Fans of country music are saddened by the fact that 2024 is coming to an end because the genre is losing some of its greatest performers.
If all goes according to plan, at least they won’t be going on tour again for the public to watch.
Although the majority of these performers have already completed their last tour dates, you can look through the list below to see if there are any remaining performers that may have a few more gigs before they permanently hang up their boots.
Below is a list of country music artists who intend to stop touring full-time by the end of the year:
The Oak Ridge Boys
During their final tour, the Country Music Hall of Fame group has had a difficult year.
At age 76, singer Joe Bonsall passed away in July.
After Bonsall declared in January that he was retiring from the band’s touring, it was discovered that complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Scleroris (ALS) were the cause of his death.
William Rusty Golden, the son of band member William Lee Golden, passed away shortly after that.
Frontman Duane Allen’s wife, Norah Lee Allen, passed away over Easter this year as well. A short while later, Allen wrote on Facebook about her death.
It was revealed that musician Richard Sterban’s wife, Donna, also lost her father just hours after Allen disclosed the death of his wife on Easter. In addition, veteran guitarist Donnie Carr’s wife, Phyllis Carr, passed away in March.
You can view the band’s dates through December 13 here.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Additionally, the renowned Nitty Gritty Dirt Band declared that it is reducing the number of shows it performs.
The band revealed earlier this year that it would be going on a farewell tour called All The Good Times in a social media statement.
However, there is still hope for band fans to see them.
The band concluded their message on X, formerly Twitter, by saying, “This isn’t goodbye forever.” However, it will be the final time that fans will see lengthy bus trips and multi-city journeys.
For almost 60 years, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has been on the road and performing.
The band was founded in 1966 and has won three Grammys. The band’s current lineup consists of Jim Photoglo, Ross Holmes, Jeff Hanna, Jaime Hanna, Jimmie Fadden, and Bob Carpenter.
Fadden and Jeff Hanna have been with the band from the start. There is also a lengthy list of previous members, which is not surprising given its longevity.
The band has released 25 albums throughout the years, with Mr. Bojangles being their first major hit in 1970.
The band posted a statement on their website that said, “All The Good Times perfectly describes our career.”with us, performing with Dirt band fans around the globe has been an amazing experience. The connection with our audience has been the most crucial aspect of it; the lovely communal give and take is unlike anything else. As we go on our final tour, we will be commemorating that same spirit. We are absolutely excited to see you all. Everyone will have a good time!
Lee Greenwood
The 82-year-old, who has a number of songs, is most renowned for God Bless the U.S.A., which was used as the campaign anthem for Donald Trump. He said in November that he was finished traveling.
According to Taste of Country, he stepped away due to health concerns, including a metal cage in his back and a pair of titanium knees.
Alan Jackson
After declaring in late May that he intended to end his career, Alan Jackson talked candidly about his reasons in early June.
Through a video that was uploaded to his X, formerly Twitter, account, the 65-year-old conveyed the news to his followers.
“You know, I’ve been touring for more than 30 years and have performed all over the country and even abroad,” Jackson added. I’m approaching my twilight years, have had a fantastic career, both of my daughters are grown, and I have one grandson and one on the way. I like to spend more time at home and don’t wish to travel as much as I used to when I was younger. I also don’t tour as much as I did ten years ago. However, I believe the moment has come to consider hanging it up full-time. The Last Call: One More for the Road tour presently has 10 performances scheduled through May 17, 2025, with the first date set for August 2.
In 2021, Jackson disclosed that he suffers from Charcot-Marie-Tooth, a chronic neuropathy disorder that impairs a person’s gait and balance. In the video that was uploaded on his account, he also addressed it.
As most of my followers are aware, I have a degenerative health disease that my father passed down to me that affects my arms, legs, and movement, and it’s growing worse, he stated. I just have a hard time on stage and that makes me feel more uneasy. I’m thinking about quitting before I can no longer perform the job as I would like to.
John Michael Montgomery
In 2024, John Michael Montgomery gave his fans advance notice of his impending farewell tour by posting on Facebook.
The 58-year-old added, “I have made the decision to conclude my touring career during the course of this year and 2025.” Since my debut song, “Life’s A Dance,” was played on the radio more than 30 years ago in 1992, I’ve had an amazing journey.
According to reports, the singer’s first three albums—Life’s A Dance (1992), Kickin’ It Up (1994), and John Michael Montgomery (1995)—all sold multi-platinum. Additionally, it is said that during his career, he has sold over 16 million albums.
I Swear, I Can Love You Like That, and I Love the Way You Love Me are among his number-one songs on the Billboard charts.
The good news for the artist’s admirers is that, despite the impression that he is essentially ending his touring career, he has apparently not ruled out making an appearance occasionally and doesn’t seem to be giving up on music entirely.
A country music icon’s house that was about to be demolished might still be spared.
He allegedly stated in a statement, “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.” However, I feel that it’s time to bid the road life farewell.
“I have been fortunate and blessed to be able to do what I love for so many years,” the singer wrote in his Facebook post.
He stated, “Please join me on my journey as I bid the road life farewell.” And I sincerely appreciate your support over the past three decades; it has meant a lot to me.
Ray Stevens
In January, Ray Stevens declared that he was ready to take a break and appreciate the little things in life.
You still hate to see him leave, even though it’s not shocking given that he’s 85.
The Country Music Hall of Famer intends to end his live performance career in 2024.
In a piece in The Tennessean, it’s referred to as a slow-down rather than a farewell or a complete step away.
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. I was therefore exhausted.
Since 2018, Stevens has been giving performances in his CabaRay Showroom in West Nashville. According to reports, the venue will remain open when he leaves, with other acts taking his place.
Stevens said he is prioritizing recording when he steps away from the full slate of live performances.
Since 1957, the humorous singer and songwriter has performed on stage.
He told The Tennessean, “I’m excited for this last year; it’s going to be a good year.”If at all possible, I would like to see everyone attend the show.
Doug Stone
Seeing the 68-year-old Stone might already be too late.
Taste of Country reported that the singer, who announced last December that he was retiring from touring after this year, had his last scheduled show on Aug. 22.
I ve been on the road 34 years, and I m still in pretty good shape, he reportedly said as his reason for stepping away. My family life has been greatly missed. I ve got a 7-year-old daughter now, and it s time to come off the road and have a home life.
Luckily for his fans, he does reportedly plan to still release music.
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