Country music is bigger in 2024 than it ever has been. WANT MORE COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS? CLICK HERE. It is why star performers from Beyonce to Post Malone are throwing their hat into the ring and trying to tap into the market.
And, frankly, between the tragic number of deaths this year, and the handful of legendary acts who have announced they are stepping away, the genre is going to need a few folks to step up and carry the ball for its fans. Country music legend credits NFL owner as he prepares to play for 180,000 fans Country music star has positive message for fans after nearly dying Country music stars battling serious heart issues 24 country music artists, influencers have died in 2024. Here is who we lost Greatest country music singer of all time? How they rank according to data As we wind down 2024, the following is a quick look at a handful of acts who could be winding down their touring this year.
It’s a final reminder, with just months left in the year, to get out and see them one more time just in case the opportunity doesn’t present itself again. The Oak Ridge Boys are winding down their touring. The Oak Ridge Boys The Country Music Hall of Fame band has had a rough year on the road for its farewell tour.
Singer Joe Bonsall died in July at 76. Bonsall announced in January that he was retiring from touring with the band, and it was revealed that his death was caused by complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Scleroris (ALS). That came just a short time after William “Rusty” Golden, the son of band member William Lee Golden, died.
Also this year, Norah Lee Allen, the wife of frontman Duane Allen, died back on Easter. Allen addressed her death in a Facebook post a short time later. Just hours after Allen announced his wife’s death on Easter, it was revealed that singer Richard Sterban’s wife, Donna, lost her father, too.
Also, Phyllis Carr, the wife of longtime guitarist Donnie Carr, died in March. The band has dates through Dec. 13 and you can see those here.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is going out on its farewell tour. (Photo courtesy of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) Nitty Gritty Dirt Band The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band The legendary Nitty Gritty Dirt Band also announced that it is tapering down its schedule. In a social media post earlier this year the band announced that it is embarking on a farewell tour, entitled “All The Good Times.
” For fans of the band, though, there is still hope to see them. “This isn’t goodbye forever,” the band’s post on X, former Twitter, stated in closing. “But it will be the last fans see of multi-city runs and long bus rides.
” The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has been performing and touring for nearly six decades. The three-time Grammy-winning band formed in 1966. The current iteration of the band includes Bob Carpenter, Jimmie Fadden, Jaime Hanna, Jeff Hanna, Ross Holmes and Jim Photoglo.
Jeff Hanna and Fadden have been with the band since the beginning. No surprise considering its longevity, there is a long list of past members as well. The band’s first big break came in 1970 with “Mr.
Bojangles,” and they have produced 25 albums through the years. “‘All The Good Times’ perfectly describes our career,” the band said in a statement on its website. “Playing our music for Dirt band fans all over the world has been an incredible experience for us.
The most important part of that has been the connection to our audience — that beautiful communal give and take is like nothing else. That’s the very spirit we’ll be celebrating as we head into our farewell tour. We’re really looking forward to seeing you folks.
Good times will be had by all!” Alan Jackson announces, what he says, will be his final Grand Rapids concert, scheduled for August 2024. Photo by Sean Simmers | PennLive Alan Jackson Alan Jackson announced in late May that he was planning on wrapping up his career, and in early June he opened up about why that is. The 65-year-old delivered the message to his fans via a video posted to his X , formerly Twitter, account.
“I’ve been touring for over 30 years, you know, played everywhere in the country and parts of the world,” Jackson said. “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.” The tour, which is called “Last Call: One More for the Road,” is slated to begin on Aug. 2 and currently has 10 dates running through May 17, 2025.
Jackson revealed in 2021 that he has Charcot-Marie-Tooth, a chronic neuropathy condition that effects a person’s balance and ability to walk. He also addressed that in the video posted to his account. “Most of my fans know I have a degenerative health condition that effects 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.” John Michael Montgomery performs during the CMA Festival on June 12, 2016, in Nashville, Tennessee. The country music singer recently announced his farewell tour.
Beth Gwinn/Getty Images John Michael Montgomery John Michael Montgomery got a jump on 2024 by taking to Facebook to let his fans know that he was heading out on a farewell tour. “I have decided to wind down my touring career over this year and 2025,” the 58-year-old wrote. “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.
” 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 mutli-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. · Country music legend’s home facing demolition might still be saved “I’m sure there will be some situations where I just need to do a show here and there because I’ll miss that too much,” he reportedly said in a statement. “But I just feel the time has come to say goodbye to the road life.
” The singer said in his Facebook post that he has been “fortunate and blessed to be able to do what I love for so many years.” “Please join me on my journey as I say goodbye to the road life,” he wrote. “And thanks so much for your support for the last 3 decades, it’s meant so much to me.
” Ray Stevens arrives at the 53rd annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Ray Stevens Ray Stevens announced in January that he is ready to slow down and smell the roses.
Not exactly a surprise because the guy is 85, but you still hate to see him go. The Country Music Hall of Famer is planning to make 2024 his last full year of performing live. It’s not being called a farewell or a full stepping away, but instead in a story in The Tennessean it is being referred to as a slow-down.
“I’ve always been in the music business, since I was 15-years-old, and I’ve traveled all over the world, played shows, written, and recorded a lot of successful records,” Stevens told The Tennessean. “And so I was tired.” Stevens has been performing at his West Nashville CabaRay Showroom, which he opened in 2018.
That venue will reportedly stay open with other performers taking his place after he steps away. Stevens said he is prioritizing recording when he steps away from the full slate of live performances. The comedic songwriter and singer has been performing since 1957.
“I’m looking forward to this final year, it’s going to be a good year,” he told The Tennessean. “I’d like to see everybody come out if they can and see the show.” More country music news Country music star opens up about marrying former Steelers favorite Country music legend’s fans sending prayers to family after heartbreaking news Country music legend wrapping tour with ‘magical’ slate in front of nearly 200,000 fans Country music legend’s granddaughter dead after ‘long and difficult health battle’.
