James Montgomery

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. He is also the past President of The New England Blues Society.

Personal life James 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 While attending Boston University, where he earned a degree in English literature, Montgomery started the James Montgomery Band. His freshman roommate was Jeff Baxter. 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. 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.

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). The original LP recordings were remastered and released as an Audio CD in October 20, 1998, by Capricorn / Umgd. Track 9 off his first album titled "Train" was a fan favorite and became the number one song on WBCN (FM). They played it every day at noon-time for over a year. In 2011, Montgomery used "Train" as part of his encore at shows.

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, Rob Kogut, 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".

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) During 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, George McCann and David Hull.

Discography List of albums, with tracks, and select notes Title Group / Performer Release Record label Tracks with Montgomery Notes From Detroit to the DeltaJames Montgomery Band2013 February 19 Audio CDVizztone / Universal Records Intoxicated Same Thing Little Johnny (featuring Johnny Winter) Motor City Is Burning I Don't Want To Have A Heart Delta Storm Who Do You Love? (featuring DMC) Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Hit The Road Jack River's Edge Changing of the Guard Black Cadillac (featuring James Cotton) James Montgomery ~ Lead Vocals, Harmonica Brad Whitford ~ Guitarist for Aerosmith Joey Kramer ~ Drummer for Aerosmith Johnny Winter ~ Slide Guitar James Cotton ~ Harmonica David Hull ~ Bass, Backup Vocals, producer George McCann ~ Guitar, Backup Vocals Seth Pappas ~ Drums, Percussion, Backup Vocals Darryl "DMC" McDaniels ~ Rapper for the band "Run DMC" The Uptown Horns ~ famous 4-man horn section from Manhattan, New York In Style James Montgomery Band 2010 April 1 AlbumOn the K-Tel Record Label Hang On To Love Teasin' You Steppin' (Out In Style) James Montgomery ~ Lead Vocals, Harmonica Misspent Youth Bruce Marshall Group 2010 Audio CD ATM Records3. 3 Chords and the Truth Bruce Marshall ~ Lead Vocals, Electric, Acoustic and Dobro Guitars James Montgomery ~ Harmonica Ed Grenga ~ Hammond Organ, Piano Dave Cournoyer ~ Guitars, Bass, Production John Donahoe ~ Fiddle, Saxophone Jeff Majeau ~ Bass Neil Taylor ~ Bass Steve Wolpe ~ Drums Pete Premo ~ Drums Sally Marshall ~ Backup Vocals Britt Sawdon ~ Vocals Bring It On Home James Montgomery Blues Band 2001 July 31 Audio CDConqueroot Records Sweet Sixteen The Sleeper Dimples Back on My Knees Again Lovin' Cup Bring It On Home Mona Ramblin' Man Junior's Jump Wedding Ring Sinkin' Blues James Montgomery ~ Lead Vocals, Harmonica James Cotton ~ Harmonica Marc Copely ~ Guitar Tom West ~ Keyboards Marty Richards ~ Drums, Percussion Live at the Capitol TheaterJames Montgomery and Bruce Marshall Duo2000 Audio CD ~ Opening for BB KingATM Records James Montgomery ~ Lead Vocals, Harmonica Bruce Marshall ~ Lead Vocals, Electric, Acoustic and Dubro Guitars Double WideUncle Kracker2000 June 13 Audio CDLava Records2. Better DaysUncle Kracker's 1st CD, earned a Gold Record, went Platinum (August 2001) and later Double-Platinum. Uncle Kracker ~ Rap Vocals Kid Rock ~ Guitar, Programming, Turntables, Background Vocals James Montgomery ~ Harmonica Kenny Olson ~ Guitar Jason Krause ~ Guitar Lynn Owsely ~ Pedal Steel Guitar Jimmie Bones ~ Keyboards, Background Vocals Michael Bradford ~ Bass, Programming, Background Vocals Stefanie Eulinberg ~ Drums The Oven Is OnJames Montgomery Band1991 Audio CDTone-Cool Records, Newton, MA – CD 1145 Back From The Dead The Oven Is On Mystery Little Black Dress Danger Zone Nobody Could Love You Down in Florida Rock & Roll VJ Miss You Yonders Wall Dance Smokey's Barbecue James Montgomery ~ Vocals, Harmonica Steve Barbuto ~ Drums, Background Vocals Lenny Bradford ~ Bass, Background Vocals Paul Murphy ~ Guitars Special guests: Crispin Cloe ~ Sax (7,8) Ron Levy ~ Pinao, organ (1,3,4,5,6,7,11) Sherryl Marshall ~ Background Vocals (3,6,7,12) Buck Taylor ~ Background Vocals (3,6,7,12) Bird Taylor ~ Background Vocals (3,6,7,12) Heavy metal horns: Garret Savluk ~ Trumpet (1,4,7,9,11) John Ferry ~ Trombone (1,4,7,9,11) John Vanderpool ~ Tenor Sax (1,4,7,9,11) Henley Douglas, JR. ~ Baritone Sax (1,4,7,9,11) Credits: Produced by Ron Levy for Levtron Productions Executive Producer / Engineer Richard Rosenblatt Art Direction: Boo Topeka Digitally Mastered by Dr. Toby Mountain Northeastern Digital Recording, Southborough, MA Live TraxJames Montgomery1983 Vinyl LPMSI Records (Canadian)Side 1 Schoolin' The Dice Tuff Urban Cats Pain New England Sunshine Side 2 (I'M Counting on The) Rock & Roll Marlelous Marvin You Got to Love Me Train Duck FeverJames Montgomery1978 Vinyl LP (US Release)Waterhouse RecordsSide 1 Working on a Love Affair Who'll Be The Next in Line? For Your Love Crazy About My Baby Side 2 Heaven Help Me New England Sunshine Not Your Clown Fire on the Bayou Living for the WeekendJames Montgomery with members of the David Letterman Band: James Montgomery ~ Lead Vocals, Harmonica, Backing Vocals Hugh McCracken – Jeff Mironou – John Cavari – Richie Zito – Steve Satter ~ Guitar Jeff Levine – Paul Griffen ~ Keyboards Bill Lee ~ Bob Babbit – Francisco Centino ~ Bass Chris Parker – Luther Rix – Rich Dishman – Richard Crooks ~ Drums Rubens Bassini ~ Percussion Barbara Holliday – Diva Gray – Gordon Grody – Josh Shaw – Rudy Gray – Tony Rodriguez ~ Backing Vocals Don Oriolo ~ Producer, Guitar, Backing Vocals Ed Stasium ~ Engineer, Backing Vocals Milt Levy ~ Executive Producer Jeff Levine (Track A4), Paul Griffin (A1, A2, A3, B1 to B5) ~ Arrangements John McIntosh ~ Artwork Cover Illustrations Becca Martinson ~ Cover Layout Design Jeff Albertson ~ Photography Fire on the BayouJames Montgomery1978 Vinyl 45 rpm RecordWaterhouse Records (15001) Side A ~ Fire on the Bayou Side B ~ New England Sunshine James Montgomery BandJames Montgomery Band1976 Vinyl LPIsland RecordsSide A City Music Foot Floppin' Don't You Just Know It Hotcha Mama Side B Stoop Down Steppin' (Out in Style) Hang on To Love Teasin' You James Montgomery ~ Harmonica, Vocals Billy Mather ~ Bass Chuck Purro ~ Drums, Percussion, Vocals Peter Bell ~ Guitar David Woodford ~ Saxophone David Case ~ Keyboards Paul Lenart ~ Lead Guitar Allen Toussaint, Marshall Sehorn ~ Producer The Gooba Gooba SongJames Montgomery Band1976 Original 12" MixIsland Records (IS1003) Side A ~ The Gooba Gooba Song Side B ~ Foot FloppinProducer: Allen Toussaint I Can't Stop (No, No, No)James Montgomery Band1976 Vinyl 45 rpm RecordCapricorn Records (CPS 0217) I Can't Stop (No, No, No) Schoolin' Them Dice Baby I Love YouBarbara Holliday with James Montgomery & Radio King and His Court of Rhythm1975 Vinyl 45 rpm RecordJelly Records (JR 002) Side A ~ Baby I Love You Side B ~ Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do (with James Montgomery) Brickyard Blues & As love Is The ThingJames Montgomery Band1974 Vinyl 45 RPM RecordCapricorn Records (CPS 0204) Side A ~ Brickyard Blues Side B ~ As 'love Is The Thing' Brickyard Blues The James Montgomery Band 1974 Vinyl 45 RPM Promo RecordCapricorn Records, Inc. Manufactured by Warner Bros. Records, Inc. (MONO CPS 0204) (SNY0931) Side A ~ Brickyard Blues (Mono) Side B ~ Brickyard Blues (Stereo) James Montgomery ~ Lead Vocals, Harmonica Allen Toussaint ~ Composer Tom Dowd ~ Producer for Capricorn Records Inc. by special arrangement with Phil Walden & Assoc., Inc. NOTE: There is a misspelling of artist's last name on both of the record's labels. ("Montomery" instead of the correct "Montgomery"). High RollerJames Montgomery Band1974 Vinyl LPCapricorn Records, Manufactured By Warner Bros. Records Inc.Side 1 Shot Down Love Hobo Love Is A Thing Schoolin' Them Dice I Can't Stop (No, No, No) Side 2 Any Number Can Play Try It Brickyard Blues Sing You A Love Song Ten Page Letter James Montgomery ~ Harmonica, Vocals Peter Bell ~ Guitar, Vocals David Case ~ Piano, Clavinet, Organ, Vocals Peter Malick ~ Lead Guitar, Steel Guitar, Vocals Billy Mather ~ Bass, Vocals Chuck Purro ~ Drums, Percussion, Vocals Albhy Galuten, Tom Dowd ~ Producer First Time OutJames Montgomery Band1973 Vinyl LP & 1998 October 20 Digitally Remastered Audio CDCapricorn RecordsCD TRACKS Don't Do That I'm Funky But I'm Clean Ready Teddy If You Want Me Drive Myself Crazy Going Down Son of Jump Everybody Knows the Answer Train James Montgomery ~ Lead Vocals, Harmonica Peter Malick ~ Electric & Steel Guitars, Vocals Peter Bell ~ Guitar, Vocals David Case ~ Piano, Clavinet, Organ, Keyboards, Vocals Billy Mather ~ Bass, Vocals Chuck Purro ~ Drums, Percussion, Vocals Larry Washington ~ Congas, Bongos Carl Paruolo, Jay Mark, Dirk Devlin, Don Murray ~ Engineers Bruce Steinberg ~ Photographer Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios A & B, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from July–August 1973. Digitally Remastered by Suha Gur (PolyGram Studios).