Friday was a rough day for country music, with the losses of both Montgomery Gentry singer Troy Gentry, who died in a helicopter crash at age 50, and Country Music Hall of Famer Don Williams, who perished after a short illness at age 78.
Reeling from the one-two punch, country musicians took to social media en masse to express their grief.
“Startin’ With Me” singer Jake Owen said that the deaths made “my heart hurt.”
“Sad day for country music. Troy Gentry and Don Williams have passed and that makes my heart hurt. Don was my hero and Troy was my friend,” Owen wrote.
“RIP Troy Gentry. Absolutely tragic. Thoughts + prayers out to his family,” country duo Dan + Shay tweeted.
“A Woman Like You” singer Lee Brice reflected that “the world changed today,” adding, “Country music lost both a Friend and a Hero. Troy Gentry and Don Williams, you both will be dearly missed.”
Easton Corbin offered similar thoughts, tweeting, “Just heard the news about Don Williams and Troy Gentry. Country music lost a hero and a friend today. My heart goes out to all.”
“No! Not Don Williams & Troy Gentry,” lamented Jerrod Miemann. “My thoughts & prayers go out to their families. Thank u for the amazing music & for inspiring us all.”
Terri Clark described herself as “absolutely numb” over Gentry’s death, writing, “Troy Gentry is someone I considered a friend, and we are all absolutely numb right now. Sending love to his wife Angie and their children.”
Outlaw-country star Shooter Jennings said he was “stunned, angry and upset” over the day’s events.
“Sad about Don Williams but Troy Gentry was my friend. I had great times with him,” Jennings wrote. “I’m stunned, angry and upset at the moment. I’ll miss you.”
“My heart is broken!” Travis Tritt wrote. “Troy Gentry was a dear friend! My love and sympathy to Angie and his family at this tragic time. ”
Read more reactions — and watch Williams perform his classic “Tulsa Time” — below.
Sad day for country music. Troy Gentry and Don Williams have passed and that makes my heart hurt. Don was my hero and Troy was my friend
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) September 8, 2017
RIP Troy Gentry. Absolutely tragic. Thoughts + prayers out to his family. ??’”
— Dan + Shay (@DanAndShay) September 8, 2017
The world changed today. Country music lost both a Friend and a Hero. Troy Gentry and Don Williams, you both will be dearly missed..
— Lee Brice (@leebrice) September 8, 2017
Just heard the news about Don Williams and Troy Gentry. Country music lost a hero and a friend today. My heart goes out to all.
— Easton Corbin (@eastoncorbin) September 8, 2017
Just heard about Troy Gentry… I literally have no words. Have known him for years and played so many shows with him and Eddie… #prayers
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) September 8, 2017
The band and I so sad to hear about Troy Gentry. We were just with them boys two weeks ago. God bless him and his family and band family.
— SammyKershaw (@SammyKershaw) September 8, 2017
Troy Gentry is someone I considered a friend, and we are all absolutely numb right now. Sending love to his wife Angie and their children.
— Terri Clark (@TerriClarkMusic) September 8, 2017
Sad about Don Williams but Troy Gentry was my friend. I had great times with him. I’m stunned, angry and upset at the moment. I’ll miss you.
— Shooter Jennings (@ShooterJennings) September 8, 2017
RIP Troy Gentry….So heartbroken and speechless. Praying for friends and family ????????
— Danielle Bradbery (@DBradbery) September 8, 2017
Man they just don’t make em any nicer than Troy Gentry. He was always very very kind. Just can’t believe it. What a loss.
— Randy Houser (@RandyHouser) September 8, 2017
My heart is broken! Troy Gentry was a dear friend! My love and sympathy to Angie and his family at this tragic time. pic.twitter.com/JZOTsYlme6
— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) September 8, 2017
2 legends lost at once. Troy Gentry and Don Williams will be missed so much. Praying for their families and may they rest in peace.
— Big & Rich (@bigandrich) September 8, 2017