John Michael Montgomery has sold over 10 million albums sold and had 15 # 1 radio hits. He has produced more than thirty singles on the Billboard country charts, including two of Billboard’s Number One country singles of the year: “I Swear" (1994) and “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)” (1995). One of country music's true giants of the late 90’s and the early part of this decade, Montgomery releases his very first independent label album this month called Time Flies.The five years between Time Flies and his last, Letters From Home, have been very eventful for this singer. After an off-key performance of the National Anthem at a televised NASCAR event in March, 2005, Montgomery confirmed on his website that he had a condition known as acoustic neuroma which is a non-cancerous growth that interferes with a nerve running between the brain and the ear. This condition can affect balance and hearing and can certainly make singing or any kind of public performing quite difficult for the patient. Later that year, he would have hip replacement surgery. In February of 2006, Montgomery had a incident with the police. In May of 2008, Montgomery announced he was in rehab for a disclosed substance abuse problem. Although not released at the time, he sought rehab at a drug treatment facility in Hazard, KY. He canceled all shows and public appearances for the 30 days following the date of entering. He stated he would "be disappearing for a while and will come out stronger after beating the demons that stripped me of my energy of life and good health. I will fight however long it takes and come out stronger". The addiction was cited to severe anxiety attacks and a sleep disorder.
It would seem that several years of scary physical ailments could permanently derail a career. And although, it may have cost John Michael Montgomery a record deal on a major label and a few years on country radio, it hasn’t affected his ability to put out a very quality album. He has an uncanny ability to relate to fans in one of country music's most storied careers. Since the days when 'Life's A Dance' turned him from an unknown quantity 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 hear- specifically when crooning one of his ballads- than this handsome Kentucky-born artist.
Every album he has put out is consistent and Time Flies is no exception. Each album also has a couple of sure-fire hits, and although he misfired earlier in the year with one of this album’s weaker songs, “Mad Cowboy Disease”, this album does have a few gems that belong in your collection.
The release at radio currently is “Forever,” a great piano driven power ballad that utilizes Montgomery’s talents best- a deep powerful voice that draws the listener in. It riles up into a tornado of orchestrated multi-arrangement bridge, making it one of the most radio-friendly hits. If JMM has an opportunity for another chart hit, it’s with this particular single.
It's closely followed by "All In A Day,” a wonderful spoken intro with vibrant lyrics and similar vocals. These two songs remind us of the quality of stars that are voted “past their prime” by mainstream country that still have so much to delivery to the industry. JMM plays on his “over the hill” status in the industry with the humorous "With My Shirt On". This is fun old-style country music - old style whining pedal-steels, fiddles weaving in and out of the melody a steady backbeat. It’s just what we would expect from Montgomery, and he doesn’t disappoint with the delivery.
The album vote: very good, close to great. If you’re a fan, run out and purchase it- it becomes available October 14th.
No comments:
Post a Comment