Gentry died tragically on September 8th from a helicopter accident
Eddie Montgomery has released his first public statement about his longtime friend and bandmate Troy Gentry. Montgomery has been quiet since Gentry died tragically on September 8th in a helicopter crash in Medford, NJ. In a statement through his label, Average Joe’s Entertainment, Montgomery thanks everyone for their support and shares his love for his brother of 30 years.
“Hey everybody, this is Eddie. I want to thank everyone for their support and prayers. Our world was turned upside down in an instant and nothing could have prepared us for this. 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 8th, none of that mattered,” he says.
He continues, “‘Better Me’ is a song we all loved and Troy sings his ass off on it. It speaks volumes about his life and who he had become and everyone he touched and how much he loved his family. I am so proud of this song and also to call him my friend, my family, my brother for 30 years.”
The accident happened September 8th shortly after take off at the Flying W Airport & Resort in Medford, NJ, hours before the duo was scheduled to perform a concert there. Montgomery and the band were at the airport when the accident happened. In its preliminary accident report, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed that engine failure was the cause of the fatal crash that killed Gentry and 22-year-old pilot James Evan Robinson. The chopper ride was purely for pleasure, the NTSB has concluded.
“Better Me” was released following Gentry’s funeral at the Grand Ole Opry on September 14th. The track is from the duo’s forthcoming album of new music set for release sometime in 2018 to celebrate their 20th anniversary.
