The West Georgia Technical College Foundation has announced that John Michael Montgomery will headline its 16th anniversary Black Tie & Boots concert at the WGTC Murphy Campus in Waco on Saturday, July 29.

Montgomery joins the long and star-studded list of country music performers who have graced the Murphy Campus stage, including Blake Shelton, Little Big Town, Wynonna & the Big Noise and last year’s performer Kellie Pickler.

Singer of popular love songs like “I Swear,” “I Love the Way You Love Me” and “I Can Love You Like That,” Montgomery was born in Danville, Ky., to parents who imparted a lifelong love of music.

“Where most people have chairs and sofas in their living rooms, we had amplifiers and drum kits,” Montgomery said. “The family band played on weekends throughout the area, and my brother Eddie and I eagerly soaked up everything about it.”

The event includes a buffet dinner starting at 6 p.m. with the concert beginning at 8 p.m. Guests are treated to valet parking, a professional photographer and a walk on the red carpet. This year’s attire is the event’s traditional “black-tie optional.” And, of course, boots.

Sponsorships, which include concert tickets and admission to a “meet-and-greet” reception with Montgomery, are now available for purchase. A limited number of individual and group tickets will be made available on July 1 pending availability.

Visit www.westgatech.edu/foundation for sponsorship details.

“We are humbled and honored by the tremendous support from our business partners and from the community every year,” said Kim Learnard, Executive Director of the WGTC Foundation. “Corporate sponsorships mean direct support to WGTC students in the form of scholarships.”

WGTC President Steve G. Daniel said he’s thankful for the continued support that has made Black Tie & Boots a “staple event” over the past 16 years.

“We are extremely excited to have John Michael Montgomery as this year’s performer,” said West Georgia Technical College President Steve G. Daniel. “This concert is not just a fun event, but also a chance to focus on the success of our students with the support of the community and our business and industry partners. It’s a great time for everyone.”

Though Black Tie & Boots has become one of the most highly anticipated events in West Georgia, its purpose has remained the same. All of the proceeds raised from the event support student scholarships.

For more information about becoming a corporate partner, contact Jada Marcum at [email protected] or 678-664-0516.

Montgomery took over lead singing chores after his parents divorced, and he performed for a while in a band called Early Tymz with Eddie and their friend Troy Gentry. Nashville talent scouts began hearing about and then seeing Montgomery perform, and by the early ‘90s he had a record deal.

The hits followed steadily, with songs like “Rope The Moon,” “If You’ve Got Love,” “No Man’s Land,” “Cowboy Love,” “As Long As I Live,” “Friends” and “How Was I To Know” establishing him as one of the elite acts of the era.

He received the CMA Horizon award and was named the ACM’s Top New Vocalist, setting off a long series of awards that included the CMA’s Single and Song of the Year, Billboard’s Top Country Artist, and a Grammy nomination.