{{short description|Singer songwriter}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Tim Montana | image = Tim Montana.jpg | image_size = 230px | caption = Tim Montana | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1985|01|5}} | birth_place = Kalispell, Montana, U.S. | genre = {{Hlist|Country rock<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/tim-montana-mostly-stoned-video-charlie-sheen-905334/ |title=Tim Montana's 'Mostly Stoned' Video Is Weird AF |last=Hudak |first=Joseph |date=October 29, 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=2023-07-18 |quote=Charlie Sheen directed the clip, which finds the country-rocker being chauffeured in a ghost convertible}}</ref>|Southern rock<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/country-rocker-tim-montana-salutes-the-worker-in-american-thread-video-789354/ |title=Country-Rocker Tim Montana Salutes the Worker in 'American Thread' Video |last=Hudak |first=Joseph |date=February 3, 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2023-07-19|quote=Southern rock and country artist Tim Montana has released a new video for his single “American Thread.” }}</ref>}} | occupation = {{flatlist| * Musician * singer * songwriter * guitarist }} | instrument = {{flatlist| * Vocals * guitar }} | years_active = 2003–present | label = {{flatlist| * CD Baby * RED Distribution *Music Knox Records/BMG }} | associated_acts = {{flatlist| * ZZ Top * Kid Rock }} | website = {{URL|http://www.timmontana.com/}} }}
'''Tim Montana''' (born January 5, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist signed to Music Knox Records/BBR Music Group part of BMG Rights Management.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Music Knox Records/BBR Music Group Sign Tim Montana |url=https://www.bbrmusicgroup.com/music-knox-recordsbbr-music-group-signs-tim-montana/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=bbrmusicgroup.com}}</ref>
== Early life == Tim Montana was born on January 5, 1985, in Kalispell, Montana and raised in Butte, Montana.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/song-about-butte-gets-radio-play/article_66b8c947-84c9-5116-82f8-5c001c6d1745.html |title=Song about Butte gets radio play |first=Leslie |last=McCartney |work=The Billings Gazette |access-date=2017-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041601/http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/song-about-butte-gets-radio-play/article_66b8c947-84c9-5116-82f8-5c001c6d1745.html |archive-date=2017-12-01 |url-status=live}}</ref> Tim was given his first guitar at the age of six.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://mtstandard.com/news/local/on-stage-tonight-butte-native-performing-his-way-through-nashville/article_fca2296e-ea45-5c6a-94b1-2dc49a5c9c60.html |title=On stage tonight: Butte native performing his way through Nashville |author=Leslie McCartney |work=Montana Standard |access-date=2017-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033247/http://mtstandard.com/news/local/on-stage-tonight-butte-native-performing-his-way-through-nashville/article_fca2296e-ea45-5c6a-94b1-2dc49a5c9c60.html |archive-date=2017-12-01 |url-status=live}}</ref> Since his family's trailer had no electricity, Tim taught himself to play by candlelight.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://therustic.com/event/tim-montana-the-shrednecks/ |title=Tim Montana – The Rustic {{!}} Kitchen. Backyard. Bar. Live Music. {{!}} Dallas, TX|work=The Rustic {{!}} Kitchen. Backyard. Bar. Live Music. {{!}} Dallas, TX|access-date=2017-09-01}}</ref> He later performed in school talent shows. After graduating from Butte High School in 2003, he moved to Los Angeles to study music.<ref name=":0" />
== Musical career == It was while living in Los Angeles where Tim met guitarist and producer Johnny Hiland and with Hiland's encouragement moved to Nashville and began playing country and southern rock. His debut album, ''Iron Horse,'' was produced by Hiland (who also played guitar and sang backup) and released on the CD Baby label on August 21, 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7515470 |title=Tim Montana – Iron Horse CD Album |website=cduniverse.com |access-date=2017-09-01}}</ref>
Earlier that same year, late-night talk show host David Letterman met Montana prior to Montana's Independence Day concert in Choteau, Montana.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://mtstandard.com/news/local/butte-native-on-late-show-oct/article_7dc9d61f-e0df-56af-acfa-27a194416b92.html |title=Butte native on 'Late Show' Oct. 17 |date=September 25, 2008 |work=Montana Standard |access-date=2017-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035658/http://mtstandard.com/news/local/butte-native-on-late-show-oct/article_7dc9d61f-e0df-56af-acfa-27a194416b92.html |archive-date=2017-12-01 |url-status=live}}</ref> Months later, Letterman personally invited Montana to appear on ''The Late Show with David Letterman.'' Montana performed his song "Butte, America" on the October 17, 2008, program broadcast.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/butte-native-to-appear-on-letterman-today/article_69e49197-85a0-586e-a5fa-b9b174b9ac9d.html |title=Butte native to appear on Letterman today |date=2008-10-17 |work=Helena Independent Record |access-date=2017-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030428/http://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/butte-native-to-appear-on-letterman-today/article_69e49197-85a0-586e-a5fa-b9b174b9ac9d.html |archive-date=2017-12-01 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2013, Montana recruited guitarist Kyle Rife, drummer Brian Wolff, and bassist Bryce Paul to perform as Tim Montana and the Shrednecks. During a studio session on September 11, 2013, Montana was introduced to ZZ Top founder Billy Gibbons.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/premieres/hear-zz-tops-billy-gibbons-weed-anthem-with-nashville-protege-20150211 |title=Hear ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons' Weed Anthem With Tim Montana |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=2017-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227030816/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/premieres/hear-zz-tops-billy-gibbons-weed-anthem-with-nashville-protege-20150211 |archive-date=2018-02-27 |url-status=live}}</ref> Their meeting resulted in an impromptu songwriting collaboration, during which the two co-wrote and recorded the single "This Beard Came Here to Party." The Boston Red Sox (known at the time for beards they'd grown during the playoffs) adopted the song as their anthem during the lead-up to the 2013 World Series.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mtstandard.com/news/local/butte-native-reaches-new-heights-with-new-single-release-kid/article_766c9ce7-0714-5529-a5ad-5ab205726ed6.html |title=Butte Native Reaches New Heights with New Single Release |access-date=2017-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030005955/http://mtstandard.com/news/local/butte-native-reaches-new-heights-with-new-single-release-kid/article_766c9ce7-0714-5529-a5ad-5ab205726ed6.html |archive-date=2017-10-30 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Shrednecks and Gibbons recorded a custom version for the post-season (with lyrics referencing Red Sox highlights and Boston landmarks).<ref name="NESN.com">{{Cite news |date=October 24, 2013 |title=Tim Montana Remakes 'These Beards Came Here to Party' Featuring Lyrics About Boston, Red Sox Highlights (Video) |work=NESN.com |url=https://nesn.com/2013/10/tim-montana-remakes-these-beards-came-here-to-party-featuring-lyrics-about-boston-red-sox-highlights-video/ |url-status=live |access-date=2017-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020033845/https://nesn.com/2013/10/tim-montana-remakes-these-beards-came-here-to-party-featuring-lyrics-about-boston-red-sox-highlights-video/ |archive-date=2017-10-20}}</ref> Montana and the band later returned to sing The Star-Spangled Banner at Fenway Park at a May 28, 2013, ceremony honoring the winning 2004 World Series Red Sox team.<ref name="boston.cbslocal.com">{{Cite web |title=Tim Montana and the Shrednecks Sing National Anthem at Fenway Park, Then on Flight Home |url=http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/06/03/tim-montana-and-the-shrednecks-sing-national-anthem-at-fenway-park-then-on-flight-home/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020032828/http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/06/03/tim-montana-and-the-shrednecks-sing-national-anthem-at-fenway-park-then-on-flight-home/ |archive-date=2017-10-20 |access-date=2017-09-01}}</ref>
Montana and Gibbons would go on to share credits on three other songs: "Fifty Fifty," "Weed and Whiskey," and "Rust and Red." The last of these received its broadcast debut during the Fox News show The Five during an interview with Navy SEAL Team 6 member Robert J. O'Neill, subject of the Fox News documentary ''The Man Who Killed Osama bin Laden.''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.robertjoneill.com/2014-11-18_Rob-ONeill-Tim-Montana-Rust-And-Red.html |title=Rob O'Neill and Tim Montana on The Five |date=November 18, 2014 |access-date=2017-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521092946/http://www.robertjoneill.com/2014-11-18_Rob-ONeill-Tim-Montana-Rust-And-Red.html |archive-date=2017-05-21 |url-status=live}}</ref> O’Neill, a fellow native of Butte, had previously become acquainted with Montana through O’Neill's brother Tom, a radio DJ and early supporter of Montana's music.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://roughstock.com/news/2014/11/30727-tim-montana-shrednecks-sign-deal-red-music |title=Tim Montana and the Shrednecks Sign Deal With RED Music {{!}} RoughStock|work=RoughStock|access-date=2017-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030332/http://roughstock.com/news/2014/11/30727-tim-montana-shrednecks-sign-deal-red-music|archive-date=2017-12-01|url-status=live}}</ref> Robert J. O'Neill later featured prominently in the 2017 music video for Montana's single "Hillbilly Rich".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.outdoorhub.com/news/2017/09/20/must-see-music-video-country-artist-tim-montana-joined-robert-oneill-navy-seal-shot-osama-bin-laden/ |title=Must-See Music Video: Country Artist Tim Montana is Joined by Robert O'Neill – the Navy SEAL Who Shot Osama bin Laden |access-date=2017-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929025540/https://www.outdoorhub.com/news/2017/09/20/must-see-music-video-country-artist-tim-montana-joined-robert-oneill-navy-seal-shot-osama-bin-laden/ |archive-date=2017-09-29 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Following the release of "This Beard Came Here to Party," Gibbons invited Tim Montana to open for ZZ Top on tour. Tim Montana and the Shrednecks have continued to appear with ZZ Top and opened for Kid Rock on various tour dates during the summer of 2016.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/10-new-country-artists-you-need-to-know-july-2016-20160701/tim-montana-the-shrednecks-20160630 |title=10 New Country Artists You Need to Know: July 2016 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=July 2016 |access-date=2017-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312080240/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/10-new-country-artists-you-need-to-know-july-2016-20160701/tim-montana-the-shrednecks-20160630 |archive-date=2018-03-12 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On February 24, 2016, Tim Montana released the album ''Tim Montana and the Shrednecks,'' featuring Gibbons on four tracks.
Tim Montana released the single "Hillbilly Rich" on September 8, 2017. He released a video for the song on September 19 which features friend Robert J. O'Neill and "Streetbike" Tommy Passemante from MTV's Nitro Circus. In their review of the video, ''Rolling Stone'' wrote that its "aspirational swagger is perfectly on message for Montana's eclectic musical influences".[15] Actor Charlie Sheen took an interest in the video stating on Twitter "this is a stone-cold masterpiece! my man is flat out Killin the Game" to his millions of followers.[16] Shortly after Tim met Charlie in person, Charlie went on to write and direct Tim's music video "Mostly Stoned" which created a press storm that ultimately led to Tim signing with Music Knox Records/BBR Music Group which is part of the BMG Rights Management family.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title= Tim Montana Mostly Stoned|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=October 29, 2019 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/tim-montana-mostly-stoned-video-charlie-sheen-905334/}}</ref>
As a songwriter Montana co-wrote "Tennessee Mountain Top" and "Greatest Show on Earth" for Kid Rock's 2017 "Sweet Southern Sugar" album. Both of which went on to chart in the top 40. He also co-wrote Travis Tritt's "Smoke in a Bar",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Churilla |first=Ken |date=March 4, 2021 |title=Travis Tritt Releases Single "Smoke in A Bar"; First New Music in 13 Years |url=https://americansongwriter.com/travis-tritt-releases-single-smoke-in-a-bar-first-new-music-in-13-years/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US}}</ref> Billy F Gibbons "I was a Highway" and Michael Ray's "Higher Education" which featured Montana, Billy F Gibbons, Lee Brice and Kid Rock.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holthouse |first=Jerry |date=November 3, 2021 |title=Watch: Michael Ray's "Higher Education" |url=https://www.nashville.com/watch-michael-rays-higher-education/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=Nashville.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
His album ''Savage'' was ranked by Loudwire as the 11th best rock album of 2024.<ref name="loud1124">{{Cite web |last=Childers |first=Chad |date=2024-12-12 |title=The 11 Best Rock Albums of 2024 Ranked |url=https://loudwire.com/best-rock-albums-2024-ranked/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}</ref>
== Personal life == Montana is a vocal supporter of U.S. military veterans. After watching the film ''American Sniper'' (which tells the story of the late U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle), Montana became involved in the welfare of veterans suffering from Posttraumatic stress disorder. He approached Gibson guitars to create a custom Chris Kyle guitar, decorated with Kyle's skull-and-crosshairs logo. The guitar was auctioned off, raising $117,500 for the Guardians of Heroes Foundation, helping wounded U.S. soldiers.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tim-montana-talks-chris-kyle-legacy-american-sniper-guitar-20160601 |title=Tim Montana Talks Chris Kyle Legacy, American Sniper Guitar |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=2017-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202104329/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tim-montana-talks-chris-kyle-legacy-american-sniper-guitar-20160601 |archive-date=2017-02-02 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Montana and his wife Danielle are the parents of four children and currently reside in Nashville, Tennessee.
== Discography == === Studio albums === * ''Iron Horse'' (2008) * ''A Different Kind of Country'' (2010) * ''Tim Montana and the Shrednecks'' (2016) * ''American Thread'' (2020) * ''Reno (EP)'' (2022) * ''Long Shots'' (2022) * ''Savage'' (2024)
=== Singles === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:8em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |- !style="width:4em;font-size:75%"|US<br>Hard Rock<br> !style="width:4em;font-size:75%"|US<br>Main.<br><ref>Peaks on the Mainstream Rock chart: *"Devil You Know": {{cite magazine |title=Mainstream Rock Songs: Week of February 10, 2024 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/2024-02/10 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 6, 2024}} *"Savage": {{cite magazine |title=Mainstream Rock Songs: Week of September 28, 2024 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/2024-09-28|magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 27, 2024}} *"Break Me Down": {{cite magazine |title=Mainstream Rock Songs: Week of May 30, 2026 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/2026-05-30|magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 21, 2026}}</ref> !style="width:4em;font-size:75%"|US<br>Airplay |- ! scope="row"| "Butte, America" | 2008 | — | — | — | ''Iron Horse'' |- ! scope="row"| "Rust and Red" {{small|(featuring Billy Gibbons)}} | 2014 | — | — | — | rowspan="3"| ''Tim Montana and the Shrednecks'' |- ! scope="row"| "This Beard Came Here to Party" {{small|(with Billy Gibbons)}} | rowspan="2"| 2016 | — | — | — |- ! scope="row"| "Weed and Whiskey" | — | — | — |- ! scope="row"| "Amarula Sun" {{small|(with Mac McAnally)}} | 2017 | — | — | — | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Mostly Stoned" | 2019 | — | — | — | rowspan="4" | ''American Thread'' |- ! scope="row"| "Hillbilly Rich" | rowspan="4"| 2020 | — | — | — |- ! scope="row"| "American Thread" | — | — | — |- ! scope="row"| "Bury Me By the Bonfire" | — | — | — |- ! scope="row"| "Quarantine" {{small|(with Mat Best)}} | — | — | — | {{Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"| "Be A Cowboy" | 2021 | — | — | — | ''Long Shots'' |- ! scope="row"| "Devil You Know" | 2023 | 16 | 5 | 12 | rowspan="4"| ''Savage'' |- ! scope="row"| "Savage" | rowspan="3"| 2024 | — | 7 | 17 |- ! scope="row"| "Die Today" | — | — | — |- ! scope="row"| "Shut Me Out" | — | — | — |- ! scope="row"| "Break Me Down" | 2026 | — | 22 | — | {{TBA}} |- |}
=== Music videos === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of music videos, showing year released and directors ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Director(s) |- | "Butte, America" | 2008 | rowspan="4" {{Unknown}} |- | "Too Far Gone" | 2012 |- | "This Beard Came Here to Party" | 2013 |- | "Glass and Chicken Wire" | rowspan="2"| 2017 |- | "Hillbilly Rich" | Brad Rea |- | "American Thread" | rowspan="2"| 2019 | Spidey Smith |- | "Mostly Stoned" | Charlie Sheen |- | "Bury Me By the Bonfire" | rowspan="2"| 2020 | Michael Monaco |- | "Do It Fast" | rowspan="9" {{Unknown}} |- | "Be a Cowboy" | 2021 |- | "American Dream" | 2022 |- | "Devil You Know" | 2023 |- | "Savage" | rowspan="3"| 2024 |- | "Get You Some" |- | "Death Row" |- | "Ain't Comin' Down" | 2025 |- | "Break Me Down" | 2026 |- |}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * [http://www.timmontana.com/ Official Website]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Montana, Tim}} Category:1985 births Category:American country rock singers Category:American male guitarists Category:American rock guitarists Category:American Southern rock musicians Category:Living people Category:Singers from Montana Category:21st-century American male singers Category:21st-century American singers Category:21st-century American guitarists Category:Butte High School (Butte, Montana) alumni