The Monty Byrom Band
Crystal Palace, Bakersfield, CA
7:30 PM, $5.00, 661-328-7560  
Friday & Saturday, July 4 & 5

...exhibits a haunting, captivating vocal style. — anon.

Buckaroo Byrom: Monty Byrom to Join Buck's Band
Bakersfield, California — April 5, 2007

Monty Byrom has been invited to join Buck Owens' band "The Buckaroos" at The Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, California, fronting the band one weekend each month beginning May 2007. The Friday and Saturday night shows start at 7:30 p.m., with a $5.00 cover charge. Dinner reservations are recommended; call 661.328.7560. Monty will join The Buckaroos for a special debut performance on Friday, April 20th. For more information read the following article from The Bakersfield Californian newspaper: Byrom to Bring Some Blues to The Buckaroos.

Big House lead singer Monty Byrom plays to
a packed house at the Crystal Palace on
Thursday night, March 22, 2007.

Bakersfield, California — On the Crystal Palace stage Thursday night March 22, 2007 it was as if the original members of BIG HOUSE hadn't missed a beat when they reunited for the first time in eight years.  The air crackled with excitement and anticipation as the former MCA Nashville Records, and Academy of Country Music Award Nominated group of Monty Byrom, Chuck Seaton, David Neuhauser, Tanner Byrom, Ron Mitchell, and Sonny California took the stage.  Read about the SOLD OUT show in the following article from The Bakersfield Californian newspaper: Big House Packs Palace in Reunion.

The lights of the Crystal Palace shine brightly
on Big House as they play to a packed house
Thursday night, March 22, 2007.

Friday, February 2, 2007 Buddy Owens welcomed Monty Byrom on stage at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace. Appearing right at home Monty joined Buddy and the Buckaroos, while playing the Red, White and Blue Fender Telecaster that once belonged to the Palace's beloved patriarch.

Buddy Owens and Monty Byrom
Feb. 2, 2007 at the Crystal Palace,
Bakersfield, CA.

Ed Berghoff and Monty Byrom shared the spotlight when members of Hot Lips & Fingertips and Big House became HOT HOUSE at the annual St. Monica's Octoberfair 2006.

Ed & Monty Sharing the Spotlight,
Fall 2006

On March 25, 2006, Bakersfield, California and the world lost a true country music legend.  Here are some of Monty Byrom’s thoughts about his longtime friend and generous benefactor.  

Buck Owens 1929 - 2006
Uncle Buck. I don't think anyone helped Big House directly or indirectly more than he did. He would write letters to other radio stations and tell them to play our music. He would call people in the business on our behalf, and more importantly, he gave us some much needed inspiration. 
   
Obviously if you're from Bakersfield and you're out there on the road touring, the first thing everybody asks is, "So, do you know Buck?" Of course we would proudly reply, "He's our godfather!" And in a sense he was because we were all baptized in the Bakersfield Sound. Even though we weren't as country as Buck or Merle, we were certainly influenced by them. The first song I ever sang was "Tiger by the Tail" and the first electric guitar I ever bought was one of Don Rich's Telecasters.
   
One day after sound check at the Crystal Palace I was upstairs in Buck’s private room. I don't remember how the subject came around but Buck started talking about Don Rich and about that last day he saw him. He told me how he was the one who had to identify the body. For the first time I saw Buck tear up and I remember thinking, my God, it still affects him this much 30 years later!!! I was sitting next to this beautiful black Takamine acoustic guitar and, trying to change the subject to something a little more upbeat, I said, "Wow Buck, I've never seen one this nice!" He proceeded to tell me how they had made it especially for him, but he didn't like the action on it so he said, "Hey Monty, take it home with you." I was totally stunned; I didn't see it coming at all. As I was driving home I had the guitar in one hand, the wheel in the other and the cell phone up to my ear calling everyone in my family to tell them the good news. In the midst of my euphoria Buck called and said, "Hey Monty, you forgot the guitar case." I've played that guitar at every show since then and I expect I'll play it until it looks like Willie Nelson's.
 

I'll always remember Buck’s great sense of humor and his generosity. I'll never forget how privileged I was to have known a legend like him. Goodbye Buck, we'll always miss you.

January 2006—Monty started off the new year with a return trip to Lubbock, Texas to wrap-up work on Jay Boy Adams' new CD.  Among the songs that Monty co-produced and recorded at Don Caldwell's studio are, "John The Revelator" and "Waitin' On Five O'clock" — click here to take a listen...

L-R: Jay Boy Adams, Dr. Leon Armstead, Don Armstead, and Monty Byrom Jan. 2006 - recording in Lubbock, TX

"My three most admired singer/songwriter/producers are Jackson Browne, Lee Roy Parnell, and Monty Byrom.  I would trust them to have their way with my music with or without my presence.  To work with Monty on this new CD, my first in over twenty years, was very exciting.  He brings out the best I have to offer.  But mostly it was an honor." — JAY BOY ADAMS

L-R: Chuck Seaton, Monty, Tanner Byrom, Ron Mitchell

Despite the dense Bakersfield fog, "the stars" were shining brightly Saturday night, Dec. 18, 2004, when four of the original six members of Big House came together to ROCK B-town!  The holiday crowd was celebrating into the early hours as Monty, Chuck, Tanner, and Ron reminded the hometown folks why this TALENTED band is missed SO much!

Left to right: Billy, Chuck, Monty, Tanner, Ron, & Sonny.

An impromptu BIG HOUSE reunion took place Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004 in Bakersfield, CA. For the very first time since the band split up, five of the six original band members of the MCA Nashville Records, and Academy of Country Music Award Nominated group, came together to play at a benefit gig for a close friend and fellow musician. Joining Monty was his brother Tanner, along with Chuck Seaton, Ron Mitchell, and Sonny California — ALL on one stage together, for the first time in years! The enthralled crowd called out requests for many BIG HOUSE hits, and the band was only too happy to comply, as always leaving the fans WANTING FOR MORE of this talented group of musicians and entertainers! David Neuhauser was missed — unfortunately he was not able to make the performance, as he was on tour with The Pat Green Band. A special treat was "original" guitarist Billy Russell (co-writer of "Cryin' Town" with Monty and David) sitting in for a stirring rendition of that classic Big House tune, and finishing out the rest of the set with the band!

Monty "rocked the house" at Fishlips in Bakersfield on Saturday, Sept. 4th 2004 with his stunning opening performance at the Leon Russell show! Thrilling the crowd for over an hour with an all acoustic set, Monty once again demonstrated what many have said..."give this man a guitar, an empty stage...and he OWNS the place!"

At an extraordinary reunion of the "Who's Who" of the California Nashville music scene, Monty was a featured singer/songwriter at Billy Block's WESTERN BEAT Reunion Show. The Block Buster 13th Anniversary event was held on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004 at Highland Grounds in Los Angeles.

Monty at Billy Block's WESTERN BEAT Reunion Sept. 2, 2004!

Friday night, August 27, 2004 marked the end of the summer run of Monty's highly successful "Fridays at Fishlips" series.  Bakersfield was treated throughout most of the summer to the Rockin' Blues Sound that only Monty can deliver!

Monty and Joy Byrom announce the birth of their son Jacob Curtis Byrom on Saturday, August 21, 2004. This is their first child, and Monty's second son. Little Jake debuted at 19 inches long and weighed an even 8 lbs.

Monty joined old pal Eddie Money for an onstage reunion Thursday night, August 19, 2004, in Bakersfield at the Eddie Money concert.  Monty was no stranger stepping into the spotlight, joining Eddie for several classic Money hits that Monty co-wrote and produced.

© 2004-2008 Monty Byrom.