“I feel like this will be a musician’s show,” WMSV’s Steve Ellis excitedly said of the upcoming performance Thursday night at Rick’s Cafe. Sponsored by WMSV, the show will be a one-off appearance by musician Monte Montgomery.
An acoustic guitar wizard, Montgomery plays with delicate ease, creating an assortment of sounds that can prank the untrained ear. At first listen, it would appear the guitarist is strumming an electric instrument. However, it is mere sound trickery, which the musician is known for.
“There’s a lot of compression and distortion that you hear on electric. But, I can still play acoustically,” Montgomery said.
Playing the piano and trumpet at a young age, Montgomery thrived on the songs on the radio, absorbing techniques and styles. After moving from Alabama to Texas, Montgomery started playing with his mother at a Hill Country picking parlor.
As his teenage years rolled around, the guitarist began playing on his own around Austin and San Antonio. His name began to go far, particularly due to his playing resembling Stevie Ray Vaughan and Steve Vai, among others.
Over time, his sound reached outside Texas, leading to tours around the United States. These led to a noteworthy appearance on the popular show Austin City Limits. Producer Terry Lickona said Montgomery’s sound blows people away.
A type of melodic hypnosis is the driving force of Montgomery’s compelling guitar solos. He crafts his playing like a century-old painting: layers upon layers of sound that creates an interesting timbre.
“I would describe my sound as unique,” Montgomery says. “I try to do a lot of different things.”
Montgomery has been critically praised in many guitar and music industry magazines and it is no doubt why: he does not conform to the current style of guitar playing. It is diverse and unfamiliar to what is going on in the mainstream or even underground.
However, it is not only his playing that listeners adore. His lyrics are uniquely derivative, blending Southern comfort style harmony with reflections of his own life.
Rick Welch said he is looking forward to Montgomery’s performance.
“We’ve been trying for a couple of years to book him. He’s a great guitarist, and I’m looking forward to seeing him play,” Welch said.
Welch added that the musician was rated one of the top 50 guitarists by Guitar Player magazine.
Ellis said it was lucky they were able to book Montgomery because of his busy schedule.
“He was on tour, and we were able to get a one-off show at Rick’s. Rick was very helpful in accommodating the performance.”
Montgomery said the performance is important because the visual aspect of a show helps with the understanding of his sound.
“You wouldn’t know I was playing an acoustic guitar if you weren’t watching. That’s what makes an enjoyable show.