Second Cup Café: Montgomery Gentry

When Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry — better-known as country duo Montgomery Gentry — sing, their audience hears their own lives, loves and dreams reflected in the music.

"People recognize the realism in our music," says Troy Gentry in their official biography. "Who we are is who we are. It's all about being real, being yourself, and playing real music to the people."

Montgomery Gentry visits Second Cup Café to share songs from their latest album, "Some People Change."

Both men have been playing music since they were kids – Montgomery in his family's band in northern Kentucky, and Gentry singing in local talent shows.

Montgomery, his brother John Michael, and Gentry started playing together in a band. Then John Michael got a record deal and Gentry went solo.

In 1999, Gentry and Montgomery found themselves often jamming together at various charity concerts and they decided to form a duo. Based on their following of fans who loved their rough-edged, Southern rock-influenced sound, Columbia Records signed them.

That year, they reached No. 13 on the Billboard U.S. Country chart with "Hillbilly Shoes" and peaked at No. 5 with "Lonely And Gone."

In 2000, they won CMA's Duo Of TheYear, the American Music Award for Favorite New Artist—Country, and the Academy of Country Music Award for Top New Vocal Group or Duo.

They had their first No. 1 hit on the country chart with 2004's "If You Ever Stop Loving Me" from the album, "You Do Your Thing." The album also contained their second No. 1, "Something To Be Proud Of."

Their current album, "Some People Change," debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Top Country albums chart in November 2006.