‘You can call it prescient or predetermined, but when Terry Lickona, undisputed tastemaker and producer of Austin City Limits, plucked a then relatively unknown guitar talent to tape a segment of the legendary show, one had the sense that this was just the beginning.

Since that jaw dropping performance, Monte Montgomery has embarked on an almost fantasy like rock and roll roller coaster ride filled with dizzying accomplishments and mind blowing accolades.  Named one of the ‘Top 50 All-Time Greatest Guitar Players‘ by Guitar Player Magazine, he’s been called everything from ‘guitar-god‘ to the ‘answer to the Fermi Paradox‘.

Still, despite the six-string notoriety, Monte is not content to rest on his musical laurels. ‘I’ve resisted temptation to be just that guitar gunslinger from Austin, Texas,’ says Monte. ‘I strive to have more depth, to be more layered as an artist, songwriter and singer.’

With the release of his latest CD Monte Montgomery, he is cementing his place as not just some blazingly electrified acoustic guitar playing freak of nature, but also a rare and true triple threat; songwriter, singer, and master musician.

‘I want my music to be accessible to everyone,’ says Monte.  Accessible it is, but he’s still managed to make a record that is uncompromising.  The virtuoso-like trademark guitar licks and arrangements you’d expect from Monte are there, forming the rich and colorful aural backdrop for his insightful songwriting and amazing voice. The end result, in a day of homogenized, digitalized, and processed music, is that this new project stands out as a throw back to the great pop rock records of the past.  Recorded live at the legendary Masterlink Studio, the textured, deep, rich, nuanced, and just plain rocking 12 tracks run the gamut, showcasing Monte’s stylistic diversity beginning with the opening album track River, an almost primal seven minute dark bluesy roots rocker, and ending with Midlife Matinee a wistful ballad that soulfully explores the turning points and crossroads of life, love and loss.

In between, it’s a mix of dark, edgy rock to light, breezy pop-like melodies.  There’s the pure rocker Can’t Fool Everyone and the jazzy, vibey Could’ve Loved You Forever.  And just when you think you’ve got him pegged, Monte changes it up to leave you breathless with the sensual, lyrical, Latin-tinged Moonlight Tango.

‘All of these songs are road tested,’ laughs Monte when you ask him to explain how he chose what to record for this record.  ‘I don’t write with a project in mind.  I write to play live, for my fans.  My audience is great, they tell me what to record. It’s like having a built-in focus group.’

Long a big draw on the live music scene, Monte’s non-stop touring schedule this year has included ParkPop (one of the largest music festivals in Europe).  A Monte Montgomery show is likened to a musical religious experience.  ‘I wanted to capture what I do live on this record.  I want people to close their eyes and envision themselves at one of my concerts.’