Travis Denning Talks 'Emotional Shift' After Marriage to Madison Montgomery at the 2023 CMA Awards (Exclusive)

The "Buy a Girl a Drink" singer married Montgomery in May

Travis Denning is soaking in married life.

During an interview with PEOPLE at the 57th annual CMA Awards red carpet, the country singer opened up about life with wife Madison Montgomery.

"It's an emotional shift. The day in and day out doesn't change a whole lot but it's cool and it's nice to just have somebody," Denning, 30, tells PEOPLE exclusively of Montgomery, whom he married in May. "I had her before, but you make it better."

"That's what's good about it. When things are great, you know that you got that forever," he adds. "If you bicker and fight... in five years we're gonna remember this. It's just those little things because you're committed to each other and a lifetime of that and it's very exciting."

The "Things I'm Going Through" singer also says he's working on new music and "finishing up a full length record."

Travis Denning

Jason Kempin/Getty

When he can, he takes the boat out for fishing and brings his wife with him.

"She loves it. And she actually will fish a little bit," he says. "[But] she more of... throw a couple casts, drink a couple White Claws, read a couple books and repeat."

When asked if it was anything like Brad Paisley's song "I'm Gonna Miss Her," he says, "'I'm Gonna Fish with Her,' that's my song!"

Check out PEOPLE's full CMA Awards coverage to get the latest news on country music’s biggest night.

Denning married Montgomery on May 20 at The Estate at Cherokee Dock in Lebanon, Tennessee after four years of dating.

"Not a bad Saturday if I do say so myself ❤️," Denning wrote on Instagram, while Montgomery, 26, shared a series of photos with the caption: "The Dennings 🤍."

The bride, a social media specialist and the daughter of '90s country star John Michael Montgomery, wore a one-shouldered white gown for her big day, which has been in the works since Denning popped the question in New York City in October 2021.

The "Second Best Thing" musician opened up to PEOPLE about wedding planning in March, and said that he let his bride take the lead when it came to most design things.

"There are obviously certain things where you make the decisions together, but when it comes to the aesthetics, that's all her," he said. "It's not that I don't have an opinion — it's that I know her opinion is going to be better than mine when it comes to that stuff! She's classy, she's got taste. I trust her on that."

He did, however, note that he had plenty of input when it came to food, alcohol and the venue, which he said was "fun" to choose.

The 2023 CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and stream exclusively on Hulu the following day.

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