“Where my outlaws at?” this was repeated during his set at Coldtowne Theater with no one really responding. It was his phrase he made so popular it stuck with me for awhile. Monty was an interesting person I had the pleasure to know. He was tall thin, white man with a straw hat filled with unconditional love. Alike others who have shared their story about Monty, he was the first comic I encountered. He was genuine, nice and a stoner. He always gave good advice when talking about comedy and the open mics to go to. I talked to him 2 days before he passed; he hated texting, so he just called me. “Alright, well I’ll see you at Cenote (a local open mic he religiously ran Friday nights) “ok, see you then.” I replied. That was my last conversation I had with him. If you ask any seasoned comic from Austin, everyone will have a story about Monty and who and what he was to the scene. I learned a lot from him, not just comedy but about life in general. I regret missing out to some of the pop up shows at the laundry mat or on a the Metro rail train, but that was Monty’s style. He didn’t give a damn what you thought of him or where he took his comedy, he just did things with comedy I’ve never thought was possible. He was the most genuine, honest person I met. Everywhere there was comedy, there was Monty, whether it be at festivals, open mics, or just out and about Monty was there. We had volunteered for SxSW and Moontower together, I was always amazed how he would slip away to catch shows. We shared the same taste when it came to comedy. It was during Sxsw where I ran into Monty again at the Interactive Panel featuring, Doug Benson, Bill Burr and Al Madrigal. There was a portion of the segment which allowed fans to ask questions to the comedians. I looked at the line and Monty was standing at the end with a serious look on his face. I chuckled and said to myself, “what the hell is going to ask?” As the line was dwindling down the panel the time was up and Monty was cut off for questions. That didn’t stop him, as the segment ended, Monty and people rushed the stage including me to try and catch a picture with some comedians. As I was standing and waiting for a picture with Al Madrigal, Monty was asking him “What do you think about the Austin Comedy Scene?” “What do you think we can do to make it better?” Standing there overhearing what he was asking made me see how much Monty cared for the Austin Scene. How unselfish he was, constantly thinking about new ideas or what he can contribute or give versus taking or receiving. Thats who Monty was, Monty was the Austin Comedy Scene, he made it better for comics, he was the change, the outlier, THE OUTLAW! July 2015 his birthday show at Gatsby’s Bar downtown Austin, Texas, he was doing a 25 minute set. He was prepared and ready to go on stage, as the night went on the crowd was dwindling and eventually the bar was empty. I had just finished my set in which the last group of people left. Monty got on stage and thanked me for walking the crowd with a somewhat rape joke. I told him your welcome! But, what was amazing to see there after while he was doing his set, he started to peer out the entrance and barked at people to come see his comedy. Strangers, and I think one bum, ended up joining the show. Monty made them laugh and explains why Monty was so likeable. I remember at the last Moontower festival, we both had the chance to see one of our favorite comedians Emo Philips, Monty was so happy that day he asked me if I could take a picture of him and Emo. He loved comedy, but I think more importantly, he loved people. I believe people are placed in your life to show you that life isn’t as bad as you think it is. I think Monty was that person that was placed in my life, showing me “hey fucker, stop being a douche and love someone.” I will always miss you Monty, I will continue to do your work bringing love and laughs to strangers.
