By Lanice Gillard
Contributing Writer
Words to describe local artists Monty and Liam Wright: Humble, heartfelt and loaded with talent. These Snoqualmie Valley natives are father and son and enjoy their Scottish heritage as much as their love of music, writing and art.
Monty recalls, “Liam’s love of art started in preschool when the teacher called me in to look at a comic strip titled ‘Butt Man’. It was literally a Butt with a cape and he had all these great adventures.”
“He rode a dirt bike in one episode,” adds Liam. The teacher said he couldn’t continue the strip, but that didn’t stop Liam from exploring his creativity.
Now a senior at Mount Si High School, Liam is a guitarist, songwriter and vocalist. He plays baritone in the school’s pep band, he raps and sings gospel songs. He also writes lyrics and sings in a punk rock band, Face Forward, that just released three songs this week; hear them at http://faceforwardmusic.bandcamp.com.
“I appreciate all forms of art. Getting stuck on one type gets boring,” states Liam.
Liam is also the recent winner of Snoqualmie Valley Teen American Idol. He sang Macklemore’s rap Thrift Shop and an original piece he wrote called “I was the Sea” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQNL98OG4J4). He also accompanied contestants on guitar and beat box. He’s a firm believer in supporting other artists.
Liam will be attending Seattle Pacific University in the fall to study music therapy to help autism and stroke patients and those with brain injuries.
“His biggest gift is that his heart is in his music,” says dad Monty.
Working on his second book, Monty is the author of “Sacred Space” and lead pastor at Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church in Fall City where he plays keyboard, sings and encourages the staff to share their talent. Liam is now leading the youth music program.
When asked what one word best describes his dad, Liam said, “I know it sounds cliché, but ‘inspirational’.” He said his father always sang and made music exciting. He toured with his dad when he was 12 and starting performing and selling CD’s at Bumbershoot and the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle by the time he was 14.
Monty studied music education and theater while on scholarship at Central. He was in a band called Early Antioch, a Christian metal band. Then he went solo. He cut his first album in 1986 titled “Heavenbound.” Liam jokes, “That’s when you had hair, dad.”
Monty transferred to Trinity Lutheran College to follow his true passion, ministry.
Monty has his own blog, tweets, posts on his website, Facebook and loves using social media. And he’s still singing and inspiring people from the pulpit.
When asked “What is one thing that people don’t know about us?” both smile. “We have matching tattoos of our Scottish clan’s crest, the Macintyre’s.” Their clan were woodworkers, musicians and the best pipers in Sterling, Scotland. Imagine that.
