“It’s Time To Go” – John Michael Montgomery Concludes His Career With Emotional Farewell Concert
John Michael Montgomery is hanging up his touring hat and has officially said “goodbye” to fans during a farewell concert at Rupp Arena.
John Michael Montgomery, who turned 60 this year, announced his retirement in early 2024. He told fans at the time, “I have decided to wind down my touring career over this year and 2025. 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 on the radio.”
Montgomery garnered three multi-platinum albums in the ’90s and charted 30 singles. Seven of those 30 songs became No. 1 hits and included, “I Love The Way You Love Me,” Be My Baby Tonight,” “I Swear,” and “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident).”
For his farewell, John Michael went back to where it all started.
Thousands of fans packed Lexington, Kentucky’s Rupp Arena Friday night (December 12) for “The Road Home” The Final Concert.
Prior to the show, Montgomery told the media that it was hard to believe 33 years had passed since he was playing in a nightclub just up the road from the arena where he was wrapping up his career.
In a video shared to social media, John Michael shared a message for the fans who have supported him over the last three decades.
“I appreciate everything and all these years,” he said. “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.
“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.’”
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The farewell concert was a family affair for John Michael, whose son, Walker Montgomery, son-in-law, Travis Denning, and brother, Eddie Montgomery, served as open acts.
Fans reacted to John Michael Montgomery’s emotional farewell concert.
Fans attending the concert flooded social media with photos and videos of the event. They also shared their own memories of Montgomery’s career and his profound impact on their lives.
At the end of the concert, Rupp Arena’s general manager surprised Montgomery by revealing a banner honoring him that will be on display alongside the accomplishments of the city’s college basketball, the UK Wildcats.
“There’s a lot of similarities between you and the Wildcats. When people come into Rupp Arena they get to see the greatness of the UK basketball team with banners in the ceiling. And we thought, why would those same people not be able to come in and see a banner in the ceiling to celebrate one of the greatest country music stars who has ever lived,” he said. “John, your name will forever be hanging in Rupp Arena for all fans to see.”
John Michael was clearly moved by the gesture, as captured in a clip shared by Rupp Arena. And in a video captured by an attendee, Montgomery proclaims that the “unexpected” surprise was “the most special thing that’s happened to me in my career.” See both videos below.
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@countrynow.com John Michael Montgomery performs his classic hit “Life’s A Dance” during his final concert in Lexington, KY. 🙌 #90scountry #johnmichaelmontgomery #country #countrymusic ♬ original sound – CountryNow.com
