Eddie Montgomery / Troy Gentry

Montgomery Gentry became the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday night (June 23) in front of a packed house that was filled with family, friends and fans. “Dreams do come true–you’re seeing that here tonight!” Eddie told the crowd as he and Troy launched into their hit song, “Something to Be Proud Of.” A few minutes later, Opry veterans Marty Stuart and Little Jimmy Dickens did the honors, officially inducting the duo as the newest members of the venerable institution.

“You guys have worked so hard for so many years,” Marty noted, while Jimmy told the audience, “I know these two men onstage and offstage, and they are gentlemen in every respect.” Eddie and Troy hugged, then struggled to keep their emotions in check. “All day I’ve been trying to conjure up the words…but there aren’t enough words to describe what this night means to us,” Troy told the crowd. Eddie choked back tears, recalling times spent listening to the Grand Ole Opry as a kid with his musical mentor–his father, Harold. “He used to say, ‘It don’t matter what you do in country music–if you don’t become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, you ain’t got there yet.” Backstage, Eddie told us that memories of his father’s unrealized musical dreams had kept him awake much of the night…and he said he was more nervous than he could ever remember being before a performance. (AUDIO INFO BELOW)

Montgomery Gentry’s Opry induction comes as the duo is entering their second decade of chart success. They just released “Long Line of Losers,” the fourth hit song from their Back When I Knew It All album. They released their first album–Tattoos & Scars–ten years ago…and are currently sitting in the Top 10 on the country album chart with For Our Heroes, a special compilation album being sold at Cracker Barrel with proceeds going toward the Wounded Warrior Project.

“Eddie and I have gone through a lot together—good and bad,” Troy said backstage as he reflected on their friendship, which goes back more than 20 years. “I would not be standing here today being ready to be inducted had he not been on my side.” Eddie was quick to echo the sentiment, saying simply, “It’s just the way it’s supposed to be.”

Eddie and Troy made their Opry debut in March 2000. Last night, they opened the Opry show with their hits “My Town” and “Roll With Me”…then returned to the stage later to sing “Something to Be Proud Of” and “Long Line of Losers.” After their formal induction, they kicked into their debut hit, “Hillbilly Shoes,” with Marty and Little Jimmy joining them on the song.

Eddie and Troy were surprised with an invitation to join the Opry a few weeks ago — good friend and Opry member Charlie Daniels interrupted an Opry performance by the duo to extend the invitation. Famous friends on-hand last night included Eddie’s brother, John Michael, and Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum.
–story from sony nashville