Monty Criswell

 

Monty Criswell, a native of Satsuma, AL, began his musical journey at a young age, playing piano by six, guitar by ten, and writing songs by twelve. By sixteen, he was recording demos and soon found himself splitting time between the University of Alabama and Nashville, where he sought out publishing deals. Graduating cum laude with a B.A. in American Studies and a minor in English, Monty quickly made his mark in the music industry after passing on law school and signing with Hamstein Music Publishing.

 

Monty has written for esteemed artists across three decades, with his work garnering multiple BMI and NSAI awards, CMA, ACM, Dove, and Grammy nominations, and numerous Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum certifications. Notably, his song “I Saw God Today” for George Strait became a multi-awardwinning hit, securing CMA’s Single of the Year and receiving Grammy and Dove nominations. Monty’s consistent success is highlighted by his #1 hits across decades, including “Five More Minutes” for Scotty McCreery and “Hell of a View” for Eric Church.

 

In addition to his chart-topping songs, Monty’s work has been featured in popular media, including Hallmark movies and the hit TV show Yellowstone. He continues to contribute to the industry, writing for top artists such as Kenny Chesney, Lainey Wilson, and Darius Rucker.

 

Monty is a member of CMA, NARAS, and the NMPA Gold and Platinum Club and has served on the AFTRA-SAG board. A colon cancer survivor, Monty and his wife DeNesha are dedicated supporters of the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, contributing as members of Vanderbilt’s Canby Robinson Society.