Dierks Bentley Congress Rep of the Week: Megan Tuttle, Ohio

You may have seen Ohio DBC Rep, Megan and her sister Lindsay on our home page rotating photo.  Megan shares her Dierkstory below:

"Hello my name is Megan Tuttle and I live in Northeastern Ohio. I am 23 years old and I have loved Dierks Bentley since he came out with his first single, "What Was I Thinkin'."  It's still one of my favorite songs of his, and that's my favorite part of Dierks' concerts when he sings that song last!

I became a Dierks Bentley super-fan when he came golfing at the private country club where I work. He was doing a show in town that night (September 5, 2010). Of course, I was off that day, but I heard he was there so I hurried up and put on my work uniform and went and waited for him. I waited for about an hour and a half, then he came around in his golf cart and I yelled, "Dierks, can we get a few pictures?" He immediately pulled his cart over and walked right up to us! I was so excited! He took a few pictures with us, gave us his autograph, then he ate a Cheeseburger and drank a diet coke. He hung out there for about 15 minutes talking to us.

Then he said, "Maybe I should give you guys a shout out at the show tonight." (He gave tickets to any who worked there, so my manager made a list of names who wanted tickets and he took that list to will call.  What a nice guy!) But I already had tickets so I didn't need to be on that list.

About half way through his set that night at the Canfield Fair and right before "Settle for a Slowdown," Dierks says, "This one is for all my Tippy Girls out there." I was so excited, I couldn't believe he remembered us!

As soon as the Dierks Bentley live Ustream came on in February 2011, I was addicted!  It was so cool to watch him online in the studio recording for his next album.  That's all I did for a week straight! WOLF PACK!

After that show I saw what a nice, genuine guy he was, and I knew I had to go to another one of his concerts as sooon as possible! So my sister Lindsay, who goes to all the concerts with me, and I got tickets for the Pittsburgh, PA show for March 20th. We also both won a meet and greet! 

It was so much fun in the meet and greet.  We took the photograph, he signed something, then he talked to all of us for a few minutes.  Also, during the concert, we were in the second row and Dierks pointed to us and said, "We got some wolf packers here tonight!"
Dierks is such a great live performer he has so much energy up on the stage! And every concert is just as fun as the one before! After that we got tickets for the May 5th show in Akron,Ohio. Lindsay and I did not win a meet and greet but we still had a blast! We made signs and Dierks pointed at us and read them out loud...so cool!

After Akron came the Dierks Bentley LAST CALL BALL7 (annual fan club party)! We traveled to Nashville nine hours to go to it!  This was my favorite Dierks show ever! We got there a few hours early to wait in line.  While we were waiting, Ryan "Camera Guy" came up and talked to us! Also Dierks' truck "Big White" was parked right in front of the venue.  Lindsay and I took pictures by it and left him a note under his windshield wiper.

The show started and Dierks played about a 10-song set. After the show we had to wait our turn for a meet and greet with him. While we waited, Camera Guy (Ryan) came up to us again and interviewed us for a DBTV Episode! Lindsay and I appeared in the DBTV Episode 21! Also Dierks' dog Jake was there and we got to pet him and take pictures!

Finally around 2am, it was our turn for the Meet and Greet! I walked up and Dierks and I took a "howling" picture for the Wolf Pack! He also signed my wolf pack shirt! It was one of the best days of my life!

The next concert we went to after LCB7 was in Chambersburg, PA on July 15th. We had to travel 5 hours to get there. As always it was a great show but after the show was the best part! We waited by Dierks' bus and Tim and Cassady came out to say hi! We told them to bring Camera Guy out and they did! Ryan came out, gave both me and Lindsay a hug and hung out with us for a while! It was so much fun.  Dierks, his band mates, and Camera Guy are a blast!

November 3rd is my next Dierks Bentley concert in Kent,Ohio! I cannot wait to make more memories with Dierks!"

Megan Tuttle
DBC Rep, Ohio

Thanks for sharing your story, Megan!

Would you like to be a feature DBC Rep of the week?  Just email me at Ronna@dbcongress.com with your story, what DB's music means to you, and a few photos!

~Ronna Clark
DB Congress Chair
Florida

"Home" Makes Billboard Debut!

"Home," the critically-acclaimed second single from Dierks Bentley's forthcoming studio release, made its debut on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart at #53! It did not chart this week on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart, however it was the #1 Most-Added song for the Mediabase-monitored stations. (It was #3 Most-Added for the Billboard-monitored stations.) 

For both charts' sister small-market charts, the song debuted extremely well: On the Country Indicator Billboard chart, "Home" debuted at #42, and was the #1 Most-Added song by a landslide. On the Activator Mediabase chart, it debuted at #39 - again the #1 Most-Added song. The small-market stations are an excellent indication of how well the song is being received nationwide, and due to the high debuts it received, it's safe to say the larger market stations will follow suit. The official Adds date is this coming Monday, October 10th. 

Capitol Nashville took out a full-page ad in Country Aircheck Weekly, which was full of quotes from various DJs, Program, and Music Directors nationwide. Are any of these from YOUR station? 

• "'Home' is not a song. It's an Anthem, and I pledge my allegiance to it." - Gator Harrison, WUSY Chattanooga

• "A Song of the Year contender for sure!" - Jay Roberts, WQYK, Tampa

• "With "Home" Dierks paints an emotional and heartfelt portrait of our country, but it doesn't feel heavy-handed or politicized. It's brilliant!" - Mike James, WPCV, Lakeland

• "Inspiring ... could and should be a career record for Dierks." - Kix Layton, WSSL, Greenville, SC

• "Dierks Bentley's "Home" is a completely original American anthem - fresh, warm, patriotic, heartfelt. I love it!" - Cody Alan, CMT

• "This is one of those rare songs that says something and avoids the cliche. Beautifully written and delivered." - Beverlee Brannigan, KFDI, Wichita

•  "The new Dierks song is fantastic! It's patriotic without going overboard and being blatant about it. This song is a game-changer for him." - John Paul, Dial Global

• "As the goose bumps raised up on my arms, all I could think was, 'This is the song that's taking Dierks to the next level!'" - Cory Myers, WWYZ, Hartford

• "This is a very powerful song both lyrically and artistically. Speaks to and attracts the masses while staying true to our core." - Tyler Reese, WKKT, Charlotte

• "The new single from Dierks, "Home," is just the right message to apply to these difficult times in our country right now." - Randall Bliss, WPAW, Greensboro

• "Damn! That's one of the best songs Dierks has done!!!! A moving, powerful, emotional hit." - Sam McGuire, WYNK, Baton Rouge

• "So far, Dierks is 2 for 2 from this new album. Am I the only one who wishes it was out sooner than February? Come on, Dierks, get this thing out!" - Travis Daily, WFUS, Tampa   

No, Travis Daily, you are NOT the only one eagerly awaiting the release of the new CD! Congress, let's get this song to #1 so we can celebrate a #1 song AND a #1 album early next year!

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

Meet Nick Carter - Dierks Bentley Congress Rep #700!

We finally reached our milestone of 700 DB Congress Reps who are dedicated to supporting Dierks daily!  Meet Nick Carter, representing Dierks in Ohio!

"Where to start....I found Dierks back in 2003 when he released his "My Last Name" single and it began to get air time around the Columbus, Ohio area. Since then, I've been a fan - like the rest of us. Dierks has been the only artist I've ever gone to a store before it opened to get a copy of his new CD! (Thank goodness for iTunes now).

The first live show I saw with Dierks was back in 2008. He was at The Ohio State Fair with Miranda Lambert. That is when I became a super fan of Dierks.

Seeing him live and in concert just took me over the edge. His energy and style just left me with a feeling of needing more. 

Unfortunately, due to life and such I went on a three year streak of not getting to see him live in concert again until this year.  I made the trek to Akron, OH to see him perform with Miss Willie Brown and Josh Thompson on May 5th, 2011 on a work night none the less.  We went to the concert, didn't have the greatest seats in the world--but when you are there, with the music going, it doesn't matter.

Three weeks later, I was able to attend the Miles for Music For Kids event at the LC in Columbus, OH. I've also already purchased my tickets for his show November 3rd in Kent, OH.

I haven't been a lucky one yet to be selected for Meet and Greets, but I keep hoping that one of these shows I'll get the lucky email. Both my friend and I have joined the Fan Club in the last year and hope one day when we go to the concert we will both be back stage waiting to meet Mr. Bentley. It will be the first time for both of us.

My Favorite Event so far: Miles for Music - Columbus, OH

My Favorite Song: With the Band (Hoping one day I'll be with the band)

My Favorite Album: Feel That Fire

My Favorite Performance: Am I The Only One from the 46th ACM Awards 2011."

Thanks, Nick, and welcome to the DBC family!

Dierks Bentley's Pink Floyd Cover Still Getting Great Response

Dierks Bentley, Dan Hochhalter on fiddle, Tim Sergent on steel

Roger Waters was so moved by Dierks Bentley's cover during Pink Floyd week on the Jimmy Fallon Show, Roger wrote a note on his facebook page to thank all the musicians who performed covers, including our DBC prez, Dierks Bentley!

"Wish you were here!! Dierks, I was truly moved. I loved the fiddle, the pedal steel, you sang it beautifully, Hank Williams would have been proud of you."

Now THAT's a thank you!  Rumor has it DB has recorded "Wish You Were Here" for the Pink Floyd tribute album. We'll try to confirm that, so keep checking back for further details.

One of our very own DB Congress Reps was able to experience that night live and in person!  Read Monica's story here:

"Thanks to DB Congress I found out the Dierks would be on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on September 29, 2011. Since I would be in the area, I applied for Band Bench tickets, which allow you to go onstage and stand on risers behind and beside the band. The day before the taping I got a call that I had won tickets! I flew into New York on Thursday morning just to go to see Dierks!

My friend Deanna and I arrived at 30 Rock at 4:00 pm to get our wristbands. We lined up with the other lucky Band Bench winners. Finally it was time to go inside. The first guest was Melissa McCarthy and we received her Bridesmaids DVD. Next up was Steve and JoAnn Ward, a mother and son who have a reality dating show, followed by famous photographer Mick Rock.

Then it was time to go to the stage for Dierks. I was on the stage left riser. I could see the stage door and was so excited when Dierks took the stage. The view from behind was a little different from being in the front. After the song, Dierks turned around and thanked us. The band left the stage and the show was over.

But then the stage door opened and they came out again! They were going to do another song! They taped “Home” to be used for another show. Once again Dierks turned around and said ,“Thanks!” The drummer (Steve Misamore) handed a drumstick to me and another lucky audience member. I also was able to get one of Dierks guitar picks.

We also got lucky and ran into Dierks and the band as they were leaving. Dierks took a few pictures and I told him I was part of DB Congress and he stopped to take a picture with me!"

Monic Mcmacken
DB Congress Rep
Arizona


Watch the video again of Dierks and the guys singing, "Wish You Were Here".  Dan's fiddlin' gets me every time!

Video Interview of Dierks Bentley's #1 Song Party at Losers

Watch the video of Nashville Country Club's interview with Dierks Bentley, as he celebrated his #1 song  (Am I The Only One) with writers Jim Beavers & Jon Randall at the bar Loser's in Nashville.



So, how does the DB Congress get invited to the next #1 party?

Dierks' Pre-Show Parties To Support Wounded Warriors

From Dierks.com...

Dierks has teamed up with country radio and Believe in Heroes™, a Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) initiative, for the 2011 Country & Cold Cans Tour. Leading up to Veterans Day on 11/11/11 Dierks will host pre-show parties for select dates on the tour. The first of these parties will be held prior to his show in La Crosse, WI this Thursday, October 6th.

Aiming to support and honor wounded veterans who have sacrificed, each party will be a chance for fans to give back to veterans and win prizes from Dierks, including ticket upgrades, merchandise and autographed limited edition handwritten lyrics of the new single “Home.”

"I meet so many service men and women at our shows, so I love being able to support the Wounded Warriors Project and honoring the heroes who have served our country," said Dierks.

"This program fits perfectly with the message of 'Home,' so we are going to do what we can between now and Veterans Day to really honor these people. I hope fans will plan to get there early and be part of it!"

Keep an eye on Dierks' tour page to see which dates will host pre-show parties. If you're planning to attend one of these shows, get there early to help celebrate a great cause!

Dierks Fans--Friends For Life

If you're in the DB Congress (Dierks Bentley Fan Club), you're part of the family.  We told you about Larissa, a DBC Rep in Kentucky, who died earlier this year.  The DBC all rallied together to show our respects and to honor her memory by donating to her two favorite charities.

"Losing a fellow fan is like losing a member of the family--the Dierks Bentley Fan Club family." (Granny Ann Tate, DBC Rep, AL)

Country Weekly's Steve Morley felt this fan story was worthy of an entire page in the October 10, 2011 issue!  Be sure to pick up your copy in stores now!

Bentley Had Gators Eating Out Of His Hand

Gators are normally quiet creatures, but Dierks Bentley had them roaring, eating out of his hand, and chomping at the bit for more at last nights's concert at the University of Florida's O'Connell Center.  "Tell me how loud is it gonna be tomorrow night?" Dierks repeatedly asked throughout the night.  To which the nearly 90 percent UF crowd replied with deafening screams of approval and pride. 

Yes, Dierks did his homework.  He knew his performance Friday night would serve somewhat as a pregame UF vs. Alabama football "pep rally" of sorts and the audience did not disappoint.

I have been to DB shows where the audience was not into it--but that was not the case last night.  For every single song the mostly 20-somethings had a reaction, even clapping along to the soft, slow beat of "My Last Name."

Announcing himself with voice only through the first verse, Dierks hit the stage with Feel That Fire, with the lights hitting him and the band the second the chorus started.  The crowd went wild!  Follwed up by Every Mile A Memory, and Am I The Only One?  Before that song, Dierks told the crowd, "I know you can't drink in here, but who wants to have a couple thousand cold beers and kick it 'til the morning light...maybe at The Swamp?"

Dierks really knows how to connect with the specific audience he is entertaining and this night was no exception.

At one point the crowd began their two outstretched arms clapping up and down gator chop in unison, and Dierks did it too, but asked, "I see ya'll doing this...but what does that mean?...I'm just kidding, I know what that means!"

For "Come A Little Closer," Dierks interjected  a relevant ad-lib:  Come a little closer baby/I feel like layin' you down [on the 50 yard line] continuing the football theme.  Come a little closer baby/I feel like stripping' it down/back to the basics of you and me/and what makes the world go 'round...[like little white tank tops and and Gator football].

During "Country and Cold Cans," where he describes all the things that "go together," the 'summer dresses and cowboy boots' lyric got the loudest response since the majority of the females were wearing just that.

The crowd at one point boo'd a little (the first and only time all night) when Dierks mentioned he wrote, "Up On The Ridge," up on his ridge in Tennessee--"hey you can't boo Tennessee--you beat them every year!" Dierks retorted.

A huge American flag hung from the rafters just above the stage and DB made note of it as he began to introduce his new single, "Home."  But he actually had to quiet the crowd from chanting proudly, USA, USA, USA...before he could continue.  The video is in two parts, one to show the flag, the second to zoom in more.

Before he sang the song, he summoned a group of Navy Seals to the stage to thank them for their service.  One in particular - Pablo, I think - was a UF graduate--and you guessed it--the crowd erupted with pride, when the alum said he only had one thing to say, "Go Gators!"

After "Home," he asked if we liked it and the wordless answer said, "Yes!"

In fact, with all the pride in the O'Connell Center, Dierks could have easily sang his Up On The Ridge U2 cover, "Pride (In The Name of Love)" and the concert-goers would have eaten that up.  He did tell them about being asked to sing/honor the Pink Floyd on Jimmy Fallon the night before in New York City.

I didn't get a set list, but if I remember correctly, he and the guys sang Free and Easy, Trying To Stop Your Leaving, How Am I Doin', Lot of Leavin' Left To Do, Settle For A Slowdown, So So Long, I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes, before ending with a "we're not gonna leave the stage, we're gonna just go straight to the encore" Sideways and What Was I Thinkin'.

Bass player, Cassady Feasby was, as always, flawless on support vocals and when the entire band chimed in at the intro of Up On The Ridge, it was a harmonious masterpiece.

Tim Sergent on steel guitar, Brian Layson on lead guitar, Dan Hochhalter on fiddle, Steve Misamore on drums and Cassady were all introduced by Dierks early in the set vs. toward the end--nice touch, D!  They are all so talented!

Dan Hochhalter on the fiddle, in perfect parallel to Tim Sergent's banjo

First-time arena performer, Canaan Smith opened for Dierks.  His mom and lots of his friends were in the audience right in front of us--never sat down!  They were so proud.  His voice was great, and his guitarist looked a lot like David Cook.  The Nashvillian who lived in Orlando, Florida for a while (originally from Virginia), sang mostly pop-country acoustic ballads, but for the "Na Na" song he got the crowd to participate.  He reminded me of Jack Johnson.  The UF girls all loved him, because his Meet and Greet line after the Dierks show was really long!

My fan club presale ticket seat was six rows back at the end of the cat walk so my photos are not the best, even with 10x zoom, but trust me, the guys were looking and sounding phenomenal last night!

Keeping with tradition, the guys huddled before taking their final bow and Dierks was the last one to leave the stage after picking up the set list.

The Country and Cold Cans tour officially starts next Thursday, October 6 in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  Tour mates Jerrod Niemann and Eli Young Band will open.

~Ronna

DB Congress Chair

Florida

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!