Philadelphia Inquirer Reviews Dan's Latest Release:
"Montgomery keeps it real - there are not a lot of happy endings here - but he makes the journey a richly rewarding one. Once again, everything is framed in superbly crafted arrangements that dip into country, folk, even gospel ("Working on a Building" plays off the standard of that title), and flat-out rock ("Wheels of Soul"). And, like Montgomery's often hangdog vocals, they're suffused with a deep soulfulness."
Dan's Biography
Musician, Singer & Songwriter DAN MONTGOMERY
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Connecting The Dots
Dan Montgomery was born in Philadelphia, grew up in South Jersey and now lives in Memphis, Tennessee. That's the short version. Let's connect the dots.
Learning to play his brother's guitar on the sly, Dan played in a bunch of teen garage bands including Samuel Jay (Bad Company a specialty) and the 10 piece R&B based Below Average White Band(They played Heatwave three times each set, not that anyone asked them to) around Pennsauken, NJ. In his late teens Dan began playing at Camden, NJ's semi-legendary club The Perimeter. It was a great place to play. People sat quietly and listened says Montgomery "It gave me a totally false sense of what to expect elsewhere".
A few years later Dan spent time as soundman and road manager for The Ben Vaughn Combo. It was an amazing adventure touring the country for five years, learning how it all worked (and sometimes how it didn't work), how to structure shows yet still be able to be spontaneous in the moment, how to live on $5/day and still really enjoy it! Dan also fronted several bands in Philly, most notably the Flamin' Groovies/MC5 inspired Drugs Before Breakfast and Pub Rockers Del Pez. The latter band released a single on the King of Rock label entitled Hope I Had a Good Time.
Personal and musical unrest led to an ill-fated move to the California desert. The isolation brought him back to his Perimeter roots style and a solo career was born. The huge upshot of this move was a visit to Memphis along the way out west where Dan met his now bride. Cali tanked and going back to Jersey was a backwards step, so I came to Memphis for a summer and have been here several years now. I've planted my seeds here and I cant imagine living anywhere else now.
In 2003 Dan released his first solo album entitled Man From Out of State. An acoustic based travelogue that looks back at ten years, Three Thousand Miles and Almost as many sleepless nights. Reviews were excellent especially in Europe and Dan hit the road often with accordionist Gus Cordovox and bassist Neal Arot (the core players on the record). Dan followed the album up with the highly ambitious concept album Rosetta, please(a love story). Rosetta was the story of a guy Dan met many years ago in a N.J. bar who was an ex con and his girlfriend (Rosetta) a prostitute. The album was a bigger hit and even made several year end Best Of lists(including The Philadelphia Inquirer and North Carolinas Independent). The key song Favorite Color even went to number two on radio in Corpus Christi, TX. Americana bible No Depression called it An Astonishing Album! Much touring with the band on the record (The Professional Baddasses) followed.
Now Dan gets ready to release his latest and greatest work yet; You'll Never Be A Bird. A twelve song piece of what Dan calls Omni folk. A sprawling record that runs the gamut from lilting ballads to outright heavy rockers, Bird features the amazing musicianship of Robert Mache(Steve Wynn, Continental Drifters, The Mumps) on guitar and mandolin among others. I've worked long and hard on this album says Montgomery, Going so far as to scrap two previous attempts because they just weren't up to par. But now we've got it and I can't wait for other people to hear it!
Certainly much touring will follow it's release. From smokey corner bars to intimate listening rooms, house concerts to concert halls, solo or with his full band, Dan Montgomery proves night after night that he's a compelling and entertaining performer. It's all about making a connection says Dan, and you have to prove yourself every night.
Thuursday February 23
8pm
8pm
Otherlands
Memphis, TN
Julie Christensen( CA -Leonard Cohen, Steve Wynn), Michael Weston King( UK - Good Sons), Amelia White(Nashville) and Robert & Candace Mache
Friday February 24
1am
1am
Folk Alliance Conference
Access Music Orange Room
Memphis, TN
Dan w/ Robert Mache
Sunday February 26
7pm
7pm
MOONLIGHT ON THE MOUNTAIN
Birmingham, AL
Dan & Robert Mache opening for Michael Weston King
Friday March 16th
8pm
8pm
Otherlands
Memphis, TN
Full Band Show
Saturday April 6th
Kudzu's
Memphis, TN
Full Band Show
Saturday April 7th
6-10pm
6-10pm
Taylor Grocery
Taylor, MS
Dan solo
Saturday May 5th
6-10pm
6-10pm
Taylor Grocery
Taylor, MS
Dan solo
Wednesday June 6th
7pm
7pm
The Theater
Roanoke, VA
Dan w/ Robert Mache
Friday June 8th
8pm
8pm
Fergie's
Philadelphia, PA
Dan, Robert Mache and Full Band TWO SETS !!
Sarutday June 9th
8pm
8pm
Local 269
New York, NY
Dan, Robert Mache and Full Band with Heap !!
Sunday June 10th
7pm
7pm
Sleepy Hollow Folk Club
Falls Church, VA
Dan w/ Robert Mache
