Montgomery Gentry's Eddie Montgomery to headline May 27 concert

Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry will be the headline act at the inaugural Mayor’s Memorial Day Bash on May 27 at the Mort Glosser Amphitheatre.

The concert will serve as a kickoff, so to speak, of the city’s Summer Concert Series, according to John Moore, Gadsden’s director of economic development and governmental affairs.

“We decided instead of having four concerts (in the series), we’d do three and add one where we sell tickets to it,” Moore said. “We were looking for a big act to help cover the cost of the band, the lights, the stage and expenses.”

City officials landed on Montgomery, who is still billed on the road as being “of Montgomery Gentry” despite the death of partner Troy Gentry in a 2017 helicopter crash.

“We made a promise, a deal, way back when,” he said in media materials provided by his management. “It was over Jim Beam. It was: If one of us goes down, we want Montgomery Gentry to go on. Keep the music going.

“We were a honky-tonk band, and (Gentry’s) with me, and he’s always going to be,” he said.

Montgomery Gentry had five songs reach No. 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart — “If You Ever Stop Loving Me” in 2004; “Something to Be Proud Of” in 2005; “Lucky Man” in 2007; and “Back When I Knew It All” and “Roll with Me” in 2008 — and 10 other songs reach the Top 10 from 1999 through 2011.

Three of their 11 studio albums — “Tattoos & Scars” in 1999, “My Town” in 2002 and “You Do Your Thing” in 2004 — achieved platinum status. Three others — “Carrying On” in 2001, a greatest hits compilation in 2005 and “Some People Change” in 2006 reached gold status.

The group also received multiple Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music and Grammy nominations.

Montgomery released his first solo album, “Ain’t No Closing Me Down,” in 2021. It’s a continuation of the honky-tonk, Southern rock-tinged sounds Montgomery Gentry was known for. His live show will include selections from that album as well as Montgomery Gentry hits.

“I like writing about everyday life,” he said. “The good, the bad, the ugly and the party on the weekend,” he said. “We know life has a bunch of ups and downs. Stuff’s going to happen, or you can keep your ass on the porch.”

Montgomery likes to get an advance look at venues where he’s scheduled to play, according to Moore, and told city officials he was excited after seeing photos on Google of Gadsden’s New Deal-era outdoor amphitheater at First and Walnut streets. “(Montgomery) said this is the first time he’s ever had an event in a place like this,” Moore said.

Also set to perform are Jenn Gilbert and Michael Roberts of the group New Delusions, and Courtney Linam backed by the Still Broke Band. Amelia Tucker will sing the national anthem.

Gates will open at 4 p.m., and music will start at 5:30 p.m. Montgomery is expected to take the stage at 9 p.m.

The concert will go on rain or shine. The backup location is The Venue at Coosa Landing.

Early bird tickets for $29.95 are now available at https://bit.ly/3JzA9uy. Advance tickets will jump to $39.95 on April 10, then to $44.99 on May 19 through the day of the concert. No tickets will be sold at the gate.

Unlike other concert events at the amphitheater, coolers and outside food will not be allowed. Moore said a variety of food trucks will be set up around the venue. Alcoholic beverages will also be available for purchase.

Event sponsors are Adams Beverage/Budweiser of Gadsden, Coca-Cola, Exchange Bank, Greater Gadsden Tourism, Old Smoky Distillery, Ronnie Watkins Ford, Team One Chevrolet of Gadsden, Team One Hyundai and WinSouth Credit Union.

For more information or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact Janet Tarrance, city event planner, at 256-549-4980 or jtarrance@cityofgadsden.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Eddie Montgomery to perform at Gadsden's Mayor's Memorial Day Bash