The bad news for country music fans in 2025 is that a trio of acts, including two legendary singers, announced retirements.
But were they really retirements?
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.
So, while they are winding down and have walked away from the road, there’s still a chance folks.
Check out the acts that said goodbye this year below:
Alan Jackson
Alan Jackson wrapped up his touring career in 2025, but he does have a retirement show left in June in Nashville.
If folks are wondering why the 67-year-old star called it a career, at least for live performances, there’s good reason. A big part of the decision was simply his desire to spend more time with family.
“I’ve been touring for over 30 years, you know, played everywhere in the country and parts of the world,” Jackson said when he announced his farewell tour. “Have 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’t want to be away like I had to be in my younger days, and I don’t tour as much now as I did 10 years ago. But I think it’s getting time to start thinking about hanging it up full-time.”
That’s 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’s balance and ability to walk, and it apparently runs in his family. He cited that, too, while explaining why he was retiring this year.
“Most 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’s getting worse,” he said. “So, 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’m unable to do the job like I want to.”
While it is sad that Jackson has stepped away, in the end, he did pretty, darned well for himself in his career.
It has been a long run for Jackson, who began his career in 1987. It has been a lucrative run, too.
Just how lucrative?
Well, according to CelebrityNetWorth.com, Jackson has an estimated fortune of $150 million. That number was also good enough to put Jackson among the top 10 — he was ninth — richest active country music stars in the country in 2024.
John Michael Montgomery
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.
Montgomery is just 60, and for a singer that is still relatively young. But Montgomery’s reasoning is sound. He told Taste of Country 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.
“I noticed my body and my voice — everything — felt so good from being rested and not traveling,” he told Taste of Country. “I didn’t realize how hard traveling on the road was getting to me.”
The singer suffered four broken ribs the next year in a bus crash, and that kind of solidified things.
“It’s the same with any athlete, pro athlete, who’s been playing sports for years,” he told Taste of Country. “They finally look in the mirror and realize it’s a young man’s game, and I’m not a young man anymore.”
So, Montgomery said, at 58 he told his family when he hit 60 he was giving up touring.
“I couldn’t have made a better story,” he told Taste of Country. “From 50 years old to 60 went really fast. I know that 60 to 70 years old — good Lord willing I make it to 70 — it’s going to go faster. I want to try to enjoy it. I don’t 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.”
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.
“I grew up on the stage,” he said. “My favorite part of it all — above having hit records and all that stuff — is walking out on stage to entertain people. From the time I was a kid at 6 years old, I’ve loved that, and I still love it just as much today.”
Town Mountain
Popular country music group Town Mountain retired from touring after two decades together.
The band actually played its final road show on Oct. 26 at the Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
“After the final show, all that’s left to say is ‘THANK YOU’” the band shared in a statement on Instagram. “Thank 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 … It is all so powerful and all we can say is ‘Thank you.’
“In the hopes of not sounding too cliché quoting @robertearlkeen1 … ‘the road goes on forever and the party never ends’ … so we’ll catch y’all down the road.”
Fans were quick to reply with their appreciation.
“Can’t thank you guys enough for all the joy you brought me through your music and fellowship!” one person wrote. “I love you guys and I can’t wait to see what’s next for each of you! You guys are and will forever be my favorite band!”
“Thank you guys for all the great memories!” another person wrote. “Lucky enough to catch y’all a bunch over the years, from the streets of Asheville to the Ryman and everywhere between. Wish you all the best.”
There were more comments like that and you can see those as well as the band’s post here.
The band first announced that it was retiring from touring earlier this year.
“After two decades on the road and just over 1500 shows together, Town Mountain will be stepping away from touring following our fall run,” a statement on the band’s page read. “This was not an easy decision, but it is one we made together with a lot of respect, reflection, and love for what we’ve built.
“Our last shows will take place this fall, wrapping up on October 26th at the Ardmore Music Hall,” the statement continued. “We’d love to see as many of you as possible along the way. These dates mean a lot to us, and we’re bringing the same fire and energy you’ve always come to expect from a Town Mountain show.
“Whether it’s your first or your fiftieth, we hope you’ll come be part of this run,” the statement added. “These shows will be special. Who knows what the future holds, but thank you for being part of the ride. We are forever grateful.”
Town Mountain formed in 2005 and built a loyal fanbase.