The country music community is mourning the loss of two of their own. Country Music Hall of Famer Don Williams passed away at the age of 78 after a short illness. Nicknamed “The Gentle Giant,” some of his biggest hits included “Tulsa Time,” “I Believe in You” and “Amanda.” Montgomery Gentry‘s Troy Gentry was killed in a helicopter crash in New Jersey on Friday (September 8th). The duo is best known for their songs “Gone,” “Something to Be Proud Of,” “My Town” and “Hell Yeah.”
Country stars reacted to the news:
I'm speechless. Pray with me for the family of Don Williams & especially the family of Troy Gentry. It's a heavy day for country music.🙏🏼✝️
— Josh Turner (@joshturnermusic) September 8, 2017
My prayers are with all the Gentry family today. Go rest high, T Roy. – KU pic.twitter.com/74JmmivDAq
— Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) September 9, 2017
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
Devastated to hear the news. Troy, thank you for your kindness, your spirit, your joy and the love you shared with everyone you met. pic.twitter.com/eTm76cZkb8
— Little Big Town (@littlebigtown) September 8, 2017
Another incredible loss. Don Williams you shaped our lives and gave us a sound track to live by. Rest In peace and thank you for the music. pic.twitter.com/dYPLPpAzK1
— Little Big Town (@littlebigtown) September 9, 2017
Just heard the news about Don Williams and Troy Gentry. Country music lost a hero and a friend today. My heart goes out to all.
— Easton Corbin (@eastoncorbin) September 8, 2017
So sad right now. My heart goes out to his whole family. Much love and prayers to the Montgomery Gentry family. Love ya T-Roy!! https://t.co/IOylbbOz3R
— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) September 8, 2017
just so hard to believe. too sad. Troy was one of the give you the shirt off his back kind of guys in country. thoughts w/ family and eddie. pic.twitter.com/jFxWyigsjl
— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) September 9, 2017
Country music is at loss today. Our prayers are with the families of Don Williams & Troy Gentry. It's a sad day.
— Luke Bryan (@lukebryan) September 8, 2017
Woke up hoping yesterday wasn't true. So sad to hear about Troy Gentry and Don Williams. Thoughts and prayers to both families.
— Eric Paslay (@ericpaslay) September 9, 2017
Audio / Keith Urban grew up listening to the music of Don Williams. He eventually was able to record with one of his idols on the song "Imagine That," which appears on the Country Music Hall of Famer's 2012 album, And So It Goes.
DownloadKeith Urban (Don Williams) OC: …
“I just have the deepest, utmost respect for Don. He certainly singlehandledly was the inspiration of why, how I make records. They may not sound like Don Williams’ records, but the care and the importance that he placed on every song on making solid records completely inspires the way I make records, still to this day.”
Audio / Keith Urban says his biggest influence would have to be Don Williams.
DownloadKeith Urban (Don Williams) 2 OC: …growing up. :05
“Probably Don Williams — that’s really the artist I heard more than anybody else growing up.”
Audio / Chris Stapleton talks about recording with Don Williams and being able to write a song for the late Country Music Hall of Famer. Chris and his wife Morgane also appeared on a tribute album, Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams, which was released earlier this year.
DownloadChris Stapleton (Don Williams) OC: …that much. 1:30
“You know, I want a Don Williams’ cut. If I could get a Don Williams cut, I’d like to have that. And even if you don’t want to cut any of these songs, if you want me to snap or clap or hum or whistle a part on the record, I would like to do that because I would like to put ‘recorded with Don Williams’ on the ole resume. [laughs] He didn’t record any of the songs I sent which was disappointing, but then he called me and said, ‘Do you want to come and sing on this tune?’ Or Fundis did, Garth Fundis was making the record. I said, ‘Yeah, yeah, I’ll come sing. My father-in-law came with me just in case Don Williams showed up. I didn’t think Don was gonna be there. And I got in there and I don’t get starstruck, but I got starstruck, pretty much. It was Don Williams, you know, it was Don Williams sitting there hangin’ out in Garth Fundis’ basement, and I’m singing, trying to sing, attempting to sing on this song. But I can’t do it ’cause the whole time I’m just like Don’s getting on the talk back saying, ‘No, do this again.’ I’m just like, ‘This is Don Williams telling me what to sing here, [it’s] freaking me out.’ Normally, I can get through about any kind of singing in about 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and it took me about three hours to do that. [laughs] Just because I’m pretty sure it made me nervous, and I don’t get nervous, but that’s how much I wanted to be on a Don Williams’ record. Now thankfully, after that, the next record he made, they did record a song and I do have ‘song recorded by Don Williams’ on the resume too. But I love Don Williams that much.”
