Yesterday – Friday, September 8, 2017 – the country music community lost two wonderful musicians: Don Williams and Troy Gentry.
As many have now heard, country music legend Don Williams passed away at the age of 78 after a short illness and Troy Gentry, half of the country duo Montgomery Gentry, tragically lost his life at the age of 50 from a helicopter crash in New Jersey. As the day went on, country music entertainers, media outlets, business, and fans took to social media to express their condolences, disbelief, and grief over losing these two great men. Here is a compilation of some heartfelt messages, pictures, and videos these beloved men’s counterparts have left for them in memoriam:
In a span of minutes, the country music world learned it had lost two of its own: #RIPTroyGentry & #RIPDonWilliams. https://t.co/UrMXkfCnd3
— Tennessean (@Tennessean) September 8, 2017
Trace Atkins tweeted a poignant message to Don Williams with a video of him performing an iconic Williams tune:
Don Williams, you will be missed. Till the rivers all run dry. https://t.co/L7YFuCLxtH
— Trace Adkins (@TraceAdkins) September 8, 2017
Farewell, the great Don Williams. ‘Those Williams boys, they still mean a lot to me/ Hank & Tennessee.’ & Don, too. https://t.co/gaXjor8Ibh
— rosanne cash (@rosannecash) September 8, 2017
I remember the night I got to tell Troy and Eddie they were going to become members of the Grand Ol Opry. So sad pic.twitter.com/StvpT9DxYP
— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) September 8, 2017
Sending my sincere and heartfelt prayers to the families & friends of Don Williams and @T_RoyMG.
— Kenny Rogers (@_KennyRogers) September 8, 2017
A wonderful picture of a young Bryan White with Don Williams:
Heartbroken 2 hear of the loss of 1 of my heroes #DonWilliams My music wouldn’t be the same w/out him. Prayers 2 his family #RIPGentleGiant pic.twitter.com/z0noOnNhu9
— bryan_white (@bryan_white) September 8, 2017
Just heard about Troy Gentry… I literally have no words. Have known him for years and played so many shows with him and Eddie… #prayers
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) September 8, 2017
And Don Williams has passed… what a legend… this is truly a sad day for country music #RIP
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) September 8, 2017
Throwback video from Keith Urban as a tribute to Don Williams
I cannot put into words the depth of sadness I feel right now at hearing of Don’s passing. – KU pic.twitter.com/AqKbrOt8yR
— Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) September 9, 2017
Had the honor of sharing the stage with @mgunderground a few times. Always so incredibly kind to us, and inspiring to watch. RIP Troy. 💔 pic.twitter.com/U3XeuI0BRS
— Dan + Shay (@DanAndShay) September 8, 2017
You inspired me… you encouraged me… you taught me how to do it with class, passion, and gratitude.
This one’s for you T-Roy, Love you pic.twitter.com/pvGHvpuRVM
— Dustin Lynch (@dustinlynch) September 9, 2017
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Troy Gentry. We are all incredibly sorry to hear about your loss. Your music will live on!
— Chase Bryant (@chasebryant) September 8, 2017
Blake Shelton shared a fond memory of his friend Troy:
Found this picture of me and my old friend Troy a few days ago.. I am heart broken. pic.twitter.com/J3mT86DIaa
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) September 8, 2017
Played a festival with Montgomery Gentry recently..Troy’s bus parked right next to my bus and he was so kind and genuine..so sad to lose him
— Brett Eldredge (@bretteldredge) September 8, 2017
So sad. I never saw @T_RoyMG that he didn’t have a smile on his face. Love and prayers. #RIPTroyGentry pic.twitter.com/Q7QuQkKRaI
— Rodney Atkins (@RodneyAtkins) September 8, 2017
Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard posted an extremely poignant, yet poised, Instagram video. He touches on the loss of Troy, how it relates to his own father’s death, the Bible, and how it can can help to have faith:
It’s amazing how death can bring people together not just to grieve, but to celebrate one’s life and accomplishments. Country music and all it incorporates always shows just that. These two gentlemen came from two different eras, their accomplishments were equal on different levels, their friendships and business acumen were true, and although their deaths were both tragic and sad, one thing seems abundantly clear: these legends will live on in the eyes of their friends and colleagues, their music and their fans.