John Michael Montgomery was one of the biggest country stars of the 1990s. If you ever slow danced to “I Swear” or “I Love the Way You Love Me,” those were his. This fall he got some happy news that had nothing to do with the charts.
He has a new daughter-in-law.
His son Walker Montgomery is 27, and he’s a country singer in his own right, with a sound that leans on the same traditional roots his father built a career on. On Friday, October 23, Walker married Krista Slaubaugh at a ranch in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee. Krista is 28, and she’s one half of the duo Tigirlily Gold, the act she sings in with her sister Kendra.
In case you’ve forgotten just how smooth the groom’s dad could be, here’s the ballad that made him a household name.
John Michael Montgomery’s 1990s hit “I Swear”
The couple went with what they called an “elevated western” theme, black-tie but with cowboy boots welcome. There were 130 guests. Krista traded her bridal heels for a pair of Dan Post boots once the dancing started, and Walker wore custom black boots made just for the day. That morning, before the outdoor ceremony, the two of them read handwritten vows to each other in private over coffee.
They’ve been together since the fall of 2023, when they met after Walker played a show in Kansas City. He proposed in May 2025, beside a pond in Highlands, North Carolina.
Then came the moment the whole day had built toward. As Walker and Krista were pronounced husband and wife and turned to face their guests, the song that started to play was a George Strait classic.
George Strait is about as big as country music gets. Folks call him the King of Country, and he’s landed more number one hits than any artist in any genre. The song the couple picked was “Blue Clear Sky,” his 1996 hit about a man who can’t believe his luck when love shows up out of nowhere. It’s hard to think of a better fit for a wedding.
Here’s George singing it live, so you can hear exactly what filled the room.
George Strait performs “Blue Clear Sky” live
The country touches didn’t stop there. For their first dance, Walker and Krista chose “I Don’t Think I Will,” a 1996 hit by James Bonamy, another singer who came up in the 90s. Both songs date to the year Walker was still a toddler.
Krista told People that Walker is “truly the one person in this world who I can’t get enough of.” Walker said she “puts me in a good mood and she is my best friend.”
There’s even more country in this family. Walker’s uncle is Eddie Montgomery, of the duo Montgomery Gentry, so the music runs on both sides of this new marriage.