Tim Montana grew up in a trailer in Elk Park dreaming of being hillbilly rich.
While he probably has not accomplished that goal just yet, Tim is getting bigger all the time. His last album, “Savage,” was a huge hit. His song “The Devil You Know” reached the Top 5 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart.
The beauty of that album is that Tim says he made it as kind of a middle finger to the industry. While he was turning out great album after great album, he never could quite break into the “country music machine.” So, Tim went back to his roots and started to play more rock, and he finally got some of the recognition he has deserved all along.
He has another album that will likely be released in January, and it will feature 15 new songs. He is planning a special video, which will be shoot in the coming days, for the first single off that album.
I like so many of Tim’s songs, whether they are country or rock. My favorites include “Mostly Stoned,” “Cars On Blocks,” “Hangover,” “This Beard Came Here to Party” and “Hat Like a Halo,” but the one that hits home the most is “Butte America.” I have been using clips of that song, with Tim’s permission, in podcasts from the beginning.
Like Tim, I am damn proud to be from Butte, America, USA.
When Tim made his network television debut on the “Late Show with David Letterman” in 2008, he did not yet sport his iconic beard. He could have sang any song on national television that he thought would garner attention. He chose to sing about his hometown.
He has appeared in multiple movies, including his role as Red Benton in 2024 film “The Unholy Trinity.” In that movie, Tim got to act alongside Pierce Brosnan, Brandon Lessard and Samuel L. Jackson. Check it out because a good guy like Tim plays a pretty good bad guy
The video for “Mostly Stoned” was directed by Charlie Scheen, and Tim got to ride in the pink 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass from Sheen’s movie “Navy SEALS.” His co-star in the “Hillbilly Rich” video was fellow Butte Rat Rob O’Neill, a famous real-life Navy SEAL.
Listen in to this episode as Tim talks about his Letterman appearance. Listen to hear that he was invited because Letterman “discovered” Tim playing in Montana, and how Tim drove a minivan to New York City instead of taking the complimentary flight.
Listen as Tim talks about some tough living conditions when he grew up in Elk Park and how he had to sneak his guitar out of his trailer so he could play. Listen as he talks about trying to make it in the music industry and how a phone call that he thought might be to end his career turned out to be one that revived it, and then some.
Listen as Tim talks about his upcoming video and the amazing story behind it.
Today's podcast is brought to you by Casagranda's Steakhouse. Eat where the locals eat. Intro music by Tim Montana. For more from the Elk Park native, go to timmontana.com. For more from Bill Foley, go to ButteCast.com.