Monty Byrom

Last updated

Monty Byrom
Born1958
Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
Genres Rock, Americana, Country, Album oriented rock
Occupationssongwriter, singer, musician, producer
Instrumentsguitar, keyboards
Member ofThe Byrom Brothers
Formerly of Billy Satellite
New Frontier
Big House
The Buckaroos
Zen Road Pilots
Monty Byrom & the Road Pilots

Monty Byrom (born 1958) is an American rock, blues and country guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer. [1] He fronted the rock band Billy Satellite, co-writing several songs for the band that later became hits for Eddie Money. Byrom later became more involved in collaborations with Money, writing or co-writing songs on future Money albums and touring with Money on occasion. [2] Later while leading the "soul country" band Big House, Byrom made a significant contribution to the new Bakersfield Sound, with a nod to his Bakersfield roots. [3]

Contents

Early life

Byrom was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and raised in Bakersfield, California. [3] His original musical influences were Merle Haggard, Billy Mize, Buck Owens, Otis Redding, and Bobby Womack. [4]

When he was seventeen, he joined the United States Navy. [4] After attending the Norfolk Navy School of Music, he played in the Navy band, performing at high schools and colleges across the United States. [4]

Although Bakersfield had a rising country music scene, he grew to prefer the music of Eric Clapton, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Deep Purple, Jim Hendrix, and Santana. [5] After the Navy, he played in a Bay Area band, The Heaters. [5] In the 1980s, he played with the Dead Family. [3]

Career

Billy Satellite

In the early 1980s, Byrom was a founding member of the Alameda, California band Billy Satellite. [6] [2] He provided lead vocals and played guitar and keyboards for the Album-oriented rock band. [6] He also co-wrote the band's songs. [1] The band signed with Capitol Records by John S. Carter in 1983. [5] [4] Their album, Billy Satellite, was produced by Don Gehman and recorded at Rumbo Recorders in Los Angeles. [6] The band toured with Night Ranger and Jefferson Starship in support of the album, which yielded two minor hits. [5] Although recorded, the band's second album was never released and they were dropped by Capitol. Billy Satellite broke up shortly afterward. [6]

New Frontier

After Billy Satellite, Byrom formed the band New Frontier which Glenn Letsch (Gamma) on bass, Marc Nelson on drums, and David Neuhauser on keyboards. [5] The band signed with MIKA Records, an imprint of Polydor Records, and released a self-titled album in 1987. [5] Because all of its members were involved in other bands and projects, this group was short-lived. [7]

Eddie Money

Byrom began writing songs for Eddie Money after the latter had a hit with a cover of "I Wanna Go Back" by Billy Satellite (co-written by Byrom). [5] Money's version of "I Wanna Go Back" received the ASCAP/BMI Song of the Year Award, based on airplay. [3] He also toured with Money's band for several years. [3]

Byrom was the producer, engineer, and mixer on Money's 1991 album Right Here , along with providing backing vocals and playing guitar and keyboards. [1] He also co-wrote six of the album's ten tracks, including "Another Nice Day in L.A.," "Fall In Love Again," "Fire and Water," "Prove It Every Night," "She Takes My Breath Away," and "Things Are Much Better Today." [8] He also produced and played guitar on Money's 1992 release Unplug It In . [1]

Big House

Following a gathering of musicians in Bakersfield in the mid-1990s, Byrom founded the country music band, Big House, with David Neuhauser from New Frontier. [5] [3] The duo shared song-writing for the band, and Byrom played guitar and sang lead vocals. [9] [1] Byrom's brother, Tanner, was also a member of Big House, playing the drums. [10] They signed with MCA Nashville and released three albums between 1997 and 2000, including Big House, Travelin' Kind, and Woodstock Nation. [11] [10] Their fourth album, Never Ending Train, was released in 2008. [9] He produced all four of the band's albums. [1] They were nominated for a Academy of Country Music Award for top new vocal duet or group in 1998. [12] [3] They also had four Top 40 Country hits, including "Cold Outside" and "You Ain't Lonely Yet." [4] [13]

The Buckaroos

After the death of his friend Buck Owens, Byrom was invited to join Owens' band The Buckaroos at The Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, California, fronting the band one weekend a month. [11] Byrom played with The Buckaroos for thirteen years, from 2007 to 2019. [14] Upon leaving the group, he said, 'Thirteen years and time to move on. I'm going to miss those boys and Jennifer [Keel, backing singer], that's for sure. Finally, in the end, it just came down to...time to move on." [14] One of the reasons he quit was because of the increasing success of The Byrom Brothers. [14]

Zen Road Pilots

In 2012, Byrom formed the Zen Road Pilots with Tom "Fee" Falletti and Ira Walker, former bandmates from Billy Satellite. [2] The band recorded one self-titled album. [2] Changing its name to Monty Byrom and The Road Pilots, this five-piece band played Americana-infused rock and soul in the old-school tradition. [3] They released 100 Miles South of Eden in 2016. [3]

The Byrom Brothers

The Road Pilots became The Byrom Brothers, which includes his brother and Big House drummer Tanner Byrom. [14] [3] Byrom plays guitar and sings lead vocals. [13] The band also includes studio musician Wil Anderson on bass and keyboardist Chris Neufeld, who was a member of The Road Pilots and also played with Eddie Money. [3] [13] Their current release, an album of covers titled The Age Of Music, was released in 2016. [15]

Other

In 1984, he provided backing vocals for Barbra Streisand on her album, Emotion. [1] The producer of that track was Don Felder (Eagles), who mentored Byrom, leading to other projects with major acts. [3] As a result, Byrom wrote songs that were recorded by Rita Coolidge, Ace Frehley, Beth Hart, The Knack, Gregg Rolie, David Lee Roth, Stray Cats, George Thorogood, Van Halen, Walela, and Waylon. [1] [3]

In 1992, he played guitar and provided backing vocals for Danny Tate's self-named album. [1] He also played guitar on recordings by J'Son, New Frontier, and Kathy Troccoli. [1] In addition, he produced and played instruments on albums for Jay Boy Adams, Jared Tyler, and Ted Z & the Wranglers. [1]

He also worked on numerous movie and film soundtracks, including Blackdog, The Kids Are Alright , Made in America, The Slugger’s Wife , Secret Admirer , and Sunset Beat . [3] [1]

Awards and honors

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Black Crowes</span> American rock band

The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1984. Their discography includes eight studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the following year. Their follow-up, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, reached the top of the Billboard 200 in 1992. The albums Amorica (1994), Three Snakes and One Charm (1996), By Your Side (1999), and Lions (2001) followed, with each showing moderate popularity but failing to capture the chart successes of the band's first two albums. After a hiatus from 2002 to 2005, the band regrouped and toured for several years before releasing Warpaint in 2008, which reached number 5 on the Billboard chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steppenwolf (band)</span> Canadian-American rock group

Steppenwolf was a Canadian-American rock band that was prominent from 1968 to 1972. The group was formed in late 1967 in Los Angeles by lead singer John Kay, keyboardist Goldy McJohn, and drummer Jerry Edmonton, all formerly of the Canadian band the Sparrows. Guitarist Michael Monarch and bass guitarist Rushton Moreve were recruited via notices placed in Los Angeles-area record and musical instrument stores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwight Yoakam</span> American country singer

Dwight David Yoakam is an American country singer-songwriter, actor, and filmmaker. He first achieved mainstream attention in 1986 with the release of his debut album Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.. Yoakam had considerable success throughout the late 1980s onward, with a total of ten studio albums for Reprise Records. Later projects have been released on Audium, New West, Warner, and Sugar Hill Records.

Frehley's Comet was an American rock band formed and led by ex-Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley. The group released two studio albums and one live EP before Frehley left the band to release his 1989 solo album, Trouble Walkin'.

Enuff Z'Nuff is an American rock band from Blue Island, Illinois, founded by singer Donnie Vie and bassist Chip Z'Nuff. The band charted two times on the US Hot 100; "Fly High Michelle" (#47) and "New Thing" (#67).

<i>The New Frontier</i> (album) 1993 studio album by Highway 101

The New Frontier is an album by the American country music band Highway 101. Released in 1993, it was the band's only album on Liberty Records. Its only charting single was "You Baby You", which reached number 67 on the country music charts.

<i>Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles</i> 1993 compilation album by various artists

Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles is a tribute album to American rock band Eagles. It was released in 1993 on Giant Records to raise funds for the Walden Woods Project. The album features covers of various Eagles songs, as performed by country music acts. It was certified 3× Platinum in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on June 27, 1994, honoring shipments of three million copies in the United States. Several cuts from the album all charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts after the album's release, the most successful being Travis Tritt's rendition of "Take It Easy" at number 21. Common Thread won all of its performers a Country Music Association Award for Album of the Year at the 1994 ceremony.

Doc Holliday was an American Southern rock band from Warner Robins, Georgia, United States, who were named after the American frontier gambler, gunfighter, and dentist, Doc Holliday.

<i>Right Here</i> (Eddie Money album) 1991 studio album by Eddie Money

Right Here is the eighth studio album by the American rock musician Eddie Money. It was released in September 1991 by Columbia Records and yielded four singles, three of which would make the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including the song "I'll Get By" which made it to number 21. The video for "I'll Get By" is dedicated to the producer Bill Graham who had worked with Money on previous projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of Lords (band)</span> American rock band

House of Lords is an American rock band based in Connecticut, with members in New Jersey and Florida.

<i>The Essential Eddie Money</i> 2003 greatest hits album by Eddie Money

The Essential Eddie Money is a 2003 compilation album of hits from American rock singer Eddie Money, released as part of Sony BMG's Essential series. The album includes 15 tracks from Eddie Money's eight studio albums and one greatest hits album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna Go Back</span> 1984 single by Billy Satellite

"I Wanna Go Back" is a 1984 song by American rock band Billy Satellite, written by band members Monty Byrom, Danny Chauncey, and Ira Walker, that achieved major popularity when recorded by Eddie Money in 1986. Another version was recorded by former Santana/Journey keyboardist/singer Gregg Rolie for his self-titled 1985 debut solo album.

Big House is an American country music band based in Bakersfield, California. Grounded in the Bakersfield Sound, originally, the band consisted of Monty Byrom, David Neuhauser, Chuck Seaton (guitar), Tanner Byrom (drums), Sonny California (harmonica), and Ron Mitchell. Under this lineup, Big House recorded two albums for MCA Nashville: 1997's Big House and 1998's Travelin' Kind. These two albums produced four chart singles on the Billboard country charts, including the No. 30 hit "Cold Outside."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Chauncey</span> American musician

Daniel Smith "Danny" Chauncey is an American rock guitarist. He is best known for being a member of the Southern rock band 38 Special.

<i>Jersey Boy</i> 1990 studio album by Eddie Rabbitt

Jersey Boy is the twelfth studio album by American country music artist Eddie Rabbitt. It was released in 1990 by Capitol Records. The album produced five singles including "On Second Thought", the final number one country hit of Rabbitt's career, and "American Boy", which became a popular song among American soldiers and citizens during the Gulf War.

Billy Satellite was an American rock band based in Oakland, California. They are perhaps best known for composing and performing "I Wanna Go Back," which would later become a hit for Eddie Money. It was also covered by Gregg Rolie on his 1985 self-titled release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Big (American band)</span> American hard rock band

Mr. Big is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1988. The band was originally composed of Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert (guitar), Billy Sheehan (bass), and Pat Torpey (drums). Though primarily a hard rock band, they are also known for softer songs. Their songs are often marked by strong vocals and vocal harmonies. Their hits include "To Be with You" and "Just Take My Heart". The band takes its name from a song by Free which it covered on the 1993 album Bump Ahead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Darkest Days</span> Canadian rock band

My Darkest Days was a Canadian rock band based in Peterborough, Ontario, consisting of lead singer Matt Walst, bassist Brendan McMillan, drummer Doug Oliver, and keyboardist Reid Henry. They were discovered by Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, who signed them to his record label, 604 Records. They are best known for their 2010 single "Porn Star Dancing".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Strangers (American band)</span> American country band

The Strangers were an American country band that formed in 1966 in Bakersfield, California. They mainly served as the backup band for singer-songwriter Merle Haggard, who named them after his first hit single "(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers". In addition to serving as his backing band, members of the Strangers also produced many of Haggard's records, sang lead vocals on select tracks, and co-wrote many of Haggard's songs with him, including the No. 1 singles, "Okie From Muskogee" and "I Always Get Lucky with You".

<i>Big House</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Big House

Big House is the debut studio album by American country music band Big House. It was released on March 25, 1997 via MCA Nashville. The album includes the singles "Cold Outside," "You Ain't Lonely Yet" and "Love Ain't Easy."

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Monty Byron Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Muñoz, Matt (September 5, 2012). "Band reunion is magical for Zen Road Pilots | Bakotopia". Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Timmons, Joseph (February 21, 2019). "Artists Spotlight: Monty Byrom, American Music Legend and his group The Byrom Brothers". IndiePulse Music Magazine. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Monty Byrom". WTF Records. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Billy Satellite - II". Heavy Harmonies Forums. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Billy Satellite Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  7. ↑ "New Frontier - New Frontier (1988)". Hard Rock / AOR Heaven. December 8, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  8. ↑ Eddie Money - Right Here Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic , retrieved June 25, 2022
  9. 1 2 "Big House Albums and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  10. 1 2 Ankeny, Jason. "Big House Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  11. 1 2 Gile, Pete (June 20, 2021). "Bakersfield Legend: Monty Byrom". The Troubadour Podcast episode #126. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  12. ↑ Morden, Darryl (February 25, 1998). "Mcgraw Leads With 7 ACM Nominations". The Spokesman Review. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  13. 1 2 3 "Byrom Brothers". Big, Big SLO!. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Price, Robert (January 16, 2019). "After 13 years, Monty Byrom, Buck Owens' Crystal Palace part ways". The Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  15. ↑ "CD Baby Music Store".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.