Earl “Peanutt” Montgomery
February 6, 1941
2023 Inductee

Earl “Peanutt” Montgomery is a songwriter, singer, musician and Baptist minister. He has been one of Nashville’s top songwriters and session players for many years. Montgomery began his career as the lead guitarist at FAME Studios and has played with such legendary artists as Bob Dylan, Etta James and Patsy Cline. George Jones recorded 73 songs written by Peanutt, including many duets with Tammy Wynette. Other country artists such as Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, Hank Williams, Jr., and Merle Haggard have also recorded his songs. Montgomery was awarded the Arthur Alexander Songwriter’s Award by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1997.

Peanutt is the youngest in his family, and in the 1950s and 60s, played guitar with Shoals area artists, such as Bobby Denton, Charlie Senn, The Fairlanes, as well as Shoals area recording sessions with Arthur Alexander, Jimmy Hughes, The Tams, and Tommy Roe. Peanutt has written or co-written many songs, such as “What’s Your Mama’s Name Child,” “We’re Gonna Hold On,” “One of These Days,” and “Loving You Could Never be Better.” He has toured with George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Red Foley, Michael Landon, Cowboy Copas, and Patsy Cline.

In 1976, Peanutt was called to preach. In 1980, he became the pastor of Oakwood Baptist Church in Sheffield. He and his wife, Charlene, began wrting hospel music with songs such as, “Let’s All Go Down To The River, There’s a Man Walking On The Water.” Montgomery and his wife opened and operated Sweetwater Recording Studio and Mister Magic Music Publishing Company in Sheffield.