Hi Everyone --

Today I'm posting a new song of mine called Where I Belong. This is my "anthem" song because it speaks about the journey I've traveled to get to who I am and where I am today. I thought it was a perfect way to start off the journey to Nashville and I hope you all enjoy.

I think many of you will be able to relate to the lyrics and meaning of the song. I've learned in life that its our struggles and heartaches that guide us back to the path we're meant to be on. And I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. The people we meet along the way, the things we experience...all make an impact on the road we travel.

I have traveled a winding course in life through love, career, home, friendships, etc but everything I've experienced has shaped me into the person and the artist/writer I am today, and helped me to realize that life isn't about the destination -- its about the journey.

All my best to you!
Hope you enjoy the song :)

Lisa

Hi Friends,

Those of you who know me well, know I was a "late bloomer" musically. I was always in love with music and singing but I was shy as they come and didn't gain the courage to pursue my passion until after college. My journey began in the SF Bay Area where I was working in the non-profit organization world and very happily helping to support senior citizens (who I LOVE). I was happy but I had this inkling inside that I was meant to do something more creative and though it meant leaving the comforts of a "normal" job, I thought -- "why can't I do what I love, why shouldn't I do what I'm meant to do?" and I followed my passion into music. So began the journey into singing, songwriting and musical artistry with open mics, forming a band, performing festivals and venues throughout the Bay, song writing and creating my own debut CD Wildfire.
Its been a wonderful journey and I couldn't be more grateful to the people in the SF Bay Area who have supported me through each and every step of my musical path. I am thankful too to all of you outside the Bay who have opened your hearts and ears to my music.

Now its time for the next step in this journey and I'm following my passion to Nashville, TN. I am going to relocate to Nashville, TN so I can further my growth as a writer and artist, and surround myself with some of the most talented folks in music. I couldn't be more excited about this next step and look forward to the growth in my songs and voice.

I believe if you follow your passions and what you're meant to do in life, then you will be intrinsically successful. Although I will miss my dear friends, fans and this great Bay Area that I've called home for 15 years, I know that I am following my dreams and my heart, and in turn, I will find my voice and song even further.

Its an exciting time and I look forward to staying in touch with all of you in my new home of Nashville. I will be releasing a new album this year and introducing many new original songs. I will be sure to write about my experiences in Nashville and on the road and I encourage you to share your stories as well. We are all artists in our own way and each one of us has something to learn from and share with one another.

Stay tuned for the next chapter! I leave next week and will be releasing what I refer to as my "anthem" song.

I love you all and cheers to the adventures ahead!
Follow your heart and spirit no matter the challenges. Life is about living your dreams and the only way to do that is to take the leap time and again :) Remember that all of us can do anything we set our minds to.

All my best!
Lisa

So many of us are givers of our hearts, our time, our minds, our spirits, our music and all the resources we have to others. And so many of us do so without ever mentioning it or expecting anything in return. I think the beauty of giving is precisely in never expecting anything in return -- to give from the heart and soul because you want to see someone else happy, someone else succeed, someone else's soul smile.

I wanted to post this because I think sometimes some of us forget what is really important in this life's journey. Its not the accolades, or the money, or the reciprocation or acknowledgment .... What's truly important in what we do with our time, energy, resources -- is the friendships and relationships we make, and the people's lives we touch positively along the way.

Dreams are possible! If there was ever a person who worked hard for their dreams, its my talented friend and songwriter Jennifer Adan. And through her hard work and determination she inspires me and others that dreams really can come true.
Today a song she co-wrote with Cory Batten -"She Wouldn't Be Gone" - is being released as Blake Shelton's first single off his new album. Go to CMT.com and take a listen :)

Tell your radio stations to play it and your friends to support it :) Its a great song and a well deserved success for such a talented soul like Jennifer.

Congratulations to my dear friend for her well deserved success and to all the songwriters out there who continue to strive every day to let their music be heard and inspire others.
We were given this gift for a reason -- lets make music! :)

All the best! Keep living the dream!

Hey Friends,

As promised, I will be posting some new songs over the coming weeks for your listening pleasure soooo keep checking back on the site for updates.

I hope these new songs make you smile, help you to feel and reflect on your own memorable moments, and remind you that in life anything is possible :)

THANK YOU to all of you who continue to support me and other songwriters/artists. You are just as important a part of our journey as the songs we create.
I am ever appreciative for all you do! And I love to hear from you so please do keep in touch.

Lisa Montes

Hey Everyone! Some fun news I wanted to share with you:)

In January of this year, my friend Erin and I auditioned for CMT’s new vocal competition for duo groups, "Can You Duet" in Nashville. Erin and I had each been pursuing our own musical journeys, but when the opportunity to sing as a duet arose, we jumped at the chance and ended up having a blast! We had such a great time making our audition video (Here’s a link: "Making the Video- Lisa and Erin" -lol... lots of outtakes).
Singing with Erin was a huge treat -- our voices blended really well together and we had the chance to swap leads and harmonies which is one of my favorite things to do! Overall we just had so much fun in the process of prepping for the audition - lots of laughter, lots of singing, lots of memories -- who could ask for more!

The Audition:


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We stood (more like sat and huddled) in twenty degree temps at 5:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. outside in downtown Nashville. Props to our amazing friend Candice who pulled an all-nighter holding our place in line after leaving her bartending job that morning. Without her we would have been hours and hundreds of people behind in the audition line. Candice auditioned with our friend Lora as a duo and Erin and I auditioned as a duo. Here we all are before going into the auditions:


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Erin and I made it past the first round auditions which had us jumping for joy! We then waited another couple hours to sing our second round audition. During that time, we heard a variety of talented voices and duos (I’m sure we will recognize some of the finalists on the show), and we met a bunch of really cool folks who had come from all over the country for the chance. We were also interviewed and had our pics professionally taken by the good folks at CMT. Around 1 p.m. Erin and I sang our second audition in front of video cameras and a bunch of people who were casting for the show. While we didn’t make the third round, we did have an AWESOME experience and made lots of memories.

The fun news is... that the pictures CMT took of us that day, are on the CMT Can You Duet Website!! Actually TWO Pictures of Erin and I made the cut. Our pics are 50 and 51 out of 85. The pics show our excitement as we awaited our second round auditions. I just love them and looking at them takes me right back to that moment and day with my dear friend. :)

You can check our audition photos out at:
Erin and Lisa - CMT Can You Duet Auditions 1
Erin and Lisa - CMT Can You Duet Auditions 2

Visit this link to see all the pics of the audition experience and learn more about the show:
www.canyouduet.com">www.canyouduet.com

This experience reminded me that while the journey of life and music is great, it is always best shared with close friends and loved ones! And... no matter how big the dream, anything and everything is possible! Erin and I both have a wonderful musical journey ahead of us so stay tuned for both of us!

Love ya sista! Thanks for being such an amazing friend through the thick and thin! Cheers to singing, songwriting and a lifetime of friendship ahead! Our journey has only just begun :)

And thanks to all of YOU who continue to show your support time and again! It means the world to me!