Country music star John Michael Montgomery is set to play his retirement show Friday at Rupp Arena.
The singer, who is just 60, recently had a message for fans in an interview that he shared on social media.
“I appreciate everything and all these years,” he said in a video on his Instagram. “It’s all about the fans for me anyway. You know, it ain’t about Nashville. It ain’t about any of that stuff for me. For me, it’s always been about getting onstage and watching the people enjoy what I do, and to be able to do this for a living for as long as I’ve been a kid growing up in the music business and to be where I’m able to be at today … it’s only because there were people out there that came to see me or I’d be without a job.
“From the nightclubs all the way to where I’m at today, and so, you know, I hope that they can find a way to get to Rupp Arena on Dec. 12,” he added. “If not, all I can say is thank you for the support, and it’s tough to say goodbye, but it’s something that you just gotta go, ‘Thank y’all very much, but it’s time to go.’”
Montgomery has been telling folks for more than a year that 2025 would be his last on tour, and he is ending his career where it began.
“I stepped on a tour bus for the first time in 1992 and haven’t looked back since,’ Montgomery said in a press release. “But now it’s time to bring it all back home for my last concert — and I can’t think of a better place than Rupp Arena.”
Also slated to perform at the farewell concert will be Montgomery’s brother, Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, and his son, Walker Montgomery, and son-in-law, Travis Denning.
“We are going to have a lot of fun and end this ride in a big way,” Montgomery said.
Montgomery’s retirement from the road is timely as he introduced the world to his first grandchild earlier this year.
“I am a Grandpa! Say hello to Charlotte!” he wrote on Instagram while holding his new granddaughter.
Montgomery first announced he was retiring on Facebook in 2024.
“I have decided to wind down my touring career over this year and 2025,” he wrote back then. “It’s been a wonderful run for me from the beginning over 30 years ago in 1992 when my first song ‘Life’s A Dance’ was released to radio.”
He reminded folks on the social media platform at the start of 2025.
“Happy New Year!” the country music star wrote. “We had a great 2024, thanks to everyone who came out to the shows. Looking forward to seeing you next year as I kick off my ROAD TO HOME farewell tour. Wishing you all a blessed 2025!”
Montgomery has had one heck of a ride across his long career, and according to CelebrityNetWorth.com he is set to retire with an estimated net worth of at least $20 million.
The singer’s first three albums, 1992’s “Life’s A Dance,” 1994’s “Kickin’ It Up,” and 1995’s “John Michael Montgomery,” were all reportedly multi-platinum selling albums. And he has reportedly sold more than 16 million albums in his career.
His Billboard number-one hits include: “I Love the Way You Love Me,” “I Swear,” and “I Can Love You Like That.”
Good news for fans of the artist is that while it sounds as though he is all but wrapping up his time on the road, he reportedly hasn’t ruled out the occasional appearance, and it doesn’t sound like he is completely walking away from making music.