John Michael Montgomery
Encyclopedia
John Michael Montgomery (born January 20, 1965, in Danville, Kentucky
) is an American country music
artist. He has produced more than thirty singles on the Billboard country charts, including two of Billboard
’s Number One country singles of the year: "I Swear
" (1994) and "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)
" (1995). Besides these two songs, five more of Montgomery's singles have reached the top of the country charts: "I Love the Way You Love Me
", "Be My Baby Tonight
", "If You've Got Love
", "I Can Love You Like That
", and "The Little Girl
", while thirteen more have reached Top Ten. Montgomery's recordings of "I Swear" and "I Can Love You Like That" were both released concurrently with R&B versions by the group All-4-One
. Montgomery has also released eleven studio albums, counting a Christmas album. The most recent, Time Flies
, was released on his own Stringtown label in late 2008.
and raised and lived in Garrard County, Kentucky
, Montgomery received musical encouragement from his father, who performed in a local country band and taught his son his first chords. John Michael joined the family band (which also included his brother, Eddie Montgomery, who would later join Troy Gentry in the duo Montgomery Gentry
) as guitarist before taking the lead singing role when his parents divorced. Afterwards, he made a frugal living on the local honky-tonk scene as a solo artist playing what he referred to as "working man's country." Eventually, Atlantic Records
signed him.
, that became the only million-seller on the country charts by a new artist that year. Its title track
was a #4 hit single and was followed by his first country chart-topper, "I Love the Way You Love Me
" (also a #60 pop hit), and the #21 "Beer and Bones". "I Love the Way You Love Me" was named Single of the Year by the Academy of Country Music
, and Life's a Dance earned triple-platinum RIAA certification.
. This album was led off by the Number One country and #42 pop hit "I Swear
", which was also the Number One country hit for the entire year according to Billboard Year-End
. After this song came the #4 "Rope the Moon
", and two more Number Ones in "Be My Baby Tonight
" and "If You've Got Love
". "I Swear" gained further success a year later, when it was covered by pop group All-4-One
. Kickin' It Up also sold even higher than his debut, earning a quadruple platinum certification for shipments of four million copies.
third studio album. Also a quadruple-platinum seller, it accounted for five hit singles, including the Number One hits "I Can Love You Like That
" and "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)
". Like "I Swear" before it, the former was covered by All-4-One, while the latter was also declared the Number One country hit of 1995 on the Billboard Year-End charts. After this pair of Number One hits came the #3 "No Man's Land", then two consecutive #4 singles in "Cowboy Love
" and "Long as I Live." Also included on the album was "Holdin' On to Something", which was a Top Ten country hit in early 1996 for Jeff Carson
. At the end of 1995, Montgomery placed his career on hiatus due to a vocal cord injury.
was the title of his fourth studio album, released by Atlantic in 1996. This was the first album of his career not to produce a Number One country hit. It also failed to match the sales of its predecessors, although it still earned platinum certification. This album was led off by the #15 "Ain't Got Nothin' On Us", which despite debuting in the Top 40 its first week on the charts, also became his first single since 1993's "Beer and Bones" to miss Top Ten. He regained his chart momentum with three more Top Ten hits off the same album: "Friends
" at #2, "I Miss You a Little
" at #6 and "How Was I to Know
" also at #2. After this album, he released a Greatest Hits
album in 1997, which reprised his greatest hits to that point and went platinum in the United States. It also included the new song "Angel in My Eyes
", which was a #4 single for him that year. Also in 1997, Montgomery sang guest vocals on "Warning Signs", a #56-peaking musical track which included snippets from a Bill Engvall
comedy sketch.
. This album contained a more pop-oriented sound than his previous work. Despite only earning a gold certification from the RIAA, it accounted for three more hit singles. First was "Love Working on You" at #14, followed by "Cover You in Kisses" at #3 and "Hold On to Me
" at #4. Despite having several of his singles cross over to the pop charts, "Hold On to Me" was his first Top 40 pop hit, reaching #33 on the Hot 100.
, his sixth album, continued to move Montgomery into adult contemporary-leaning material, and continued his declining album sales. It produced a #15 in "Hello L.O.V.E." and a #2 in its title track, although the next two singles — "Nothing Catches Jesus by Surprise" and "You Are" — both fell short of Top 40, with the former being his first single to do so.
". This song, featuring backing vocals from Alison Krauss
and inspired by an urban legend
, was the first single from his 2000 album Brand New Me
, spending three weeks at Number One and reaching #35 on the Hot 100. Despite the success of this song, however, Montgomery again found his chart success declining after "The Little Girl", as the album's other two singles — "That's What I Like About You" and "Even Then" — both failed to reach Top 40, although Brand New Me earned a gold certification. By the end of the year, Montgomery was also moved from Atlantic to parent label Warner Bros. Records
after Atlantic closed its Nashville branch.
. This album saw minimal success in its chart singles, with lead-off "Til Nothing Comes Between Us" reaching #19 and the next two singles ("Country Thang" and "Four Wheel Drive") once again missing Top 40. The album was followed a year later by Mr. Snowman
, a Christmas album, in 2003, as well as a compilation entitled The Very Best of John Michael Montgomery
.
. Although its lead-off single "Cool" failed to chart entirely, the title track became his biggest crossover hit with a #2 country and #24 pop peak. Despite the success of this single, however, the album's only other release, "Goes Good with Beer", peaked at #51, and after its release, Montgomery exited his label.
After an off-key performance of the National Anthem at the televised NASCAR event, Golden Corral 500
, on March 20, 2005, Montgomery confirmed on his website that he had a condition known as acoustic neuroma
, which is a non-cancerous growth that interferes with a nerve running between the brain and the ear. This condition can affect balance and hearing and can certainly make singing or any kind of public performing quite difficult for the patient. The problem was corrected, however, and did not alter Montgomery's touring schedule for the rest of 2005.
At 2:20 a.m. on February 16, 2006, Montgomery was arrested at an intersection in Lexington, Kentucky
for driving under the influence
and possession of a controlled substance
, which was identified as Endocet by the Lexington Herald-Leader. Police also found two loaded handguns in Montgomery's vehicle. Montgomery was charged with a count of a prescription drug not in its proper container, two counts of carrying a concealed deadly weapon, disregarding a traffic control device and performing an improper turn.
Montgomery's lawyer, Jon Woodall, has claimed that Montgomery is a hunter, and holds a concealed weapon permit, though Montgomery did not have the license with him at the time of arrest. Woodall also stated that the prescription was filled by Montgomery's physicians after Montgomery's recent hip replacement surgery. He has since been found not guilty of all charges. Montgomery pleaded no-contest to the charge of DUI, stating that he did not admit guilt, but the state had enough evidence to convict him.
On May 9, 2008, Montgomery announced he was in rehab for an undisclosed substance abuse problem. Although not released at the time he sought rehab at a drug treatment facility in Hazard, KY. The addiction was cited to severe anxiety attacks and a sleep disorder.
. This album produced three singles: "Mad Cowboy Disease", "If You Ever Went Away", and "Forever." Although the first two both failed to chart, "Forever" peaked at #28 on the country charts, representing his first chart entry in over four years. Mad Cowboy Disease reached #17 on Mediabase's Satellite Radio chart. He also sang duet vocals on the title track to Colt Ford
's debut album Ride Through the Country
.
Danville, Kentucky
Danville is a city in and the county seat of Boyle County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 16,218 at the 2010 census.Danville is the principal city of the Danville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Boyle and Lincoln counties....
) is an American country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist. He has produced more than thirty singles on the Billboard country charts, including two of Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
’s Number One country singles of the year: "I Swear
I Swear
"I Swear" is a ballad written by Gary Baker and Frank J. Myers that became a hit for two acts in 1994. Initially it was a number one song on the U.S. Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for American country music artist John Michael Montgomery at the beginning of the year. His version crossed over...
" (1994) and "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)
Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)
"Sold " is a the title of a song written by Richard Fagan and Robb Royer and recorded by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was released in May 1995 as the second single from his 1995 self-titled album. It hit number-one on the country charts in the United States and Canada...
" (1995). Besides these two songs, five more of Montgomery's singles have reached the top of the country charts: "I Love the Way You Love Me
I Love the Way You Love Me
"I Love the Way You Love Me" is a single by American country music singer John Michael Montgomery that reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Released as the second single released from his debut CD, Life's a Dance, it became Montgomery's first Number One single...
", "Be My Baby Tonight
Be My Baby Tonight
"Be My Baby Tonight" is the title of a song written by Richard Fagan and Ed Hill and recorded by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was released in May 1994 as the third single from Montgomery's 1994 album Kickin' It Up...
", "If You've Got Love
If You've Got Love
"If You've Got Love" is a song written by Mark D. Sanders and Steve Seskin, and recorded by John Michael Montgomery. It was released in September 1994 as the fourth and final single from his 1994 album Kickin' It Up. It peaked at #1 on the week of December 10, 1994, while it peaked at #2 in...
", "I Can Love You Like That
I Can Love You Like That
"I Can Love You Like That" is the title of a song recorded by American country music singer John Michael Montgomery. It was released in February 1995 as the first single from his self-titled CD...
", and "The Little Girl
The Little Girl
"The Little Girl" is a song written by Harley Allen and recorded by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. The song features harmony vocals by bluegrass musicians Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski, both members of Alison Krauss and Union Station. It was released in August 2000 as the...
", while thirteen more have reached Top Ten. Montgomery's recordings of "I Swear" and "I Can Love You Like That" were both released concurrently with R&B versions by the group All-4-One
All-4-One
All-4-One is a male R&B/pop group best known for their cover hit single "I Swear" from their self-titled 1994 debut album. The group comprises Jamie Jones, Delious Kennedy, Alfred Nevarez, and Tony Borowiak, all from the Antelope Valley and Mojave, California areas, but are based in the Los Angeles...
. Montgomery has also released eleven studio albums, counting a Christmas album. The most recent, Time Flies
Time Flies (John Michael Montgomery album)
Time Flies is the tenth studio album from American country music singer John Michael Montgomery. It was released October 14, 2008 on his own label, Stringtown Records, as his first studio album since Letters from Home four years previous. Three singles have been released from it...
, was released on his own Stringtown label in late 2008.
Biography
Born January 20, 1965, in Danville, KentuckyDanville, Kentucky
Danville is a city in and the county seat of Boyle County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 16,218 at the 2010 census.Danville is the principal city of the Danville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Boyle and Lincoln counties....
and raised and lived in Garrard County, Kentucky
Garrard County, Kentucky
Garrard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is pronounced 'Gair-ad' with the third "r" silent. It was formed in 1797 and was named for James Garrard, Governor of Kentucky from 1796 to 1804. Its county seat is Lancaster. The population was 16,912 in the 2010 Census...
, Montgomery received musical encouragement from his father, who performed in a local country band and taught his son his first chords. John Michael joined the family band (which also included his brother, Eddie Montgomery, who would later join Troy Gentry in the duo Montgomery Gentry
Montgomery Gentry
Montgomery Gentry is an American country music duo composed of vocalists Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry. The two began performing in the 1990s as part of a band which also included Eddie Montgomery's brother John Michael Montgomery, and founded the existing duo in 1999.Signed to Columbia Records,...
) as guitarist before taking the lead singing role when his parents divorced. Afterwards, he made a frugal living on the local honky-tonk scene as a solo artist playing what he referred to as "working man's country." Eventually, Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
signed him.
Life's a Dance
John Michael Montgomery arrived on the country music scene in 1992 with a debut album, Life's a DanceLife's a Dance
Life's a Dance is the debut album of American country music singer John Michael Montgomery. It features the singles "Life's a Dance", "Beer and Bones" and "I Love the Way You Love Me", which peaked at #4, #21, and #1, respectively, on the Billboard country charts between 1992 and 1993...
, that became the only million-seller on the country charts by a new artist that year. Its title track
Life's a Dance (song)
"Life's a Dance" is the title of a song written by Allen Shamblin and Steve Seskin, and recorded by American country music singer John Michael Montgomery. It was released in September 1992 as lead-off single from his debut album, Life's a Dance. It peaked at number 4 on the U.S. Hot Country Singles...
was a #4 hit single and was followed by his first country chart-topper, "I Love the Way You Love Me
I Love the Way You Love Me
"I Love the Way You Love Me" is a single by American country music singer John Michael Montgomery that reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Released as the second single released from his debut CD, Life's a Dance, it became Montgomery's first Number One single...
" (also a #60 pop hit), and the #21 "Beer and Bones". "I Love the Way You Love Me" was named Single of the Year by the Academy of Country Music
Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
, and Life's a Dance earned triple-platinum RIAA certification.
Kickin' It Up
Montgomery's second album was 1994's Kickin' It UpKickin' It Up
Kickin' It Up is the second studio album by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. The album was released by Atlantic Records on January 25, 1994. On February 19 of the same year, the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200...
. This album was led off by the Number One country and #42 pop hit "I Swear
I Swear
"I Swear" is a ballad written by Gary Baker and Frank J. Myers that became a hit for two acts in 1994. Initially it was a number one song on the U.S. Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for American country music artist John Michael Montgomery at the beginning of the year. His version crossed over...
", which was also the Number One country hit for the entire year according to Billboard Year-End
Billboard Year-End
Billboard Year-End charts are a cumulative measure of a single or album's performance in the United States, based upon the Billboard magazine charts during any given chart year. Billboard's "chart year" runs from the first week of December to the final week in November...
. After this song came the #4 "Rope the Moon
Rope the Moon
"Rope the Moon" is a song recorded by country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was the second single released from his 1994 album Kickin' It Up. It peaked at #4 in the United States, and #2 in Canada.-Chart positions:...
", and two more Number Ones in "Be My Baby Tonight
Be My Baby Tonight
"Be My Baby Tonight" is the title of a song written by Richard Fagan and Ed Hill and recorded by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was released in May 1994 as the third single from Montgomery's 1994 album Kickin' It Up...
" and "If You've Got Love
If You've Got Love
"If You've Got Love" is a song written by Mark D. Sanders and Steve Seskin, and recorded by John Michael Montgomery. It was released in September 1994 as the fourth and final single from his 1994 album Kickin' It Up. It peaked at #1 on the week of December 10, 1994, while it peaked at #2 in...
". "I Swear" gained further success a year later, when it was covered by pop group All-4-One
All-4-One
All-4-One is a male R&B/pop group best known for their cover hit single "I Swear" from their self-titled 1994 debut album. The group comprises Jamie Jones, Delious Kennedy, Alfred Nevarez, and Tony Borowiak, all from the Antelope Valley and Mojave, California areas, but are based in the Los Angeles...
. Kickin' It Up also sold even higher than his debut, earning a quadruple platinum certification for shipments of four million copies.
John Michael Montgomery
In 1995, he released his self-titledJohn Michael Montgomery (album)
John Michael Montgomery is the third studio album by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. Singles released from this album include "I Can Love You Like That", "Sold ", "No Man's Land", "Cowboy Love" and "Long as I Live"...
third studio album. Also a quadruple-platinum seller, it accounted for five hit singles, including the Number One hits "I Can Love You Like That
I Can Love You Like That
"I Can Love You Like That" is the title of a song recorded by American country music singer John Michael Montgomery. It was released in February 1995 as the first single from his self-titled CD...
" and "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)
Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)
"Sold " is a the title of a song written by Richard Fagan and Robb Royer and recorded by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was released in May 1995 as the second single from his 1995 self-titled album. It hit number-one on the country charts in the United States and Canada...
". Like "I Swear" before it, the former was covered by All-4-One, while the latter was also declared the Number One country hit of 1995 on the Billboard Year-End charts. After this pair of Number One hits came the #3 "No Man's Land", then two consecutive #4 singles in "Cowboy Love
Cowboy Love
"Cowboy Love" is a song recorded by country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was released in November 1995 as the fourth single from his 1995 self-titled album John Michael Montgomery...
" and "Long as I Live." Also included on the album was "Holdin' On to Something", which was a Top Ten country hit in early 1996 for Jeff Carson
Jeff Carson
Jeffrey Lee Herndon , known professionally as Jeff Carson, is an American country music artist. Originally a session musician in Branson, Missouri and later a demo singer, he was signed to Curb Records in 1995, releasing his self-titled debut album that year, followed by Butterfly Kisses in 1998...
. At the end of 1995, Montgomery placed his career on hiatus due to a vocal cord injury.
What I Do the Best
What I Do the BestWhat I Do the Best
What I Do the Best is the fourth studio album released by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. The tracks "Ain't Got Nothin' on Us", "Friends", "How Was I to Know" and "I Miss You a Little" were all released as singles, peaking at #15, #2, #2, and #6, respectively on the Hot...
was the title of his fourth studio album, released by Atlantic in 1996. This was the first album of his career not to produce a Number One country hit. It also failed to match the sales of its predecessors, although it still earned platinum certification. This album was led off by the #15 "Ain't Got Nothin' On Us", which despite debuting in the Top 40 its first week on the charts, also became his first single since 1993's "Beer and Bones" to miss Top Ten. He regained his chart momentum with three more Top Ten hits off the same album: "Friends
Friends (John Michael Montgomery song)
"Friends" is the title of a song written by Jerry Holland and recorded by country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was released in September 1996 as the second single from his 1996 album What I Do the Best...
" at #2, "I Miss You a Little
I Miss You a Little
"I Miss You a Little" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was released in February 1997 as the third single from his 1996 album What I Do the Best. It peaked at #6 in the United States, and #5 in Canada...
" at #6 and "How Was I to Know
How Was I to Know (John Michael Montgomery song)
"How Was I to Know" is a song recorded by country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was the fourth and final single released from his 1996 album What I Do the Best. It peaked at #2 in the United States, and #8 in Canada...
" also at #2. After this album, he released a Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (John Michael Montgomery album)
Greatest Hits is the first Greatest Hits compilation to be released by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery; it was released in 1997 on Atlantic Records...
album in 1997, which reprised his greatest hits to that point and went platinum in the United States. It also included the new song "Angel in My Eyes
Angel in My Eyes
"Angel in My Eyes" is a song recorded by country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was a new recording which was released as a single from his 1997 Greatest Hits package. It peaked at #4 in the United States, and #6 in Canada.-Chart positions:...
", which was a #4 single for him that year. Also in 1997, Montgomery sang guest vocals on "Warning Signs", a #56-peaking musical track which included snippets from a Bill Engvall
Bill Engvall
William Ray "Bill" Engvall, Jr. is an American comedian and actor best known for his work as a stand-up comic and as a member of the Blue Collar Comedy group.-Early life:Bill Engvall was born in Galveston, Texas...
comedy sketch.
Leave a Mark
In 1998, Montgomery released his fifth album, Leave a MarkLeave a Mark
Leave a Mark is the fifth studio album by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. The tracks "Love Working on You", "Cover You in Kisses", and "Hold On to Me" were all released as singles, reaching #15, #3 and #4, respectively, on the Hot Country Songs charts...
. This album contained a more pop-oriented sound than his previous work. Despite only earning a gold certification from the RIAA, it accounted for three more hit singles. First was "Love Working on You" at #14, followed by "Cover You in Kisses" at #3 and "Hold On to Me
Hold On to Me (John Michael Montgomery song)
"Hold On to Me" is the title of a song written by Blair Daly and Will Rambeaux, and recorded by country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was released in September 1998 as the third and final single from his 1998 album Leave a Mark...
" at #4. Despite having several of his singles cross over to the pop charts, "Hold On to Me" was his first Top 40 pop hit, reaching #33 on the Hot 100.
Home to You
Home to YouHome to You
Home to You is a studio album released in 1999 by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It includes the singles "Hello L.O.V.E.", "Home to You", "You Are", and "Nothing Catches Jesus By Surprise"...
, his sixth album, continued to move Montgomery into adult contemporary-leaning material, and continued his declining album sales. It produced a #15 in "Hello L.O.V.E." and a #2 in its title track, although the next two singles — "Nothing Catches Jesus by Surprise" and "You Are" — both fell short of Top 40, with the former being his first single to do so.
Brand New Me
Montgomery returned to the top of the country charts for the first time since 1995 with "The Little GirlThe Little Girl
"The Little Girl" is a song written by Harley Allen and recorded by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. The song features harmony vocals by bluegrass musicians Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski, both members of Alison Krauss and Union Station. It was released in August 2000 as the...
". This song, featuring backing vocals from Alison Krauss
Alison Krauss
Alison Maria Krauss is an American bluegrass-country singer, songwriter and fiddler. She entered the music industry at an early age, winning local contests by the age of ten and recording for the first time at fourteen. She signed with Rounder Records in 1985 and released her first solo album in...
and inspired by an urban legend
Urban legend
An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true...
, was the first single from his 2000 album Brand New Me
Brand New Me
Brand New Me is the seventh studio album released by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. His last album for the Atlantic label, it features the Number One single "The Little Girl" as well as "Even Then" and "That's What I Like About You", both of which failed to make Top...
, spending three weeks at Number One and reaching #35 on the Hot 100. Despite the success of this song, however, Montgomery again found his chart success declining after "The Little Girl", as the album's other two singles — "That's What I Like About You" and "Even Then" — both failed to reach Top 40, although Brand New Me earned a gold certification. By the end of the year, Montgomery was also moved from Atlantic to parent label Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
after Atlantic closed its Nashville branch.
Pictures
His first release for Warner Bros. was 2002's PicturesPictures (John Michael Montgomery album)
Pictures is the eighth studio album to be released by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was also his first full length album for Warner Bros. Records, following the closure of Atlantic Records' country division in 2001.. The track "'Til Nothing Comes Between Us", the first...
. This album saw minimal success in its chart singles, with lead-off "Til Nothing Comes Between Us" reaching #19 and the next two singles ("Country Thang" and "Four Wheel Drive") once again missing Top 40. The album was followed a year later by Mr. Snowman
Mr. Snowman
Mr. Snowman is an album of Christmas music, released in 2003, by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It was the first Christmas album of his career, and it includes both traditional Christmas music and newly recorded tracks....
, a Christmas album, in 2003, as well as a compilation entitled The Very Best of John Michael Montgomery
The Very Best of John Michael Montgomery
The Very Best of John Michael Montgomery is a compilation album released in 2003 by American country music artist John Michael Montgomery. It features eighteen songs from his first studio albums, ranging from his 1993 debut "Life's a Dance" to 2002's "'Til Nothing Comes Between Us". The tracks...
.
Letters from Home
Montgomery's last Warner Bros. release was 2004's Letters from HomeLetters from Home
Letters From Home is a country music album and title track song by John Michael Montgomery released April 20, 2004. It features the singles "Letters from Home", "Cool", and "Goes Good with Beer"...
. Although its lead-off single "Cool" failed to chart entirely, the title track became his biggest crossover hit with a #2 country and #24 pop peak. Despite the success of this single, however, the album's only other release, "Goes Good with Beer", peaked at #51, and after its release, Montgomery exited his label.
After an off-key performance of the National Anthem at the televised NASCAR event, Golden Corral 500
Golden Corral 500
The Atlanta 500 was a NASCAR Sprint Cup stock car race that was run every March at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia from 1960 until 2010...
, on March 20, 2005, Montgomery confirmed on his website that he had a condition known as acoustic neuroma
Acoustic neuroma
A vestibular schwannoma, often called an acoustic neuroma, is a benign primary intracranial tumor of the myelin-forming cells of the vestibulocochlear nerve . The term "vestibular schwannoma" involves the vestibular portion of the 8th cranial nerve and arises from Schwann cells, which are...
, which is a non-cancerous growth that interferes with a nerve running between the brain and the ear. This condition can affect balance and hearing and can certainly make singing or any kind of public performing quite difficult for the patient. The problem was corrected, however, and did not alter Montgomery's touring schedule for the rest of 2005.
At 2:20 a.m. on February 16, 2006, Montgomery was arrested at an intersection in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
for driving under the influence
Driving under the influence
Driving under the influence is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit...
and possession of a controlled substance
Controlled substance
A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, or use are regulated by a government. This may include illegal drugs and prescription medications ....
, which was identified as Endocet by the Lexington Herald-Leader. Police also found two loaded handguns in Montgomery's vehicle. Montgomery was charged with a count of a prescription drug not in its proper container, two counts of carrying a concealed deadly weapon, disregarding a traffic control device and performing an improper turn.
Montgomery's lawyer, Jon Woodall, has claimed that Montgomery is a hunter, and holds a concealed weapon permit, though Montgomery did not have the license with him at the time of arrest. Woodall also stated that the prescription was filled by Montgomery's physicians after Montgomery's recent hip replacement surgery. He has since been found not guilty of all charges. Montgomery pleaded no-contest to the charge of DUI, stating that he did not admit guilt, but the state had enough evidence to convict him.
On May 9, 2008, Montgomery announced he was in rehab for an undisclosed substance abuse problem. Although not released at the time he sought rehab at a drug treatment facility in Hazard, KY. The addiction was cited to severe anxiety attacks and a sleep disorder.
Time Flies
In late 2008, Montgomery founded his own label, Stringtown Records. That year, he released his next album, Time FliesTime Flies (John Michael Montgomery album)
Time Flies is the tenth studio album from American country music singer John Michael Montgomery. It was released October 14, 2008 on his own label, Stringtown Records, as his first studio album since Letters from Home four years previous. Three singles have been released from it...
. This album produced three singles: "Mad Cowboy Disease", "If You Ever Went Away", and "Forever." Although the first two both failed to chart, "Forever" peaked at #28 on the country charts, representing his first chart entry in over four years. Mad Cowboy Disease reached #17 on Mediabase's Satellite Radio chart. He also sang duet vocals on the title track to Colt Ford
Colt Ford
Jason Farris Brown known professionally as Colt Ford, is an American country music artist and former professional golfer. He has released three albums via his own Average Joe's label, and has charted four singles on the Hot Country Songs charts...
's debut album Ride Through the Country
Ride Through the Country
Ride Through the Country is the debut album released by country rap artist Colt Ford. It was released on December 2, 2008 on the independent Average Joe's label...
.