 In 1987, he took part in the Trinidad and Tobago National Song Writers Festival, and placed second with his song "Dream Girl".He also won the Caribbean Song Festival in Barbados, becoming the first Trinidadian and youngest contestant to win this competition.The band developed and was re-invented by its leader Montano several times, including as The Xtatik Circus, Xtatik The Road Marching Band and The Band of the Year, as part of his Zen battle to keep his band and his performances fresh.