Carol Montag
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Carol Montag

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States | INDIE

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States | INDIE
Band Americana Singer/Songwriter

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Guthrie's Oldies Draw Full Houses in Ames"

"It would be a sin not to mention Carol Montag, who opened the show for Guthrie. She is an Iowa folksinger who has a voice that rivals Joan Baez's and a stage presence that leaves one wondering: Why is she still here? Montag's self-written songs told of performing in Cedar Rapids bars, her uncle's death and growing older. "Dances at 20, garage sales at 30." - The Des Moines Register


"The Gazette Quote"

"Carol has the voice of an angel. Timeless, transporting, lovely, and evocative. Lyrically wise and uplifting." - Rob Nassif


"Des Moines Register by Julie Gammack"

"Powerful. Beautiful. Harmonic. Soulful. Real. Upon hearing her music I was stunned and couldn't wait to write about her. Once I even rented a bus and took a bunch of Register reporters and editors on a trip across Iowa to hear Carol sing at Stone City. I'd match her voice and ability to engage an audience with any female vocalist anywhere, yet she's pretty much a one-woman operation whose talent is in creating music. Carol has a true gift and is a true Iowa treasure." - The Des Moines Register


"The Hawk Eye Review"

"A gifted songwriter with an angelic voice, yet down-to-earth delivery. She seems born to hold a guitar and beams when she plays one." - Monie Hayes


"The Earfood Entertainer"

"She sings from the heart about places in all our hearts with
a golden voice and overtones of serious musical accomplishments.
She charmed us, humbled us, and we all made a friend." - Clay Riness


"Tom Paxton Quote"

"Carol Montag's new release, Marigolds, is comparable to Beth Nielsen Chapman's Sand and Water in songwriting style, production
and performance. Excellent! Montag is a genuine discovery! The best to come out of Iowa since Bonnie Kolac." - Tom Paxton


"Singer of New Songs"

"...a singer of new songs written by her for her. Carol is not folk or blues or modern, she cannot be categorized, she must be heard." - Burlington Area Arts Council


Discography

Marigolds
White
Swallows Return in the Spring
Song for Carrie
Simple Gifts with Tribute
Silent Night with Tribute

Photos

Bio

Carol Montag first began singing and performing music at an early age in church. It was at this small church in Ames, Iowa that she grew to love the old traditional hymns. She studied piano and flute while in school and learned to play the guitar by ear while listening to such folk music masters as Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and Carole King. She graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelors degree in graphic design, but never left behind her love of music.

After college, Carol worked for several years as a graphic designer for Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, IA. She eventually left this position to devote time to music. Carol soon began performing at coffeehouses, colleges, churches, and music festivals throughout the Midwest and Canada. Carol accompanies herself on guitar and piano and has recorded five albums; four solo albums (one commissioned by Ballet Iowa) and two Christmas albums with the trio known as Tribute.
Concerts include gospel, original compositions, traditional and contemporary folk, and classic songs from the American Songbook.

ARLO GUTHRIE
When Arlo Guthrie asks you to open for him for two additional shows, you find the time. This is exactly what happened to Carol Montag upon opening for Arlo at the Maintenance Shop at Iowa State University. He was taken by her crystal clear voice, stage presence, and ability to engage the audience while making each performance unique. So taken that he invited her to open for his remaining shows. She didn't think twice. The next day's Tribune review raved about Arlo's and Carol's performances: "...It would be a sin not to mention Carol Montag, who opened the show. She is an Iowa folksinger who has a voice that rivals Joan Baez and leaves one wondering: 'What is she doing here?'"

What is she doing here? Read on...

TOM PAXTON
Upon seeing Carol perform at the Grant Wood Festival in Stone City, Tom Paxton declared, "Carol Montag is a genuine discovery! The best to come out of Iowa since Bonnie Koloc!" Upon hearing her latest release he wrote: "Montag's 'Marigolds' is comparable to Beth Nielsen Chapman's 'Sand and Water' in songwriting style, performance, and production. Excellent!"

BALLET IOWA
Kennet Oberly, former artistic director of Ballet Iowa, recognized Carol’s songwriting talent and commissioned her to compose music for his ballet titled ‘Swallows Return in the Spring”. The commissioned work, which depicts the human tragedy of the farm crisis, was well received by critics. Montag performed live with the company on Iowa Public Television and while on a Midwestern tour.

WORLD FOOD PRIZE
Carol recently appeared in the Washington, DC area to perform at a gathering of former Iowans who now call Washington home. At this event, known as Iowa Day, Carol was approached by the president of The World Food Prize (and former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia), Ken Quinn, who invited her to perform at the 2010 World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol. The ceremony was broadcast live by Iowa Public Television. Past performers at The World Food Prize Award Ceremony include such notables as
Ray Charles, John Denver, and Simon Estes.

QUOTES
“Upon hearing her music I was stunned and couldn’t wait to write about her. Once I even rented a bus and took a bunch of Register reporters and editors on a trip across Iowa to hear Carol sing at Stone City. Carol has a true gift and is a true Iowa treasure. Her music is powerful, beautiful, harmonic, soulful, and real.” Julie Gammack - The Des Moines Register
“Carol has the voice of an angel. Timeless, transporting, lovely, and evocative. Lyrically wise and uplfting.” Rob Nassif - Theatrical composer
“Carol sings from the heart about places in all our hearts with a golden voice and overtones of servious musical accomplishments. She charmed us, humbled us, and we all made a friend.” -The Earfood Entertainer
“A singer of new songs written by her for her. Carol is not folk or blues or modern, she cannot be categorized, she must be heard.” - Burlington Area Arts Council
“Carol has a touch of homespun about her, but she takes the stage like a pro.” - Chuck Mitchell
“Carol has the type of voice that fills one with wonder and awe...you could hear a pin drop!” - The Ogle County Life