Pop Quiz: Ray LaMontagne

Pop Quiz: Ray LaMontagne

Aidin Vaziri | A few years ago, the soft-spoken Ray LaMontagne was just about to start another early morning shift at a Maine shoe factory. At 4:30 a.m., his clock radio woke him up to Stephen Stills' "Treetop Flyer," and in a Ferris Bueller moment, LaMontagne decided to blow off work and search out the song on the singer's 1991 album, "Stills Alone." Through that he discovered folkies like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young and chose to dedicate his life to following in their footsteps. So far, so good. The 31-year-old songwriter's first album, "Trouble," has been getting all kinds of critical applause and steady radio play.

Ray LaMontagne
Q: How do you expect to get on MTV with a beard?
A: We'll see. First of all, if I'm never on MTV, I will not be disappointed in my life. It is not going to make or break my day. It's not a goal of mine to be on MTV at all.
Q: I think the last person they allowed on there with a beard was Kenny Loggins with "Danger Zone."
A: No, no, don't forget the Spin Doctors. That guy had a beard.
Q: You could always get one of those Backstreet Boys-type beards, where you just shave two lines coming out of your nose and going into your ear.
A: I'll think about it.
Q: Somehow your album is doing well despite the facial hair.
A: I guess so. I don't know.
Q: No, your songs are actually on the radio.
A: I kind of want to throw up when I hear them.
Q: I think Britney Spears has the same reaction, but that's because she's terrible. What's your problem?
A: I just can't stand the sound of my own voice.
Q: Yet you thought it was fine to subject the public to it?