John Montgomery is a Los Angeles based Composer/Producer specializing in television/film production music.
Currently working as a freelance composer, John’s big opportunity came when he was hired by Dickhouse Productions to create music for the “Jackass“ films,“Wildboys,” “Rob & Big” and “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory” television shows. His past experiences creating edgy music resonated with the production company’s need for sounds that matched their intense visuals.
Through his connection with Dickhouse, John got his first opportunity to work on a title theme: Bunim & Murray’s “The Dr. Steve O Show” for USA Networks.
After a few years of working with Dickhouse, John took a position as the Director of Operations & Acquisitions with start-up music library, Frinta Music. There he oversaw the communications with the company’s writers (contracts) and performed duties as a writer/producer/editor. During the company’s building process, he continued freelance writing, and landed a Staff Composer/Producer position with production music innovator, Rick Livingstone’s Miracle Music (“The Amazing Race,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Survivor”). While at Miracle, his specialty was music in the Hip Hop genre.
Working with Miracle Music provided john with a much needed understanding of how to create the highest quality production music. Not only did he learn valuable production techniques to support picture, but he also learned of how to add value to a production’s library by organizing cues in a manner that helped the show’s editors. The end result was that John became focused on giving the best service to productions by covering all of the bases, be it delivering abundant stems, or providing amazingly fast turnarounds times on custom cues.
Understanding there were several levels of composing in which to find work, John also began working on creating music for film trailers. He began working with Howling Entertainment, creating cues aimed at the blockbuster film market. This afforded the opportunity to work with experienced producers/composers like Nathan Duvall, Brian “Brain” Mantia, Pete Scaturro, Jesse Voccia and Jane Cornish.
Working with Howling Entertainment boosted his production skills, and he recently landed another title theme, with MTV’s “The Dudesons.”
“I have a goal of composing music for animated tv shows” explains John. “Growing up watching all of the Warner Bros. cartoons, and shows like ‘Pee Wee’s Playhouse,’ I’ve always wanted to create music that would become a part of a whole generation’s collective memory. Television theme shows provide some of the best examples of composing and are very often overlooked, but they live on in viewer’s memories. They often provide amazing moments of synergy between people who have just met.”
A veteran of the Los Angeles live music scene, he began finding work as a session drummer, in addition to playing in numerous bands. Attending UCLA, he developed a love for arranging music while a member of the university’s marching band. John still works as a session drummer, but also teaches music to private students in the Los Angeles area. A cousin of the legendary jazz guitarist, Wes Montgomery, John enjoys getting out and performing and touring around his composing and teaching schedules.
For request for quotes/inquiries about composing, contact john at johnmontgomerydrums@gmail.com.
