On February 5, 1994, John Michael Montgomery began a career-high four weeks at Advertising signHot Country Songs chart with “I Swear”. The ballad marked his second of seven No. 1s on the chart.
Written by Gary Baker and Frank J. Myers, the love song also became a hit for pop/R&B vocal outfit All-4-One, whose version has ruled the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 for 11 frames since May.
For Montgomery, “I Swear” was released as the lead single from his album Kickin' It Up, his first of two No. 1s on Top Country Albums. The set also topped the Billboard 200, his only chart-topper, and spawned two other Hot Country Songs leaders: “Be My Baby Tonight” and “If You've Got Love.”
Montgomery was born on January 20, 1965 in Danville, Ky. His musical family includes older brother Eddie Montgomery, who became one half of the duo Montgomery Gentry (with Troy Gentry), and son Walker Montgomery, who made his Grand Ole Opry. debut in December.
John Michael Montgomery boasts 20 Hot Country Songs top 10s, from “Life's a Dance” (No. 4 peak, 1993) to “Letters From Home” (No. 2, 2004). He last led with 'The Little Girl' in 2000.
Notably, Montgomery's fifth Hot Country Songs No. 1, “I Can Love You Like That,” also became a hit for All-4-One. After its release topped the Hot Country Songs chart for three weeks beginning in April 1995, All-4-One climbed to No. 5 on the Hot 100 that August. (Both acts were signed to Atlantic Records at the time.)
Now 59, Montgomery is one of several respected country producers who have recently announced retirement tours. Among others: Lee Greenwood, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ray Stevens and Doug Stone.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/john-michael-montgomery-i-swear-chart-rewind-1994-1235599059/
