DIERKS RETURNS TO GRAND RAPIDS ROOFSIT FUNDRAISER

Returning to Grand Rapids to play music is something country star Dierks Bentley is looking forward to doing, especially when it helps benefit children. The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter will headline Sunday night's B-93 Roofsit Concert for Kids in Van Andel Arena.

Sponsored by WCBT-FM (93.7), the event is a part of the radio station's long-running annual drive to raise money for West Michigan agencies involved in treating and preventing child abuse and neglect. Taylor Swift performed last year in the Roofsit's inaugural concert.

"It's right up my alley," Bentley said in a phone interview from New York City, where the multiplatinum artist performed the night before with Brad Paisley in Madison Square Garden.

IF YOU GO
Dierks Bentley
When: 7 p.m. Sunday (November 1, 2009)
Where: Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St.
Opening acts: Gary Allan, Josh Thompson
Tickets: $22.50-$42.50 at the arena box office, Ticketmaster outlets, (800) 745-3000, ticketmaster.com

"It's a great deal, and we couldn't be more excited to be a part of it and be doing it ... our relationship with Grand Rapids and the fans there ... goes way back."

Indeed it does, starting when the 33-year-old Arizona native made his first West Michigan appearance before a packed crowd at The Intersection in 2003, shortly after the release of his self-titled debut album. Bentley was just beginning to taste success with his rowdy first single "What Was I Thinkin'."

Since then, Bentley has sold millions of albums and performed in West Michigan several times, including a gig headlining the B-93 Birthday Bash in 2006. He was supposed to headline Bash's second night last summer, but the event was canceled due to flooding.

"I was really looking forward to doing that," he said. "Luckily, we can make it up by doing this show."

Touring behind his fourth studio album "Feel That Fire" -- which includes his seventh No. 1 single "Sideways" and his current Top 20 hit "I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes" -- Bentley said he's looking forward to time off at the end of the year and writing for his next album.

"Every time I get home, as soon as I get off the bus, I can't wait to write, and there's a lot there waiting to be recorded," he said. "It's an exciting time."


Source: Dierks Bentley returns to Grand Rapids for B-93 Roofsit fundraiser. By Jack Leaver The Grand Rapids Press October 29, 2009, 7:02AM