Artist description Singer, songwriter Popa Dave Montano performs with the top musicians to form Popa Dave Montano and his hired guns.

Music Style Rockin' Blues

Musical Influences Freddy King, Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Willie Weeks, Elmo James, Jimmy Reed

Similar Artists Stevie Ray Vaughn, Niel Diamond, Allman Brothers, BB King,

Artist History Influenced by Jimmy Reed, and Freddie King, who he jammed with when he was growing up Popa developed his own style, an eclectic blend of music and vocals Popa calles Rockin' Blues. With a seven octive voice that can be discribed as pretty, reminiscent of Neil Diamond with a Stevie Ray Vaughn flavor, Popa ,Dave Montano has achieved world wide recognician. A Native American, "Popa" was once told by Deacon Jones, "Who has more right to sing the Blues, than the Native American?" "Popa" was educated at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. "Popa" shows a modest, unassuming style on stage. A true professional Dave acquired the name "Popa" for his organizational and management skills and his no bull attitude. An accomplished trumpet player, Dave had to give up the horn because of a war injury , however, he still plays one of the meanest harps you would ever want to hear. Dave began performing with his Uncle on the radio at the tender age of three. Although no one wants a broken heart, "Popa" says you can't play the blues until you have your heart broken. The song Walkin' With My Baby speaks of his ex-wife's drinking problem. Recently we found out she died while incarcerated. Dave spends his time working on his home-site, playing with and training his dogs, working on repatriating his Uncle Geronimo and writing music.

Group Members Previous hired guns on guitar: Terry Hiatt, Mike Robles on drums: Richard Gonzales, Scott La Mantia on vocals: Archie Lee Hooker, Lydia Pense WE HIRE ONLY THE BEST

Instruments bass and harmonica, acoustic guitar

Albums Box of Blues "What's Up With That?"

Press Reviews Blues Review April 1999, page 57 "The Band Box of Blues features bassist Popa Dave Montano, guitarist Jeff Niemann, and Niemann's 15 year old son Daniel on saxophone on What's Up With That? (EC and Yolanda Nowhere 514115). Heavy-duty electric blues are the main focus, with killer sax solos by the young Niemann and great original songwriting throughout. The record does suffer a tad from the use of computerized drum tracks. Best cut: the title tune, a jazzy uptempo romp with an infectious hook." - Ed Ivey; Artist Review: Popa does preach. He preaches the blues with a voice that's got a six octave range. The guitar is meaner and rougher than shark skin and the sax work is a joy. –Listen.com

Additional Info New CD due in December 2002

Location Berry Creek, CA - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).