Montgomery Gentry
Marilyn and I arrived in the photo pit and prepared our cameras, because we were prohibited from using our flash so taking a good picture of Montgomery Gentry would be challenging to say the least. The introduction started and the concert arena went dark as the music started. There was a very large curtain hiding the stage and all the equipment. You could tell when Troy and Eddie took their place on the dark stage because of the number of camera flashes coming from the bleachers on the side of the stage. These bleacher seats are reserved for winners of radio contests and various other promotions.
Suddenly a bright light illuminated the back part of the stage causing their siloutte to appear to the audience. The crowd went crazy and the curtain dropped to the ground and the show was underway. They began their set with "Hillbilly Shoes" and continued the momentum with "Daddy Won't Sell The Farm." They barely caught their breath as they continued on with "If You Ever Stop Loving Me" and "She Couldn't Change Me." Eddie showed his softer side when he sang "She Don't Tell Me To." The duo picked up momentum again with "Speed" and "It Takes All Kinds."
Montgomery Gentry have always been loyal supporters of our military and today would be no different. As members of various branches of our armed forces came onstage, they were greeted by a handshake and sometimes an embrace by Eddie or Troy, as the soldiers made their way down the catwalk and out to the audience of grateful concert gowers. These brave men and women made an effort to touch each and every hand that was extended to them. People were pressing to get close to the catwalk in order to have the opportunity to shake hands and thank the soldiers as the went by. If they couldn't get close enough to shake their hand they yelled a heartfelt thank you from a distance. When each soldier reached the end of the catwalk, where the American flag was flying, they stopped and saluted the flag then continued to touch the outstretched hands of the crowd as they returned to the stage. It was a very moving experience, looking into the eyes of those brave men and women, and have the opportunity to say thank you.
The show continued as they teamed up to sing "Lucky Man" and "All Night Long." Eddie made an emotional introduction to a song he wrote for his son who passed away around his 3rd birthday called "Clouds." He talked about loosing his father, and loved ones in his life, and how this is a song that you could relate to, if you have ever lost someone that you loved. He was visibly shaken by the end of the introduction, and I wondered how he would be able to sing a song when his voice was cracking. At that moment he turned toward the band, jumped up and down several times, and shook off the emotion of the moment. When he approached the microphone, he was primed and ready to deliver what would be an amazing performance.
The show picked up pace as the rocked with "308" and "Lonely And Gone." We were introduced to their newest release, called "What Do You Think About That." It is a lively song with a strong beat that the crowd seemed to love. The party continued as they sang "Just Got Paid" and "Some People Change." The entire audience remained on their feet as they began to sing "Hell Yeah" and "My Town." They finished with "Tears are Coming." The crowd was not ready for the evening to end, so they hollered, whistled and chanted for Montgomery Gentry to return to the stage. No Montgomery Gentry concert is complete without them singing the infamous "Gone." Eddie and Troy then left the stage to the the chants and whistles of 40,000 plus screaming and satisfied fans.
