Austin singer-songwriter Monte Warden has been making music for decades, both as a solo artist and with his band, The Wagoneers. Now, a song inspired by a decades-old phrase has helped launch a new chapter for the longtime Austin musician.
Monte Warden joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin for Tunes Tuesday to talk about his career, the story behind “Doghouse Flowers,” the release of The Wagoneers’ first EP in 35 years and upcoming performances.
Monte Warden joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin for Tunes Tuesday to talk about his career, the story behind “Doghouse Flowers,” the release of The Wagoneers’ first EP in 35 years and upcoming performances.
Warden’s connection to Austin runs deep. His family first moved to the area when it was still known as Waterloo in 1838, and he began writing songs around the age of 12. By 14, he was playing guitar, and he formed his first real band at 15.
“We won a couple Chronicle Awards, and I started The Wagoneers when I was 19,” Warden said. “I’ve just been blessed. My dream has always been just to be a songwriter, have other people recording my songs, and this is the only job I’ve ever had. Such a blessed life.”
Over the years, Warden says his goal as a songwriter has remained simple: keep learning and keep getting better.
“You just always try as a songwriter. You always try to get better,” he said. “I listen to a bunch of other music and study music. You never can figure out music completely.”
That dedication has continued to shape Warden’s music throughout his career, including his latest release, “Doghouse Flowers.”
The song was finally recorded in January and released in March. After Warden and The Wagoneers performed at the Grand Ole Opry in April, “Doghouse Flowers” began gaining momentum.
Warden co-wrote the song with his wife, Brandy, more than two decades after she came up with the phrase while working in radio sales. According to Warden, a woman his wife worked with was constantly receiving flowers from her boyfriend after arguments, prompting Brandy to describe them as “doghouse flowers.”
Years later, the phrase became the foundation for a rockabilly-inspired song.
“We sat down trying to write a straight-up rockabilly song, like an Elvis or Johnny Burnette or Carl Perkins deal,” Warden said. “And the phrase just presented itself.”
The song was finally recorded in January and released in March. After Warden and The Wagoneers performed at the Grand Ole Opry in April, “Doghouse Flowers” began gaining momentum.
The song has since become the band’s biggest hit, reaching No. 19 nationwide.
That success also inspired Warden and The Wagoneers to release their first EP in 35 years.
“We had a few more songs in the can,” Warden said. “And so we put the EP out yesterday and hopefully it’ll do well.”
The new EP gives fans more music from the longtime band, including “Yesterday Stopped By,” another song Warden wrote with Brandy. He says the track is particularly special because of how well it fits his voice.
“I think ‘Yesterday Stopped By’—it’s another one Brandy and I wrote—the band just plays the heck out of it, but I think it’s probably my best singing I’ve ever done on a recording,” Warden said.
Brandy’s experience in the music industry also played a role in shaping the song. Warden says she previously worked as an A&R executive at major labels in Nashville, giving her a strong understanding of what works best for his voice.
“Her ear goes towards what is best for my voice much better than I am, because I just try to write the best song I can,” he said. “But her ear goes towards what is best for my voice, and ‘Yesterday Stopped By’ just lined up just right.”
Warden and The Wagoneers are continuing to perform throughout the year, including a return to the Grand Ole Opry this Saturday in Nashville. This will mark Warden’s 16th appearance at the legendary venue.
Warden and The Wagoneers are continuing to perform throughout the year, including a return to the Grand Ole Opry this Saturday in Nashville. This will mark Warden’s 16th appearance at the legendary venue.
For Austin audiences, Warden will perform at Parker Jazz Club on August 20. He also performs at the Broken Spoke on the last Friday of every month.
After decades of making music in Austin, Warden said he appreciates the city’s continued support of local musicians—and the work We Are Austin does to spotlight them.
“As a musician here in town, thank y’all for always doing this for us musicians here in town,” Warden said. “We watch the segment every week, and y’all do a lot of good.”
With a new EP, a hit song and more performances ahead, Warden is continuing to do what he’s loved since he first started writing songs as a kid: making music and sharing it with audiences.Monte Warden & the Wagoneers release first EP in 35 years
Austin singer-songwriter Monte Warden has been making music for decades, both as a solo artist and with his band, The Wagoneers. Now, a song inspired by a decades-old phrase has helped launch a new chapter for the longtime Austin musician.
Warden joined Sierra Waggoner on We Are Austin for Tunes Tuesday to talk about his career, the story behind “Doghouse Flowers,” the release of The Wagoneers’ first EP in 35 years and upcoming performances.
Warden’s connection to Austin runs deep. His family first moved to the area when it was still known as Waterloo in 1838, and he began writing songs around the age of 12. By 14, he was playing guitar, and he formed his first real band at 15.
“We won a couple Chronicle Awards, and I started The Wagoneers when I was 19,” Warden said. “I’ve just been blessed. My dream has always been just to be a songwriter, have other people recording my songs, and this is the only job I’ve ever had. Such a blessed life.”
Over the years, Warden says his goal as a songwriter has remained simple: keep learning and keep getting better.
“You just always try as a songwriter. You always try to get better,” he said. “I listen to a bunch of other music and study music. You never can figure out music completely.”
That dedication has continued to shape Warden’s music throughout his career, including his latest release, “Doghouse Flowers.”
Warden co-wrote the song with his wife, Brandy, more than two decades after she came up with the phrase while working in radio sales. According to Warden, a woman his wife worked with was constantly receiving flowers from her boyfriend after arguments, prompting Brandy to describe them as “doghouse flowers.”
Years later, the phrase became the foundation for a rockabilly-inspired song.
“We sat down trying to write a straight-up rockabilly song, like an Elvis or Johnny Burnette or Carl Perkins deal,” Warden said. “And the phrase just presented itself.”
The song was finally recorded in January and released in March. After Warden and The Wagoneers performed at the Grand Ole Opry in April, “Doghouse Flowers” began gaining momentum.
The song has since become the band’s biggest hit, reaching No. 19 nationwide.
That success also inspired Warden and The Wagoneers to release their first EP in 35 years.
“We had a few more songs in the can,” Warden said. “And so we put the EP out yesterday and hopefully it’ll do well.”
The new EP gives fans more music from the longtime band, including “Yesterday Stopped By,” another song Warden wrote with Brandy. He says the track is particularly special because of how well it fits his voice.
“I think ‘Yesterday Stopped By’—it’s another one Brandy and I wrote—the band just plays the heck out of it, but I think it’s probably my best singing I’ve ever done on a recording,” Warden said.
Brandy’s experience in the music industry also played a role in shaping the song. Warden says she previously worked as an A&R executive at major labels in Nashville, giving her a strong understanding of what works best for his voice.
“Her ear goes towards what is best for my voice much better than I am, because I just try to write the best song I can,” he said. “But her ear goes towards what is best for my voice, and ‘Yesterday Stopped By’ just lined up just right.”
Warden and The Wagoneers are continuing to perform throughout the year, including a return to the Grand Ole Opry this Saturday in Nashville. This will mark Warden’s 16th appearance at the legendary venue.
For Austin audiences, Warden will perform at Parker Jazz Club on August 20. He also performs at the Broken Spoke on the last Friday of every month.
With a new EP, a hit song and more performances ahead, Warden is continuing to do what he’s loved since he first started writing songs as a kid: making music and sharing it with audiences!
After decades of making music in Austin, Warden said he appreciates the city’s continued support of local musicians—and the work We Are Austin does to spotlight them.
“As a musician here in town, thank y’all for always doing this for us musicians here in town,” Warden said. “We watch the segment every week, and y’all do a lot of good.”
With a new EP, a hit song and more performances ahead, Warden is continuing to do what he’s loved since he first started writing songs as a kid: making music and sharing it with audiences!