Montgomery Gentry kicks country into gear at Sonoma County Fair

More than 2,000 country music fans got exactly what they wanted Tuesday night when big, bearded Eddie Montgomery of the duo Montgomery Gentry, decked out in his trademark black hat and frock coat, took the stage at the Sonoma County Fair and declared, “It’s gonna be a helluva party tonight.”

Then Montgomery and his partner Troy Gentry, backed by a truly loud six-man band, dove straight into their hit anthems to small-town pride, country living and, of course, pickup trucks, starting with “Where I Come From” and “My Town.”

They followed opening act Thompson Square, who warmed up the crowd with their own hits - the country-style love song “You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” the ballad “Glass” and the rocking ode to fast driving, “Trans Am.”

These were two seasoned acts. Kentucky natives Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry teamed up as Montgomery Gentry 16 years ago. Nashville-based husband-and-wife team Keifer and Shawna Thompson, have been married for 16 years, performing as two solo acts before forming a duo.

The Thompsons, who announced online earlier Tuesday that they’re expecting their first child, finished each others’ sentences onstage, like any good, longtime married couple.

“We made a big announcement on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram today,” Shawna Thompson began.

Her husband Keifer finished: “Shawna’s gonna have a baby in January.”

Later, during their love duet “If I Didn’t Have You,” the Thompsons paused for a kiss and the crowd cheered.

Some fans came to see both acts. “Montgomery Gentry are kinda outlawish, and I think they’re cool,” said Riggs Lokka, 25, of Sebastopol. “Thompson Square is up and coming.”

Montgomery Gentry fan Cory Smith, 37, drove down with his wife Serena to from Hidden Valley Lake in Lake County to see the show.

“We’ve been listening to these guys for the past eight years, and we heard through the grapevine they were playing the Sonoma County Fair, and here we are,” Smith said.

The fair’s concert lineup continues this week with TV actress and singer Bridgit Mendler at 7 p.m. Wednesday; Snake Oil Sinners, a band of veteran musicians from classic rock and heavy metal bands, 7 p.m. Thursday, and Latin Grammy nominees La Adictiva Banda San Jose de Mesillas, 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Tickets for the shows are not included in fair admission, except La Adictiva Banda San Jose de Mesillas, if tickets are purchased before Friday. For more information: sonomacountyfair.com.

You can reach Staff Writer Dan Taylor at 521-5243 or dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com. Read his Arts blog at arts.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.