Dierks Honors Pink Floyd

                                                

Dierks delivered in a big way on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night!  Team Lonesome was asked to take part in a week-long tribute to Pink Floyd on the talk show.  Dierks' performance of "Wish You Were Here" was strikingly beautiful and heartfelt, proving the versatility of himself and of the band.

"I was born in 1974, and my sister is three years older than me, so all that 80's music is nostalgic to me" Dierks told TheBoot.com. "Country music is 90 percent of what I've listened to since I was 17 years old, but Pink Floyd is one of the greatest rock bands of all time... we'll but some fiddle and steel guitar on 'Wish You Were Here' and Gram Parsons it up and see how it goes."

I'd say it went VERY well.  If you missed it, you can watch it right here!



~Amy
DBC Rep
Delaware

Dierks Bentley's New Album To Be Titled "Home"

According to Bill Dean of the Gainesville Sun, Dierks Bentley's new album will be titled, "Home," named after the patriotic single just released  Monday of this week.  We've been hearing it was to be called, "Diamonds,"  but Dierks said in late August there was no title yet, so I guess we will all find out for sure when the album comes out in February.

"To follow up such a special album [Up On The Ridge], Bentley says he is taking his time on the followup recording, which is slated for release in February 2012 and will be called “Home” after the album's title track."

We spend a lot of time on the road, and every one of those little small towns feels like home one way or another because we've been there before, so I think the title kind of works for the album. And it is like coming back to country music, coming home.

Coming after this bluegrass record, I really needed to reconnect and figure out what I wanted to do with my next record,” Bentley says. “I've been writing some stuff for over a year, and the album doesn't come out until February.

I'm still writing to see if there's anything else that might be left from this batch of inspiration and creativity. So we'll see.

Dierks is performing in Gainesville tonight at the University of Florida's O'Connel Center, and I'll be DRT-ing (Dierks Road Trip), from Tampa to get there as soon as I can.  'Cause when a DBC rep wants to see her favorite artist, there ain't no way of gettin' there too fast!


~Ronna
DBC Chair
Florida

Win A Tour "Date" with Dierks!

Ok Congress, it's time to get your creative juices flowing!  Go to Dierks.com and pin your "Home" on the map with a photo or video about what HOME means to you.   The most popular entry wins a day on tour with Dierks! If you don't score big in popularity, don't fret; Dierks will be choosing other winners to receive prizes along the way!

From Dierks.com:

Dierks' Map of Home Contest Has Begun For Congress 

In celebration of the release of Dierks' new single, "Home", we have put together a special contest exclusively for Dierks' Fan Club, The DB Congress.  Dierks' Map of Home allows you to pin your "home" on an interactive map right here on Dierks.com.  You can also upload a picture and video that represent your home.  Creativity is key in this contest.  It's all about what home means to YOU.  

The grand prize winner, which will be chosen based on the number of "likes" their entry accrues, will win a Day on the Road with Dierks for themselves and a guest on a tour date of their choice (exclusions apply, travel is not included).  This will include attending sound check, eating a catered dinner with Dierks, and attending the concert later in the day.  Several winners will also be chosen by Dierks throughout the contest based on creativity of their entries.  Prizes include various merchandise items.

Who wouldn't want to spend the day with our Prez?  Start charging your cameras now!

~Amy
DBC Rep
Delaware

#1 Plaques and 2 Quarts of Patron

On September 27, 2011, Dierks Bentley, Jim Beavers, Jon Randall Stewart and the members of Team Lonesome gathered at Losers Bar & Grill in Nashville to celebrate Dierks' 8th #1 hit. Before the party, Dierks tweeted the following:

@DierksBentley: headed to my #1 party for AM I THE ONLY ONE. thinking about all our hard core fans out there that made this happen. love you guys.

@DierksBentley: been waaaaay too long since I busted the '67 camero out!! perfect day to do it. headed to the party. thx again for calling Country Radio

The party, held by Capitol, BMI and ASCAP honored Dierks for performing; Dierks, Jim, and Jon Randall for writing; and Team Lonesome for the roles they played in the AITOO video. When Dierks was honored by ASCAP, Evie (who is getting so big!) joined him onstage to accept the award. 

 

(Photos courtesy Nashville Country Club)

The writers, promotion team, and Team Lonesome were all awarded with 2-quart bottles of Patron. 

“This is the first No. 1 that I’ve been really excited about the party and the actual location of the party,” Bentley notes. “[In the song], we wrote ‘I was flying solo / Down at Silverado’s / The joint looking like a morgue.’ Anyone who’s lived in Nashville as long as I have knows what Silverado’s is — it’s the one bar that used to be opened on Sundays. I was really excited to have the No. 1 party at Silverado’s … just have it be a crazy No. 1 party, but Silverado’s is closed. I wanted to have it there, but this is a great spot and is easy for everyone to get to. I don’t get to come here as often as I’d like because I’m on the road, so it was good second choice.”

Congratulations once again, Mr. President! We can't wait to do it all again in a few months - for your 9th #1 single "Home" AND your next #1 album! 

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter-NC) 

Is "Home" Dierks' "House?"

As you know, "Home," the second single off Dierks Bentley's upcoming sixth studio release, went to radio yesterday for immediate airplay, and early reviews are entirely positive. The song was picked up by 4 stations last week, and looks to get many more adds this week, and likely be the Chart's "Hot Shot Debut." 

Roughstock gave the song 5-stars, saying it's perhaps one of the best-written songs Dierks has ever written, and describes the production (by Jon Randall Stewart) as "epic." They liken the song to a U2 or Coldplay epic ballad. 

But what really made me happy - and have a "yes!" moment - was when I was reading Billboard Country Update (unfortunately I don't have a link) this morning, and they likened "Home" to Miranda Lambert's "House That Built Me:" 

Music is primarily a form of entertainment, a way for the listener to enhance or even escape the tedium of everyday life. 

But on occasion, an artist latches onto a song that helps define who we are. Miranda Lambert did that profoundly in her association with “The House That Built Me,” a fact she reinforced during a Sept. 21 rehearsal for her fall tour. Dierks Bentley has done it on a national scale with “Home,” a song that was sent digitally to radio Sept. 26 through PlayMPE.
 
In both cases, the material creates an emotional experience even after repeated listens. And the impact is likely heightened by the songs’ contrast with the artists’ larger body of work. Both Lambert and Bentley have earned a reputation for gritty, edgy material.

Even in rehearsal, “The House That Built Me” continues to stand as a monumental match of artist and song. So likely will Bentley’s “Home.” Where “House” sifted through an individual’s identity, “Home” grapples with the makeup of an entire nation. Bentley wrote it with Brett Beavers and Semisonic founder Dan Wilson after the shooting of Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, attempting to make sense of the senseless. The writers ably captured the principles and enormous sacrifices that led to the founding of America while avoiding bumper-sticker patriotism. “Home,” with its simple chordal riff and thoughtful vocal performance, perfectly captures the mood of many Americans, desperate for unity in a difficult time. In that regard, it bears some similarity to Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” written 10 years ago this week, on Sept. 28, 2001. In the context of Bentley’s good-time, party singles—“Sideways,” “How Am I Doin’” and recent No. 1 “Am I the Only One”—“Home” could be even more powerful in concert.
 
Like Lambert’s “The House That Built Me,” “Home” aids listeners in sorting out who we are—and holds out hope that we can be even greater.

I'm so excited to hear this song on the radio, and to continue to hear such great things about it. Let's move this up the charts! 

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter, NC)

Dierks Bentley's "Home" Goes to Radio Today!

Dierks Bentley released his next single, "Home", to radio today! Watch this video of the making of the song and get ready to hit the radio campaign trail! Call, tweet, email, post, facebook, click, and vote! Be respectful, and courteous, ask nicely (not too many times a day), and always say thank you!

We've got four months to get it to #1, congress! The album is set to release February 2012!



"It's a really special song for me...I love this song."

"It's just one of those songs that just..it kinda fell out of the sky."

West, on a plane bound West, I see her stretching out below.

"The initial melody was there pretty quickly, and the idea -- the place we all call home--really quickly, like within an hour...but then its like wow when you're writing one of these kinda songs it's like your really taking on a big challenge, its like a big theme, a big anthem really...and that kinda makes it scary to finish the rest of the song cos you feel like ok we're gonna write that kinda song its gotta be really great.

...its been a long hard ride, got a ways to go, but this is still the place that we all call home.

"Hopefully when you listen to the whole song it leaves you feeling inspired, and reminds you of just what a great country this is, and how we've been through tough times before, you know just a lot of people have sacrificed to get us where we are and for us to have the freedooms that we have and I think they're reminded of that and thinking about that hopefully can make them smile or give them hope that better days are ahead."

...whoa o o yeah mmmmm

"I'm looking forward to seeing how the fans react to the song, I really am. I think it's a song that will hopefully touch a lot of people. I hope it gets played a lot cos I want people to hear the song and have it affect them so that when we come to do a show we can really gel over the ideas we share the commmon love of this nation."

...been a long hard ride, got a ways to go, but this is still the place that we all call home.

Listen to the whole song here.

Dierks DVR Alert: Jimmy Fallon 9/29/11 - Pink Floyd Week!

The last time Dierks Bentley peformed on the Late Night With Jimmy Fallon show, he sang Draw Me A Map.  On Thursday of next week, Dierks is the only country artist who will help Jimmy honor the legendary Pink Floyd, during a week long tribute.

Dierks will sing his interpretation of, "Wish You Were Here."  Artists from other genres will fill the rest of the week, including The Shins, Foo Fighters, MGMT and the day after Dierks' performance, one of his favorite bands - Pearl Jam - will cover the classic Pink Floyd single, "Mother."

Floyd members Nick Mason and Roger Waters will appear individually as guests on the show on Monday and Tuesday. Waters also will perform "In the Flesh” from 'The Wall', with the Foo Fighters on Tuesday night.

In case you need a refresher, here is Pink Floyd performing, "Wish  You Were Here," live:

Dierks Bentley: 5 Minutes With Fame

Dierks Bentley is the feature artist in this week's "Five Minutes with Fame," an exclusive video series by The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and Microsoft Zune Marketplace, featuring singers, songwriters and bands at the forefront of today's music.

After a behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum, they sat down with Dierks to talk about his music, his road to success, inspirations, being on tour and of course, some of his favorite artists and artifacts highlighted in the Museum.

When talking about songwriting, Dierks said, "I feel like I'll always be a student of songwriting; I always want to get better, and write better songs..."

DBTV- Episode 36: Target Practice!

To blow off some steam in the heart of Texas, the guys get their hands on some guns.  Check out their unique selection of targets.... and we thought wasting bullets was Luke Bryan's thing....   ;-)

Even Dolphins Love Dierks!

 

How can you not love a picture like this? Country Music is Love posted this picture of our Prez Dierks Bentley hanging out with the dolphin Steimie while enjoying some much-needed down time with his family at Sea World San Diego yesterday. In town for a show, Dierks and the family also met penguins and fed seals. That is my kind of outing! 

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

Studio Version of "Home"

 
Well, we still don't have an add date, but the above ad ran in Billboard's Country Update last night (on the front page, no less) and the studio version has been found!

EDIT: "Home" goes for Adds Monday, October 10th!

CLICK HERE (this will work with Windows Media Player) 

Getting very excited to hear this on the radio! We'll keep you posted as soon as we know when that will be.  

Comment here and tell us what you think of the new song! 

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

Dierks Bentley: Behind The Song in Country Weekly

In the September 19, 2011 issue of Country Weekly, Dierks Bentley is featured in a 2-page 'behind the song' article, applauding his latest number one single, "Am I The Only One?"

Co-written with Jon Randall Stewart and Jim Beavers, Dierks said, "We came up with the story line and injected some of my actual real friends' names into the song." 

Get the CW issue today, which includes the song's lyrics and chords!

DBTV - Episode 35: Miles & Music For Kids!

Over $1.6 million raised for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, Dierks Bentley recaps past Miles & Music For Kids events and gears up for the Oct. 9 (Chicago) and Oct. 16 (Nashville) events in this week's DBTV.  I was at the October 2010 Nashville and May 2011 Columbus events and I can tell you these DB charity bike ride/concerts are special experiences!

Are you going to be there to help push the $2 million mark? 

On The Set Of Dierks Bentley's New Video, 'Home'

I won the chance to be on the set of a Dierks Bentley video through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society auction.  The video shoot took place Tuesday night in a soybean field on a farm just outside Nashville.  My husband, Lloyd, and I were brought onto the set by Joanna Carter, VP of Creative Services at Capitol Nashville.  She gave us the explanation for the treatment of this video which is:

Dierks singing in a field with an acoutistic guitar.  Then there will be fireworks that illuminate the sky, and as they explode, images will form in the sky, images that tell the story of our country from who we are as a people to the beautiful landscape.  It will then cut away to people all across America taking notice of what's happening in the sky.

So we watched as Dierks played his song in the field about  20 times or so, so they could get different angles.   We got to talk to him briefly between takes.  I asked him who decides what the next single will be,  and he said that in this particular case, Capitol Records did, which he said was just fine with him because he trusts their choices.   He said the song and video should be out in a couple of weeks. 

After Dierks performance part was over, he left and so did we.  It was about 2:00 a.m., but the crew was still going to be there filming the fireworks and b-rolls until 4:00!  (b-rolls, I discovered, are the filming of anything other than the main artist, i.e., background, extras, anything without Dierks.)

Joanna was very nice and has worked for Capitol Records Nashville for 18 years.  She is on the set of every video filmed by a Capitol artist, and has been on every set of Dierks's videos.  She told us her favorite one was Long Trip Alone, though being a woman in a Mexican prison was a little scary!  I told her I always love the ones where Jake and George make an apprearance.

While on the set, we also met Dierks's beautiful wife, Cassidy.  She was very nice.  We talked about the Kentucky Derby and how they get wonderful invitations to go, but Dierks always has a gig.  We talked dogs, and she said that they thought about bringing them [Jake and George] because when they get home, the dogs will bark and might wake up their little girls.  She also said Jake and George like going to "camp" when the family is on the road.

Here are some pictures from the shoot (it was hard to get good ones because it was so dark.)

One of the highlights of this experience was finding out that Dawn Gates, Senior Director of New Media at Capitol Records, raised $50,000.00 for LLS! Way to go!

~Lee Ann Miller (corgigirl)
DB Congress, Kentucky

Not A Lot Of Love For Dierks?

Our friends and fellow DB Congress reps Lauren and Erin at Country Music Is Love.com are featuring a weekly column: Open Mic with Mike Thomas.  This week, Mike gives his take on the Top 10 Underrated Artists of the 2000′s.  Our prez, Dierks Bentley, comes in at #2.  Do you agree with Mike?  Leave your comments here and there!

"#2… Dierks Bentley - It’s hard to believe that Dierks released his first album in 2003 and is now up to SEVEN albums. He’s toured with Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney, headlined his own tour, and for a couple years, was a perennial nominee in the Male Vocalist category. To be this high on my list there has to be a reason for using the term “underrated” and here’s how it applies to Dierks: two platinum albums, a greatest hits package, and a bluegrass project all before the age of 35 – yet, Dierks will be sitting in the crowd at the CMA’s this November watching Kenny, Brad, Keith, Blake Shelton, or Jason Aldean take home the trophies. Here’s a guy who was so hot at country radio that women debated if he was better with the long, curly hair or the buzz cut when he shaved his head for his “Long Trip Alone” video. This guy has a deep songwriting range, he’s an amazingly talented musician, and really is one of the coolest guys to hang out with backstage. I think his bluegrass project is what caused him to be out of the CMA conversation this fall and I look for Dierks to be back in the game this spring."

Jay Ballinger Stays the Course for Kids

Those of you who are die-hard Dierks Bentley fans probably have met funny guy and stage manager Jay Ballinger.  Little did we know, the Louisville native hosts an annual celebrity golf scramble, benefiting Louisville's Home of the Innocents, where Ballinger and his sister were both under the custody of when they were adopted at birth.

The second annual "On The Course For Kids" will be held on Monday, September 19 at Quail Chase Golf Club, 7000 Cooper Chapel Road, in Louisville, KY.   Celebrities scheduled to attend this year include country music artists Jake Owen, Josh Thompson, Bucky Covington, and Miss Willie Brown among others, all of whom have toured with Dierks Bentley.

The two man scramble will have a shot gun start at noon on Monday, September 19, with an acoustic concert following the awards ceremony at approximately 6:45 p.m. Registration for golfers is $100 per person. Tickets for the concert are $15 in advance or $20 day of show. All proceeds will benefit Home of the Innocents.

Fans are invited to come out to watch the scramble and meet and greet with the celebrities. Although there is no charge for watching, donations can be made at the registration table or by visiting Home of the Innocents. Return for the intimate acoustic concert and know that the entire purchase price of your ticket will benefit the Home.

According to Louisville.com, "Ballinger has now found such a comfortable place working with Dierks Bentley that he has turned down opportunities to join the tours of Kid Rock and Bon Jovi."

Jay Ballinger, side stage, Boone, NC - 7-23-11

“I feel really lucky,” said Ballinger. “I look at some of these kids, I feel lucky that I had great parents who adopted me, let me chase my dreams, and I never had to spend a day in that home. I never had to be in that situation and placed in foster care and all that stuff,” he continued.

Last year, in the first celebrity golf scramble, Ballinger and friends raised nearly $47,000 for the Home.

“I was one of the fortunate ones,” Ballinger said. “I’m in a place that I can give back. If you’re in place that you can give back and you can afford to give back, I feel like you should pay it forward. And that’s what I’m doing. I couldn’t think of anyone else that deserves it more than children.”

Best of luck, Jay!  We hope you beat last year's total and surpass $50,000!  We've got a lot of DB Congress reps in Kentucky that I'm sure will want to support this worthy cause!

See ya on the road!

~Ronna
DB Congress Chair
Florida

Dierks to Perform When "Opry Live" Returns To TV On GAC With 6-Star-Packed Shows

"Opry Live" Returns To Television On GAC With Six Star-Packed Shows This Fall

Nashville, TN — September 13, 2011
Country music’s most famous show is returning to television. The Grand Ole Opry® will return to GAC: Great American Country for six star-packed “Opry Live” episodes to begin airing Tues., Oct. 4. The first show scheduled to air, an 80thbirthday salute to country legend George Jones, will be filmed tonight and will feature performances by Alan Jackson, Jamey Johnson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Ann Womack, and more.

Shows airing on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays in subsequent weeks will feature a who’s who of new stars, superstars, and legends of country music, including: Trace Adkins, Lauren Alaina, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Ronnie Dunn, Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Randy Travis, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood and more. Airdates will be announced at opry.com and gactv.com.

“GAC has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the Opry over the past eight years, partnering with them on ‘Opry Live’ and specials including ‘Country at the White House,’ ‘Music City Keep on Playing’ and ‘Country Comes Home.’ Special moments happen on the Opry stage and GAC is pleased to be able to share those moments with our viewers,” said Sarah Trahern, SVP/GM, GAC.

“We can’t wait to showcase some of this fall’s great Opry performances by the biggest names in country music with fans across the country on ‘Opry Live’ on GAC,” said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager.

Dierks Drops By American Chopper, Paul Jr. Designs

Thanks to new DBC Rep, Harriett, for this great video find!  Dierks Bentley surprises Vinnie DiMartino who turns into a "stupid fan."  Dierks says he'd choose PJD (Paul Jr. Design) for his dream custom bike!

Dierks Brings Iowa 'Home' on 9/11/11

According to the Spencer Daily Reporter, "Country superstar Dierks Bentley asked the crowd if he was the "only one who wanted to party" and the crowd let him know he wasn't alone. Bentley performed before a large crowd Sunday night, the first of two major country acts playing the Clay County Fair grandstand. Bentley performed several hits and had the crowd in the concert all night long." Photo by Michael Fischer.

Fellow Iowan and one of the DB Congress founding members, Mona Purdy, hadn't seen our president  (Dierks Bentley) perform in over 13 months!  Read her story here:

"This time I didn't have to drive at least two hours, he played in my hometown (Spencer, Iowa)! I had been very nervous ever since the date was announced because of the way ticket sales are handled. I did get standing room only! I arrived at the fairgrounds around noon and no one was around just yet. I walked around with the family and kept checking back at the gates. About 2 p.m. I found some friends had arrived so I joined them in line. I have seen Hollie, Kirsten, and Judy at several other shows. Doug would be joining us later. My friend Holly and her husband would also be joining us. This would be Holly's first time in a standing room only area and her first Meet and Greet!

When I went to check the Will Call Office for the M&G passes, a woman (Felicia) came up to me and asked if I was Mona. She told how she had been worried about her name change and if it would prevent her from picking up her pass. One of the people she had contacted had emailed her a photo of Dierks and I, and told her to look for me. She couldn't remember the name right away, but when she mentioned that person wanted a review, I knew it was Ronna!

This is weird, but to attend the M&G we had to leave the venue and were nervous about getting back inside. We were right up against the barricade in front of the stage and had many people saving our spots. Holly and I made our way back to the meet up area and met up with Felicia. She was the first in line but didn't want to be. So I went first! I'm not nervous about meeting Dierks anymore. But I really love to watch people meet him for the first time. It's awesome. During the M&G I asked him about an expected release for the new album. He said February. He told us he would be doing an acoustic version of the song "HOME" which would be the next single.

Later on stage, Dierks mentioned that his long time supporters had asked about the new music and he motioned towards the group dead center in front, my group!

During Frankie Ballard's show, Hollie and I had discussed the stage's height and our close proximity to it--perfect for catching sweat. Maybe 10 minutes later, Frankie stood above us (the stage was a couple of feet higher than us) and shook his head! We both started laughing as the sweat hit us! I was pleasantly surprised by Frankie's show. Not a big fan of A Buncha Girls, but he put on a good show. Enjoyed it. Between Dierks and Frankie's sets, a woman came up and asked if I was Mona. She had seen my tweet to the dbcongress!

@MLVSLTA:   "@dbcongress anyone in Spencer yet? Look for a fat woman in a white db congress tee. It's Mona!"

Then @dbcongress retweeted it, then...

@MLVSLTA:   "@dbcongress way to go Ronna! I just met the IA rep who was worried about the name change @ her M&G. she got it just fine!"

Dierks played almost every one of his singles, all but Long Trip Alone and Draw Me A Map. He played a new song about things that go together. That could be a hit single! He introduced his new song HOME. This was the tenth anniversary of 9/11. What a beautiful, awesome song! I can't wait to hear it at radio, and get the download! Dierks mentioned a few times about this being a Sunday--you couldn't tell it was by the crowd--we were loud! So Dierks announced that he was going to skip the encore and just keep playing.

It was a perfect night--Dierks playing live, and great friends to share the fun with!

My friend Holly is going to check out dbcongress.com.  She emailed me last night.  This show was a wonderful new experience and I think it will make her a devoted fan for life!"

~Mona Purdy
DB Congress Rep
Iowa

That's what we like to hear, Mona! We're growing the DB Congress, one fan at at time!

You Don’t Turn Dierks Down!

DB Congress member, Felicia ‘Flipundy’ Bundy, represents Dierks Bentley in Minnesota, but drove to the September 11th Dierks show in Iowa with her husband. Through the Fan Club, Felicia won a Meet and Greet, but was concerned since the instructions required a photo ID. Since getting married, she had not yet changed her drivers license, so she was in a panic thinking they wouldn’t let her in to her very first Meet and Greet!

Since it was Felicia’s first Meet and Greet (and most of us know how special that is!), she had lots of questions so we emailed back and forth a few times. She finally got a response from the Fan Club and they said they got it all sorted out and that either name would do.

“I'm so flippen excited!” the former up state New Yorker told me before the show. “I've never done this sort of thing before. I know I can’t take my camera in with me....are they usually good about getting the pics up on the website quickly? I'm imagining it being crazy. I have no clue how many people actually get the M&G or how long it lasts.....I'm also kind of afraid my pic will come out with me blinking or something stupid. lol......Here I am 31 years old and I feel like a teenage girl getting ready to meet Elvis or something.

I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep Saturday night. I think my husband is being driven crazy because all I can talk about is this. But, at the same time, he understands how excited I am. I have LOVED Dierks since the very first time I heard him sing, which was back around 2003. It doesn't hurt that he's so easy on the eyes too.

My kids all know who he is. When he comes on the radio, if one of them turns it down, I say "you don't turn Dierks down" and turn him right back up again! I think he's just amazing and I admire how he does his own thing without fear.

I have a lot I'd like to say to him, but I stutter when I'm nervous. I can't believe this is going to happen. I feel like it's not real. I'm like waiting for something to happen to prevent it. I'm over the moon. I'll email you after the show to let you know how it goes. Thank you for everything.”

That was all before the show. I told her everything would be fine and to look for Iowa DBC Rep, Mona, who also had won a Meet and Greet.

Afterward, I received this email:

“I thought I would email you and let you know, everything went great at the show! I saw Mona and she helped me to feel more comfortable for the M&G. Thank god! He [Dierks] came walking around the corner and I swear I almost fainted. When my turn came to go meet him, all I could say was ‘oh my god...I can’t believe I’m standing here.’ He asked if I was really that nervous and I just said, ‘I love you!’ I felt like such a dork. But, I calmed down when he smiled. I'm sure he's seen it all. And I felt a lot better. My husband got us a spot right up in front, center stage. I got some awesome pictures. And he signed my hat.”

I’m so ready for the next show! The energy Dierks brings is AMAZING!!! It was the best night I've had in a long time or quite possibly the best night ever considering it was a dream come true.”

Felicia, DB Congress Rep
Minnesota

Thanks for sharing your story, Felicia!

~Ronna, DBC Chair, Florida

Dierks Bentley Remembers 9-11, Ten Years Later

Where were you when the world stopped turning, that September day?  Dierks Bentley tells KMLE he was back in Nashville, had just signed a publishing deal, had a record deal and was working on his record.  That morning he drove to friend Jason Carter's (Del McCoury Band) house to go fishing, walked in his screen door and saw smoke coming out of one of the towers. 

"It took a long time to fathom...we were completely dumbfounded...it's lonesome, man, it doesn't seem like it's been ten years...it still seems pretty recent.  As a country we are still in the shadows of that attack on our country and it still affects us...and I think it's gonna weigh heavily on everyone's hearts and minds at this 10-year anniversary."

Watch the video here:

DBTV - Episode 34: Dierks "Evel Knievel" Bentley

Daredevil Dierks Bentley brings out the Evel Kneival in himself and attempts a a 75-foot jump on a motocross bike in this week's DBTV.  Does he make it?  Find out--watch the video!

Gill and His Guitar Play Back-Up For Bentley

"Mom, that's really Vince Gill--he's not airbrushed in!"  That's how Dierks Bentley ended his very first number one song, "What Was I Thinkin'" at the recent KMLE 8-Man-Jam, when Vince Gil himself backed-up DB with a solo guitar stint at the coaxing of Dierks.  See for yourself...

Sadler Happy to Introduce Dierks Bentley in Richmond

Country superstar Dierks Bentley and NASCAR driver Elliott Sadler have a lot in common.  In any given weekend, they experience a lot of the same type activities.  There's sponsor appearances, autograph sessions, team meetings, media interviews and not to mention all of the on-stage/on-track performances.

But they take their down time very seriously.

The first time I saw Dierks and Elliott in the same room was at Wild Bill's in Atlanta.  It was March 2009, and Kasey Kahne was doing a benefit and Dierks was performing!  Elliot was there, too.

Bentley is no stranger to NASCAR either.  Earlier this year, he did a special version of his number one hit, Sideways for FOX Sports TV that started every race broadcast.  Dierks will perform at the Richmond International Raceway tomorrow night.

Sadler is happy about that!

"This week we head to what I consider my home track: Richmond. Like Bristol, Richmond is a track that I grew up going to with my family, so it's a special experience to go back and race there competitively. It's always important for me to do well, but there's always added pressure when your family is in the stands. I have family members that to this day still have reserved seats by the start/finish line there.


I do sometimes have the opportunity to have fun in my down time. In Richmond I will have the opportunity to introduce Dierks Bentley in a concert at the track. I love country music, so I think it should be a lot of fun!"

Source

Miles & Music for Kids: Nashville

Dierks Bentley will host his sixth annual "Miles & Music for Kids" celebrity motorcycle ride and benefit concert on Oct. 16 in Nashville.

Over the event's six year history, it has raised $1.6 million for children's hospitals in Nashville, Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Seattle, Columbus and is also slated to stop in Chicago on Oct. 9.

The hour-long motorcycle ride will once again kick off at the Harley-Davidson in Columbia, Tenn. and end at Riverfront Park in downtown Nashville with a concert featuring Bentley and special guests including Eli Young Band, Colt Ford and Josh Thompson. Other artists will be added to the bill.
Tickets for the family-friendly event go on sale on Friday, Sept. 9 through Ticketmaster. Tickets for the ride, concert and commemorative T-shirt are $50, or those looking to attend the concert only can purchase tickets for $20. Sponsored by Nationwide Insurance, all proceeds from the Nashville event will benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, a Children's Miracle Network Hospital.

In 2009, Bentley joined forces with Nationwide Insurance, CMT ONE COUNTRY and the Children's Miracle Network to take the successful "Miles & Music for Kids" benefit on the road, and has since expanded to visit six cities.For the latest news and ongoing artist announcements, visit www.dierks.com.

Happy Labor Day from DB Congress!

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers and is historically celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer.

Happy Labor Day to all our DB Congress Reps in the U.S.  We appreciate that you "wierk" for FREE promoting our prez, but we know that Dierks makes it EASY!

And to our President, Dierks Bentley and his family, the band, and the crew--we thank you for working so hard to entertain us throughout the year! 

Dierks Bentley Sings New Single: Home

Back in his home town of Phoenix, Arizona, it was fitting that Dierks Bentley previewed his new song "Home" for the KMLE 8 Man Jam audience.

Dierks introduced the song that he wrote:  "I love this country...thanks to you guys we get a chance to travel all over this country...I think about the guys who settled this country, America wasn't just a place to them, it was an idea."



From the mountains high
To the wave crash coast
There's a way to find
Better days I know

It's been a long hard ride
Got a ways to go
This is still the place
That we all call home

No release date yet, but get ready!  As soon as we know, we'll be asking all DB Congress to hit the campaign trail and start requesting via radio!

DBTV - Episode 33: Dierks Mountain Biking in Montana