Tyler Hubbard Encourages Fans to ‘Lean Into the Lord’ Following Troy Gentry’s Death [WATCH]
Tyler Hubbard shared a message of remembrance in Troy Gentry's honor following the singer's death in a helicopter crash on Friday (Sept. 8). In the short clip, the Florida Georgia Line member encourages fans and friends who are trying to cope with the Montgomery Gentry member's sudden death to look to their faith for help.
In the selfie-style video, which viewers can watch above, Hubbard admits that the news of Gentry's death brings him back to losing his father a decade ago, also in a helicopter crash. Roy Hubbard was 43 years old when he died; Tyler and his family witness the accident, much like Gentry's duo partner Eddie Montgomery did.
“There’s a lot of joy, there’s a lot of peace, there’s a lot of understanding if you lean on the Lord, lean on his words, dig into the Bible," Hubbard says in the video. "It’s a crazy joy that God can only give, and a crazy amount of peace."
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The helicopter crash that killed Gentry took place in Medford, N.J.; he and Montgomery were scheduled to perform there that evening.
“Not long after takeoff, the pilot announced over the airport frequency — which was being monitored by a number of people — that he was having difficulty controlling engine RPM,” Brian Rayner, senior air safety investigator with the NTSB, explains. “A couple of different responses to that challenge were discussed, and he was performing an auto rotational descent … The helicopter landed short of the runway in low brush, it was substantially damaged, and the occupants were fatally injured.”
Gentry was removed from the wreckage at the scene but was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. In addition to Gentry, the helicopter’s pilot, James Evan Robinson, died in the crash; crews worked for hours to remove his body from the wreck.
“Known for his wide smile, Gentry was personally driven by faith, family and living life to the fullest,” Gentry’s official obituary reads. “One of his favorite Bible verses was Deuteronomy 31:6, which says, ‘Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.’”
A celebration of life event in Gentry’s honor is scheduled for Thursday (Sept. 14). According to Average Joes Entertainment, Montgomery Gentry‘s record label, Montgomery Gentry had recently completed a new album.
"For Troy: I love you, you’ll be missed," Hubbard says at the very end of his video message. "And say ‘Hey’ to my dad up there in Heaven, would'ya?"
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