Country music star John Michael Montgomery has officially announced his retirement from touring, revealing plans for his final performance this December. The 60-year-old artist shared the news on Instagram, confirming that his farewell concert will take place on December 12 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky — his home state.
Montgomery, best known for chart-topping hits like “I Swear,” “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident),” and “Be My Baby Tonight,” said the venue felt like the perfect place to close the chapter on a decades-long career. He hinted at a memorable night, revealing that special guests including his brother Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, his son Walker Montgomery, and his son-in-law Travis Denning will join him on stage. Tickets for the event go on sale this Friday.
His retirement was first announced in a Facebook post on New Year’s Day 2024, where he reflected on his journey since 1992 when his debut song “Life’s a Dance” hit the airwaves — first released on vinyl and cassette before CDs and the internet became mainstream. That album went triple platinum, followed by even greater success with “Kickin’ It Up” and his self-titled 1995 album, both certified quadruple platinum.
Over his 30-year career, Montgomery earned seven number-one singles, 12 top ten hits, and received multiple accolades including four Academy of Country Music Awards, two Country Music Association Awards, and three Grammy nominations.
His son Walker recently commented on the retirement, saying his father deserves a break after decades of relentless touring, especially during the grueling pace of the 1990s. According to Walker, Montgomery now plans to enjoy retirement life in a camper — preferably inland in Florida — and unwind from the road.
Earlier this month, the country icon also shared a joyful personal update: he has become a grandfather. Montgomery posted a picture on Instagram introducing his granddaughter, Charlotte, alongside his wife Crystal White.
