James Montgomery (born May 12, 1949) is an American blues musician, best known as the lead singer, blues harp player, frontman, and bandleader of The James Montgomery Blues Band (a.k.a. The James Montgomery Band). Montgomery collaborates with many star performers and recording artists.[1] He is also the past President of The New England Blues Society.[2]
James Montgomery | |
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![]() James Montgomery singing at The Reel Blues Fest on May 12, 2012 | |
Background information | |
Born | May 12, 1949 |
Origin | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
Genres | Blues |
Occupation(s) | Musician, bandleader, composer, arranger |
Instrument(s) | Vocalist, blues harp |
Years active | 1970–present |
Website | www www www www |
Personal life
editJames Montgomery was born on May 12, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up there where his father, John Montgomery, worked for Chrysler as a public relations executive. One of his brothers, John Montgomery, also worked in the music industry before becoming an entrepreneur in the Metro Detroit area. His younger brother, Jeffrey Montgomery, was an LGBT activist, primarily known for being the founding executive director of Triangle Foundation (today Equality Michigan).
Music career
editWhile attending Boston University, where he earned a degree in English literature, Montgomery started the James Montgomery Band. His freshman roommate was Jeff Baxter.[3] During his junior year, he was hired by the Colwell-Winfield Blues Band to play harmonica and tour with Janis Joplin. By the time he graduated from college his band was on the cover of the Boston Phoenix, heralded along with J. Geils and Aerosmith as the city's great contributions to the music world.[citation needed] Though he said "he loved the academic life, when offered a $15,000 job at Boston University, Montgomery instead took a $250,000 offer to record and tour with the Allman Brothers, and never looked back", according to Pamela Marean, Standard-Times correspondent, on September 6, 2007.[4]
In 1970, Montgomery formed The James Montgomery Band. His harmonica playing, singing and energetic stage show led to his band gaining a reputation as one of the hottest bands on the New England music scene. Montgomery was signed by Capricorn Records to a multi-album deal, and released his first album titled First Time Out (1973).[5] The original LP recordings were remastered and released as a Audio CD in October 20, 1998, by Capricorn / Umgd.[6] Track 9 off his first album titled "Train" was a fan favorite and became the number one song on WBCN (FM).[citation needed] They played it every day at noon-time for over a year.[citation needed] In 2011, Montgomery used "Train" as part of his encore at shows.[citation needed]
Montgomery has toured with many artists, including Aerosmith, The J. Geils Band, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, The Allman Brothers, The Steve Miller Band, The Johnny Winter Band, The Blues Brothers with (Jim Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) and others.
Montgomery has performed on stage with musicians including B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells, James Cotton, Bonnie Raitt, Steven Tyler, Brad Whitford, Charlie Daniels, Gregg Allman, LaVern Baker, Patti LaBelle, Jonathan Edwards, Jerome Geils, Peter Wolf, Magic Dick, Danny Klein, Huey Lewis, Kim Wilson, Elliot Easton, Johnny A., Rick Derringer, Ricky Byrd, Barry Goudreau, Fran Sheehan, Sib Hashian, Chad Smith, Billy Squier, Michael Carabello, Jon Butcher, Bruce Marshall, Dennis "Fly" Amero, Duke Robillard, Jon Pousette-Dart, Kate Taylor, Christine Ohlman, Mike Finnigan, Grace Kelly, The Uptown Horns, James Brown, The Rolling Stones, and Joe Cocker.
Montgomery recalls the night he played with Muddy Waters at Paul's Mall in Boston, Massachusetts. "I couldn't believe it. Here I was on stage with Muddy Waters," Montgomery recalls with a smile. "It was such a great feeling".[7]
He had his own syndicated radio show for five years called Backstage With the Blues on these stations:
- WJZS Swing 99.3 FM Block Island, Rhode Island
- WADK 1540 AM Newport, Rhode Island and Fall River, Massachusetts
- WFNX (92.1 FM) Portland, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire
- KUSH 1600, Cushing, Oklahoma
The show combined blues music along with the stories behind the music, told by the musicians themselves. Some of his special guests were John Lee Hooker, James Cotton, Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, Koko Taylor, Ruth Brown, Otis Clay, Son Seals, Duke Robillard, Rod Piazza, and many more.
James Montgomery Blues Band (a.k.a. James Montgomery Band)
editDuring the past 45 years, Montgomery's band has been a springboard for many musicians careers. His band members have included Billy Squier, Wayne Kramer, Jeff Golub, Jim McCarty, Nunzio Signore, Steve Strout, Jeff Pevar, Bobby Chouinard, Ted Nugent, Billy Squier, Jeff Levine, Tom Gambel, and David Hull.
Discography
editTitle | Group / Performer | Release | Record label | Tracks with Montgomery | Notes | |
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From Detroit to the Delta | James Montgomery Band | 2013 February 19 Audio CD | Vizztone / Universal Records |
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In Style | James Montgomery Band | 2010 April 1 Album | On the K-Tel Record Label |
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Misspent Youth | Bruce Marshall Group | 2010 Audio CD | ATM Records |
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Bring It On Home | James Montgomery Blues Band | 2001 July 31 Audio CD | Conqueroot Records |
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Live at the Capitol Theater | James Montgomery and Bruce Marshall Duo | 2000 Audio CD ~ Opening for BB King | ATM Records |
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Double Wide | Uncle Kracker | 2000 June 13 Audio CD | Lava Records |
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Uncle Kracker's 1st CD, earned a Gold Record, went Platinum (August 2001) and later Double-Platinum.
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The Oven Is On | James Montgomery Band | 1991 Audio CD | Tone-Cool Records, Newton, MA – CD 1145 |
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Special guests:
Heavy metal horns:
Credits:
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Live Trax | James Montgomery | 1983 Vinyl LP | MSI Records (Canadian) |
Side 1
Side 2
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Duck Fever | James Montgomery | 1978 Vinyl LP (US Release) | Waterhouse Records |
Side 1
Side 2
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James Montgomery with members of the David Letterman Band:
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Fire on the Bayou | James Montgomery | 1978 Vinyl 45 rpm Record | Waterhouse Records (15001) |
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James Montgomery Band | James Montgomery Band | 1976 Vinyl LP | Island Records |
Side A
Side B
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The Gooba Gooba Song | James Montgomery Band | 1976 Original 12" Mix | Island Records (IS1003) |
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Producer: Allen Toussaint | |
I Can't Stop (No, No, No) | James Montgomery Band | 1976 Vinyl 45 rpm Record | Capricorn Records (CPS 0217) |
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Baby I Love You | Barbara Holliday with James Montgomery & Radio King and His Court of Rhythm | 1975 Vinyl 45 rpm Record | Jelly Records (JR 002) |
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Brickyard Blues & As love Is The Thing | James Montgomery Band | 1974 Vinyl 45 RPM Record | Capricorn Records (CPS 0204) |
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Brickyard Blues | The James Montgomery Band | 1974 Vinyl 45 RPM Promo Record | Capricorn Records, Inc. Manufactured by Warner Bros. Records, Inc. (MONO CPS 0204) (SNY0931) |
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High Roller | James Montgomery Band | 1974 Vinyl LP | Capricorn Records, Manufactured By Warner Bros. Records Inc. |
Side 1
Side 2
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First Time Out | James Montgomery Band | 1973 Vinyl LP & 1998 October 20 Digitally Remastered Audio CD | Capricorn Records |
CD TRACKS
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References
edit- ^ Dean Johnson. "James Montgomery". Music Museum of New England, Inc. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
- ^ Chris Bergeron. "James Montgomery to play show at Amazing Things". Wickedlocal.com. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ "Jeff "Skunk" Baxter-This Week's Podcast". Lefsetz.com. May 5, 2022.
- ^ Pamela Marean. "Blues master: Montgomery anchors Middleboro festival Sunday". Southcoasttoday.com. Retrieved September 6, 2007.
- ^ "First Time Out LP : James Montgomery Band". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ "First Time Out : Remastered : James Montgomery Band". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ Jim, Taricani (November 2008). "James Montgomery Brings It on Home". Rhode Island Monthly. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
External links
edit- Official website
- Profile at MySpace
- Profile at ReverbNation
- James Montgomery Discography at The Reel Blues Fest
- James Montgomery at AllMusic