Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery issued his first statement since his duo partner, Troy Gentry, died in a helicopter crash on Sept. 8.

“Our world was turned upside down in an instant, and nothing could have prepared us for this,” Eddie said in a statement issued by his PR team. “Over the past few months me and T-Roy have been working on what I think is the best record of our career. In the last few weeks we had been talking about what our first single would be. Then on September 8, none of that mattered.

“‘Better Me’ is a song we all loved and Troy sings his ass off on it. It speaks volumes about his life and who he had become and everybody he touched and how much he loved his family. I am so proud of this song and also to call him my friend, my family, my brother for 30 years.”

A recording of “Better Me” was played at Troy’s memorial service on Sept. 14.

After the tragedy, the touching tune takes on a new meaning as Troy croons, “I might cuss and fight, tell a few lies / Break a few rules making promises I can’t keep / But I’ve turned a page on wilder days / I’m writing all this down hoping you’ll see / I ain’t saying I’m perfect, but I’m working on a better me.”

Listen to the new song below.