Montgomery Gentry still just 'good ol' boys'
Tonya Parker Morrison
June 28, 2005
It doesn’t take much to make Eddie Montgomery happy. The Kentucky native may be best known for being half of the country duo Montgomery Gentry, but he happily still shops for groceries unrecognized (sometimes) and just adores the simplest pleasures in life.
I am not what you’d call a high maintenance man,” he said with a deep, throaty guffaw.
I know it’s good PR when you’re in country music to say that you are a ‘good ol’ boy,’ but in my case, that’s really the truth and there’s no hiding it. In fact, I revel in all of it - all that down home stuff that makes life worth living.”
It’s that appreciation of their collective roots that hits all the right notes with Montgomery Gentry’s fans, many of whom travel from show to show with the pair, faithfully clapping along to songs like “She Couldn’t Change Me” and the crowd favorite “My Town.”
They just scored their first No. 1 single, “If You Ever Stop Loving Me” from the gold-certified You Do Your Thing, and the award nominations just keep rollin' in. Kudos rock, sure, but Montgomery knows that to really log fans, you've got to log the miles.
Touring may not be for everyone, but we love it. To get out there and be able to get up close and personal with all of the people who buy your music and keep everything going for you every day of the week - that’s just the greatest. It may sound cliché, but it really does make all the hard work worthwhile.”
And work it is. In addition to all the accolades they’ve received this year alone, Montgomery Gentry has even been credited by their record company, Sony Music Nashville’s Columbia division, with spurring what appears to be an enviable year for the country music business. Their single, “Hell Yeah,” began the year on a brisk note by spurring 700,000 in album sales. At the end of June 2004, country had racked up a healthy 31 million units in sales, compared to 2003’s 28 million.
Montgomery is glad to take credit where it’s due, but is also careful to give a nod to what has shaped up to be one hell of a great year in country. He admittedly has lapped up albums released by contemporaries like newcomer Gretchen Wilson, whose infectious ditty “Redneck Woman” has seduced critics and fans alike this year and garnered her more awards than a "dog has ticks." Then again, the affable cowboy is used to sharing the spotlight - even in his own family. His younger brother is fellow recording artist John Michael Montgomery.
We’re like any other siblings who just happen to have the same job - plumbers, electricians, construction workers, whatever. If we do our jobs equally well, then we reap equal benefits. We support each other, we heckle each other and we feel good for each other when good things happen.”
There’s no competition between us except when it comes to getting the last chicken leg.”
For more information on Montgomery Gentry's music or current 2005 tour, go to www.montgomerygentry.com.
Montgomery Gentry Discography:
Tattoos & Scars (1999)
Carrying On (2001)
My Town (2002)
You Do Your Thing (2004)
I am not what you’d call a high maintenance man,” he said with a deep, throaty guffaw.
I know it’s good PR when you’re in country music to say that you are a ‘good ol’ boy,’ but in my case, that’s really the truth and there’s no hiding it. In fact, I revel in all of it - all that down home stuff that makes life worth living.”
It’s that appreciation of their collective roots that hits all the right notes with Montgomery Gentry’s fans, many of whom travel from show to show with the pair, faithfully clapping along to songs like “She Couldn’t Change Me” and the crowd favorite “My Town.”
They just scored their first No. 1 single, “If You Ever Stop Loving Me” from the gold-certified You Do Your Thing, and the award nominations just keep rollin' in. Kudos rock, sure, but Montgomery knows that to really log fans, you've got to log the miles.
Touring may not be for everyone, but we love it. To get out there and be able to get up close and personal with all of the people who buy your music and keep everything going for you every day of the week - that’s just the greatest. It may sound cliché, but it really does make all the hard work worthwhile.”
And work it is. In addition to all the accolades they’ve received this year alone, Montgomery Gentry has even been credited by their record company, Sony Music Nashville’s Columbia division, with spurring what appears to be an enviable year for the country music business. Their single, “Hell Yeah,” began the year on a brisk note by spurring 700,000 in album sales. At the end of June 2004, country had racked up a healthy 31 million units in sales, compared to 2003’s 28 million.
Montgomery is glad to take credit where it’s due, but is also careful to give a nod to what has shaped up to be one hell of a great year in country. He admittedly has lapped up albums released by contemporaries like newcomer Gretchen Wilson, whose infectious ditty “Redneck Woman” has seduced critics and fans alike this year and garnered her more awards than a "dog has ticks." Then again, the affable cowboy is used to sharing the spotlight - even in his own family. His younger brother is fellow recording artist John Michael Montgomery.
We’re like any other siblings who just happen to have the same job - plumbers, electricians, construction workers, whatever. If we do our jobs equally well, then we reap equal benefits. We support each other, we heckle each other and we feel good for each other when good things happen.”
There’s no competition between us except when it comes to getting the last chicken leg.”
For more information on Montgomery Gentry's music or current 2005 tour, go to www.montgomerygentry.com.
Montgomery Gentry Discography:
Tattoos & Scars (1999)
Carrying On (2001)
My Town (2002)
You Do Your Thing (2004)
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