Holly Montgomery
Holly Montgomery is an American bass player and singer/songwriter based in DC and Los Angeles. She has released five solo albums and is currently signed to Los Angeles record label Blue Élan Records with the Mustangs Of The West. She was also the bass player for acclaimed Los Angeles power trio "Big Planet", and was the bass player for many artists on the west coast.
In 1991, Montgomery began playing bass for Bill White Acre and Big Planet, along with drummer Suzanne Morissette (who later joined Mustangs Of The West). After receiving many awards and accolades and recording their debut album with Jim Cregan (Rod Stewart, Farm Dogs), she then in 1993 joined a duo with folk legend Dan Bern, whom she credits with inspiring her to focus solely on her own songwriting.
In 1993, Montgomery began playing with the modern all-female country band "The Mustangs", and they were regulars at the world famous Palomino Club in the San Fernando Valley. The quartet, which included Suzanna Spring, Sherry Rayn Barnett and Kathi Taylor, recorded an EP with the celebrated producer Harry Maslin (David Bowie, Air Supply).
In 1995, Montgomery joined guitarist Allen Moreno and drummer James Robinson to create her power trio HOLLY, and recorded two albums (Food Chain, I'm Only Human) and an EP (Live At Royaltone). The band was a mainstay at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip, as well as having played regularly at the Troubadour and the Whisky.
In 2001, Montgomery decided to take time off from the music business, moved to the DC area and adopted three older/teenage children from Kazakhstan.
In 2008, Montgomery reformed her career on the east coast, and recorded her first DC-based 14-song album "Uncanny Valley" in 2011. Drumming legend Aynsley Dunbar (Mothers of Invention, Journey, Whitesnake, John Mayall) and Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Randall Hall played on three tracks of this album. DC drummer-icon Andy Hamburger played the remainder of the album, as did DC-area guitarist Paul Bell (The Nighthawks). The album was recorded at Cue Studios in Falls Church, VA, and engineered by Ken Schubert.
In 2014, Montgomery began recording her next album, "Leaving Eden", during which she formed the Holly Montgomery Band with DC/Nashville guitarist Buddy Speir and DC drummer-icon Andy Hamburger. The album and/or songs from it won several awards, including Best Rock Album Of The Year from One World Music in the UK, and was on the first round ballot of the Grammies.
In 2015, Montgomery produced the children's album "Metro Train" with Mr. Gabe and the Circle-Time All-stars, which included Gabe Hutter and fiddlist Chelle Fulk, as well as studio musicians Andy Hamburger and Paul Bell. The album won a Parents' Choice Award for its excellence.
Montgomery plays 300+ shows per year in the mid-Atlantic area with her band, as a solo performer and also a sideman and studio musician - in addition to west coast dates with Mustangs Of The West. During the pandemic of 2020, Montgomery formed the female vocal trio "The Honey Larks" with well-known DC area singers Carly Harvey and Jenny Langer. The band features intricate vocal arrangements of roots, blues and rock music.
In 2017, the Mustangs reformed as "Mustangs Of The West" and were signed to Blue Élan Records out of Los Angeles. Along with Montgomery, the reformed band consists of original members Suzanna Spring and Sherry Rayn Barnett, but added fiddler Aubrey Richmond (Shooter Jennings) and drummer Suzanne Morissette, who had played with Montgomery in Big Planet. They recorded an album called "TIME" with legendary producer Mark Howard (Neil Young, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris). The Americana-leaning album was released in March 2020, just as the covid pandemic began. This project also marks the origin of Montgomery’s relationship with Blue Élan founder, Kirk Pasich. In 2021 Pasich signed Montgomery to KZZ Music, a music production company that he co-founded alongside producers Zachary Ross and Zackary Darling. Her sixth solo album, "Sorry For Nothing" is due to be released in 2022 under the KZZ Music Label.
References
- ↑ "Singer, songwriter, Holly Montgomery has recently released her newest album entitled, “Leaving Eden”, a 9 track, animated, lyrical wonder." HUFFINGTON POST http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/interview-holly-montgomery_us_57b38919e4b014a587fba4a4
- ↑ "Montgomery's voice is like a dose of heaven as it intertwines with swirling guitars that drive the album home. One of the most impressive records of the year, Holly Montgomery pens songs for the masses, no matter what genre you fancy." NO DEPRESSION MAGAZINE http://nodepression.com/album-review/holly-montgomery-shares-leaving-eden
- ↑ “You want to join the party?” Yeah? Well that’s the opening question asked by Holly Montgomery on her new released “Leaving Eden”, and if you’re looking for some rock with meat on the bones, then you might want to take a listen. Holly Montgomery is a very good songwriter. Nice production from Rich Isaac, where each tune is effective, with lots of depth and fullness.” - ONSTAGE MAGAZINE http://www.onstagemagazine.com/holly-montgomery-leaving-eden-reviewed/
- ↑ "It is brilliantly done and her voice in a singing whisper is hypnotic. Pretty impressive experience this talented woman has below her belt. Having blown me away with her new album Leading Eden I expect to see lots more great things from this woman in the future. You have to take the time to browse her album and fall in love with her as well." - MUMFECTION MUSIC BLOG http://mumfection.com/leaving-eden-review
- ↑ "Montgomery's vocals are a real high point. Her voice has a deep, gritty tone that pours through the listener's headphones and/or speakers like sonic honey. It's apparent that Montgomery and the rest of her band have a keen ear for beautiful melodies, and that cohesion is audible across the board, as each element and instrument comes together to craft truly beautiful music." - US BLASTING NEWS http://us.blastingnews.com/news/2016/08/album-review-holly-montgomery-leaving-eden-001067249.html
- ↑ "There are so few lead singers who play the bass anymore that its even more refreshing coming from a solo artist. On Holly Montgomery‘s Leaving Eden she mixes her Linda Perry-style vocals with amazing bass-lines on an album that crafts amazing classic rock-influenced tunes..." THE SCENE MAGAZINE http://thescenemagazine.ca/holly-montgomery-leaving-eden-album-review/
- ↑ "...Listening to this album it becomes clear that Holly likes lyrics with substance and overall her performance is very authentic, pure and honest. This is someone who lives and breathes her music...." YOUR MUSIC BLOG, NETHERLANDS https://yourmusicblog.nl/holly-montgomery-leaving-eden-2016/
- ↑ "Washington, DC-based, freelance musician and award-winning songwriter, Holly Montgomery, gets down to business, sharing her knowledge and experience, on the ups and downs, and how to’s, in achieving continual success, as a full-time, freelance artist." GUITAR GIRL MAGAZINE https://guitargirlmag.com/interviews/holly-montgomery-dc-based-freelance-musician-talks-gigging-teaching-guitars/
- ↑ “Holly Montgomery may be Leaving Eden, but her music takes listeners to paradise. Holly has a talent that is rare among musicians today. She has an amazing voice, her musical talent is abundant and she's a great singer-songwriter who crosses the genres” EAST COAST ROCKER http://www.EASTCOASTROCKER.COM/2016/08/28//holly-montgomery-leaving-eden/
- ↑ "We are quickly grabbed by Montgomery's low voice and her rockin' abilities. Holly Montgomery is a strong songwriter, singer, and can rock as much as sway”. SHORT AND SWEET NYC http://www.shortandsweetnyc.com/2016/08/holly-montgomery-leaving-eden/
- ↑ "On LEAVING EDEN, we dig deep inside Montgomery's musical mindset. Her blissful music offers stories within every song, as her music takes you away on a journey. The album is short but sweet, and leaves a lasting impression". PASTE MAGAZINE https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/10/holly-montgomery-is-a-powerful-force-with-leaving-eden.html
- ↑ "I love a strong confident female artist who knows exactly how she wants to express herself. Holly Montgomery is one of those artists. Lyrically the album welcomes you to sing along. You’ll know all the songs by the time you reach the last one and then you’ll go back and play it again." NASHVILLE MUSIC GUIDE http://www.nashvillemusicguide.com/holly-montgomery-with-leaving-eden/
- ↑ "The new album Leaving Eden by Holly Montgomery hits the roots of rock with a lot of spirit and cool guitar playing. The album has a nice touch of folk music as well and should do just fine with lovers of the genre. Her songs tend to come from the heart". AXS.COM http://www.axs.com/new-album-leaving-eden-by-holly-montgomery-hits-the-roots-of-rock-105801
External links
http://www.hollymontgomerymusic.com http://www.kzzmusic.com http://www.mustangsofthewest.com http://blueelan.com/ http://www.thehoneylarks.com
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