Blues Messiah

Original Blues Rock, Classic Rock

For Lawrence Montes (born Lorenzo Miguel Montes) and raised in Las Cruces, NM, performing has always come natural to him. At the young age of twelve, he began his performing career as a lead singer in a do-wop group with his brother and neighbor, singing songs like The Isley Brothers’ “Twist and Shout” and the Contours’ “Do You Love Me?” Later at age thirteen he joined up with his brothers’ band as singer and percussionist. He began song writing which quickly became his passion. While living in Albuquerque, NM during the early 70s, he was influenced by The Allman Brothers album, “Live at Filmore East”. At that time he made the decision that would impact the rest of his musical career: to write and play original blues rock.

Since 1973, Lawrence has had several bands under different names: Hour Jam, Gypsum Blues Band, Uplifters, Raiders of the Lost. In 1991 he changed it to Blues Messiah as the final name. Blues Messiah as been playing for sixteen years in the Southern NM/West Texas Region. Blues Messiah has warmed up for various groups such as “The Guess Who”, Christ Duarte, Sue Foley, Molly Hatchett, Barry McGuire and Joe “King” Carrasco. They’ve been included in a Silver City Blues Festival and Ruidoso Blues Festival. Playing mostly original, they include Classic Rock.

Blues Messiah has two Cds out, “Caught In Between”, “Ice Cold Blues, and have just finished (2007) their third CD, “Beyond the Sun” , with current musicians: son, Michael Montes, Baldomero Garcia and Jesse Gutierrez. Michael on drums and Jesse on bass create a solid rhythm section and Baldy on rhythm guitar adds to the fullness of the band.