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Last Edit 8/21/2008 1:56 PM
Inspiration John Michael says it's all about the story. As a guitarist and former sound man, he loves musical arrangements and great instrumental parts. But listeners don't necessarily remember a good solo; they do remember how a song's lyrics touched them.
"I think country music is all about the lyrics," John Michael says. "Doing something clever musically will make a good lyric better, no doubt about it. But no matter what you do to a bad lyric, it's not going to affect anyone no matter how good the music is. People respond to what a songs says, whether it's something that tugs at their heart or just makes them smile."
Record Label Stringtown Records
biography
John Michael Montgomery has turned an uncanny ability to relate to fans into one of country music's most storied careers. Since the days when "Life's A Dance" turned him into a national star, John Michael’s rich baritone has carried that most important of assets--believability. Few artists in any genre sing with more heart than this handsome Kentucky-born artist.
John's love songs have set the standard for a generation including “I Swear,” and “I Can Love You Like That”. “Letters From Home,” is a moving tribute to the connection between soldiers and their families. "The Little Girl” is a tale of redemption that plumbs both the harrowing and the uplifting. The pure fun of “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)” presents vocal earnestness that takes whimsy to another level.
John Michael takes a big step forward with the release of Time Flies (co-produced with Byron Gallimore) strengthening his position as one of the most versatile and compelling vocalists on the country scene. "Forever" and "If You Ever Went Away" prove he is still the master of the power ballad. His sense of humor is expressed on "With My Shirt On" and "Mad Cowboy Disease". "Drunkard's Prayer" and "All In A Day" explore two dramatic facets of human existence. "Brothers Till The End" celebrates the family background that led both him and his brother Eddie (of Montgomery Gentry) from a family band to the top of the charts.
The emotional centerpiece is "All In A Day," the song that gave the album its name. “That song talks about how time flies,” he says, “and I got to thinking that it seems like yesterday that 'Life's A Dance' was out and people were asking me, 'Where would you like to be in 10 or 15 years?' 'Still here!' was my answer. Longevity was very important to me. When I go after songs," he says, "it's almost like we're looking for each other."
"I always told myself that if I ever figured out what made the fans tick and what it was about me that they liked, I'd own the most successful record label in the world." The irony is that John Michael has founded his own label - Stringtown Records.
"I'll continue making records for myself," he says, "but I'd also love to find other artists to produce, hoping I can open some doors and make some dreams come true like mine did."
It is a vision whose origins lie in modest beginnings. He was born in Danville, Kentucky, to parents who imparted a lifelong love of music. "Where most people have chairs and sofas in their living rooms, we had amplifiers and drum kits." The family band played on weekends throughout the area. "To a certain extent," he says, "my dad always had a natural ability to draw fans and entertain people"
John Michael took over lead singing chores after his parents divorced, and he performed for a while in a band called Early Tymz with Eddie and their friend Troy Gentry. Nashville talent scouts saw John Michael perform and by the early '90s he had a record deal.
The hits followed steadily establishing him as one of the elite acts in Country. He received the CMA Horizon award and was named the ACM's Top New Vocalist, setting off a long series of awards that included the CMA's Single and Song of the Year, Billboard's Top Country Artist, and a Grammy nomination.
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