Montgomery Gentry starts the party

Published 9:00 am Sunday, August 3, 2014

Montgomery Gentry packed the Grandstand Friday when they performed at the Freeborn County Fair. — Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Montgomery Gentry packed the Grandstand Friday when they performed at the Freeborn County Fair. — Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

An hour and-a-half party.

That’s what Montgomery Gentry delivered Friday at the Freeborn County Fair.

The country duo kept the momentum going on the fourth night of Grandstand entertainment, keeping on pace with the strong performances of Eric Paslay, Craig Campbell and Thomas Rhett earlier in the week.

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The pair, comprised of Troy Gentry and Eddie Montgomery, performed songs off their earlier albums up to their newest single, “Headlights,” which will be hitting radio within the next few weeks.

The two Kentucky natives took turns getting the crowd to sing along, and made a special point out of acknowledging any veterans in the audience.

“We need to say it louder and prouder,” said Montgomery in between songs. “This is the greatest country in the world. … We the people do not give it up enough for our great American heros.”

The duo have been on the national scene since 1999, and material from their earlier days made a number of appearances in Friday night’s show. “Daddy Won’t Sell the Farm,” “Lonely and Gone” and “All Night Long” were amongst those.

Throughout the night, the crowd shifted as more and more people tried to get closer to the stage to sing, clap and wave along with the band.

Montgomery Gentry ended their regular set with “One in Every Crowd,” in between trading stories of the duo’s past antics involving bringing a horse into a bar.

The band was brought back on stage for an encore, and delivered a high power performance of “What Do Ya Think About That” to end the night, but not before inviting everyone to the beer garden for an after party following the show.

About Colleen Harrison

Colleen Harrison is the photo editor at the Albert Lea Tribune. She does photography and writes general-assignment stories.

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