Toby Keith joins the rest of the country music community in mourning two of its greats.
In a phone conversation with CMT’s Cody Alan, the country superstar pays tribute to Don Williams and Troy Gentry, both of whom passed away on Friday (9/8).
It’s the voice of country’s Gentle Giant that Toby will most remember.
“I saw [Don Williams] at the Oklahoma fairgrounds at the rodeo when I was a kid... Don never had much to say on stage. He sat on a stool. He let his voice do the talking. Rest in peace, Don,” he says.
Meanwhile, the Big Dog Daddy calls Gentry his “ole Kentucky buddy.”
“The first tour [Montgomery Gentry] went on, they opened for us. We did about 90 cities together. I’d known Eddie [Montgomery] before that. [I] probably got a little closer to Troy on that tour and had a lot of fun with him,” Toby says. “When we go to Kentucky and stuff, I’d see his dad, Lloyd. I’ve known the family a long time. I feel sorry for them. It’s just awful. I’m going to miss ole Troy.”
Williams passed away after battling a short illness, while Gentry was tragically killed in a helicopter crash in Medford, New Jersey.
As of the announcement of his death, funeral arrangements for Williams were pending.
Gentry’s family held a Celebration of Life service for the late singer Thursday (9/14) at the Grand Ole Opry House.
Our hearts are with each of their families at this difficult time.
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