The name Monte Pittman is one that's familiar to area metal fans.  A native of Longview, Pittman made a name for himself in local metal band Myra Mains, who released two demos and two CDs in the mid-to-late 90s.

Pittman packed up and moved to L.A. in 1999, where he hooked up with Tommy Victor of Prong - a band he eventually toured with - also writing songs for and appearing on three Prong albums.  While working with Prong, Monte also worked in a guitar store as a salesmen, and later as a guitar teacher.

One of his early students was Guy Ritchie, who introduced Monte to his wife, Madonna.  Madonna, impressed with his talent, took Monte on as her guitar teacher, and later invited him along on her Drowned World Tour in 2001.  He has been a member of her live band ever since - also scoring writing credits on several Madonna songs.

Aside from Madonna and Prong, His resume also includes The Citizen Vein, a band he formed with Victor and Adam Lambert; Live 8; Live Earth (with James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett); appearances with Paul Oakenfold; and a slew of charity work - which includes board member status with Little Kids Rock.

Monte released his first solo album, "The Deepest Dark" in 2009, and followed it up with "Pain, Love, and Destiny" in 2011.  Pittman started working on new material on July 1, 2012 in Copenhagen, with Danish producer Flemming Rasmussen (produced several Metallica albums) - songs that eventually became his latest effort, "The Power of Three".

Monte Pittman - The Power of Three
montepittman.com
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The album features 10 songs, including "A Dark Horse" and "Before the Mourning Son" - the first two singles, and the first two videos from the album.  Check out both tunes below:

Check out a review of the album on the Planet Mosh site...also a great article in Decibel magazine about the time Monte taught Madonna a Pantera riff here.

And for you longtime fans of Monte and his work, a flashback to Myra Mains:

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