Walker Montgomery Gears Up for Major 2026 with Label Deal and New Single [Exclusive]

2026 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet for rising country star Walker Montgomery. The son of country icon John Michael Montgomery recently signed with Jay DeMarcus’ Red Street Records and announced his new single, “Saving The Honky Tonks.” The move marks a major milestone for Montgomery, who has been steadily building his career in Nashville over the past several years.

As the newest addition to Red Street’s country roster, Montgomery is excited to have the label behind him as he continues the path that brought him to Music City. He already boasts 93 million global streams on his independently released songs, proving that he has carved out a significant fanbase even before major-label support. Now, with a team invested in his vision, Montgomery is ready to take the next step in his career.

“Having a single on country radio has always been a dream of mine, just like every artist who moves to town. So we’ve been trying to build those stepping stones to get to that point. And sounds like we found a good partner to do it with,” Montgomery told Country Now while backstage at the Grand Ole Opry during Conservation Aid.

Montgomery has always been drawn to the traditional side of country music, and one of the things he’s most thrilled about with Red Street is that the label recognizes and supports his signature style.

“I mean, the traditional sound is what I do. It’s what I know. My producer, Bart Butler, and I’ve kind of created that little sound in the studio that we’ve been doing, but Red Street, they really liked it and they weren’t trying to change anything,” he explained. “They see the artistic side of it just as much as I do. So it’s been good working with them.”

With a label now fully backing him, Montgomery predicts 2026 will mark a major career milestone. 

“I think it’s gearing up to probably be the biggest year of my career so far,” he said. “So it’s been a wild ride. I’ve been in town for, I think, six years now, or actually even seven. I moved here in 2019. So it’s been lots of ups and downs, but feels like we’re finally on a good track.”

Montgomery’s personal life is also thriving. He’s engaged to Tigirlily Gold’s Krista Slaubaugh, and wedding planning is already in full swing. While he says he’s leaving most of the planning to his bride, Montgomery revealed that he’s taken the reins when it comes to planning their honeymoon.

“2026 is going to be good. It’s the whole wedding planning. I mean, I’m involved in it, but I got put in charge of doing the honeymoon. And I like traveling and planning and getting … I’m a hotel guy. I’ve got all the cards and all that stuff,” he shared. “But yeah, so honeymoon, I think we’re going to Hawaii, which neither Krista or me have ever been, but we’re actually going to Europe this year because they’re out on tour with Carly Pearce and I was like, ‘Well, hell, I don’t have to work, don’t have to pay for hotels, just got to get a flight over there.’ I was like, ‘Well, I guess I’ll go to London.’”

Walker Montgomery’s  “Saving The Honky Tonks” arrives on April 3. Fans can catch him on his Saving The Honky Tonks Tour this spring.