It was back in November 2009 that I first heard of The Country Throwdown Tour. What grabbed my attention, wasn't just the 20+ acts that were going to be a part of the tour, but that Montgomery Gentry was the main act.

The first stop on the tour was scheduled for Tampa, FL on May 14, 2010. One way or another, I was going to be at this show..and I was.

It had been year since I had first seen the country hitmakers in concert, and had not seen themsince they were signing autographs at the convention center, during the  2009 CMA Music Festival.

My friend and I got down to the Florida Amphitheatre (venue) about the time the gates had opened, to pick up the passes we were fortunate enough for me to have worked out. After getting our passes, we were escorted through the outdoor venue, to the backstage area.

After meeting and thanking the tours' founder for the passes and hospitality, it was time to check out the Bluebird Cafe tent and listen to some of the singer / songwriters on the line-up. It was going to be hours before acts started to take to the main stage.

Later in the evening, while relaxing in the backstage area, I noticed Troy Gentry (Montgomery Gentry) was standing alone, just a few feet away from us. Troy said "hello", and noticed we had cameras. We said "hello" back, and exchanged some conservation. For someone that is half of the main act, on the first of 20+ dates on a major tour... Troy Gentry was so cool and relaxed, at least that's how he came across.

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