Fall 2008
Eddie Montgomery isn't shy about showing his love for the United States and the young people who defend the American way of life.
"I don't ever want to hear anybody say, 'I don't know if this generation has got what it takes,'" he says. "We've got the baddest men and women in the world, and knowing that they've got our backs reminds me every day why America is the greatest country in the world and always will be the greatest!"
The fiery duo of Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry bring this spirit to their "blue-collar working band," Montgomery Gentry. "We're just everyday guys who are always thinking about working-class people," Eddie says, "and we like to have fun on the weekends!"
Raised in northern Kentucky as part of a musical family, Eddie grew up listening to "outlaw" country musicians such as Hank Williams Jr., Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard. He began playing drums at age five, performing with his parents' band. When he reached his teens, he replaced his mom as the group's drummer.
By maintaining the rock edge to his albums, Eddie added a different voice to the increasingly "pop" sound of the country genre. His voice won the hearts of country fans fed up with the models and the plastic pretenders who had been threatening to corrupt the country sound.
Eddie is all over television these days. He has appeared on Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, Access Hollywood, Best Damn Sports Show Period, The Tonight Show, CBS Early Show and many music shows. He's busy on the road, too; he performed for more than one million fans last year alone.
The band's 2007 album, "Some People Change," delivered three consecutive top-five singles, including the no. 1 hit, "LuckyMan." Eddie contributed some of his own songwriting to the album, including "Clouds", in which he confronted the untimely loss of his father and young son. The group's brand-new album, "Back When I Knew It All," has exploded onto the country charts faster than any of their previous releases.
Military Money spoke with Eddie Montgomery earlier this year.
Eddie, what are your latest projects?
Montgomery: We're working on our new album, due out in June. We have a brand new tour, too, with Toby Keith. We're totally loaded up this year! It took us a long time to find the songs. I have a real love for the songwriters - they wrote for us, our style.
What was your first big break in the music business?
Montgomery: I grew up in a very, very musical family. There was no furniture in the living room, just guitar amps and drums. We always joke that the bartenders were our babysitters. My brother, John Michael Montgomery - we call him "John Boy" - got a record deal. We played with Troy Gentry, and his father owned two bars in Lexington. We played there for a while. Then, Columbia/Sony heard us and signed us.
How did you first start performing for the military?
Montgomery: I'm named after my great-uncle, Claude Edward, who was one of the first Marines killed at Iwo Jima. Both sides of my family served in the military. My mom and dad were in a band and played VFW clubs. They couldn't afford a babysitter, so they brought us. We heard a lot of stories from the vets there from World War II and Vietnam. At the time, I was a little kid. I didn't understand everything. Now I know they're all heroes. I can't wait for the troops to get home, but I know we have to support them wherever they are.
What concerts have you done lately for the troops?
Montgomery: We've done quite a few. We were going to go back to Iraq, but Troy's mother died. We're planning another trip there. Anywhere we have American heroes, we will play.
Are there special logistics when you perform for the military?
Montgomery: Not at all. We bring our whole show in. You can ask our stage crew! The troops will help us and the crew says, "These boys work harder than we do!" They love it. In Iraq, we just took guitars, an electric piano, small amps. The technology is so great now; it's digital. People see these little amps and wonder how we get that great big sound. You don't need to take an amp the size of a side of a house any more.
Are you involved with any other charities?
Montgomery: Down where I live, I'm starting Camp Horsing Around for terminally ill children. There will be nurses and doctors there, everything they need. They'll be able to ride, go on boats, swim... just be a kid. You don't know how good you've got it until you see a four- or five-year-old little girl who has cancer.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Montgomery: You always say "being on stage," but for me, it's meeting people. I've been very, very blessed by the man upstairs. Also, America's the greatest!
What's your least favorite part of your job?
Montgomery: I love my job. Maybe as the kids get a little older, I miss being with them. I have four beautiful children. I do get to come home, though.
Do you manage your own money?
Montgomery: Shoot, no! My wife would not let me manage it and my accountant would not let me manage it! I'm a country boy that never had anything and if I managed it, I wouldn't have anything.
Do you have investments?
Montgomery: I own some duplexes and houses near me. This is my hometown!
What's a splurge to you?
Montgomery: I love equipment, like dozers. I haven't talked my wife into it, but I'd like a really fast sports car. I don't know when it'll happen, but if it does, it would aggravate Tracy. She's not into it!
What's a complete waste of money to you?
Montgomery: I don't wear jewelry. I guess a house on the beach, because if it's something I just use a couple weeks a year, it's of no benefit to me.
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Tamar Alexia Fleishman is an attorney and writer in Baltimore. She served in the U.S. Air Force, her father served in the Indiana National Guard and her grandfather was a highly decorated Army surgeon who served as family physician to Gen. Douglas MacArthur. She may be reached at tfleishman@toad.net.