Walker Montgomery Talks Personal Meaning Behind ‘I Don’t Think I Will,’ Shares Update on Wedding Plans [Exclusive]

Walker Montgomery’s current single, “I Don’t Think I Will,” carries an extra layer of meaning for him, as it’s a reimagined cover of a 1996 track originally recorded by James Bonamy. The song took on new life for Montgomery after he and his fiancée, Krista Slaubaugh, instantly connected with it and decided the original rendition would become their first dance at their upcoming wedding.

“I think we just listened to it and we were like, ‘Well, we like it.’ And she didn’t know it before I discovered it, because I’m just always in the 90s deep cuts and stuff like that. But yeah, we liked it and kind of decided on the spot, ‘alright, well this is going to be the song,’” Montgomery told Country Now.

The “Saving The Honky Tonks” singer decided to put his own spin on the track, reimagining it with the same slow-burning, nostalgia-filled tune. He finds himself telling the story about a man who hears a voice in his heart telling him he has found “the one,” someone he knows, “absolutely, positively, without a doubt,” he can’t live without.

“I just thought it was a good time to do a little rerecording and see what I can do with it,” he notes.

Montgomery preserves the emotional sentiment of the original while delivering it through his own rich baritone, singing from a deeply personal place that reflects his own chapter of falling in love with one half of the country music duo, Tigirlily Gold.

“I could just do what I’ve done before/ Blame it all on the moon/ Say it’s nothing more/ Than the pull of the tide/ And it’s gonna pass/ But something’s telling me/ This time it’s gonna last/ I could close my eyes and just pretend I don’t feel the way I feel/ But oh no, I don’t think I will,” he sings with pure love echoing through each note.

The track marks a very meaningful moment in their relationship, especially as wedding planning ramps up ahead of their October ceremony. Montgomery shared that while he has left most of the planning up to his soon-to-be wife, Krista, he knows that they have picked out their wedding colors and decided on the perfect looks for their big day.

“I know enough to be dangerous. I see the prices for it and I’m like, ‘oh my God.’ That’s what I know about it,” he joked.

The singer/songwriter did however take charge in planning out their honeymoon in Hawaii. This will mark the first time that both of them have gotten to visit the tropical destination.

“We’re doing a luau because she wants to live like her Lilo and Stitch dreams, right? And I’m going to see Pearl Harbor,” he explained while talking highlights on their itinerary.

He also revealed one very special wedding tradition they are going to be taking part in.

“We will bury a bottle of bourbon, which is like a Kentucky thing. I don’t know when we unbury it, I guess after we’re married, but yeah, that’s probably like the tradition thing that we’re doing. But it’s family and friends and just kind of hanging out and then just fly to Hawaii.”

The couple’s love story began in the fall of 2023 when Montgomery very openly admitted to being attracted to Krista while speaking with fans before a show in Kansas City, Missouri. They went out on their first date just a few short weeks later and both felt an immediate connection. By Valentine’s Day, Krista was already sure Montgomery was the one for her.

The lovebirds were on a surprise getaway to North Carolina on Monday, May 26 when he finally popped the question. Looking back on the moment, Krista told PEOPLE she felt nothing but “excitement and joy.” She explained they have known for “awhile now” that they wanted to be together forever and she “couldn’t have imagined” a more perfect way for them to cement their future.

Walker added, “Almost immediately afterwards the sun started shining down on the dock by the pond that we were standing on. It was perfect!”

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In the midst of all the excitement in his personal life, Walker Montgomery has also entered a new chapter of his career. After spending the majority of his time pursing music in Nashville, he has officially signed with Red Street Records in an effort to take things to the next level.

“I felt like we had kind of taken it to a spot where we had kind of plateaued just being by ourselves and we needed that missing piece of the team,” he explained. “They showed up and it’s been great. I mean, they love the traditional country sound and they’re not trying to change anything. So it’s been fun.”

Montgomery shared that new music will be coming very soon and due to his current season of life fans can expect plenty of love songs on the way.

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He also launched his first headline tour this year, the Saving The Honky Tonks Tour, which ran throughout April and May. Montgomery is proud to say that fans have exceeded his expectations in showing up to support his shows this year.

“It’s great. I mean, it’s the first time that we kind of said, ‘Alright, hope people show up,’” he said of his headline run. “And luckily they have. That makes it a lot better. But no, it’s been awesome. Just going out to those little honky-tonk ballroom, dance halls down in Texas and Oklahoma and everything. So it’s been good. It’s been a fun experience.”

There are plenty more chances for fans to catch Montgomery live throughout the summer at various fairs and festivals. On Tuesday, June 23, the rising star will perform at 27LIVE Powered by Country Now. Details HERE.