We were lucky to catch up with Montana Dishong recently and have shared our conversation below.
Montana , appreciate you joining us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?
Well growing up in a little southern Pentecostal holiness church I was raised listening to southern Gospel. We’d always have traveling southern groups come and grace us with their music. Being young and influential I picked up a passion to be in their shoes one day. I took two weeks of guitar lessons and picked up on it so fast that I took it from there and taught myself the rest. I was gifted a journal by my aunt and uncle and started to write southern gospel songs around the age of 8 yo I’d say! The pastor heard a few and gave me the chance to get up on stage and play in front of the whole congregation! I don’t think there was a lick of nervousness more so excitement. The first time I ever went on stage to now I get the overwhelming feeling of electricity shooting through my body. I guess some may call it the “Holy spirit”but it happens every time for me whether I’m playing in a bar or church and I don’t see the “Holy Spirit” jumping on me in a bar for sure!! But since the first time I played in church I started doing opening acts for a local southern gospel singer Mr. David creel. And then ventured off to playing my own shows in every church around town. Started playing coffee shops, grocery stores(wierd right), weddings, etc. eventually at the age of 16 I was playing bars and honkytonks! My name in the country music scene was everywhere! Playing tootsies in Nashville, whiskey jam, commodore, and places all up the east coast west coast traveling doing what I love. What a great accomplishment and feeling of success. I was truly shooting for the stars and still am to this day.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Well I will say this,
My life has been a real life rollercoaster. Being adopted at 5 from a drug infested abusive home that eventually ended my mothers life in some unfortunate events and being raised by my aunt and uncle was prob the best blessing I have received in my life. Who knows where I would be today without those morals and standards being taught to me at a young age. Was my life perfect not by any means. I was a troubled kid always rebelling and thinking I knew it all. Through my journey in life I have had ups and down and turn arounds. I have struggled in many ways and learned just about every lesson the hard way. I have struggled with depression and ptsd and making the wrong choices allot. Those choices have led me to jail and they led me to substance abuse. I stand before you today and Thank God for everyday that I get to live another day sober today and for helping me overcome those demons. I was given the opportunity to get into Oxford sober living and am 1year and 6 months sober today and have no desire to turn back. My life now is irreplaceable and I get the joy of helping others get their life together and taking the proper steps to get sober and stay sober. My music and my journey now is primarily based off of recovery and showing people that if you think that you are at rock bottom think again. It’s always possible to get back on top and prevail. “Let Go and Let God” one day at a time. My goal is to eventually start my own recovery program that is music based called “Album recovery”. I want to be able to push others to be the best they can be by using their talent and passion with my talent and passion.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Well I have many goals but I’d say that my main goal is to share my story through the words of the songs I write and give people hope. Every song that I have written is based on true events from my past and or an event that I am looking forward to and building for my future. I want to grow daily not only for myself but for the ones that look up to me and follow my journey. The ones that know my struggles and have witnessed it first hand. To show my fans and followers my integrity and that I am staying true to my word and never gonna give up on what I love to do as no one should. Keep going you never know who’s watching!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me I’d say the smiles and the tears and the “thank you for sharing that song it touched my heart” or the “I know someone that has been where you are and I can’t wait to share your story with them” or the “I’m proud of yous” that’s what keeps me alive and pushing for greatness. I know many people that fall just because they have no one to say “great job” or “keep going your doing great” and it’s an important part of everyday life. Give you incentive to reach your highest potential and don’t stop till you get there. That’s why I make it a point today to let people know that I see what they’re doing and make sure that I give them a positive word each day. Makes a world of difference!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @dishongmontana
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JpPtkTkAb/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/ZUcMP_o4wjU?si=fFearfFgHZoYvjba
