Paul Montgomery(III)

Clarence and Mattie Montgomery gave birth to 11 children. One of these children they named Paul Montgomery. Paul grew into a strong young man and it was discovered that he was gifted in music with a rich baritone voice and an uncanny ability to play practically any musical instrument. Paul then became blinded in a tragic mishap where he then entered Mississippi School for the Blind where his talents were thankfully recognized by his music teacher, Henrietta Black. Young Paul then honed his musical ear by listening to the local Black radio stations, which were just taking wings at that time. One of his favorite disc jockey's was Mama Lou. Paul was immersed in all types of music from the Bluesman B.B. King and all the other forerunners of the music industry. He grew up admiring and following such gospel greats as the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Pilgrim Travelers, Soul Stirrers, Ray Charles, Mahalia Jackson and many, many others. He learned especially the attributes of all of them with his dynamic photographic memory. Other artists who embraced him were Shirley Caesar, Melvin Williams, Yolanda Adams and Beyonce. Paul's musical career expanded greatly when he joined the great award winning Five Blind Boys. He toured around the country and worldwide for several years with great acclaim. He played and sang for many cultures, ethnic groups in settings from outdoor parks to huge auditoriums, from small country churches to cathedrals. During these years there were great opportunities that he took advantage of. In short Paul Montgomery became an American folk hero. Paul is a historian and bible scholar. His favorite topics of interest are philosophy, theology, musicology and the mysteries of life. Some of his repertoire and gifts include social commentary, humor and comedy, hilarious things that people say. He's an avid songwriter and composer of songs, loves to perform spirituals from the 19th and 20th Centuries, spirituals, work songs and contemporary pieces up until modern times. He is a motion picture film actor with screen credits, a very popular lecturer and knowledgeable on the topic of the blues and Mississippi cotton plantation folk lore. Paul has surprisingly successfully engaged the motion picture and film world with his acting debut in motion pictures and film in Hollywood, California in which he received an award for some of the roles that he played. Blind actors in Hollywood is very rare and it is promising for younger blind people who may want to challenge Hollywood tradition. Paul currently lives in Albany, Georgia, with his adoring wife Delores, who also wears the hat of manager. The two make a dynamic business team. This no doubt is probably one of the major reasons for Paul's success in life as well as on the stage.