Boots Roots
"The One Man Band"
The Black Sheep
Robert Montgomery (Boots Roots) was born on January 14th, 1935 in Miami, Florida. Boots Roots performed many years in Miami and traveled extensively performing the Blues with many bands. While traveling through Chattanooga, TN, doing gigs, he thought it would be a great location to "Retire. Since "retiring" 30 years ago in Chattanooga, he has entertained thousands of local residents and tourists passing through town. Boots Roots lived in the Chattanooga area for over 30 years, playing music to all who walked by. Before coming to Tennessee, he worked as a handyman, relocating to Scenic City after some health issues prevented him
from working anymore. He chose Chattanooga due to its proximity to Atlanta, Knoxville, and Nashville. In the day, he was well known for his van and his street music in all these cities. He stayed in Chattanooga since it was easy for him to get around.
Boots Performing in Chattanooga
In 2007, Boots Roots had the opportunity to make a CD with some of his music. The One Man Band has songs such as “Black Sheep,” “Hard On Me,” and “Doin’ Me Wrong.” He would sell these CDs as he played on the corner of Broad Street and Aquarium Way, playing the Blues from his heart.
CD's and Communities
Chattanooga
CD "The One Man Band"
A Lasting Impact
Boots Roots Performing Downtown
No one could play the Blues as Boots Roots did. He had a special attire anytime he played: his necklace filled with trinkets, his cowboy-type hat covered with buttons, and most of all his guitar. Boots Roots passed in 2021 at the age of 86 in Miami, Florida. He had a lasting impact on the community of Chattanooga. There are other street musicians in town now, but they all honor the spot where Boots worked and when he was in Chattanooga, they would only go there when he was done for the day. If they were there when he arrived, they would politely move on. The Blues will forever remember Boots Roots.