When the lights in the sanctuary dim and the colored spot lights hit singer/songwriter John Montgomery, he begins to play the gospel-inspired music that has already touched so many.
“I hope that when I play, [the audience] sees Jesus,” Montgomery said. “A lot of the feedback I’ve received so far has been that people feel like I’m talking directly to them.”
With the release of his first EP, Sons and Daughters, Montgomery is already on his way to bringing God’s Word and his message of love to congregations all over the area. Along with performances at local churches, the singer also performs as part of his duty as the worship leader for The Church on the Rock Katy.
“I lead worship for the English service and play for the Spanish service, leading a song every now and then,” he said. “I’ve been doing that for the past three years.”
Although Montgomery has only been playing at the Spanish-speaking church for a few years, his musical ambitions began at an early age.
“It started with the children’s choir when I was seven, and I’ve kind of been doing it ever since,” he said. “I’ve led worship for youth groups, and I’ve been pretty active in church and pursuing the music ministry for a long time.”
The singer began writing songs when he received his first guitar at the age of 15, and has developed a style that he says is a mix of Dave Matthews, contemporary Christian, and indie rock. He said his musical sound has evolved out of his desire to not only relay the messages of God’s Word, but also to make music that is enjoyable to listen to.
“I try to make music that isn’t boring,” he said. “But I want it to be more than catchy. I want the music to be engaging on a deeper level, as opposed to notes that just make you feel good. “
Montgomery draws inspiration for these meaningful songs from his own struggles with finding salvation in a world that self-obsessed.
“I didn’t start out with the focus to make every song somehow about the gospel, but I feel like that with these songs, each one of them kind of presents the gospel in some way,” he said. “I think that is why people are responding to them in the way that they are. It’s the power of our salvation.”
The singer said he also draws inspiration for his music from the stories of other people. He imagines himself in their shoes and writes from that perspective.
Montgomery has already had marked success in the Christian music world, performing his music for audiences in the Houston area. He even kicked off the release of his EP with a concert on Nov. 5, where he played to a crowd of more than 250 people.
“It was a really great event,” he said. “It was a great opportunity to play through [the songs on the EP] and worship and have people have a good time.”
He credits his early success with a God who is guiding his footsteps, and to a supportive family, who has cheered him on along the way.
“I couldn’t do this without my wife,” Montgomery said about wife, Carolina. “It takes a lot of time to do this stuff on your own, and that means sometimes missing dinner and bedtime with the kids. She has been willing to sacrifice that time for me.”
Montgomery’s extended family has also helped out in a number of ways as he’s pursued his musical dreams.
“If my wife was working and I needed to go do something, I could drop the kids off at my in-laws’ or with my mom,” he said. “They’re all super supportive.”
The singer said his family and friends even contributed to his GoFundMe campaign when he was raising money to complete work on the album.
Because so many have supported and prayed for him on his journey in the music world, he wants others to feel that same love and support when they listen to his music.
“My hope is that in the end, God’s name is glorified and that people’s lives are changed,” he said. “God can use the songs that I write and the music I create to draw people closer to Himself. That’s my goal.”
To listen to a sample of Montgomery’s work or to sign up for updates, visit www.johnmontgomerymusic.com