Montgomery Gentry Give Touching Tribute To Troy Gentry In His Hometown

Kentucky has produced many artists (Black Stone Cherry, Chris Stapleton, Billy Ray Cyrus), but when you think of a fusion of country, Southern rock, and brilliant harmonies, only one group comes to mind. The ever so famous duo of Montgomery Gentry! The band have been blazing a path for almost 20 years now, having been nominated for 26 music awards and winning three. The Kentucky duo has given the world many songs we all know and love, and that’s “Something To Be Proud Of”. Make no mistake, Montgomery Gentry have secured themselves in the industry forever with a landscape full of music that we can all appreciate.

The road to get to this performance in Lexington hasn’t been an easy one. In fact, it may be the most emotionally charged show Eddie Montgomery will ever play. If you aren’t familiar with the band, this is where the now late member Troy Gentry is from. Lexington is home and anyone who knows how much artists appreciate and value playing a hometown show will know that for Eddie Montgomery, this could be one of the most difficult and even humbling shows he will play. On September 8th, 2017 the world lost a very important soul in Troy Gentry, who tragically lost his life in a helicopter accident where he was scheduled to perform with his brother Eddie in Medford, New Jersey. To play this show without their brother, especially playing in Troy’s hometown, is devastating. Through spirit, Troy will most definitely be in Manchester Music Hall because he lives inside each and every one of his fans, band mates, and anyone who carries his music and memory with them.

Opening the show up was local band Some Rock Band, comprised of Garland Fredericks, Tim Scott, and Steve Smith, from Danville, Kentucky.

Now, don’t let this confuse you or lead you to believe that they are just “some local openers”; Some Rock Band brought the house down and warmed the Lexington crowd up with a killer cover of “Nothing But A Good Time” and even a Beastie Boys classic “Fight For Your Right”, cranking out covers of hit after hit from the 80’s and more!

The energy of the band with their solos, killer drums, and nasty bass riffs was just right for Montgomery Gentry.

In true southern rock fashion, this band delivered what was sure to be a memorable night of music and memories! The only thing more exciting than finding your new favorite band is seeing your current favorite live.

Eddie Montgomery made his way onto the stage, and greeted the hometown crowd with excitement and joy. The one thing we heard all night long was “For T-Roy”. Eddie and the band played everyone’s favorite Montgomery Gentry tunes with such gusto and passion, you would think it was the last time they would ever play a show, but we know that’s not the case here. As Eddie spun his microphone stand, he brought it back up belting out “Lexington, Kentucky! It’s so good to be home, let’s make T-Roy proud!” with passion in his voice and the goal to make this show a statement.

“Where I Come From” was the first song of the night, a very fitting opener as this was their home. There wasn’t one fan who wasn’t singing along to every word; to be honest, the songs are staples of the south and anyone who has longed for a good ol’ theme song for their hometown. The guitars soared, the liquor poured, and the band played on to their next song, “Lonely And Gone”. The crowd in Lexington was expected to be a rowdy one, but no one really could have anticipated it to be THIS rowdy.

A few moments in, this show really stood out. We all were feeling the spirit of T-Roy during “Roll With Me” Eddie Montgomery encouraged the fans to shine their cell phone lights up so high that Troy could see it from heaven.

The whole venue lit up with smiles and light as the music poured out into everyone’s soul. It was a really amazing moment to be in.

As the band would end their set with the lights going dark, fans cheered for more! Two minutes later we were all staring at Troy Gentry’s white acoustic guitar, as the band’s guitarist began to play a ballad and obvious tribute the late great T-Roy.

The rest of the band all joined on stage for a final farewell to the crowd and the night, thanking the rowdy and loving fans for coming out to the show and showing them so much love! Many questions were answered as to how a band considered a duo could still tour and why they should.

Each member of this band has been affected and impacted by the passing of this great artist, but he is felt every time a chord is struck and song is sung by Eddie and the band! Montgomery Gentry will live on and keep the good times rolling, so look for a show near you, come and support this band of brothers and enjoy some kick ass country music!