Montgomery Gentry song 'Better Me' debuts at Troy Gentry's funeral

The song was premiered at Troy Gentry's funeral Thursday.

ByABC News
September 16, 2017, 12:12 PM
Eddie Montgomery, left, and Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 9, 2011.
Eddie Montgomery, left, and Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 9, 2011.
Evan Agostini/AP, File

— -- To bid a final farewell to deceased country singer Troy Gentry, the other half of his duo, Eddie Montgomery, has released a new song from their forthcoming album, called "Better Me."

Gentry -- who died at age 50 in a Sept. 8 helicopter crash -- and Montgomery made up the award-winning country duo, Montgomery Gentry.

"Better Me" is the first track from the duo's new album, set for release in 2018.

Gentry held a public memorial inside Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House on Thursday, which attracted 1,500 loved ones and fans, People magazine reported. The country ballad, "Better Me," was played at the end of the memorial, which was part of a larger tribute that included acts such as Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Little Big Town and Vince Gill, according to Rolling Stone magazine.

In the song, Gentry reflects on the duo's wild reputation.

"I’ve turned the page on wilder days, I’m writing all this down hoping you see," the late singer croons. “I ain’t sayin’ I’m perfect, but I’m working on a better me.”

Gentry and Montgomery, both 53, are natives of Kentucky. They became a duo in 1999, releasing their debut album, "Tattoos & Scars." Ten years later, the duo was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

Gentry is survived by his wife Angie, their 14-year-old daughter Kaylee, and his older daughter Taylor, from a previous marriage.