Grand Ole Opry inducts Montgomery Gentry with help from Little Jimmy, Marty Stuart

June 25, 11:15 PMCountry Music ExaminerLisa L. Rollins

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Dickens, Stuart and Montgomery Gentry at the Opry.

The Grand Ole Opry’s reigning veteran-performer, Little Jimmy Dickens, welcomed country-duo Montgomery Gentry as its newest members on June 23, some nine years after the pair made its Opry debut.

Dickens, with help from traditionalist/multi-instrumentalist Marty Stuart, inducted Eddie Montgomery (yes, he and John Michael Montgomery are brothers) and Troy Gentry into the heralded ranks of the Opry, with an audience that included family, friends and fans.

Following performances of the duo’s “My Town” and “Something To Be Proud Of” hits, Stuart officially welcomed, remarking, "You guys have worked so hard for so many years. Your legacy stands right here. ... It is my pleasure to welcome Montgomery Gentry to the Grand Ole Opry family."

"All day I've been trying to conjure up the words to say what this means," said Gentry, following their induction and a big hug with music-partner Montgomery. "But there aren't enough words to describe what this night means to us. Thank you all so much."

Then, Montgomery, with emotion audible in his voice, added, "I remember sittin' in an old, junky station wagon listening to the Grand Ole Opry with my dad. He'd 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.'"

"I promise you me and ‘T’. won't let you down," Montgomery continued, before lifting his member award, which is a 14-inch bronze ‘n’ oak replica of the Opry’s vintage microphone, for all to see. Next, looking toward the ceiling, he closed by acknowledging his late father, saying, "Dad, we made it!"

Following the awards presentation, the pair—aided by Dickens and Stuart—closed the show by performing the song that jump-started the duo’s career, “Hillbilly Shoes.”
 

Montgomery Gentry during their Grand Ole Opry induction ceremony, with help from Marty Stuart and Little Jimmy Dickens.