Eddie Montgomery will continue to make music without Troy Gentry. In a new interview with People, the singer opens up about the death of the other half of Montgomery Gentry, and how he plans to move forward without his friend.
To People, Montgomery reveals that Montgomery Gentry’s fans, as well as the country music community, have helped him cope with Gentry’s death in a Sept. 8 helicopter crash in New Jersey. The magazine reports that Montgomery plans to tour in 2018, beginning in late January, to continue to share his and Gentry’s music.
“I’ve never done anything else but play music. It’s all I’ve ever known,” Montgomery says. “[Gentry] was more than just a singer. He was a brother, and he was always there. As far as I’m concerned, we’re still making music together.”
Montgomery shares that, years ago, he and Gentry spoke about what the surviving Montgomery Gentry member would do if one of them died. They decided at that time that the other person should keep going — but, Montgomery admits, “I always thought it was going to be me that went down first.”
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Montgomery Gentry were scheduled to play a concert the night of Sept. 8, at the same venue at which Gentry’s helicopter crash occurred. The duo had learned that the location offered helicopter rides about a week before the show, Montgomery recalls, and they both wanted to take one.
Gentry was removed from the helicopter crash wreckage at the scene but was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. In addition to Gentry, the helicopter’s pilot, James Evan Robinson, died in the crash; crews worked for hours to remove his body from the wreck. The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its preliminary report on the crash, which expands upon initial reports that the helicopter pilot experienced mechanical issues prior to crashing.
“A little piece of my soul got lost there. It was a horrific day; my world changed as much as the band did,” Montgomery says. “It’s something that you never get over. It’s going to be in my mind and my soul for the rest of my life.”
In the days following Gentry’s death, Montgomery Gentry’s record label, Average Joes Entertainment, revealed that the duo had recently completed a new album. One song from the disc, “Better Me,” was released as a single around the same time; it features Gentry on lead vocals. Fans will get to hear that full record, Here’s to You, on Feb. 2.
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