Today marks the five-year anniversary of the death of Montgomery Gentry’s Troy Gentry. The country singer died on September 8, 2017, after his helicopter crashed in Medford, New Jersey just hours before the country duo was set to perform.
Soon after Gentry’s passing, Montgomery Gentry’s social media accounts shared the devastating news.
“It is with great sadness that we confirm that Troy Gentry, half of the popular country duo, Montgomery Gentry, was tragically killed in a helicopter crash which took place at approximately 1:00 PM today in Medford, New Jersey.”
“The duo was scheduled to perform tonight at the Flying W Airport & Resort in Medford. Troy Gentry was 50 years old. Details of the crash are unknown. Troy Gentry’s family wishes to acknowledge all of the kind thoughts and prayers, and asks for privacy at this time.”
The Kentucky natives began performing together in the 1990s, collaborating with Eddie Montgomery’s brother John Michael Montgomery for several years before Montgomery Gentry (Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry) was formed in 1999. The duo released six studio albums, producing more than 20 chart singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart along with five number one hits. ACM and CMA named them Duo of the Year in 2000, and nine years later they were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
Eddie Montgomery took to Twitter this morning, remembering his dear friend.
“Just want to say brother T missing u!!!!! Hell we all do that beautiful smile and that livin life attitude that u have, that u have spread around the world !!!! We’re keepin it goin my brother!!! LOVE YA!!! PS… bet u got them laughing and singin in heaven!!!”
Just want to say brother T missing u!!!!! Hell we all do that bueatiful smile and that livin life attitude that u have, that u have spread around the world !!!! We’re keepin it goin my brother!!! LOVE YA!!! PS… bet u got them laughing and singin in heaven!!!
— Eddie Montgomery (@LuckymanEddie) September 8, 2022
“Forever in our hearts, brother! Can’t believe it’s been 5 years,” Montgomery added alongside a photo. “Miss you everyday T-Roy!”
Montgomery Gentry was working on their next album, Here’s to You, when they lost Gentry in the tragic accident.
“Our world was turned upside down in an instant and nothing could have prepared us for this,” Eddie Montgomery said after the tragedy, “Over the past few months, me and T-Roy have been working on what I think is the best record of our career. In the last few weeks, we had been talking about what our first single would be. Then on September 8, none of that mattered.”
@musicmayhemmagazine Remembering Montgomery Gentry’s TroyGentry… 💔 April 5, 1967 – September 8, 2017 #MontgomeryGentry
Montgomery told Pop Culture, “I know T-Roy, he’s always with us. He always had that big wooden spoon, and he always liked to stir the pot. All these things that happened, all of us guys on the bus, when we get on there, we usually talk about it and stuff. Something will happen and we’ll be like, ‘Oh gosh, T-Roy’s still around here now, somewhere.’”
Four years after the accident, Montgomery announced he would be releasing his solo album, Ain’t No Closing Me Down, which dropped January of 2022. With the anticipation of the album, Montgomery extended words of comfort to the fans of Montgomery Gentry.
“Troy is with me and will always be with me. He helped me write this album.”
Troy Gentry is survived by his wife, Angie, and daughters Taylor and Kaylee. The Grand Ole Opry held a public memorial service for him shortly after his death.
