Once he returned to Danville, Dr. Jeremy Tarter immediately told him he needed to see a specialist. A call to a friend helped land him a quick appointment Monday. "He went to the doctor at 8 a.m. Monday and they took him straight to the hospital because of the swelling. They said he damaged the arm even more by going ahead and doing two more shows," his wife, Tracy, said. "By 1:30 they said that was as good as it (the swelling) was going to get, and he was off to surgery."
Montgomery said the doctors told him they were surprised he was "not in shock" because of the injury. Montgomery had to have a bone graft because the bones were crushed. He needed a titanium rod as well as a T-plate inserted in his arm to make sure his fingers and arm heal and will work properly.
He's supposed to be taking it easy at home for two weeks and staying connected to a machine that allows ice water to flow through his cast to reduce the pain and swelling. But he admits he's had trouble staying still.
"I don't know if the doctors were that good or what, but the pain has not been that bad. I'm moving my fingers and feeling fine," Montgomery said.
He plans to spend the next few days listening to music and helping chaperone a prom party his daughter, Brooke, a senior at Boyle County, is having Saturday night.
"We were going to be back from the Derby in time for the party, but now I get to take in all of the prom experience," Montgomery said.
Hoping to work on new album next week
By next week he hopes to be in Nashville starting work on Montgomery Gentry's next album.
"I think the next album is going to be stronger than anything we've done," he said. "Not only will we have a new album coming out, but we have a greatest hits album, too, coming out. I didn't even realize we had that many hits until someone brought it up. We are only in our sixth year and it makes me feel very proud, and humble, that we've had so much success."
That success shows in the appearances he has scheduled in the next few weeks. Montgomery and partner Troy Gentry will perform at the Academy of Country Music 40th anniversary concert May 18 in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Some of the other performers will be Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire and George Strait.
A day earlier Montgomery Gentry will perform at the ACM awards show in Las Vegas that will air live on CBS-TV. Montgomery Gentry has been nominated for Top Vocal Duo based on the success of their latest album, "You Do Your Thing." This is their sixth academy award nomination.
Montgomery already is having alterations made to a special coat honoring his daughter's upcoming graduation he's had made for the show.
The country duo will perform on CBS's "The Early Show" May 22 and will be part of CMT's concert taping of the 100 greatest duets June 8 in Nashville.
"I've heard from a lot of people since I got hurt," Montgomery said. "I've got a lot of e-mails and phone calls. I know everyone is going to be ragging on me when they see me about falling the way I did. Some of those guys can really be hard on you. But I'm fine and can't wait to get back out there."
