Written by FRANK PEEBLES
Citizen staff
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Monday, 12 January 2009 |
Montgomery Gentry is coming to CN Centre on May 1. (Submitted photo)
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On May 1, CN Centre will host the Nashville act that has been one of the cornerstones of modern country, in the same vein as Big & Rich, Trace Adkins and Gretchen Wilson.
Montgomery Gentry debuted in 1999 and roared up the charts with five mid-charting singles off their album Tattoos and Scars, and took the trophy for Vocal Duo of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards, breaking a nine-year spell that Brooks & Dunn had over that award.
Montgomery Gentry got their first blockbuster hit off their second album, 2001's Carrying On. The song "She Couldn't Change Me" reached No. 2 on the charts. The same album also featured the well-known tune "Didn't I," which was used in the film We Were Soldiers.
A year later they put out their top selling album to that point, a disc called My Town. The title track, "Hell Yeah" and "Speed" all got to the top five on the charts and the album sold more than a million copies.
It wasn't until 2004 that Montgomery Gentry landed their first No. 1 hit, with the tune, "If You Ever Stop Loving Me" off their You Do Your Thing album, which also contained their second No. 1 hit, "Something to Be Proud Of." That album also launched the tune "Gone" which is now a staple at baseball fields the world over whenever someone hits a home run.
They put out a greatest-hits package following that success and briefly caught their breath, but in 2006 they popped the cork on another No. 1 hit, "Lucky Man."
And the wheels continue to roll with the 2008 release of their Back When I Knew It All CD, which gave their fastest No. 1 chart climb in the form of the title track. It got to the top of the charts in 20 weeks. Their next song, "Roll With Me" hit No. 1 in 20 weeks and that song features the background vocals of rockers Five For Fighting.
Montgomery Gentry have always used a harder edged approach to their music, but have their soft spots, too. They started out in Kentucky as a trio comprised of Troy Gentry, Eddie Montgomery and brother John Michael Montgomery. All tried solo careers, with Gentry winning the Jim Beam National Talent Contest and John Michael Montgomery crafting one of the biggest careers in country music at that time. Gentry and Eddie Montgomery stayed in close contact, however, and preferred the two-force approach. After re-forming as double frontmen who alternated lead vocals with plenty of singing support from one another, their reputations took off quickly.
Tickets are $42.50 plus service charges and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the CN Centre box office and Studio 2880. You can also call 250-614-9100 to charge-by-phone or order online at www.ticketmaster.ca.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 12 January 2009 )
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