LONDON, UK (Top40 Charts/ Ben Montague Official Website) - Can't hold me down is an expression that seems to strike a sweet chord with singer songwriter Ben Montague at the moment. Not only is it the name of his debut single, it also perfectly depicts his soaring career right now.
Since bursting onto the live music scene this year, the London born singer songwriter has won the seal of approval by everyone from Genesis' Mike Rutherford to Formula One's Eddie Jordan, but more recently he has added American Idol Judge Kara Diogardi to his ever increasing list of fans. On hearing Ben's track Weight of Love, the multi-award winning and Grammy-nominee (who judges alongside a panel of Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell) immediately fell in love with it and recorded it with her own vocal.
Ben shot to fame when he recently performed an impromptu gig with Queen's Roger Taylor and Pink Floyd's Nick Mason at one of Eddie Jordan's celebrity packed Formula One parties. In the audience that night was Mike Rutherford of Genesis and Mike and the Mechanics fame who was so impressed by Ben's ability that he invited him to write and record at the legendary Fisher Lane Farm studios, widely renowned as the venue where Genesis recorded most of their music. Creative studio sessions followed with Gary Go (who recently scored a support slot for Take That on their summer stadium tour which will see him perform in front of a million people in 1 month) and esteemed producer Peter-John Vetesse, (Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Dido, Mel C, Heather Small) and the result was Ben's debut single 'Can't Hold Me Down' (30th March). Offering a modern twist on many classic songwriters it is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated debut releases from an artist this year.
As well as one of this country's most promising songwriters Ben is a captivating live performer in his own right. After touring through Nashville, New York and LA he caught the ear of US publishers Kobalt, who have since hooked him up him to some of their top writers. Ben is currently in talks about collaborations with Gary Burr (Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin), Mark Hudson (Aerosmith, Madonna), Dennis Matkosky (Keith Urban, LeAnne Rimes), Lindy Robbins (Backstreet boys, Anastacia), Curt Frasca & Sabelle Breer (Avril Lavigne, Madonna, Celine Dion), Jeff Cohen (Josh Groban, Nick Lachey) and Reed Vertelney (Michael Jackson).
Ben's UK tour continues at the following dates:
11th March - Pigalle - London
14th March - Southampton - The Brook (support to Go West)
19th March - Bristol - Louisiana
23rd March - Amber Rocks (charity concert hosted by Eddie Jordan)
29th March - Liverpool - Baby Blue (support to Paul Young)
9th April - Heathrow - Terminal 5
22nd April - Support to Joe Bonamassa @ The Sage, Gateshead
23rd April - Support to Joe Bonamassa @ The Civic, Wolverhampton
28th April - Support to Joe Bonamassa @ City Hall, Sheffield
29th April - Support to Joe Bonamassa @ St David's Hall Glasgow
