Monte Pittman

Monte Pittman
Pittman in 2018
Background information
Also known asMontster
Born
Monte Lee Pittman

(1975-11-19) November 19, 1975
Longview, Texas, U.S.
GenresRock, pop, heavy metal, acoustic, alternative rock, blues
OccupationMusician
InstrumentsGuitar, bass, vocals
Years active1996–present
LabelMetal Blade Records
Member ofMadonna, Ministry
Formerly ofProng
Websitemontepittman.com

Monte Lee Pittman (born November 19, 1975) is an American musician and studio musician based in Los Angeles, known largely as Madonna's long-time guitarist and for playing for heavy metal band Prong.[1] He has also worked as a solo artist.

Biography

Early Life

Pittman was born in Longview, Texas.[2][3] Pittman began playing guitar as a teenager when he received his first guitar at age 13. His guitar teacher was Robert Browning. He also took music theory and piano lessons from Delores Rhoads at the Musonia School of Music in North Hollywood.[1]

Pittman's early musical influences came from bands and artists such as Kiss, Metallica, Slayer, Steve Vai, Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Pantera, The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, and Radiohead, to name a few.[1][4]

Career

Early Career & Myra Mains

Pittman's first band was called Insanity. Eventually Pittman formed another project called Myra Mains. He borrowed Chris Sheehan, the singer from his previous Insanity, and merged the band with the drummer Kevin Blalock and bassist TJ. Carlson. The four piece released 2 demo tapes and 2 full album CDs: One Touch 1991, Two Blocks Down From The Seventh Sign (1994), Condition (1996) and Buried (1999).[5] The band was located in Longview, TX, and build a regional following across East Texas to Shreveport.[6][7]

Prong

Pittman was introduced to Tommy Victor by Ivan de Prume from White Zombie.[8] The two had a lot in common and following the introduction Pittman joined the band Prong in 2000. Pittman was invited to play guitar on their 2002 tour that inspired 100% Live album.[9] In 2003, Pittman recorded guitar and bass for Prong's album Scorpio Rising in 2003.

On Prong's 2007 released album Power of the Damager, Pittman wrote 5 of the 13 songs and provided backing vocals alongside to bass playing. Additionally, Pittman is credited as an associate producer for both Power of the Damager and also remixed the version of Power of the Damn Mixxxer that was released in May 2009.

Madonna

Pittman moved to Los Angeles in 1999 and worked at a guitar store as a salesman[10]. He eventually quit to start teaching guitar lessons. Pittman's third student was British film director Guy Ritchie, who had just received a guitar as a gift from his girlfriend, Madonna. Ritchie later returned the favor, buying Madonna her own guitar—and she began to take lessons from Pittman as well.[1][11][12]

A month after Pittman started giving guitar lessons to Madonna, he was invited to join her on stage at the Late Show with David Letterman to promote her album Music. The pair played guitar together on an acoustic version of the hit song Don't Tell Me.[1][13] Subsequently, Pittman was invited to join the band for Madonna's Drowned World Tour (2001). He has played in every incarnation of Madonna's live band since then.

Pittman shares writing credits with Madonna on the tracks "Easy Ride" from American Life (2003) and "It's So Cool" from Celebration (2009). On the Sticky & Sweet Tour, Pittman inadvertently prompted Madonna to include the opening riff from Pantera's "A New Level" in the live version of "Hung Up" when he suggested the riff as guitar practice.[14][15]

Additionally, Pittman has contributed performances to Madonna's studio recordings, appearing on 2005's Confessions on a Dance Floor (Like It Or Not)[16] and 2008's Hard Candy (Spanish Lesson & Ring My Bell).

Apart from world tours Pittman has joined Madonna on stage in many special events, most notably at Live 8 where he played for thousands of people at Hyde Park in 2005 and at the 2007 Live Earth where he had the chance to jam "Big Bottom" with Spinal Tap, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett among a dozen of other bass players on stage.[1]

In 2012, Pittman played at the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show alongside to Madonna, where he debuted his new signature Jarrell MPS Guitar.[17][18] The whole band performed "Vogue," "Give Me All Your Love", and "Like a Prayer." [19][20]

Pittman started his fifth world tour with Madonna, the MDNA Tour, on May 31, 2012, in Tel Aviv, Israel and stops in Europe, North & South America till the end of 2012. Paul Oakenfold who opened for Madonna in several US shows, invited Pittman on stage to jam together in the last N.American shows of the tour.[21]

Between September 2015 and March 2016, Pittman toured with Madonna on her Rebel Heart tour.

Ministry

Monte Pittman joined Ministry in 2021 although previously joined the band in 2014 and 2015. Upon returning, Pittman was prominently featured as the guitarist in the music videos for "Disinformation" and "Believe Me" from the album Moral Hygiene.[22]

Since rejoining Ministry, Pittman has participated in all major tours: The Industrial Strength Tour alongside Melvins and Corrosion of Conformity, Freaks on Parade Tour including Rob Zombie, and Alice Cooper Hopiumforthemasses Tour with Gary Numan and Front Line Assembly, and The Squirrely Years Tour.[23]

In addition to touring, Pittman contributed creatively to the band, co-writing songs and performing both guitar and bass on the albums Hopiumforthemasses and The Squirrely Years. Pittman was featured as the guitarist for the Ministry Music Videos for "BDE" "Goddam White Trash," "Just Stop Oil" "New Religion, and "I'd Do Anything For You"[24]

Other artists

Previous to Adam Lambert's audition on American Idol, Pittman, Lambert, Tommy Victor from Prong and Steve Sidelnyk formed a band titled The Citizen Vein.[25] For the tour of Adam Lambert's debut album, Lambert hired Pittman as his guitarist and musical director. Lambert and the band appeared on several TV shows as well as at the Gridlock New Year's Eve 2010 festival.[26] Canada's Rock Star Weekly reviewed that "Pittman has a rock-god presence of his own, arising from his well-honed, skilled riffs that come from a connection of love and devotion to his instrument over a long and distinguished musical career"[27] Pittman also appears on the 'Beg for Mercy' album, the material of which was recorded before Lambert went on American Idol and is co-written by Pittman and Lambert.

He has also worked in the studio with Melanie C and Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Body Count

Monte Pittman contributaed to Body Count: Ernie C and Juan Garcias's Project. Pittman co-wrote the song "Blood Lust" was released on the Century Media Records.[28]

LA KISS Football House band

In 2016, Monte Pittman performed as part of the LA KISS Football house band, alongside Patrick Stone and Matt Starr, delivering multiple live sets before, during, and after home games at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.[29][30]

Solo

Pittman has been known to perform solo acoustic shows[31] in between his responsibilities with Prong and Madonna. He has developed into a fiercely capable musician—equally able to hold his own in a giant pop stadium tour as in a dark and smoky club belting out brutal metal tunes. Pittman's solo work takes a giant detour from both of those avenues, venturing into melodic acoustic territory on his debut, and branching out into rock anthems.

The Deepest Dark

His debut solo album, The Deepest Dark, was released in November 2009 and features 11 songs all written by Pittman, except for "The Circle" which was co-written with Tommy Victor and Adam Lambert. All the songs are acoustic.[32]

Almost a year after its digital release, The Deepest Dark was re-released in hard copy CD, with five additional bonus tracks.[33] A week later, it reached the No. 1 spot on the most selling albums (Acoustic genre) on CDBaby.com[34] and was No. 9 in the Top 10 Most Selling Albums on CDBaby for October 2010[35]

Pain, Love & Destiny

Pittman managed to raise $65,500 for his second solo album, Pain, Love & Destiny, through Kickstarter.[36] He recorded the album in the summer of 2011 and Noah Shain produced it. The album features Kane Ritchotte on drums and Kelle Rhoads (Randy Rhoads's brother) on piano. It was released on October 3, 2011[37]

The album made it to No. 1 Rock Album, No. 1 Pop Album, and the Top 10 albums chart in its debut week.[38]

The album was also available at the Official Merchandise Booths of Madonna's 2012 MDNA Tour.

Pittman was nominated in four categories at Artists in Music Awards and by popular demand he was also invited to perform at the ceremony on February 10, 2012.[39] He won the Award for "Best Solo Artist". He is also the recipient of a "Career Achievement Award – Guitarist" for the Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards![40]

On June 29, 2012, Pittman was invited to ZDF's Morgenmagazin morning TV show where he performed a solo acoustic version of the song "Lost" from his album "Pain, Love & Destiny".[41]

The Power of Three

Pittman started working on new material on July 1, 2012, in Copenhagen, with Danish producer Flemming Rasmussen (the producer behind Metallica's old albums).[42] He first released an acoustic EP "M.P.3.: The Power of Three, Part 1" (released on November 19, 2012) and went back to Copenhagen in February 2013, with bandmates Kane Ritchotte and Max Whipple to record more songs with Rasmussen also producing it.

After playing the album to Metal Blade's CEO Brian Slagel, he got signed to the label to release The Power of Three in 2014.[43]

"A Dark Horse", the first single from The Power of Three, was released on October 14, 2013, by Metal Blade Records and marks Pittman's return to his metal roots. The second single is track No. 7 on the album and is entitled "Before the Mourning Son". It was released on November 25, 2013.[44] The final track on the album, "All is Fair in Love and War", features guitars by Testament's Alex Skolnick and additional vocals from Chris Barnes (ex-Cannibal Corpse, Six Feet Under).[45]

The album was released on January 21, 2014[46] and has received many raving reviews. Music blog "The Global Onslaught" has described it as "2014's sleeping giant in the echelons of Hard Rock and Metal".[47]

Inverted Grasp of Balance

On 2016's Inverted Grasp of Balance, Pittman joined drummer Richard Christy and bassist Billy Sheehan.[48]

Between the Space

Pittman released Between the Space on Metal Blade in August 2018 and undertook a tour with Sebastian Bach of Skid Row in the USA.[49]

Better or Worse

At the same time Pittman released Between the Space, he released an acoustic album Better or Worse also on Metal Blade.[49]

Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp

Monte Pittman has also serves as an instructor at Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp, where he shares his experience and mentors aspiring musicians through hands-on workshops and live performance training, assisting the attendees with preforming for artists such as Stewart Copland, Jeff Skunk Baxter, Tommy Lee, Buddy Guy, Chris Layton, Rob Halford and many more.

Pittman got inducted into 2026 Rock n Roll Fantasy Hall of Fame alongside to Sebastian Bach, Tony Franklin, and Stephen Perkins which took place at the Whiskey A Go-Go.[50]

Equipment

Guitars

Pittman uses the Gibson Les Paul as his primary guitar. He has also been known to play Gibson SGs and he has a number of custom made Gibson electrics, acoustics, and basses—frequently specially-built for use in Madonna shows. In 2015 he signed with ESP guitars

ESP Guitars

In 2014, ESP guitars announced Monte Pittman's endorsement with the company, citing his high-profile work and genre versatility as key factors in making him an ideal representative for the ESP brand.

Pittman plays the Eclipse FRX, the Strat, the Tele, and Flying V by ESP.[51]

Jarrell MPS Signature Guitar

In December 2011, Jarrell Guitars announced[52] that they are launching a new line, the Monte Pittman Signature Guitar and it will be presented at the 2012 NAMM. The Jarrell MPS features a custom Seymour Duncan pickup set making it one of the most versatile guitars in the market. "All together it seems Monte Pittman and Jarrell Guitars are hell bent on rocking the world – the sound of which is none other than simply amazing."[53]

Pittman comments on the MPS, "There are 13 different sounds you can get out of it. It's the most versatile guitar I've ever played. Jarrell guitars have a unique and distinctive sound. We have three models. The regular MPS and the MPS-f which has a Floyd Rose. They are loaded with custom Seymour Duncan pickups. There is also the MPS Classic which is the least expensive."[54]

Amplifiers

Pittman is endorsed by Orange Amplifiers.[55]

Kemper Profiler

Monte Pittman uses a Kemper Profiler for his live setup, paired with a Captor X IR from Two Notes Audio Engineering's Ministry DynIR Hot Rod Cabinet collection, with the signal routed to an Emperor Cabinets for front-of-house sound.[56]

Effects

Like most guitarists, Pittman's effects change from show to show, but he has consistently employed the Roger Linn Adrena Linn, the Emma DiscomBOBulator, and the Keeley Compressor. He has been known to use Eventide, Boss, MXR, Crybaby, Ernie Ball, Electro-Harmonix, Digitech, Line 6, Dunlop,[57] VoiceLive 2 by TC-Helicon[58] and Fishman effects pedals.[59]

Pickups

Pittman uses 78 and a Greenie Seymour Duncan Pickups in his guitars.[60][61]

Discography

Solo

  • Between the Space (2018)[62]
  • Better or Worse (2018)[62]
  • Inverted Grasp of Balance (2016)
  • The Power of Three (2014)
  • Before The Mourning Son – single (2013)
  • A Dark Horse – single (2013)
  • M.P.3: The Power of Three, Part 1 (2012)
  • Pain, Love, & Destiny (2011)
  • The Deepest Dark (with bonus tracks) (2010)
  • The Deepest Dark (2009)

With Madonna

With Ministry

With Prong

With Myra Mains

  • Condition (1996)
  • Buried (1999)
  • Two Blocks Down from the Seventh Sign (cassette EP) (1994)
  • MYRA MAINS (Eden's Way, Rape the Whirlwind, Truth, Death Is But a Bag of Chips) (self-titled cassette EP) (1992)

With other artists

Tours and special events

Awards

Artists in Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 Monte Pittman Best Rock Artist Nominated
Best Blues Artist Nominated
Best Solo Artist Won
Pain, Love & Destiny Album of the Year Nominated

Los Angeles Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012 Monte Pittman Male Singer/Songwriter Nominated

Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards

Pittman was honored by the Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards with the "Career Achievement Award – Guitarist" on November 15, 2012[69]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Monte Pittman Interview". Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. January 5, 2013. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  2. ^ "Monte Pittman Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
  3. ^ "Playing for 'kicks' by Glenn Evans". Longview News-Journal. February 11, 2011. pp. B1. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  4. ^ "Monte Pittman Fave 5 Record Reviews". Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. January 9, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  5. ^ Ltd, BandLab Singapore Pte. "MYRA MAINS | Metal from Longview, TX". ReverbNation. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  6. ^ "Playing for 'kicks' by Glenn Evans". Longview News-Journal. February 11, 2011. pp. B1. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  7. ^ "Super Bowl Soundtrack Longview note to ring at halftime show by Glenn Evans". Longview News-Journal. February 5, 2012. pp. C1. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  8. ^ Prong at Twisted Talent Concert Archived July 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Twisted-talent.com. Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  9. ^ Garry Sharpe-Young (2005) New Wave of American Heavy Metal (1st edition) ISBN 0-9582684-0-1
  10. ^ "How Monte became a Material guy by Peter Robb". The Ottawa Citizen. September 11, 2012. p. 25. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
  11. ^ Spring Hill graduate performs at Live Earth. Nl.newsbank.com (July 7, 2007). Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  12. ^ Monte Pittman: The Texas Trail to Prong and Madonna. Bossus.com. Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  13. ^ Madonna & Monte Pittman at the David Letterman Show. Youtube.com. Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  14. ^ Fury, Jeanne (January 20, 2014). "That Time Monte Pittman Taught Madonna a Pantera Riff".
  15. ^ published, Amit Sharma (September 12, 2018). "Session ace Monte Pittman's top 5 tips for guitarists: "Versatility is a huge thing for me. If I just did one style, I don't know if I would have survived this long"". MusicRadar.
  16. ^ "Handmade Acoustic Guitars: Best Custom Designs & Sound | Breedlove". Breedlove Guitar Company. Archived from the original on November 27, 2009.
  17. ^ "Announcing the MPS, Monte Pittman Signature Guitar".
  18. ^ "Super Bowl Soundtrack Longview note to ring at halftime show by Glenn Evans". Longview News-Journal. February 5, 2012. pp. C1. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  19. ^ Bullfeather, Bellicose (September 16, 2022). "Buddy Inducts Ministry and Madonna Guitarist Monte Pittman As a 2022 Texas Tornado For Guitar". Buddy Magazine - Est. 1973. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  20. ^ "MadonnaTribe meets Monte Pittman". MadonnaTribe. December 21, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  21. ^ "Playing for 'kicks' by Glenn Evans". Longview News-Journal. February 11, 2011. pp. B1. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  22. ^ published, Jon Wiederhorn (October 31, 2024). ""I planned to go out with Ministry. But then Madonna said, 'I want Monte here – even if he's just standing and holding a guitar'": Monte Pittman on his crazy journey from Guitar Center to Ministry via Prong and Madonna – and his band with Adam Lambert". Guitar World. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  23. ^ "Ministry Concert & Tour History (Updated for 2026) | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  24. ^ published, Jon Wiederhorn (October 31, 2024). ""I planned to go out with Ministry. But then Madonna said, 'I want Monte here – even if he's just standing and holding a guitar'": Monte Pittman on his crazy journey from Guitar Center to Ministry via Prong and Madonna – and his band with Adam Lambert". Guitar World. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  25. ^ The Citizen Vein – Discover music, concerts, stats, & pictures at. Last.fm (February 11, 2009). Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  26. ^ Gridlock 2010 feat. Adam Lambert Archived July 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Dose.clubzone.com. Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  27. ^ Adam Lambert's Orchestra Of Glitz Welcomes 2010. Rockstarweekly
  28. ^ Perlmutter, Adam. "Body Count: Ernie C & Juan Garcia's Riff Lust - Premier Guitar". www.premierguitar.com. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  29. ^ "Monte Pittman joins LA KISS Football house band | Metal Blade Records". Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  30. ^ hmhadmin (April 13, 2016). "LA KISS Debuts New HOUSE BAND for Home Games With Matt Starr Monte Pittman Patrick Stone and Jorgen Carlsson". Heavy Metal Hill. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  31. ^ Open Mic Night with Monte Pittman. Axestaticprocess.wordpress.com (January 31, 2010). Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  32. ^ Monte Pittman's solo album debut. Thezodiacshow.blogspot.com (December 3, 2009). Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  33. ^ "The Deepest Dark to be re-released in hard copy CD".
  34. ^ The Deepest Dark reaches Top Acoustic Albums on CDBaby. montepittman.com. October 8, 2010
  35. ^ Top 10 CD Baby Albums: October 2010. Blog.discmakers.com (November 1, 2010). Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  36. ^ Top 5 Most Successful Kickstarter Music Campaigns. Montepittman.com (August 10, 2011). Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  37. ^ Monte's 2nd album release date. Montepittman.com (August 7, 2011). Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  38. ^ "Featured Artist: Monte Pittman". January 12, 2012.
  39. ^ Show, The "in" (January 11, 2012). "the "IN" show NEWS: Monte Pittman announced to perform at the All Indie Music Awards".
  40. ^ "Monte to receive "Career Achievement Award"!". June 1, 2012.
  41. ^ "Watch Monte's interview & performance on ZDF's Morgenmagazin TV show!". June 29, 2012.
  42. ^ "Monte Pittman gets Metallica producer Flemming Rasmussen for his 3rd album". Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  43. ^ "Monte Pittman signs with Metal Blade Records for solo metal release". June 18, 2013.
  44. ^ "MONTE PITTMAN releases "Before the Mourning Son" single on iTunes!". November 25, 2013.
  45. ^ "Alex Skolnick & Chris Barnes are featured in Monte's new album". January 13, 2014.
  46. ^ "Monte Pittman "The Power of Three" | Metal Blade Records".
  47. ^ "Global Onslaught review for The Power Of Three". Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  48. ^ "Monte Pittman reveals details for new album, 'Inverted Grasp of Balance'". Monte Pittman. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  49. ^ a b "Monte Pittman releases two new albums, 'Better or Worse' and 'Between the Space', today via Metal Blade Records | Metal Blade Records".
  50. ^ "The Legendary Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp". June 6, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  51. ^ K, Jeff (July 18, 2014). "Monte Pittman Joins the ESP Family". The ESP Guitar Company. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  52. ^ "Announcing the MPS, Monte Pittman Signature Guitar".
  53. ^ "Jarrell Guitars Debuts "Monte Pittman Signature" Guitar At NAMM 2012".
  54. ^ "Monte Pittman talks about his career and new guitar on MetroSeeker.com". Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  55. ^ "Monte Pittman – Madonna". Orange Amplifiers. Archived from the original on September 1, 2011. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  56. ^ published, Jon Wiederhorn (October 31, 2024). ""I planned to go out with Ministry. But then Madonna said, 'I want Monte here – even if he's just standing and holding a guitar'": Monte Pittman on his crazy journey from Guitar Center to Ministry via Prong and Madonna – and his band with Adam Lambert". Guitar World. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  57. ^ Monte Pittman's pedalboard. Axestaticprocess.wordpress.com (August 2, 2009). Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  58. ^ TC-Helicon Artists Archived April 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Tc-helicon.com. Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  59. ^ Fishman Artists. Fishman.com. Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  60. ^ Peter (February 26, 2013). "Talking Tone & Thrash Royalty With Monte Pittman". Seymour Duncan. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  61. ^ King, Kat (June 6, 2012). "Monte Pittman on World Tour with Madonna". Seymour Duncan. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  62. ^ a b Godla, Frank (July 18, 2018). "MONTE PITTMAN Announces Two New Solo Albums And Full U.S. Tour With SEBASTIAN BACH". Metal Injection. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  63. ^ Take One (album). Wikipedia (December 3, 2009). Retrieved on December 27, 2011.
  64. ^ Nicki Richards "Nicki" Album Credits. Newsli.com (February 25, 2009). Retrieved on November 30, 2011.
  65. ^ "Discogs - Tracks Beta". Discogs.
  66. ^ "Monte joins Sebastian Bach on Tour this Fall!". July 16, 2018.
  67. ^ "Monte Pittman announces North American tour with Tony MacAlpine, Lonero | Metal Blade Records".
  68. ^ a b c d e "Ministry Concert & Tour History (Updated for 2026) | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  69. ^ "Monte Pittman to receive Career Achievement Awards". Montepittman.com.
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