Originally conceived to mark Montgomery Gentry’s 20th anniversary,
their dynamic new album Here’s To You now represents the triumphant
start to a new legacy.


On September 8, 2017, Troy Gentry died in a helicopter crash at the
age of 50. The new collection, which was recorded before his death,
serves as a reminder of the iconic pair’s powerful presence and also
points to fruitful future for Eddie Montgomery and the Montgomery
Gentry brand.


The album’s title, “Here’s To You,” is both a tribute to Troy and to
the band’s rabid fans. “We don’t call them fans, we call them
friends,” says Eddie. “They’re who got us our deal.”


Produced by Noah Gordon (Colt Ford) and Shannon Houchins (Brantley
Gilbert) the album is one of Montgomery Gentry’s best. “It’s probably
the greatest album we’ve done since Tattoos & Scars,” says Eddie
Montgomery. “Coming up on our 20th anniversary we wanted to put out a
killer album. We hunted and hunted for the right songs. In the studio
we were feeling really loose. It was just beautiful and a lot of fun.”


There’s another reason Eddie believes Here’s To You is one of their
best: Troy’s sweet, high tenor was on full display. “I’ve heard him
sing since he was a teenager,” says Eddie, “and Troy’s soul came out
on this album. It’s the best he’s ever sang.”


While there are plenty of future Montgomery Gentry fan favorites on
the new collection, it also represents a more mature sound for the
Kentucky Music Hall of Fame members. “Being on the road for 20 years
and being together for 30 and all the things that we’ve been through,
this album is about where we were at in life,” says Eddie.


The album’s cornerstone and first single, “Better Me,” is a real-life
representation of where Troy was with his faith and family. “When Troy
heard ‘Better Me’ he said, ‘I really want to sing this song, Eddie’,”
Montgomery recalls. “I said, Have at it, brother.” The song, written
by Jamie Moore, Josh Hoge and Randy Montana, fittingly debuted at
Troy’s celebration of life at the Grand Ole Opry House.


There are other songs of redemption on the album, including “All Hell
Broke Loose,” which features Eddie’s rough hewn baritone and tells the
tale of a love-inspired turn around. Like his buddy Troy, Eddie knew
he had to sing it. “I was never a big love song kind of guy,” he says,
“but it fit me. It reminds me of when I met my wife. I was like, ‘Wow,
this song is me right here’.”


“Crazies Welcome,” penned by Brad Warren, Brett Warren, Lance Miller
and Jessi Alexander, which features Eddie’s earthy tones, celebrates
those of us who don’t have it all together, which is to say all of us.


“Needing A Beer,” co-written by Bobby Pinson and Aaron Raitiere, is
classic Montgomery Gentry, paying tribute to unsung heroes, including
policemen, firemen, the military and teachers, among others. “It’s
what we’re about and it’s what everybody that comes to see us is
about,” Eddie says with blue-collar conviction. “We couldn’t imagine
not cutting the song.”


His sentiment is completely understandable if you know the genesis of
Montgomery Gentry. Their popularity is no doubt due in large part to
Troy and Eddie’s personal connection as well as their close connection
with their fans. “Nashville didn’t put this duo together,” says Eddie.
“Me and Troy did. We were friends and then we became a duo.”


“Even though I played with [my brother] John Michael for awhile, Troy
and I always ended up on stage together,” Eddie recalls. “We played
fundraisers and honky tonks and we sang from our souls.”


Fans quickly appreciated the band’s energetic stage show. “We’re about
the working class,” says Eddie. “People would come in and have a drink
because they were getting divorced or they were having a drink because
they weren’t getting divorced. Or somebody was getting a promotion and
they were having a party or someone was getting fired and they were
having a party.


“We had a quite a following and the record label said, ‘if you can do
this here maybe you can do it everywhere’,” he continues.


The Philip Eugene O'Donnell, Buddy Owens, Jenee Flenor and Wade
Kirby-penned “Drink Along Song” is an instant MG classic. “We started
doing that song live and we just knew before it was even cut that it
was a hit,” Eddie explains. “By the time we’d get to the second chorus
people were singing it back to us. When they do that and it’s the
first time they’ve heard the song, you’ve got a hit.”


“That’s The Thing About America,” penned by Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey
Steele and Shane Minor, celebrates our diversity in a divisive time.
“I love exactly what it says and it’s so true,” Eddie says of the
song’s message. “To me music heals all and I’d love to find that song
that heals this country tomorrow. Maybe this is it.”


The quirky but catchy “King Of The World” was written by Troy Jones.
“Our manager brought us that song and said, ‘It’s way out there, but I
want to play it for you’,” Eddie remembers. “When I heard it I
immediately thought of my neighbor. I call him ‘my crazy ass Cajun
buddy’ and this song is him.”


“Get Down South,” written by John Wiggins, Bob Moffat, Clint Moffat
and Troy Johnson, is a dirt road anthem that will resonate with rural
American fans and encourage city-dwellers to get in touch with their
redneck side.

With 20 plus charted singles, the Kentucky-born duo earned Country
Music Association and Academy of Country Music awards as well as a
GRAMMY nomination with undeniable blue-collar anthems such as  “Hell
Yeah,” “My Town,” and “Hillbilly Shoes.” They’ve notched five No. 1
singles (“If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” “Something To Be Proud Of,”
“Lucky Man,” “Back When I Knew It All” and “Roll With Me”) and were
inducted as Grand Ole Opry members in 2009. The duo, whose trademark
sound combined Southern Rock and Country, achieved Platinum
certification on three of their albums and Gold certification on three
others.


Despite Troy’s passing, the show will go on, according to Eddie. “We
talked about it a long time ago. We both said, ‘If one of us goes
down, we want the MG brand to keep going. I will continue to honor him
and our friends.”


With the release of Here’s To You the band’s legacy remains solidly
intact and a robust touring schedule will ensure that the music that
they labored over for two years will be shared with old and new
“friends” alike. Two thousand and eighteen will no doubt be celebrated
and remembered as the next chapter for the kindred spirits who pledged
to continue their musical journey and put their friends first no
matter what.