Country Pop Bites: John Michael Montgomery – April 21

Did you know that on this day in Country Music History in 2001 John Michael Montgomery made his Grand Ole Opry debut, singing "Sold" and "The Little Girl"?

It’s true! Both classic songs! Check out the video!

Here are 5 things about John Michael Montgomery that you might not have known.

• Growing up, he was encouraged musically by his father, who played in a local country band and taught him his first chords.
• He grew up listening to Lionel Richie, Jimmy Buffett, The Bee Gees, Kenny Rogers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers and Eric Clapton.
• He joined the family band (which included his brother, Eddie Montgomery, who with Troy Gentry would form the duo Montgomery Gentry), playing guitar before becoming lead singing when his parents divorced.
• Late in 1995, he was forced to take time off for surgery to repair his vocal cords.
• His favorite foods are venison, beans and corn bread.