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| Jamie Montoya circa 1992-2000 (and yes... that's my real hair) |
The first time that press interviewed me for the upcoming "Legends" show in Tampa (headlined by former Miss Continental and current Miss Florida FI Heather Fontaine) I was unprepared for the first question.
I was one of two back up dancers that had been currently paying my dues (by etching my craft as a female impersonator) at the nudist resort "Paradise Lakes" in Land O Lakes Florida. It was the one place I ever worked where I punched in on a time card to wear heels and twirl. It was also where I learned to do flips in heels in front of a crowd of maybe 250 nude people in their nightclub.
It all began in the Midwest (Madison Wisconsin), back when Tim had outed me to my folks. I began performing in the nightclubs as a male performer, singing, go go dancing, lyp syncing to Prince, or acting in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I even went out for Mr Pageants and sang and played keys but never won anything except a bar title.
I had club sponsors from around the state invested in my male career like Za's in Green bay and several other nightclubs in Milwaukee, Wausau, Appleton, Stevens Point and more. I was touring with a performance troupe singing and go go dancing so I started making a small name for myself.
And one thing I have a gift for is what Heather calls "tipping around". Its the time right before a show when you go out into the audience and "tip around"....meeting people so they tip you when you are onstage. That's why it's called tipping around. I can work a room (and genuinely connect with others) when I want and I can make a memorable impression. I have met bombshell famous celebrities this way, that have given the right support to guide my career. I can fit in almost anywhere and because of God's favor I have the respect of many a fascinating original person and I have grown through each experience.
Du wanna Moore was giving up her crown to Sasha Mitchell for Miss Wisconsin USA (female impersonation) that year, and she needed a back up dancer for the song I introduced her too...Sandi Patty's "Carry On". Since we were the same size, she suggested she paint me and wear her clothes. People literally fell out of their chairs when I hit the stage as a Miss.
Some were mad. "He is such a beautiful boy, look at him now he's a truck driver in a dress...what a pity...what a waste!"
You know I never once wanted to be a queen I just kind of walked into the profession. Countless times I would go onstage in front of packed houses as a male, and would sing circles around queens, while they just stood there and people handed them money.The first song I lyp synched to in heels was Sandi Patty's "Amazing Grace" and that's all it took. The bug hit when I looked at female impersonation like character acting. One thing I can do...is act.
Others saw the beauty I could be that night when I was back up for Sasha. Back then Cass Marie Domino (my age) was already a drag STAR in our local community....and we were friends. We both lost Jeff Hamiliec to the plague. She inspired me enough to break out fresh somewhere. I was looking for my own star to rise on and ready for anything and anyway it took to be successful as long as it was not illegal.
Coincidentally, Brian (my first partner of 7 years) and I went on vacation that year to visit our best friends Dean and Scott in Tampa Florida. One night we went down to Ybor City to a club called Tracks which used to be called El Goya. I had stars in my eyes to see the show, (not knowing that Tampa is the # 1 place in the nation for the art of true female impersonation).
The legend goes that a certain underground organization owned a club years back....wait you know what...I think I will keep that to myself. Let's just say that there is a reason Tampa was/is the number one place for female impersonation.......a very good reason.
From the moment I saw the first authentic looking female impersonator with boobs was that evening at Tracks in Tampa. It was Amy Demilo in a Vegas Style number...and I was hooked. I turned to Brian and said, I am not going home to Wisconsin. If you want to stay with me, you will go back up, pack up, get the dogs and move back down here to be with me. I am not leaving.
And I didn't. Brian did go back and do as I asked, then came back down to be with me and worked 3 jobs to support my new ambition. I transferred through the Olive Garden and began performing that week.
I don't know why but I knew God was with me through every talent show I lost. It is almost like He pushed me to succeed. I think He was teaching me lessons about determination, confidence in Him, and not giving up. Definitely lessons I used when I was leading music ministry later on. I gave Him my craft and he introduced me to Heather n Gilda and all the right people.
For years I went every night to a different talent show between St Pete, Clearwater or Tampa paying my dues...until one day...I got my shot. Through a series of events and my gig at the nudist resort, I was hired as a back up dancer making 25 dollars a show 6 shows a week 5 day rehearsals at Tremors in N Tampa. I even learned to tap dance in heels for this big break.
So when the press asked me my name that day for the Intouch and Contax gay magazines...who knew I would be so unprepared?
"Hi, what is your stage name?" the reporter inquired.
"Um...uh...(sh*t why haven't I thought of this...like ever)...uh...(tick tock tick tock)....uh...Jamie" I exhaled sitting down in my 2000 dollar Bob Mackie beaded gown with rhinestones from my ass to my elbow.
"That's great...what is your last name"? the reporter inquired while focusing the camera and (digging deep in my eyes) sensing I was unprepared.
"Uh....uhh...I am Jamie....uhh..uhhh...(the only thing I could think of that went well with Jamie fell out) uuuh...Jamie Montoya. My name is Miss Jamie Montoya."
"I Love it!!" the reporter exclaimed "you look like a Jamie Montoya"
Lady you have no idea I thought as I wondered if someday this could affect my career somewhere else?
Who knew my real name (would be my girl stage name later on) then be my recording artist name and the name printed on bulletins as Contemporary Worship Assistant? God has always had me in mind as a worship leader because I grew up leading the congregation by playing the piano for a Southern Baptist church service on Sunday mornings. We helped to plant churches so in High School by default I was the church pianist. It was part of my calling I received when I asked Christ in my heart at age 5.
I may have not been technically correct all the time, but I was spirit filled. I remember playing The Family Of God during the welcome, and this couple stood up after and said to us all, "We just came from a trip around the world, and to hear Jamie play The Family Of God...warms out heart because we know that we are at home in The Family Of God."
Today I consider myself an adult contemporary recording artist, worship leader, songwriter and Sound Designer, who happens to be a spirit filled Christian that happens to be gay.
I know I have been absent recently for a bit, but my song currently playing on the radio is growing legs. It is called "What Love Can Do". It's about hope, and clean slates, 3rd and 4th chances, Plan C, overcoming challenges and victory! You can check it out at www.party934.com to hear it. I wrote it, I sang all the back up harmonies and am playing the keys. Ask for Dale at party934.com, he and the other mixologists are talented and beyond.
I have been lured by being offered money and a contract with a company in Nashville and am interested but put it on hold till I consider all offers. I need to focus on my school. I got a D on my midterm...through all the excitement. Also Professor JT just showed Dakota and I a private recording studio in school that we can record in whenever we like. I am like a kid in a candy store!!! They should have showed me this first day...i never would have been absent!!!
For now, there is one thing I know...and I stand on until the next blog as I continue to reveal God's reflections of love in my life that "All things are working together for me, because I love God and I am answering His call on my life according to His Purpose."
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| "Miss Jamie Montoya cast member "Sharp A's Lounge" Gulfport Florida with Bobbi York special guest" |
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| Jamie Montoya Recording Artist |
