THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 5, 1994 TAG: 9408050089
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
JOHN MICHAEL Montgomery was featured in People Magazine's ``50 Most Beautiful People'' issue - and it became an issue for some people.
``I thought it was kind of flattering, but some folks put me down,'' he said during a telephone interview from a Nashville golf course. ``I don't see myself as a good looking guy - just a normal, everyday American boy.
``Still, it's nice to hear people say stuff like that,'' Montgomery said. ``I have no problem with it.''
He also has no problems with ``Kickin' It Up,'' an album that has netted two fat hits, ``I Swear'' and ``Be My Baby Tonight,'' which is expected to be No. 1 on the Billboard chart in time for his Sunday appearance at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base in Norfolk.
One of the songs he will perform is ``If You've Got Love,'' the next single from the album.
``It seems to be everyone's choice,'' said Montgomery.
Montgomery is pretty popular himself. The dimpled Kentuckian was voted 1994's best new male vocalist by the Academy of Country Music, while the American Music Awards folk called him best new country artist.
Montgomery was not always a country singer.
``I grew up listening to the pop music of the late '70s and early '80s,'' he said - ``Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger, the Eagles.''
``Lionel Richie was a huge influence as far as ballads are concerned,'' said Montgomery, who also gave an ear to ``the rebel stuff - Willie, Hank Jr., Waylon Jennings.''
Things changed in the early '80s when he heard George Strait.
``I began listening to a lot more country,'' said Montgomery, who had been singing for many years. He was a honky tonk favorite in Lexington, doing a lot of Southern rock.
Word reached Nashville. Atlantic Records heard about a good looking, talented guy.
His debut album, ``Life's a Dance'' turned into platinum.
Still, Montgomery is not ready to call himself a country music vet.
``I still feel like I'm the new kid on the block,'' said the man who is in his third year as a major label artist. ``The third album - then I can say I'm somewhat estab-lished.''
Talk about cautious - Montgomery notes: ``I don't have to have a No. 1 hit to be happy in this business. Still, it's nice to be able to say you have a No. 1.''
Lexington is still No. 1 to the handsome single singer.
``I just bought a house there, about 20 minutes from my parents. I like being around people I grew up with,'' Montgomery said. ``It's a fairy tale world I live in. Being home keeps me in perspective - keeps my feet on the ground.'' by CNB