the corner of a box marked lost and found
I feel lost and forgotten, like an item in a lost and found box.
I find myself again
I am rediscovering who I am and what I want in life.
Lining the bottom of a wishing well
Placing my hopes and dreams in a wishing well, hoping they come true.
With other dreams that might have been
Surrounded by the dreams of others that were also never fulfilled.
Flattened by the pressure of what's coming down
Discouraged by outside influences and struggles that make it hard to keep hope alive.
I'm relying on faith second hand
Trying to maintain hope and faith, even though my faith is based on that of others.
I used to be an average man
I used to be just like everyone else, with no outstanding talents or achievements.
With bigger than average plans
But I had big dreams and aspirations.
Somehow I got lost along the way
Somehow I lost sight of my goals and became disillusioned with my life.
And now I'm here
Now I find myself in this place of feeling lost and unfulfilled.
Don't you know that you could be the one
Someone else could be the key to helping me find myself again.
To set me free
To help me let go of my past struggles and find a better tomorrow.
I've waited all my life to be someone
I have been searching for my identity and purpose for as long as I can remember.
Somebody could see
I want to be recognized for who I really am and what I can achieve.
You can find me still in the corner of a box
I am still searching, still feeling lost and unfulfilled.
Marked lost and found at the bottom of
But I am not giving up hope, I am still reachable and recoverable.
Burdened by the weight of a wrecking ball
Overcome by the weight of my own fears and insecurities.
I'm defining my own sense of worth
Trying to find my own self-worth and value, beyond the opinions of others.
I want to bathe my soul in the light
Hoping to find enlightenment and spiritual freedom.
As religion finds me immersed
As I explore new ways of finding meaning and purpose, including religion.
Destitution knows me by name
Poverty and lack of resources are all too familiar to me and my struggles.
While the trick is to sit where you stand
Despite the difficulties, I am learning to find peace and contentment in the present moment.
I'm caught shuddering by myself
I am overwhelmed by my own fears and doubts, feeling isolated and alone.
Each wish in the shape of a coin
Each hope and dream takes physical form as a coin to throw in the wishing well.
Legal tender for wishes thrown
In the wishing well, even the smallest of coins becomes valuable currency for making a wish.
As the water reflects the unknown
The water in the wishing well reflects the unknown future and all the possibilities it holds.
The tide rips through the surface of time
Time rushes by, like the tide crashing against the shore.
But I can't think of when it began
I am lost in time, unable to pinpoint when my struggles and search for identity began.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ТокМок
Monte is so amazing!!!!
Mark Ginsel
Monty shares kudos with Stevie. And Phil Bass is a kick ass drummer.
bozzojoe
My favorite Guitarist and Trio of all time.
jhnstn1
Outstanding!
Tom Bouchard
Simply badass
oz man
fkn awesome
Rick Bergen
The best!
AuditoryStorytelling
Maurizio, do you have anymore of Monte from Italy? These are great shots! I would be willing to buy anything from you if you have them... I've heard there are also DVDs from guitar festivals over there but don't know how to buy them. Can you help me get my hands on one? Please let me know!
Much appreciated my friend :)
exa studios
http://www.guitaranch.it/web/?page_id=99
AuditoryStorytelling
Thank you for the reply. I see the DVD for Monte at Teatro Olimpico. Is that the same concert that this video here is from?