Anna Montgomery

Anna was born to a psychedelic rock cult classic turned bluesman and an opera-singing mother. Rock and roll broke up her family and landed her in Amish country somewhere between Detriot’s Motown and Chicago’s blues. Both parents played organ and composed so her destiny was laid out early on as her father taught her rhythm and chord progressions and her mother trained her formally as a vocalist- both classical and jazz. After receiving a formal education in music and psychology, Anna rejected the designed security of her degree and fled for Los Angeles to apprentice under her father’s musical compadres, former Beach Boy David Marks, doo-wop one hit wonder Buzz Clifford, and seasoned producer Daniel Moore – a platinum songwriter (Shambala and My Maria) and veteran Mad Dog and Englishman. Her debut album (released on Moore’s label), Lyin In the Face of Love, was a collaboration with Clifford and featured her natural instincts for roots rhythm and blues- it also won her instant recognition by national critics, an LA Music Award, and the loyalty of local bookers and fans. Navigating her way through the industry only on instinct and the occasional publishing seminar, she sent her record to her then favorite contemporary artists, Shelby Lynne on a whim. Within 2 weeks she got a phone call from Lynn’s manager and an invitation to join Lynne in the studio where she was finishing her first independent release, “Identity Crisis”. Quick kindred spirits, Anna and Lynne toted off on a national tour with Anna as both band member and opening act. With plans for a Lynne produced Montgomery album, their relationship ended as quickly as it began and Anna returned to Los Angeles and started over. The unexpected death of her father spurred a cross-country drive to reach her godfather David Marks on the east coast and Anna arrived back in LA well grieved and with a new album in hand. This time a “collaboration” of sorts with her father postmortem, Triple Seven, features original recordings from his career and songs she had written reflecting their father daughter relationship. Anna then spent a stint fronting an original rock band, Raw Sugar, and released their self-titled record in 2008, which presents material written by the three lead members, Randy Wooten, Aaron Kaplan, and Montgomery. Her fourth album is underway and is kicked off with the single, Negative Child (B side, The Mad Waltz). She is excited about presenting her new material and getting back on the live scene with an act that lives up to the standards passed down to her by her journeyman musician parents- solid writing, pocket rhythm, and vocal mastery.
LA Music Award Winner, 2003, Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year
LA Women in Music Comet Award Recipient, 2008, Best Singer/Songwriter