Ever wanted to know what it was like to be the wife of a country muisc artist?  I have heard many fans talk about their favorite acts and wonder how they do it.  How they leave their families to travel all of the world to come see us, the fans.  Montgomery Lee, the wife of country newcomer Randy Montana sums it up beautifully in one of her blogposts:

http://montgomerylee.tumblr.com/post/1044770423/married-to-a-music-man

Due to the recent job commitments my husband has undertaken, our life has changed immensely from what it was a year ago. When I say changed, I mean a good change. Well.. .let me rephrase that… a GREAT change. Many of us have dreams, and when they come true it is the most remarkable feeling. I honestly cannot imagine what it is like being in Randy’s shoes. Every morning when he wakes up, and every night when he walks out on stage, he is living his dream.

My dream you may ask… I have 2!!! One is to have horses and to of course show them as I have done since I was 11. The other, be married to the man of my dreams. I’m a very blessed little girl as both of my dreams have come true! Unfortunately, being married to a music man isn’t necessarily the life I thought I would lead. I think I imagined waking up every morning next to the man of my dreams. BUT, God tends to have different plans! And I can tell you that what I have is BETTER than anything I ever imagined. Why? Because it’s an adventure and I like that!!!

I don’t know if you know anyone that has an artistic personality, whether it be singing, writing songs, painting, drawing, sculpting, etc… but, I say this not in a negative way at all, but they truly think with a different side of their brain. Let me tell you a story about Randy and how the only thing he thinks about is music 24/7.

A few months back we were pulling in our driveway and I asked Randy if he would stop so I could jump out and get the mail. His response, “ok, sure thing.” Mind you, when I say we were pulling in the driveway, I mean turn signal on, turning steering wheel, pulling into the driveway. Did Randy stop? Nope. Sure didn’t. Why? Because there was a song he was listening to on the radio.
Then, not two weeks later we were pulling into the drive and once again, “Randy, can you stop to get the mail.” Did he stop this time? YEP! Did he put the car in park when he got out? NOPE? So there I am, rolling up the driveway while he has no clue because what is he doing? Exactly what I asked him to do… getting the mail!!!!

These are my little adventures with him that I adore.

I think many people have this romantic image in their head of what an artist does on the road and how wonderful life is, which in some aspects it is beyond wonderful, but in others it is a struggle. I mentioned before that I can’t imagine being in his shoes and waking up every day and have a career that is my dream. But in the same aspect, I don’t want to be in his shoes sometimes. His success is measured on the likes and dislikes of people. It all falls into the opinions of someone else, and therefore he spends his days constantly entertaining and trying to impress people. From watching him through this process I have learned that not only is this physical commitment but it is an emotional commitment that he has invested in body, soul, heart, and mind.

Six months ago if you would have asked him what he wanted to be doing, he would have said “On the road, sharing my music and promoting my single.” Ask him now and I bet he would says somewhat of the same thing but a little different. “On the road sharing my music and promating my single, with a few days at home inbetween.” He averages about a 1-2 days a week at home. And those times that he is home, all he wants to do is sleep.
I will share another little side story:

A few months ago he arrived home on Sunday around 5pm. When I say he was OUT at 6pm, I mean nothing was going to wake him up…. not even standing by his head banging pots and pans was going to cause him to flinch (believe me, I tried everything). The next morning he woke up around 10 (I was at work). He had a meeting at 1, returned home to take a nap from 2:30 till 6, woke up long enough to eat dinner and then right back to bed. On Tuesday morning he was gone, just like Lynyrd Skynyrd says. (that was corny, sorry) And it continues to be that way. Home means time to relax. It’s his haven.

He has is short moments at home, long hours spent in the van with his band (ruffing it) one night visits to hotel rooms, lots of dinners and lunches with radio people, and of course, lots of missing me. (YES, I like to flatter myself.) He has a linein one of his songs called “a midnight goodnight phone call.” I get lots of those. And that is the hard part. Being married to someone for 2 1/2 years and then with the touch of pen to paper, the whole routine you had formed changes. And as I mentioned, it is a blessing, but it’s hard. A lot harder than I ever anticipated.

We were at Tin Roof once for Randy’s show and David Nail was so kind to come out and see. He told me something that I will never forget. He said, “wait till the day comes when Randy can’t remember his schedule. The worst are the days when he is home for less than 15 hours… just long enough to sleep and then he is gone again.” This past month has been the epitome of that statement. Randy was gone for 2 weeks, came home long enough to have dinner and sleep and then left at 6:30 am the next morning. And David Nail was right… it was the WORST!!! The worst because I am a girl I want need to talk to him and have a lot more than 15 hours worth of stuff to tell him!!

But, as I mentioned before, there are some wonderful high points and perks about his career that make it worth the sacrifices. When Randy and I met 5 1/2 years ago, we listened to Texas country all the time. Cross Canadian Ragweed, Wade Hayes, Randy Rogers Band, Shooter (really not Texas country but we still love him), etc… About a month ago I got a text from Randy that said “Shooter Jennings follows me on twitter. I HAVE MADE IT!!!” HAHA. I think I cried I was laughing so hard. But at the same time, my heart smiled because I know how much that truly meant to Randy, for some one he idols to be interested in him.
Also, over the past few months Randy and I, (well Randy more than myself) have had the opportunity to meet and hang out with Randy Rogers and the rest of the guys from his band. They are all such wonderful guys… you know what, I take that back because wonderful doesn’t even begin to describe them. They are some of the nicest guys I have ever met before. (And here is my shameless plug… go buy their new album! It is worth it.) Randy was able to open for them and they all came out to see him perform and all complimented him after the show. Thats something they didn’t have to do, but a small act of kindness that I know my husband will forever remember.
Its a blessing to watch his career grow and then see him get excited when people he has looked up to for so long are paying attention to him!!! (NOW, if we can only get TOM PETTY to follow Randy on twitter or compliment him on his music. hahha. I honestly think he would DIE!!!)

In the middle of September Randy and the band will trade in the van for a month or so and hop on an a tour bus (thanks to the record label!!! YAY) to travel around opening up for Sugarland along with Little Big Town. The idea of this brings tears to my eyes because I am so excited for him. A year ago this month (August) Randy signed his deal with Universal Records, and a year and a couple weeks later he will be traveling with one of the biggest groups in country music. A blessing to say the least!

These are the adventures with Randy that I get too look forward. The adventures that I am going to cherish with all my heart. This life with him, watching him do what he does best and then knowing he is coming home to me at the end of it, this is my dream come true. Any maybe in a few years, we will throw a couple horses into the mix!!!

Thanks to Tom for the link.

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