gerald edward montgomery was born september 30, 1963, in danville, kentucky. troy lee gentry (april 5, 1967 – september 8, 2017) was born in lexington, kentucky. when montgomery was thirteen years old, he played drums in his parents' band, harold montgomery and the kentucky river express. in 1990, montgomery founded the band early tymz, which included his younger brother, john michael montgomery, and troy gentry.