The Kory Montgomery Band
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The Kory Montgomery Band

Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States | INDIE

Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States | INDIE
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""Kory Montgomery rock the house"

"Kory Montgomery Rocks the House"

---Kody Ford

A year ago, Kory Montgomery found himself sitting outside of Fred's Whorehouse. He and his band had broken down near the Arizona bordello on a hard-knocks tour back to Arkansas from Los Angeles. The sun was setting. They had a trailer full of equipment that might not make it through the night unmolested. And at the end of the line, B.B. King would be waiting.
He had to get out of town. Fast.

Jump ahead to 2009. Kory Montgomery walks into the coffee shop with an unassuming manner. He's wearing a black fleece with a gray hoodie beneath it. Denim jeans. Close cropped hair. He's polite and soft-spoken. The kind of guy you'd want your little sister to bring home. There's no leather pants, tattooed knuckles, or multiple piercings. It's obvious that he's not a rock star. He's a musician. And a damned good one.

The 21-year old native of Rogers, AR, has been honing his chops for eleven years. He played a blues jam at George's when he was only 13 at the urging of house drummer Wes Bolin. Since then, his journey has taken him across the country and allowed him to share the stage with the legends of blues and rock.

"As a kid I played guitar constantly in my free time," he said. "I played sports too but eventually, my coach said I had to choose. I think I made the right choice."

His father, Bob, exposed Kory to blues and classic rock at a young age. Once Kory began to play music, those genres naturally found their way into his compositions. Throughout high school he played alongside older musicians like Bolin and Mike Murray, all of whom Kory cites as major influences. He said, "I started off with people better than me, who pushed me. It helped me adapt to being a professional musician."

At age 16, Kory hit his big break. He played at an open jam hosted by Bob Margolin, Muddy Water's guitarist, during the International Blues Competition on Beale Street in Memphis. Margolin was so struck by Kory's ability's that he offered Kory the chance of a lifetime—opening for B.B. King at Club Ebony, the bar where the blues legend made his name. Kory put together a band and headed to Indianola, MS, for B.B.'s homecoming show. The club was a tiny juke joint packed beyond capacity nestled in the heart of the Delta. After Kory's gig, B.B.'s son took Kory to meet the man himself.
"It was such a personal setting," Kory said. "His family and band were there. It was very personal but B.B. took the time to talk to me. He told me, 'You can do anything you put your mind to.' I took that to heart."

For some musicians this would certainly be the highlight of their career, but Kory and B.B.'s paths would cross again. In the meantime, Kory met the likes of Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Robert "Junior" Lockwood (who advised him to "stay off the powder").

A few years later, Kory was accepted to the Grammy Foundation's Grammy Camp as a guitarist. He studied under the legendary Steve Vai, who wowed the class by playing over a musical track of a Frank Zappa tune that Vai hadn't even heard in six years, much less played, and landed every note. Vai taught him the importance of getting the most out of every note. Kory also met Ricky Minor, who has served as bandleader for Christina Aguilera, Aretha Franklin, and others. The next year, Kory returned as a singer/songwriter and shared the stage with funk greats Earth, Wind, and Fire, who had the young Arkansan sing the first verse to "Shining Star."

"I was really nervous because they just sprung it on me," Kory said. "But I belted out the first verse and really surprised them. It felt surreal because these guys introduced a new type of R & B to America but at they same time they’re just normal dudes."

Grammy Camp brought the first opportunity for Kory to be exposed to musicians his own age who also shared the same goals. He made lifelong friendships during those two camps. It also led to a major life decisions. He was going to move to Los Angeles.

The Musicians' Institute is located in Hollywood and offers aspiring performers the opportunity to work with some of the best in the business. Kory entered the guitar school and quickly found himself a little fish in a big pond.

"I was very humbled when I first got there. I spent 10 hours a day in guitar class. Here I was this young hot shot from Fayetteville, who showed up and the teachers had no mercy. So I just shut up and played guitar. I needed to get the knowledge to understand my playing," he said.

At the M.I., Kory studied under Jake Eckert (Dirty Dozen Brass Band), Staurt Ziff (War) and Ross Bolton (Al Jarreau). One of his greatest challenges came from jazz guitarist Scott Henderson, a faculty member so ruthless he kept McDonald's applications to give to any musician who gave a sub-par performance. He also taught Kory to step outside the box.

"Scott Henderson was the deciding factor for me to attend the institute," Kory said. "At first, me and a friend wou - Nightflying Magazine


"The Kory Montgomery Band"

I’m sitting here at George’s watching Kory Montgomery tear up the stage. It’s a blues concert, of course, but that doesn’t change the fact that Kory’s leading a virtual rock ‘n’ roll jam powerfully with the other players on that stage. Sure, the music is essentially blues-based (after all, rock was born of blues in general), but tonight the room is decidedly rocking out to places traditional blues players only can dream about.


Kory is obviously in his element. The players are all grinning and whooping it up, and on a couple occassions actually have applauded him at the end of the song. You can tell when sidemen are into it, especially when you see them singing along during the tunes, even though they aren’t vocalists whatsoever.


At 22 years old, Kory is what we used to call a “prodigy”…that young person with such an inborn understanding and natural feel for the music that any “lessons” would be a sheer waste of time…and would only serve to confuse and hold them back.


He’s a stellar guitarist and vocalist, and, much like Earl Cate and Steve Pryor, there doesn’t seem to be any connection between his brain and his hands. It’s as if they have a mind of their own, actually, and do things that the mere mind doesn’t seem to have a clue about.


“Sometimes I play a riff and I actually wonder where it came from…but when I consciously try to do it I can’t do it again…”

Hailing from Rogers, Arkansas, Kory has been playing music seriously since he was around 13. When he was but 15 or so he got to open for BB King through a chance meeting with a representative at the International Blues Competition in Indianola, Mississippi. I was jamming with Bob Margolin and this guy taking pictures was watching and cheering us on.


“My dad and I are serious blues fans and always make a point to attend the IBC. One day one of the photographers at the convention heard me play and asked if I’d like to open for BB. I said, ‘yeah, sure’, figuring he was just dropping names and trying to impress me. A couple weeks later he called me up and told me he had me a slot to do just that. That was the first of three times I shared a stage with BB King, and frankly, after the first time I was so blown away about it I couldn’t think of much of anything else.”

Unlike many of us, Kory came up in a family that is nearly totally supportive of his musical aspirations.

“I think my parents could see my musical future before I could. My dad is a very fine blues vocalist, but never pursued it himself. In fact, when he dropped by the studio when we were cutting the cd I couldn’t even get him near the microphone. And that’s a shame, too, as he’s really a great singer. I thought it’d be really cool to have him on the record. The bottom line is that my family has made my music dreams their own, and has never been anything but super supportive across the board.”

Kory has just finished his first full-blown, professionally produced album, and is embarking on a record promotion tour.


The CD, aptly titled The Kory Montgomery Band, is being released on July 29 at Powerhouse Seafood in Fayetteville. The next night there’s a CD-release bash at Chelsea’s in Eureka Springs, and the following night, he headlines the Nightflying: 30 Years To Life anniversary bash at Neumeier’s Rib Room in Fort Smith.


The CD contains nine tunes, eight of which were penned by Kory and other writers, and including only one cover tune. His take on Willis Alan Ramsey’s “Satin Sheets” is excellent, and in my opinion, much better than the original. Indeed, if I was Willis Alan Ramsey, I’d be put out that this young upstart had upstaged me on my own song. (Actually, I suggested to Kory that he send Willis a copy of the CD…I think he’d be quite proud of this accomplishment…)

When he was a mere lad of 13 he sat in with Gary Hutchison, Bugs Henderson and Steve Pryor here at George’s and say’s

“I was awestruck. Here were 3 of the best guitarists in the world inviting me to play with them. I was nervous and couldn’t think straight, but we all just played and made music and it was exciting. Afterwards Gary called me aside to tell me how much he enjoyed my playing and said that I was welcome to join him any time I wanted onstage. I don’t think I slept a wink that night. I got bit by the bug, you know, and had never seen so-called adults act so much like animals. They were yelling and dancing and screaming and rocking the house. All I’ve ever wanted to do since then is pursue the music, and it’s a dream of mine to just keep doing it whenever and wherever I can.”

Kory started writing songs at age 15, his first being a tune called “Let’s Go” – which he still performs on a regular basis. That bug also bit him, and he says he’s since written around 100 songs – 30 of which he feels very strong about.


I asked him about songwriting and his influences and tendencies.


“Writing is a crazy thing…especially the way it always evolves with your life. I try - Peter Reid


""Sunshine" Sonny Payne"

" I first heard Kory Montgomery at the 2nd annual Ozark Blues Festival in Fayettville, Arkansas. Kory is 18 years old and to say he is great is an understatement, to say he will be in a short time, one of the music industry's future superstars is more like it. I have had Kory Montgomery's CD for only a couple of weeks and already have had many requests for his music. To put it simply, Kory Montgomery sounds like Kory Montgomery, not someone else. I like his style and so will you."
-Sunshine Sonny Payne
King Biscuit Time Host

- King Biscuit


"Live Review"

Kory Montgomery's low tough-sounding blues singing and smooth guitar playing are enough to make any audience sit up and listen, but the show takes on an added dimension when the listener discovers that the confident performance is coming from a 18-year-old.
-Benton County Daily Record

- Benton County Daily Record


"Review"

Kory plays with style and maturity well beyond his years. He has shown he knows how to present songs without overpowering the rhythm section, while other young guns may be attracted to max volume and overdriven soloing.
-Kate Wallis/ President, Ozark Blues Society - Kate Wallis


"Review"

" I just want to break his fingers " - Dave Johnson


Discography

2013 EP release
1) Clarity
2) Holdin' On
3) Smokin' Southern Time
4) Get What We Deserve

2011 Self Titled Release
1) Mr. Right Gone Wrong
2) No Use
3) Mendo
4) Livin in the Days
5) Not A Beggar
6) Papa's Never Satisfied
7) Fool For You
8) Other Man
9) Satin Sheets

2009 title "Born In The Rock House":
1) Other Man - Montgomery
2) No Use - Montgomery
3) Cold Chicken - Montgomery / Jones
4) Brother and Kind - Montgomery
5) Shorty (re-recorded) - Montgomery
6) Coffee - Montgomery / Jones

2008 title "Beggars and Choosers":
1)Shorty- Montgomery
2)Make Me Dance-Montgomery
3)Are You Ready?-Montgomery
4)Ain't My Will (re-recorded)- Montgomery
5)Chillin'-Montgomery

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Bio

Based out of Fayetteville, AR, the members of The Kory Montgomery Band have been spreading their name and reputation across the country now for 7 years, and still continue to gain new popularity with their solid grooves, intense solos, and demanding lyrics. Steeped in blues, funk, and soul, KMB has played numerous festivals and events throughout the world including the opportunities to open and/or perform for BB King, on multiple occasions, Earth Wind & Fire, Paul Schaffer, Buddy Guy, Joe Walsh, Kenny Wayne Shepard, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Robert Randolph, Hubert Sumlin, The North Mississippi All Stars, JJ Grey & Mofro, Slightly Stoopid, and many other international artists.

Kory Montgomery got an early start in the music business. Now at age 25, Kory has released multiple recordings including his first full length CD of his music, and the new EP GatorMoose. Kory released his first full length CD of his music in 2011 to rave reviews and extensive radio play across the world. After extensive touring over the next 2 years, The Kory Montgomery Band began writing the new release, Gatormoose. GatorMoose EP consists of world-class musicians that have collaborated with Kory to produce a sound that remains true to their generation, but honors the roots and sounds of the Deep South. The Kory Montgomery Band is currently in the middle of their 75+ show international release tour, traveling through 4 countries and across America.

With a skanky sound that can only be described as their own; it seems to be only a matter of time before national success unfolds.

For more information contact:

bookingkmb@gmail.com