Guitar virtuoso Monte Montgomery released Wishing Well in 2001. The album provides many opportunities for listeners to enjoy his great guitar playing, with strong vocals and solid songs.

Montgomery's bluesy-pop Mirror, his second release, includes Austin guests Abra Moore, Lloyd Maines and Steven Bruton. The CD includes a movie of part of his live performance on Austin City Limits and spotlights one of his amazing guitar solos.

Monte appeared on Austin City Limits in April and May of 1999, a career boost that may make him as well known nationally as he is in Austin. He won best acoustic guitarist at the 1998 and 1999 Austin Music Awards. San Antonio Magazine inducted him into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 1998.

The review of his act by Austin City Limits said, "Monte Montgomery blows people away. There is no other way to describe it... Like Michael Jordan defying the impossible with an air-filled leather ball on the hardwood, Montgomery makes his strings produce sounds that obliterate notions of what one human is capable of pulling-off on this simple instrument. Glance around the room wherever he plays and witness wall-to-wall looks of sheer slack-jawed astonishment."

1st and Repair, Montgomery's first album demonstrated his chops on blues, reggae, pop and soul-influenced numbers. His original songs, strong vocals and standout acoustic guitar work attracted attention from fans early on.

He began playing with his musician mother, Maggie Montgomery. She moved to Luckenbach when Monte was a teen, and he said, "That's where my musical training started. Just hanging out in Luckenbach with my mom and jammin' under the trees with different musicians she knew." From that beginning, he worked his way up through "opening act" exposure with Bob Dylan, Buddy Guy, Robert Earl Keen, Delbert McClinton, Kenny Loggins and Willie Nelson.

Although he's touring all around the country, he comes back to Austin regularly and can be caught in spots such as the Saxon Pub and Dessau Hall.

Monte's website is full of more detail about him and an appearance schedule. Look for his music on Amazon, and on CDBaby.