Monte Warden is a multi-million-selling songwriter, as well as a two-time inductee into The Texas Music Hall of Fame as both a solo artist and as a founding member of his band, The Wagoneers. His critically-acclaimed career began when he was a teenager with his first band, Whoa! Trigger (1983 Austin Music Award for Best New Band), then fronting and writing for The Wagoneers, which signed with A&M Records after playing the first SXSW music festival in 1986. and released an album in 1988 and another in 1989. Since those early days, he has released solo albums, written multi-million selling songs for Moonkiss Music and dozens of major artists, including George Strait, and appeared in numerous top-ten music videos and television shows, including multiple appearances on Austin City Limits and The Grand Ole Opry.
In 2017, he started the group Monte Warden and The Dangerous Few, showcasing the songwriting collaboration of Warden and his wife Brandi with two self-released albums that include songs that charted on Billboard and received multiple Grammy nominations.
This year, Warden announced that The Wagoneers would be releasing new music for the first time since 1989. The new singles “Doghouse Flowers” and “Yesterday Stopped By” reflect the band’s original spirit while showcasing decades of experience, reaffirming The Wagoneers’ place in the American music canon.
Warden is a proud father, husband, and 7th-generation Texan, whose ancestors fought in the Battles of Bexar and San Jacinto in the Texas Revolution.
Condition(s) & Date(s) of Treatment:
Broken right shoulder in June 2025. Surgery in July 2025 and second surgery in February 2026.
What inspired you to start playing music?
I have always been drawn to music, and my records were among my best friends when I was a little boy – that, and I thought playing guitar would help with meeting women.
Who are some of your musical inspirations?
Elvis, Buddy Holly, Waylon Jennings, Dean Martin, Dave Brubeck, Everly Bros, Emmylou Harris, and Hank Williams.
What was the injury that brought you to MTF, and how did the injury affect your music?
When I broke my shoulder while on my daily run last June, I was obviously unable to play guitar at all. I was booked on The Grand Ole Opry in August, and the first surgeon we consulted said I wouldn’t play for NINE MONTHS! I was made aware of MTF, and a few weeks later, I saw Dr. Barron, who assured me he’d have me onstage with my guitar in seven weeks! He did. This cat’s a miracle-worker. A blessing. Brandi and I are beyond grateful God saw fit to bring him into our lives.
What was your experience with receiving care through MTF and your recovery afterward?
Dr. Barron and MTF have been living angels for my family and me. The care has been world-class. The compassion has been as if I were a family member…(well, not my family growin’ up, I was raised by shit-show wolves, but, ya know…like a TV family – The Cunninghams, etc.)
What’s coming up for you?
The group I founded when I was a teenager, The Wagoneers, just released our first single in 37 years AND are blessed to be returning to The Grand Ole Opry on Sat April 18! I also play Parker Jazz Club monthly with my group, Monte Warden and The Dangerous Few.
Where can people find out more about you and your music?
My two groups – Monte Warden and The Dangerous Few (a jazz combo) and Monte Warden and The Wagoneers (a honky-tonk band) – can be found on all of the streaming platforms. I have been blessed to write songs for dozens of artists, and my songs have been recorded and can easily be found by doing a “songwriter search.