Country star dies in helicopter crash
NEW YORK — Troy Gentry, one half of the successful country music duo Montgomery Gentry, died on Friday after the helicopter he was riding in crashed in a wooded area near Medford, New Jersey.
Gentry, 50, had joined bandmate Eddie Montgomery to form an act that launched numerous hits, won multiple awards and reached platinum status throughout the 2000s. Gentry was killed hours before the band was set to hit the stage — a second home for the singer and guitarist from Kentucky.
The helicopter carrying Gentry crashed near the Flying W Airport early Friday afternoon. The band’s website called Gentry’s death “tragic,” and said details of the crash were unknown.
“Troy Gentry’s family wishes to acknowledge all of the kind thoughts and prayers, and asks for privacy at this time,” the website said.
Crews removed Gentry from the wreckage, but he was pronounced dead at a hospital, Medford police Chief Richard Meder said. The crews worked for hours to remove the body of pilot James Evan Robinson from the mangled wreckage. He died at the scene.
Members of the country duo’s band — including Montgomery — were at the airport when the helicopter crashed, Meder said. The helicopter had taken off from the Flying W Airport but experienced trouble and was approaching the airport to land when it crashed, Meder said. The purpose of the helicopter trip wasn’t known.
Gentry was born in Lexington, Kentucky, where he met Montgomery. Later, they formed a group based off their last names.
Montgomery Gentry had success on the country charts in the 2000s, scoring No. 1 hits with “Roll With Me,” “Back When I Knew It All,” “Lucky Man,” “Something to Be Proud Of” and “If You Ever Stop Loving Me.” Some of the songs even cracked the top 40 of the pop charts.
The band mixed country music with Southern rock and was known for their blue-collar anthems.
Montgomery Gentry released their debut album, the platinum-seller “Tattoos & Scars,” in 1999. Two of their albums, “My Town” and “You Do Your Thing,” also achieved platinum status. Their latest album was 2015’s “Folks Like Us,” and it featured the song “Two Old Friends,” which describes the longstanding bond between Montgomery and Gentry.
Several country singers wrote touching words on social media about Gentry’s death, and Brad Paisley tweeted: “God bless you Troy Gentry. Heartbroken and in disbelief.”
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Don Williams, an awardwinning country singer with love ballads like “I Believe in You,” has died. He was 78.
A statement from his publicist, Kirt Webster, said he died Friday after a short illness. Williams had 17 No. 1 hits before retiring in 2016. His mellow sound influenced a later generation of singers including Joe Nichols and Josh Turner, and Keith Urban has said Williams drew him to country music.
Williams, nicknamed “the Gentle Giant,” had a rich voice, gentle delivery and storytelling style. He toured sparingly, did few media interviews and spent much of his time on his farm west of Nashville.
His hits included “I Believe in You,” “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good,” “You’re My Best Friend,” “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend,” “Till the Rivers All Run Dry” and “Back in My Younger Days.” At least one duet with Emmylou Harris made the charts, “If I Needed You” in 1981.
“Don Williams offered calm, beauty, and a sense of wistful peace that is in short supply these days,” said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, in a statement Friday. “His music will forever be a balm in troublesome times.”
During his performances, he often walked onstage carrying a cup of coffee, sat on a barstool, sang and chatted amiably with the audience.
Williams also appeared in the movies “W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings” and “Smokey and the Bandit II.”
Williams was born in Floydada, Texas, and spent the early part of his career in rock, country and folk groups. His first No. 1 hit was “I Wouldn’t Want to Live If You Didn’t Love Me,” released in 1974.
TROY GENTRY /