Montgomery Gentry Share ‘King of the World’ (feat. Steve Vai), Announce New EP
Montgomery Gentry put the finishing touches on their final album, Here's to You, shortly before one half of the duo, Troy Gentry, was killed in a helicopter crash in the fall of 2017. Several months after his tragic death, his bandmate Eddie Montgomery went ahead with the project's release, saying at that time that Gentry would "be freaking out if we weren't releasing this CD -- he's half of it."
After that project's February 2018 release, according to Guitar Player, Montgomery sifted through the songs that were left on the cutting room floor. Some of those last recordings made their way onto the track list for Outskirts, a new EP set for release on June 14.
In addition to those songs, the project features two cover tracks: Montgomery's rendition of Merle Haggard's "What Am I Gonna Do With the Rest of My Life" and Gentry's take on Darrell Scott's "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive." The new EP spotlights a series of guest songwriters and performers, too, even featuring a song co-written by rising artist Travis Denning.
Montgomery Gentry spotlight another very special guest, legendary rock guitarist Steve Vai, on "King of the World," the first track to be shared off of the EP.
""King of the World" is the way I want to live my life when I grow up," Montgomery says of the track in a press release. "When I found out that Guitar God Steve Vai was into it...that made it the s--t. Wow, still can't believe that Steve Vai is playing on one of my songs!"
"I knew of Montgomery Gentry and the challenges that Eddie Montgomery faced when tragically losing his close friend and collaborator Troy Gentry in a helicopter accident," Vai explains to Guitar Player. "I was honored when Eddie reached out to me to play on this track. Although my playing is not the conventional country type, I felt the authenticity in this track and enjoyed putting my spin on it. I think in my heart I’m pretty simple and have dreamed about having a day like the one that is sung about in this song. That is a serious 'King of the World' life."
Montgomery continues to keep a busy touring schedule, and says he's looking forward to seeing the fan's response to Outskirts. "Can't wait for my friends to hear these songs. T-Roy and I had a blast recording them," he adds.
Montgomery Gentry, Outskirts Track Listing:
1. "Outskirts" (Dallas Davidson, Rodney Clawson, Ashley Gorley)
2. "River Take Me" (Darrell Scott)
3. "What Am I Gonna Do With the Rest of My Life" (Merle Haggard)
4. "Never Been Nothin' Else" (Dallas Davidson, Bobby Pinson)
5. "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" (Darrell Scott)
6. "King of the World" (feat. Steve Vai) (Troy Jones)
7. "Joe's Six-Pack" (Jeremy Stover, Jesse Frasure, Travis Denning)
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