John Michael Montgomery is ready to play the final show of his career tonight. The country music icon announced in July that he was retiring, with his last concert taking place on December 12, in his home state of Lexington, Kentucky.
When Montgomery was 58, he said he would retire when he was 60. Montgomery will turn 61 next month.
“I grew up on the stage,” Montgomery tells Taste of Country. “My favorite part of it all, above having hit records and all that stuff, is walking out on stage to entertain people. From the time I was a kid at six years old, I’ve loved that, and I still love it just as much today.”
Montgomery had his first Top 5 single in 1992, with “Life’s a Dance.” His next single, “I Love the Way You Love Me,” became his first of many No. 1 songs Montgomery enjoyed throughout his career.
“I remember when I got my first No. 1 hit record,” Montgomery says. “That’s something every singer dreams of.”
“I got a record deal, had a hit, and at that point I was like, ‘Okay, maybe I could actually do this and not have a real job one day,'” he continues. “It is a job, but when you do something you love this much, it’s never a job.”
View this post on Instagram
Why John Michael Montgomery Is Retiring
Montgomery might not have considered retirement, if not for having to come off the road in 2020 because of the pandemic.
“At the end of the year, I noticed that my body and my voice — everything — felt so good from being rested and not traveling,” Montgomery shares. “I didn’t realize how hard traveling on the road was getting to me.”
In 2022, Montgomery was involved in a serious bus crash, resulting in a few broken ribs, some cuts, and bruises. The two events made Montgomery realize he was ready to retire.
“It’s the same with any athlete, pro athlete, who’s been playing sports for years,” he shares. “They finally look in the mirror and realize it’s a young man’s game, and I’m not a young man anymore.”
Montgomery’s last album on a major label, Letters from Home, came out in 2004. In the more than two decades since then, Montgomery has continued making music and touring, working harder than ever in the last chapter of his extraordinary career.
“Growing up, you always heard the saying, ‘If you can get one hit, you can make a living off it the rest of your life,’” he says. “Well, that’s for those guys who get record deals — not me.”
How John Michael Montgomery Feels About Retiring
Montgomery is at peace with his decision to retire, but that doesn’t make it any easier for him.
“The best part is I’ve made a lot of friends,” Montgomery says through tears. “My band and crew guys have been with me, some of them for over 20 years. We all love music together.”
Still Montgomery, who is now a grandfather, is ready to enjoy time at home with his family and loved ones.
“I couldn’t have made up a better story,” Montgomery reflects. “From 50 years old to 60 went really fast. I know that 60 to 70 years old — good Lord willing I make it to 70 — it’s going to go faster. I want to try to enjoy it. I don’t want my memories to be riding in a bus, living out of a bunk or hotel room. I want them to be more about seeing my family grow.”
Montgomery’s final show will be a family affair. He will be joined by his brother, Eddie Montgomery, his son, Walker Montgomery, and Travis Denning, his son-in-law.