Carol Montag
Cedar Rapids
Summary
Carol Montag is a performing singer, songwriter, recording artist, and educator. She began singing and performing at an early age in her home church in Ames, Iowa. She studied piano and flute while growing up and later taught herself to play guitar by ear. She drew inspiration from folk legends such as Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, John Denver, Carole King, and many others. These early influences helped shape her distinctive voice as a singer/songwriter rooted in folk and Americana traditions. After earning a bachelor's degree in graphic design from Iowa State University, she worked for several years at Rockwell International. Still, music has always been the steady thread running through her life. Following the birth of her first son, she stepped away from her graphic design role to become a stay-at-home mom and to focus more fully on her music. Before long, she was performing at coffeehouses, conferences, colleges, churches, and music festivals across the Midwest and into Canada. Carol accompanies herself on guitar and piano. Her concerts typically feature a blend of original songs, traditional and contemporary folk, and timeless selections from the Great American Songbook, woven together with rich storytelling. She also presents an annual holiday favorite titled, A Carol Christmas, and performs a special Tribute to Joni Mitchell concert. In addition to her performances, Carol also conducts songwriting workshops.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Performer
The World Food Prize
Washington, DC, USA
10.2010 - Current
- Performed at the 2010 World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol, which was broadcast live by Iowa Public Television.
- The World Food Prize is an international award recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world. Past performers at The World Food Prize Award Ceremony include such notables as Ray Charles, John Denver, and Simon Estes.
Commissioned Songwriter
Ballet Iowa
01.2000 - Current
- Recognized for songwriting talent and commissioned to compose the score for Swallows Return in the Spring, which portrayed the human toll of the farm crisis.
- Performed the music live with the company on Iowa Public Television and throughout a Midwestern tour.
- Ballet Iowa is a professional ballet company that provides performances and educational opportunities in the art of ballet.
Collaborating Songwriter
La Crosse Ballet
La Crosse, WI, USA
01.2000 - Current
- Collaborated with the La Crosse Ballet to present The Poems Rachel Wrote, a coming-of-age ballet built around a collection of her original songs.
Performer
Various
01.2000 - Current
- Performed at coffeehouses, conferences, colleges, churches, and music festivals across the Midwest and into Canada.
- Concerts typically feature a blend of original songs, traditional and contemporary folk, and timeless selections from the Great American Songbook, woven together with rich storytelling.
Education
bachelor's degree - graphic design
Iowa State University
Skills
- Singer
- Songwriter
- Performer
- Recording Artist
- Music Video Producer
- Composer
- Educator
- Musical Theater
- Publisher
Websites
Affiliations
The American Music Association
BMI - Broadcast Music, Inc.
Folk Alliance International
International Singer Songwriter Association
Timeline
Performer
The World Food Prize
10.2010 - Current
Commissioned Songwriter
Ballet Iowa
01.2000 - Current
Collaborating Songwriter
La Crosse Ballet
01.2000 - Current
Performer
01.2000 - Current
bachelor's degree - graphic design
Iowa State University
Biography - Summary
Carol Montag is a performing singer, songwriter, recording artist, and educator. She began singing and performing at an early age in her home church in Ames, Iowa. She studied piano and flute while growing up and later taught herself to play guitar by ear. She drew inspiration from folk legends such as Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, John Denver, Carole King, and many others. These early influences helped shape her distinctive voice as a singer/songwriter rooted in folk and Americana traditions. After earning a bachelor's degree in graphic design from Iowa State University, she worked for several years at Rockwell International. Still, music has always been the steady thread running through her life. Following the birth of her first son, she stepped away from her graphic design role to become a stay-at-home mom and to focus more fully on her music. Before long, she was performing at coffeehouses, conferences, colleges, churches, and music festivals across the Midwest and into Canada. Carol accompanies herself on guitar and piano. Her concerts typically feature a blend of original songs, traditional and contemporary folk, and timeless selections from the Great American Songbook, woven together with rich storytelling. She also presents an annual holiday favorite titled, A Carol Christmas, and performs a special Tribute to Joni Mitchell concert. In addition to her performances, Carol also conducts songwriting workshops.
Performances - Notable Appearances
Carol has opened for or shared the stage with:
- Arlo Guthrie
- Three Dog Night
- Tom Paxton
- Michael Johnson
- Greg Brown
- Cliff Eberhardt
- John Gorka
- Larry Groce
- Pricilla Herdman
- Jim Post
- Kenny Rankin
- John Stewart
- David Wilcox
Notable Appearances:
- The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville, TN
- Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
- Winnipeg Folk Festival
- Great Traditional Music Festival
- Bix Beiderbeck Festival
- Shawano Folk Festival
- Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL
- Iowa Public Television
- The Flea Market with host Jim Post - WBEZ-fm
- KCRG and KGAN Television
- WMT am
- KCCK fm
- KMRY am
- Live From Studio One - KUNI fm
- 19th Street Coffeehouse, Madison, WI
- Blue Whale Coffeehouse, Green Bay, WI
- Front Porch Music, Valparaiso, IN
- No Exit Cafe, Chicago, IL
World Food Prize Performance
Iowa Day, Washington, DC, 2010-10-01, Ken Quinn, President of The World Food Prize
Commissioned Work
- Swallows Return in the Spring, Kennet Oberly, Ballet Iowa
- The Poems Rachel Wrote, La Crosse Ballet
Music Video Awards
- Best Shorts Competition, Award of Recognition
- Nature Without Borders International Film Festival, Outstanding Excellence
- The IndieFEST Film Awards, Award of Recognition
- Iowa Independent Film Festival, Official Selection
- Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival, Silver Eddy
Quotes
- Carol Montag is a genuine discovery and the best to come out of Iowa since Bonnie Koloc., Tom Paxton
- Upon hearing her music I was stunned and couldn't wait to write about her. Once I even rented a bus and took a bunch of Register reporters and editors on a trip across Iowa to hear Carol sing at Stone City. Carol has a true gift and is a true Iowa treasure. Her music is powerful, beautiful, harmonic, soulful, and real... I'd match her voice and ability to engage an audience with any female vocalist anywhere., Julie Gammack
- Carol has the voice of an angel. Her songs are timeless, transporting, lovely, and evocative. Lyrically wise and uplifting., Robert Lindsey-Nassif
- Carol writes and sings from the heart about places in all our hearts. She charmed us, humbled us, and we all made a friend., Clay Riness
- A singer of new songs written by her for her. Carol is not folk or blues or modern, she cannot be categorized, she must be heard., Lloyd Moffitt
- Carol has a touch of homespun about her, but she takes the stage like a pro., Chuck Mitchell
- (Carol Montag's) 'Little Boys' remains one of the most beautiful and memorable tracks I have ever heard. Bruce Millard's production of it is the prime reason it shines in my ears., Gregg Porter
- What I love about Carol Montag's songs is that they all tell a story., Lila Bubin
- Carol's version of Wayfaring Stranger is a notch above the Emmy Lou Harris version., Tom Polland
Discography - Albums
- Song for Carrie
- White
- Marigolds
- Strange Ballet
- Second Sermon
- Silent Night
- Simple Gifts
Awards
- 2026 Global Music Awards - Bronze Medal for "Strange Ballet"
- 2025 Iowa Music Awards - Best Music Video Nominee
- 2023 Best Shorts Competition - Award of Recognition for "Strange Ballet"
- 2023 Cedar Rapids Film Festival - Silver Eddie Award for "Strange Ballet"
- 2022 Indie Film Awards - Award of Recognition for "Strange Ballet"
- 2022 Iowa Independent Film Festival - Official Selection
- 2017-01-01, SongDoor International Songwriting Competition, Two Honorable Mentions
- 2015-01-01, IMMERSE Artist/Writer Competition GMA, Finalist for Best Original Song
- 2015-01-01, Walnut Valley Festival New Song Songwriting Competition Winner
- 2011-01-01, Walnut Valley Festival New Song Songwriting Competition Winner