Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry was still catching up on the details of the Blake Shelton vs. Ray Price Facebook battle when Taste of Country Nights host Jeremy Robinson caught up with him last week. The dark-haired singer told listeners that the duo won't be tossing sharp words toward fans of classic country or the artists that built the format anytime soon.

"Blake and [Montgomery Gentry], none of us out here hitting the road today would be around if it hadn't been for our forefathers in country music who paved the way and got it all started for us," Gentry says. "I have no ill words or bad words to say about the generation that I grew up on that helped me to get to where I'm at today."

He went on to list Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and especially Charlie Daniels as his biggest influences. "That's what we all strive for, to be like our heroes," Gentry added. " We hope that our career will last long enough that we'll be able to play and sing as long as these guys have."

Montgomery Gentry have already kicked off their touring year, which includes a stop at the Taste of Country Music Festival at Hunter Mountain from June 13-15. Gentry said preparations begin now for the summer touring season.

"[We're] Trying to get bathing suit ready for the crowd," he revealed. "We got a bunch of new songs from our album that we put out last year that we've incorporated into the show. So it's a kinda just fine-tuning and making sure we have the best show possible for you all when we get there."

Lady Antebellum, Willie Nelson, Hunter Hayes and Trace Adkins are just a few of the other artists slated for the first-ever camping and music festival. Get more information at the ToC Festival's official website.

More From Taste of Country