When given the chance to chat with Walker Montgomery about meaningful songs connected to his talented family, it seemed too obvious to talk about his famous father, John Michael Montgomery. Instead, Wide Open Country asked Walker about a special memory connected to "Hillbilly Shoes," a song by his uncle Eddie Montgomery's duo with the late Troy Gentry, Montgomery Gentry.
"'Hillbilly Shoes' is special to me, even more now," he said. "The first time I sang with Eddie was (earlier in the year), and it was at Troy Gentry's foundation. We kicked off the show with 'Hillbilly Shoes.' I do 'Hillbilly Shoes' in my set, as well, but being able to sing at the Opry for the first time with my uncle and do that song, that's probably the most special song to me of Montgomery Gentry's."
Walker and Eddie's duet came Feb. 5, 2020 at the Grand Ole Opry House during C'Ya on The Flipside, a benefit for the Troy Gentry Foundation.
Bobby Taylor, Mike Geiger and Woody Mullis co-wrote "Hillbilly Bone," which was produced by Joe Scaife. It became Montgomery Gentry's debut single in 1999 and appeared on their debut album Tattoos & Scars.
Although the country music duo's first single stalled at No. 13, it and top 5 follow-up "Lonely and Gone" set the tone for a career that included five No. 1 country songs: "If You Ever Stop Loving Me," "Something to Be Proud Of," "Lucky Man," "Back When I Knew It All" and "Roll With Me."
Read More: Watch Montgomery Genry's Video For 'Get Down South'
As for Walker, he's chasing his own piece of that neon rainbow with recent song "Like My Daddy Done It."
"Hillbilly Shoes" Lyrics
I was there when the men came, and told us all the news
Father forgive them for they know not what they do
Till they walk a while, a country mile
In my hillbilly shoes
You want to judge me by the whiskey on my breath
You think you know me but you ain't seen nothing yet
Till you walk a while, a country mile
In my hillbilly shoes
In my hillbilly shoes
You work all day in the muck and the mire
Dance a little jig and a stomp by the fire
Ain't too much these boots cant do
Might even kick a little sense into you
Well I'm going up cripple creek going in a run
Going up cripple creek to have a little fun
Law man said they found some tracks
People saw them leavin but they never come back
Oh, you don't know me, you don't know, you don't know you don't know
Till you walk a while, a country mile
In my hillbilly shoes
In my hillbilly shoes
