<\/p>\n
The bad news for country music fans in 2025 is that a trio of acts, including two legendary singers, announced retirements.<\/p>\n
But were they really retirements?<\/p>\n
Because, the good news is that, while announced as farewells, the moves mostly apply to touring. Even though it will be harder to see them in person, there is the chance that there could still be some new music down the road.<\/p>\n
So, while they are winding down and have walked away from the road, there\u2019s still a chance folks. <\/p>\n
Check out the acts that said goodbye this year below: <\/p>\n
Alan Jackson wrapped up his career as a live performer in June at Nashville\u2019s Nissan Stadium. <\/p>\n
If folks are wondering why the 67-year-old star called it a career, at least for live performances, there\u2019s good reason. A big part of the decision was simply his desire to spend more time with family.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been touring for over 30 years, you know, played everywhere in the country and parts of the world,\u201d Jackson said when he announced his farewell tour. \u201cHave had a wonderful career, and getting into my twilight years, and all my daughters are grown, and I got one grandchild and one on the way. Enjoy spending more time at home, and don\u2019t want to be away like I had to be in my younger days, and I don\u2019t tour as much now as I did 10 years ago. But I think it\u2019s getting time to start thinking about hanging it up full-time.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s not the only reason for winding the career down, though. The singer has been dealing with a rare genetic condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. It is a chronic neuropathy condition that affects a person\u2019s balance and ability to walk, and it apparently runs in his family. He cited that, too, while explaining why he was retiring this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of my fans know I have a degenerative health condition that affects my legs and arms and my mobility that I got from my daddy and it\u2019s getting worse,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, it makes me more uncomfortable on stage, and I just have a hard time, and I just want to think about maybe calling it quits before I\u2019m unable to do the job like I want to.\u201d<\/p>\n
While it is sad that Jackson has stepped away, in the end, he did pretty, darned well for himself in his career.<\/p>\n
It has been a long run for Jackson, who began his career in 1987. It has been a lucrative run, too.<\/p>\n
Just how lucrative?<\/p>\n
Well, according to CelebrityNetWorth.com<\/b><\/a>, Jackson has an estimated fortune of $150 million. That number was also good enough to put Jackson among the top 10 \u2014 he was ninth \u2014 richest active country music stars in the country in 2024. <\/p>\n Country music star John Michael Montgomery played his retirement show in December at Rupp Arena, and heading into the big event he sat down for an interview where he revealed why he was walking away. <\/p>\n Montgomery is just 60, and for a singer that is still relatively young. But Montgomery\u2019s reasoning is sound. He told Taste of Country<\/b><\/a> the build to retiring from the road actually began back during COVID. He was forced to take a break, just like most entertainers during the pandemic, and at the end of the year he had an eye-opener. <\/p>\n \u201cI noticed my body and my voice \u2014 everything \u2014 felt so good from being rested and not traveling,\u201d he told Taste of Country. \u201cI didn\u2019t realize how hard traveling on the road was getting to me.\u201d<\/p>\n The singer suffered four broken ribs the next year in a bus crash, and that kind of solidified things.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the same with any athlete, pro athlete, who\u2019s been playing sports for years,\u201d he told Taste of Country. \u201cThey finally look in the mirror and realize it\u2019s a young man\u2019s game, and I\u2019m not a young man anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n So, Montgomery said, at 58 he told his family when he hit 60 he was giving up touring. <\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t have made a better story,\u201d he told Taste of Country. \u201cFrom 50 years old to 60 went really fast. I know that 60 to 70 years old \u2014 good Lord willing I make it to 70 \u2014 it\u2019s going to go faster. I want to try to enjoy it. I don\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Montgomery did share a bit of news with Taste of Country that his fans will be glad to hear. While he is stepping away from touring, he is leaving the door open to performing. <\/p>\n \u201cI grew up on the stage,\u201d he said. \u201cMy favorite part of it all \u2014 above having hit records and all that stuff \u2014 is walking out on stage to entertain people. From the time I was a kid at 6 years old, I\u2019ve loved that, and I still love it just as much today.\u201d<\/p>\n Popular country music group Town Mountain retired from touring after two decades together. <\/p>\n The band actually played its final road show on Oct. 26 at the Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. <\/p>\n \u201cAfter the final show, all that\u2019s left to say is \u2018THANK YOU\u2019\u201d the band shared in a statement on Instagram. \u201cThank you to everyone who traveled far and wide to catch the last show, thank you everyone who streamed it on @nugsnet, thank you for your years and years of support, thank you for all the kind messages and notes and stories about how TM has impacted your life in one way or another \u2026 It is all so powerful and all we can say is \u2018Thank you.\u2019 <\/p>\n \u201cIn the hopes of not sounding too clich\u00e9 quoting @robertearlkeen1 \u2026 \u2018the road goes on forever and the party never ends\u2019 \u2026 so we\u2019ll catch y\u2019all down the road.\u201d<\/p>\n Fans were quick to reply with their appreciation.<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t thank you guys enough for all the joy you brought me through your music and fellowship!\u201d one person wrote. \u201cI love you guys and I can\u2019t wait to see what\u2019s next for each of you! You guys are and will forever be my favorite band!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you guys for all the great memories!\u201d another person wrote. \u201cLucky enough to catch y\u2019all a bunch over the years, from the streets of Asheville to the Ryman and everywhere between. Wish you all the best.\u201d<\/p>\n There were more comments like that and you can see those as well as the band\u2019s post here. <\/b><\/a><\/p>\n The band first announced that it was retiring from touring earlier this year.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter two decades on the road and just over 1500 shows together, Town Mountain will be stepping away from touring following our fall run,\u201d <\/b>a statement on the band\u2019s page read. <\/b><\/a>\u201cThis was not an easy decision, but it is one we made together with a lot of respect, reflection, and love for what we\u2019ve built. <\/p>\n \u201cOur last shows will take place this fall, wrapping up on October 26th at the Ardmore Music Hall,\u201d the statement continued. \u201cWe\u2019d love to see as many of you as possible along the way. These dates mean a lot to us, and we\u2019re bringing the same fire and energy you\u2019ve always come to expect from a Town Mountain show.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether it\u2019s your first or your fiftieth, we hope you\u2019ll come be part of this run,\u201d the statement added. \u201cThese shows will be special. Who knows what the future holds, but thank you for being part of the ride. We are forever grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n Town Mountain formed in 2005 and built a loyal fanbase. <\/p>\nJohn Michael Montgomery <\/b><\/u><\/h2>\n
Town Mountain <\/b><\/u><\/h2>\n