By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Eddie Montgomery is the headliner Tuesday night at the Kansas State Fair. In an interview with Country 102.9's Pat James, Montgomery thanked the fans who have continued to support him following the death of his duo partner, Troy Gentry in 2018.
"We've never called anybody fans, we've always called them friends," Montgomery said. "Thank God, we've had a lot of friends that's had our back here since we've come out with Tattoos and Scars. They still do have our back and I absolutely love it and can't thank them enough. Of course, I always want to thank our heroes. It's the greatest country in the world. We can say, be and dream as big as we want to in this great country and we don't give it up enough for all of our great American heroes."
Montgomery also has a children's book called Police Officers, Our Friends to teach the next generation.
"They are just getting a bad rap," Montgomery said. "Now, it's got to be mentally...they don't even have a clue when they pull up and somebody pulls up beside them, is somebody going to wave at them or point a gun at them? Enough is enough. I think it starts with our kids. I thought, let's write a children's book about that so you don't have to be scared of a police officer."
The pandemic helped inspire Montgomery to do some more writing and some of that new music will be part of his Tuesday night show.
"They decided to shut all the restaurants and bars down, I kind of turned my garage into a bar," Montgomery said. "Next thing I know, I had friends coming over. It's the greatest country in the world. I don't care what you throw at us, there ain't no closing us down. That's the name of the album. I've got a song on there I wrote about Troy and my sons. I've actually got a song on there I wrote for a movie that's called Oh, Henry, that's called My Son. I got to sing a song with Tanya Tucker. It's been pretty unbelievable."
The concert begins with one of the State Fair Battle of the Bands winners opening for Montgomery at 7:30 p.m. at the Nex-Tech Grandstand.