Today was a big day for the Country Music Highway "Road to Fame." What exactly is this? Well, it helps aid in funding for Arts education in eastern Kentucky schools and is a competition that kicked off today during a press conference that took place in Paintsville, Kentucky.
Kicking off the competition during the press conference at U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Museum, was Country Music's rebel duo, Montgomery Gentry, along with Tom T. Hall, a Country Music Hall of Fame member.
The conference was filled with numerous dignitaries, tourism officials, congressmen, and developers. Details were revealed on how the orginazation plans to continue assisting the next musical generations.
For those unaware, this particular project has been along side many artists as they paved their way into the music business, such as Loretta Lynn, The Judds, Billy Ray Cyrus and many others. One particular artist showing his support at the conference actually began his career and songwriting along the Country Music Highway, and that is Tom T. Hall.
Donations to two different music programs at local schools were presented, in the amount of $500.
Eddie and Troy of Montgomery Gentry were raised in Kentucky and feel it is there place to get involved.
“That guy that we went to see at the local honky tonks…Man! That was your hero!…local celebrities like Greg Austin, Larry Redmon, Patty Loveless, Bill Monroe, Opry member John Connolly, Keith Whitley and Billy Ray Cyrus.” reminisced Montgomery Gentry. “Charlie Crow that played with Brooks & Dunn, a couple of our buddies that played with the Oak Ridge Boys…there were a lot of musicians as well (not just entertainers, as far as the singing aspect of it) around the Kentucky area that came down here and were able to pick up jobs playing with other artists in Nashville,” stated Eddie Montgomery. “We had a lot of entertainment and a lot of people to go see that we looked up to and chased down to see if we can get up on stage,” added Troy Gentry. “Now, going back home and driving around, it seems like a lot of those opportunities aren’t there anymore. A lot of those clubs moved to line dancing which pushed a lot of those musicians and entertainers and bands out. “ “We support (sic) The Country Music Highway Road to Fame and you should too,” added the duo.
Those with big dreams between the ages of 13 and 35 who grew up in the fifteen surrounding counties of Paintsville, KY, can compete.
For more information, click here.
As far as Montgomery Gentry being front and center, they should be. Not only because they are from Kentucky, but also because the duo has a top song on the radio waves, with "Where I Come From."
Fits, no?
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