John Michael Montgomery is an American country music singer-songwriter. He was born on January 20, 1965, in Danville, Kentucky, United States. Montgomery began his music career in the late 1980s, performing in small bars and clubs in Kentucky and surrounding states. In 1992, Montgomery signed a record deal with Atlantic Records, and his debut album, "Life's a Dance," was released in 1992. The album's title track became a hit, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard country chart. Montgomery went on to release a string of successful albums throughout the 1990s, including "Kickin' It Up," "John Michael Montgomery," "What I Do the Best," and "Leave a Mark." Some of Montgomery's most well-known songs include "I Swear," "I Can Love You Like That," "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)," "Be My Baby Tonight," "I Love the Way You Love Me," and "The Little Girl." Montgomery has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career, including three Academy of Country Music Awards and a Country Music Association Award. He is known for his traditional country sound and emotional ballads.