Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry killed in helicopter crash

The duo’s camp reveals the sad news

Troy Gentry, one half of country hit making duo Montgomery Gentry, has been killed, along with one other person, in a helicopter crash today (Fri, Sept 8th). Lex 18 News in Lexington, KY has reported that Gentry died following a helicopter crash at the Flying W Airport in Medford, N.J. earlier this afternoon. Gentry’s partner, Eddie Montgomery, was waiting at the airport when the chopper crashed and was not on board.

Montgomery Gentry’s Facebook Page confirms the 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 1:00pm 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 duo’s concert tonight at the venue was immediately canceled despite not revealing the identities of those involved. “The Montgomery Gentry concert has been canceled for tonight. Information on refunds will be posted within the next week,” the venue’s Facebook Page reads.

Details are scarce as of press time. However, the South Jersey Courier Post says the Schweitzer 269 “crashed in a wooded area off the end of runway 1,” according to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesperson. Emergency personnel were on the scene.

WPVI TV in Philadelphia reports, “There was no immediate confirmation on the number or extent of injuries or what may have led to the crash.” However, the FAA is investigating the crash.

More details as they become available. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gentry, his wife and daughters and Eddie Montgomery.

The duo were working on a new album with Average Joe’s Entertainment. The group charted 20 singles since they hit the scene in 1999. Five of their hits landed at the top of the country charts — “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” “Something To Be Proud Of,” “Lucky Man,” “Back When I Knew It All” and “Roll With Me.” They were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2009 and into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

The music world is mourning his loss on social media.

https://twitter.com/ShooterJennings/status/906244173883478016

https://twitter.com/leebrice/status/906250332442947586

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com