Dierks Bentley's Top Highlights of 2013

Birthing a bar and a new baby boy (Knox) are just a few of Dierks Bentley's accomplishments in 2013. Raising money for worthy causes,and giving back to the fans and "Home" country were all huge themes as well.  Check out our list (in no particular order) and let us know if there's any we missed!

1. Performing on The Grammy's: Miranda Lambert brought her tourmate and our DB Congress president to The Grammys back in February. They performed their #1s "Over You" and "Home." Dierks said, "To perform on the Grammys will be one of the coolest things ever. I am thrilled beyond belief." We were thrilled to see him on our televisions at an awards show! Watch here.
2. Opening Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row:  Opening a bar was something that Dierks always wanted to do.  So, on July 4th the bar with his namesake opened in Scottsdale, AZ. The bar has a 1920's feel with a modern country vibe, warm wood surroundings and a 360-degree stage. It prides itself on being a technologically advanced bar as well as having taps at every table. The menu is American Gastropub with a twist. Dierks has been known to frequent his own bar several times since the opening, so it definitely needs to be a part of a DRT.  Check it out here!
   
   
3. CMA Fest: Ah Lenny Kravitz, not sure what he was doing at CMA Fest, but if you witnessed that fiasco, you know what came afterwards. Dierks knew he totally had to get the crowd back after that, and boy did he deliver! His performance was killer, even jumping into the crowd. Storme Warren even said that Dierks Bentley had the most applause of anyone at the fest! “I don’t have a hometown, I have a home country,” he said. “This song is called ‘Home’ and I’m sending it out to all the guys and girls that keep this country safe. This song is for them.”
4. Country Cares Benefit Concert honoring the fallen firefighters in his home state of Arizona! It was an emotional, joyous and sad, but successful evening in Arizona at the Country Cares Concert. The event, headlined by AZ native Dierks Bentley, who brought in Randy Houser, The Band Perry and David Nail to play, raised more than $476,000 for the Granite Mountain Hot Shots' families. Dierks introduced a new song, "Here On Earth" - a tribute to his dad and all 19 firefighter heroes who perished in the Yarnell Hill wildfires near Prescott.
5. ACM Party For A Cause in Vegas: Day two of the outdoor music and philanthropic event was headlined by Dierks himself. He brought the party as well as Sheryl Crow, who came out and sang, and Tim McGraw who  presented a military family with a new home.
6. Finding Jake: Severe thunderstorms aren't liked by many dogs and Jake is no exception. On January 13th, Dierks beloved companion jumped a fence at the house and ran off. Dierks took to social media to rally fans and friends to help find Jake.  In just a few hours, Dierks' wife, Cassidy, notified him that someone posted on Facebook that Jake had been found. Jake was almost hit by a car but was saved by Anna Belle. Dierks was no doubt elated. He tweeted "One of the happiest days of my life. Grown men don't cry.....yeah right."
   
   
7. Record Breaking MM4K:  Because of Dierks Bentley, kids have hope.  Raising over $307,000 for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in the Miles and Music For Kids event, Dierks broke all previous years' records!  Guest appearances by Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, Brett Eldredge, Easton Corbin and Chase Rice made 2013 a huge success!
8. His baby boy Knox: Dierks announced at LCB9 that he and Cass were expecting a baby boy. Already having two girls, he was thrilled. Well, Baby Boy Bentley arrived on October 9th. Dierks tweeted his admiration for his wife "well...our boy knox is here! about to have the best tasting cold beer of my life! so proud of my wife. she rocked it. crazy stuff. #beerme"
9. Spends Labor Day Running:  With a killer time of 21:38 in the 5k Franklin Classic, Dierks was a little worried about his competition. "These girls look hard core!" he tweeted, referring to daughters Evie and Jordan.
   
   
   
10. Hosting the ACM Honors:  For the second consecutive year, Dierks hosted and performed with Ricky Skaggs.  He "blending informality and irreverence made possible by the lack of network television cameras with a genuine appreciation of the night's award winners," according to USA Today.
    
    
    
11. Locked and Re-loaded Tour with Miranda Lambert. Dierks has said that some of the best times he has had out on the road have been with Miranda and her crew. Well, the two friends joined up to tour together again in 2013 and gave fans all across the country a night to remember at every tour stop. Dierks' set list closed out with a patriotic, cell phones in the night sky, "Home."  Collaborations included "Bad Angel," Goyte's "Someone That I Used To Know" and "King of the Road."
12. The NEW DB Congress T-Shirts now available exclusively to congress members in the dierks.com store.  The design was personally approved by Dierks himself!
    
    
    
13. Giving away guitars and experiences:  Dierks found a way to give back to the fans in a big way.  During each show, he pulled a fan on stage to play his guitar during, "Lot of Leaving Left To Do" and signed and handed a brand new Fender to a fan at the end! Many DB Congress reps were happy recipients!
    
    
    
14. Dierks is featured on other artists' albums...The David Mayfield Parade (Tempted), Brad Paisley (Outstanding In Our Field), Terri Clark (Golden Ring) and The Cadillac Three (The South).
15. Bourbon In Kentucky, debuts on radio and gets fans fired up, but was quickly replaced with the lead single from upcoming Riser album  after high demand for "I Hold On." Watch live from the Grand Ole Opry:
    
    
16. I Hold On: Dierks' latest emotional and personal single received national television exposure when he and the band were able to perform it on both The View and America's Got Talent. Country radio got behind the song, pushing it to #21 on the Billboard Airplay charts (#20 as of Jan 5th charts), and fans organically posted what they hold on to.
17. Last Call Ball 9:   Having to cancel LCB8 due to his dad's death in June 2012, Dierks shared his personal feelings with his fan club, with a acoustic set featuring new music, and lots of heartfelt conversation.
18. In memory of George Jones: Country music icon and Dierks' friend George Jones passed away this year. The Possum's final concert turned into a tribute on November 22nd in which many country artists performed, including Dierks who sang "I Always Get Lucky With You."
    
    
19. Dierks announced the title for his next album, "Riser." An initial Fall release date was pushed back and we are all waiting with excitement for an announcement soon for a 2014 release date.  Get caught up on all our exclusive DB Congress interviews with Riser songwriters and producers here.

Leave a comment and we will draw a winner for a 2014 Country Music Hall of Fame calendar featuring Dierks on September!  Drawing to be held January 1, so post your thoughts now!

Trucks and Cars and Planes, Oh My! Dierks Bentley Enjoys His Rides

Dierks Bentley loves to go fast. Whether he's touring non-stop for days or in one of his many motor vehicles--he's got a truck, a car, jeep, a motorcycle, a boat, a bus, an ATV and even a plane --everything but a train--could his next ride be a NASCAR stock car?  Check out this article/interview from nascar.com.

"I just took a lap in the pace car and I wish I could have taken it for a spin. I think I could do all right. I had go-karts as a kid and I raced them, so I think it be comparable (laughs). No, even just being in the pace car, sitting shotgun, going into the corners, going whatever speed we were going. I think in the backstretch we were going 140 and under 100 in the corners. Even that, you could feel the “G’s” and feel the pull and I could see how it would be pretty exhausting after doing that for real, three times the speed with other cars around you all day long..."

A week before the last race of the season, Dierks popped up on the schedule as the opening show before the Homestead Miami Speedway race on November 17.  Living in Florida, I couldn't pass it up!  So I drove 10 hours round trip, picked up Sherrie on the way, and ran in to Dierks in - of all places -- the fan zone.  How appropriate.  He saw us first-before we saw him-and took time to take a picture, thank us for coming and comment on our attire, before walking in to the media center-probably to do that interview.  I was reppin' the Miles and Music Shirt and Sherrie donned a little white tank top.  So we're thinkin' this last part could be about us!

On what it's like to learn from someone the impact a song has had on them:
You meet those fans and that’s what fuels you. Bumped into a couple out here that were wearing my stuff and they come out here and they are sweating, they’re sunburned, but they’re excited to be here and you use that little extra boost, not that you even need it. What we do does matter and these songs get woven into the thread of people’s lives.


VIDEO - HOME



VIDEO - I HOLD ON



VIDEO - TIP IT ON BACK - STAGE DIVE



In case you're wondering about Dierks' other rides, here is some history:

His Truck - Big White - has over 200,000 miles and is the subject of the first verse of  "I Hold On."

His Car - a 1967 Camero - caught fire one night and Charles Kelley from Lady A was there.

His Jeep - a 1977 CJ7 - is often spotted with Dierks driving through parking lots of venues, saying hi to fans

His Motorcycle - a Harley - leads the pack every year at his Miles and Music For Kids Charity event

His Boat - a pontoon named the S.S. Grizzled Veteran - a houseboat he used to live on 10-12 years ago

His Bus- Old Goldie - turned a million - miles that is, somewhere around the Canada/US border last February.

His ATV - an end-of-tour gift from Miranda Lambert, ended up in a tree

His Plane - a custom Cirrus SR22T Xi - so he can get to and from shows, and back home to his family faster

Now about that train.... could it be true? "Train's a comin' / It'll be here 'fore too long."


~Ronna
DB Congress Chair (FL)

Dierks Gets 'Lucky' at the Final No Show George Jones Tribute

The “Playing Possum: The Final NO SHOW” tribute concert was held Friday night, November 22, 2013 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN.  More than 100 artists performed, and Dierks Bentley was lucky enough to be one of those artists to honor his friend, George Jones.

George's wife Nancy described it as a family reunion.  Dierks said "it's like "The @CountryMusic Awards Meets `Field of Dreams'," according to a tweet from David Wild (@Wildaboutmusic).

Travis Tritt shared this photo on Twitter of him and his wife, Bobby Bare, Miranda, Blake and Dierks from backstage:



Singing, "I Always Get Lucky With You," Dierks poured his heart and soul into the classic Jones song.  USA Today correspondent for Nashville, Brian Mansfield tweeted:

"You can tell @DierksBentley has spent lots of time studying how to sing like #GeorgeJones. It pays off for "I Always Get Lucky With You.""

A play by play from The Tennessean showed Dierks played at 8:33 p.m., and afterward, Ralph Emery said “One of my favorite singers,” shaking his hand after the performance.

A few DB Congress reps were 'lucky' enough to be there in person. Ashley Wardrip says she doesn't remember much, "other than he was amazing, I was very excited, and after he was done I was ready to leave!  Everything was so rushed because they had so many artists there; they announced him, he sang, and left.

Special thanks to Ashely's friend Cathey Morris for sharing her video with us of the special moment!  At the end, Dierks holds up his guitar, as if to George in heaven, and said, "God Bless George Jones."

Because of Dierks Bentley, Kids at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital Have Hope

Because of Dierks Bentley, kids at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN have hope.  

Dierks' 8th annual Miles And Music For Kids charity event started off on Sunday, November 3, 2013 with a motorcycle ride from Harley-Davidson in Columbia, TN and over 1,000 bikers rode to the Riverfront downtown Nashville for a full line up concert.  Many DB Congress reps were among the riders.

"Charitable gifts are critical to our fight to find treatments and cures for childhood illness and injury that will reach well beyond our region and potentially save the lives of millions of children," states the hospital's website. It goes on to say, "Gifts of any size matter and support hope and healing at Children’s Hospital." 

This year, Bentley's event raised $307,296 for the kids--that's a lot of hope and healing!  And he broke his own  record, with that being the largest one day amount in the event's history.  All total, this event has raised over $2.5 million dollars in eight years for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country.

As soon as Dierks signed the over-sized check, the little girl in the pink hoodie (a patient at the hospital), literally 'took the money and ran' off the stage!

Photo by Harriett Watkins

Artists who performed to the nearly sold out crowd of 10,000 included Tyler Reeves who warmed up the audience while waiting for Bentley and the riders to arrive.  Jake Owen, Brett Eldredge, Chase Rice, Easton Corbin and Luke Bryan followed.

Every year, the support from the fans for these events catches me off-guard,” said Bentley. “I shouldn’t be surprised because the country music community is the first to open their wallets to help out, but this year they were lined up before the sun was even up."

On stage, Dierks thanked not only the fans, but all the artists who gave their time for the good of the kids:

"...to the guys that showed up and played on this stage today that gave up their time, but equally as important, if not more so...you guys [the fans], spending the money and time to come out and and raise...you're the reason why we all get to do this and we are just so thankful for the success you have given me and all these guys to a great cause like the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital...so thank you guys."

See photo slide show from The Tennessean here.

Because of Dierks Bentley, hundreds of fans have become good friends over the last 8-10 years.  Meeting through the fan club, the DB Congress gathered the night before to support Dierks by signing get well cards for the kids in the hospital. Nearly 30 reps from 14 states assembled to meet new Dierks fans and reminisce with old friends.  The camaraderie is amazing.

Photos below by Laci Kent Photography.  See more of her photos of Miles and Music For Kids here.

Brett Eldredge

Chase Rice - "I'm going out on tour w/ Dierks next near...not sure I was supposed to tell yet."

Dierks brought this little girl on stage and then gave her a signed guitar after the show

L to R: Brian Layson, Cassady Feaby, Dierks, Dan Hochhalter and Tim Sergent on banjo in the background

Dierks

Dierks

Easton Corbin led a sing along to "Roll With It"

Jake Owen 

Luke Bryan.  While Luke was singing, Dierks' daughters Evie and Jordan
 were side stage dancing, while Dierks himself was singing along to every word

Once the sun set behind the Nashville buildings, the temperature dropped; but that didn't stop DB Congress from showing their support of their favorite artist with "I Hold On" Little White Tank Tops, which Dierks seemed to really appreciate.  He sprinkled in "I Hold On" white tanks tops into the song lyrics for "What Was I Thinkin," "Sideways," and even the namesake song itself.

Watch the Nashville Country Club's video interviews of Dierks, Easton Corbin, Eric Close (Nashville TV show) and DB Congress NC rep, Sandra Grubb here.

DBTV recap by Ryan "Flash" Silver:




Because of Dierks Bentley, it was a memorable weekend for a great cause.

Dierks Bentley Tells His Story Through Music Video for "I Hold On"

Dierks Bentley's new video for his top 30 single, "I Hold On," tells a story of faith, love and freedom.

It's Dierks' own personal story, complete with antics with the guys in the band on the road, his bus, his truck (although Big White is a Chevy and it's clearly a Ford in the video), his guitar that's "had [his] back in a million bars," a hockey game, his love for his wife and baby and remembering his dad in heaven. You'll find fast signs of freedom in the form of subtle American flags sprinkled throughout. Director Wes Edwards ("5-1-5-0" and "Tip It On Back" videos) has captured the essense of DB's humble and grateful nature.

There's even a split second nod (although probably not intentional) to us--the DB Congress. See if you can spot our "sign" as you watch the video below.

Press Release from The Green Room PR (October 29, 2013):

Critics Point to the "Poignancy" and "Intensity" of the Lead Single From Dierks' Upcoming Studio Album RISER 
 

Dierks has teamed up with CBS to premiere the music video for his emotional and autobiographical new single “I Hold On” across multiple CBS properties.  Today, omg! Insider will take fans behind the scenes of the shoot for a sneak peek of the video before it officially premieres tomorrow morning across CBS digital properties including all CBS country radio stations’ websites, Radio.com, MetroLyrics.com and ACMCountry.com.
 

Shot in Nashville, TN and over a weekend of tour dates in Texas, the new video was directed by Wes Edwards and follows a young musician balancing his climb in the music business with keeping a firm grip on the values he holds close.  According to Music Row, the lead single from his forthcoming studio album RISER is a "song that shakes you" and Bentley "delivers with conviction."
 

“It was really important to me that this video capture the story of this song…my story.  But it also needed to take on the more universal themes that the choruses cover,” said Dierks. “The lyrics were written from such a real and emotional place, and I put a lot of pressure on making sure this video held up to what Brett James and I wrote that day.  I hope when people listen to it, they raise their beers up, but this time for the bigger idea of what we all stand for as country music fans…faith, love and freedom."

We are so looking forward to the new album, Riser, and continue to promote this single to radio!  Let's get it to #1, congress!

Dierks Bentley Welcomes Baby Boy, Knox, To Carry On His "Last Name"

About 23 hours ago, our DB Congress president (Dierks Bentley) tweeted that his new baby boy, Knox, was born: October 9, 2013!  (Photo from 2010 CMA Awards when wife Cassidy was pregnant with Jordan, 2).

Bringing the boys to the lead in the Bentley household--Dierks, Knox, Jake and George (dogs)--DB shared his pride and joy with the Twitter world:

With just 50,137 to go, new daddy Dierks may reach one million followers sooner than later, as the news spread like wild fire today.

And in true character, he wanted to make sure to thank everyone:

Nobody's sayin', but we're wondering if "Knox" is possibly a family name, similar to the way that "Dierks" is his mom's maiden last name.

Apparently, baby boy Knox and mom Cassidy are doing great--well enough for Dierks to perform tonight in Lincoln, Nebraska.  But earlier today, he spent some time with his two girls (Evie who just turned 5 on Oct. 4 and Jordan who will be 3 on Christmas day) to explain what it means to have a baby brother:

"could have done without seeing my son's "stick out" (as my girls call it) covered in blood. ouch! makes you question the circumcision thing...I try not to post too many pics of my kids but this is too good: me trying to explain what circumcision is and why"

The look on their face is priceless!

Congratulations Dierks and Cassidy!  Hugs from all your 'congress! We can't wait to see pictures!


Passed down from generations too far back to trace
I can see all my relations when I look into my face
May never make it famous but I'll never bring it shame
It's my last name
-Dierks Bentley, Harley Allen

Meet Mariana Bowring, Dierks Bentley's 'Stand-In' Guitarist In Georgia

If you've been to a recent Dierks Bentley show, you know he usually gives one fan--who looks like they're rockin' and having a good time--an "on-stage experience of a lifetime" by pulling them out of the crowd to the stage, strapping his #7 red Fender Telecaster guitar on them and letting them jam with the band to the rest of "Lot of Leavin' Left To Do."

DB Congress member, Mariana Bowring from Georgia, was the lucky fan during the September 19, 2013 Lakewood Amphitheater show in Atlanta, Georgia.

Although Mariana's first live DB show was only a few years ago, she's been a fan "ever since I've loved country music," she admits to DB Congress.  She is a dedicated DBC-er, posting, tweeting, promoting and requesting Dierks daily!

Here's her Dierks back-story:

"The first time I saw Dierks Bentley perform was CMA Fest 2011, but I'd known about him for as long as I've loved country music. During his set he sang "Up On The Ridge" and "Draw Me A Map" (neither of those songs had I heard before) and I instantly fell in love and had to hear more of that music! So I bought the "Up On The Ridge" album, and because I loved that so much, I bought a banjo (I just had to make that same kind of music). 

Then the "Home" album came out and that became the second Dierks album I bought and I loved every song! So I decided I needed to see Dierks on tour and in concert! I joined the fan club and stalked the dates for something near me. But because I kept moving, we kept missing each other. 

The second time I saw him was CMA Fest 2012 and by then I was dying to see him at a real concert! He was finally coming to where I lived, but we ended moving again a month before that show. I was heart-broken. After moving, for some reason, they added an extra date and it was gonna be only two hours from me! That was the Macon, GA show where I got a Meet & Greet and got pulled on stage the first time! 

I do play banjo (although I am a beginner, not at all that good at it!) And because Dierks is the reason I got a banjo, I got it signed by him at LCB (Last Call Ball annual fan club party) in June! I play guitar, sing and write songs, too. (I'm attempting a country singer-songwriter career). 

The Atlanta show on September 19th was my 10th Dierks Bentley show and one that I had been looking forward to since the date was announced back in December.  I was in the pit, right up at the catwalk and only two people between me and the front of the stage.  The Cadillac Three and Randy Rogers Band were awesome openers and I especially wished RRB had done more songs!  

Then, Dierks Bentley!  It was my favorite show yet (they get better and better every time)!  My favorite songs he did were "I Hold On," "5-1-5-0," "How Am I Doin','" "Feel That Fire," "Home," and of course, "Lot of Leavin' Left To Do." 

I was wearing a 'The Departed' ball cap which Dierks was wearing also, so during the instrumental of LOLLTD, he turned his usually facing backwards cap around and came over to me and pulled me on stage! I was in total shock, since he had already pulled me on stage in Macon!  It was so fun to jam on the guitar and with the band! (Back in March, Dierks left the stage to let me finish the song, so I thought he'd done the same thing this time.  Turns out he was sitting behind me on stage jamming out!) 

Dierks and Mariana

Mariana and Dan Hochhalter

Dierks pulls Mariana up on stage at the 2:40 mark of this video:

Later, at the end of singing, "Feel That Fire," Dierks called me out singing "This girl wants to play my guitar at the Atlanta, Georgia show," and blew me a kiss! 

After "Home" and the final bow, Dierks came over with a guitar, asked if I had one yet (which I didn't), signed it, and gave it to me! I broke down crying--it was the BEST night of my life! 

It was such a great concert, I'd go to it over and over!  Can't wait for show #11 in October!

What Do You "Hold On" To?

Dierks Bentley's newest single, "I Hold On," is steadily making it's way up the charts, but we could use your help!  As you know, in the song Dierks talks about holding on to things in his life that mean the most--his 200K mile truck "Big White" that he and his dad drove to TN; his Willie Nelson and George Jones autographed Martin Guitar; his faith and love for his family; and our freedom in the USA.

What do you hold on to?  Join your fellow DB fans and tweet, email, call, post on Facebook and tell your your story of what the song means to you!  Be sure to tag the DJ and/or radio station and request that they play the song. Also, tag @DierksBentley on Twitter and hash tag #IHoldOn.

Here's an example from Renee ‏@CTcowgirl, DB Congress Rep in Connecticut:

"Here's a pic of what "I Hold On" to @DierksBentley @dbcongress @977wcty I sure am a lucky girl, 7 years in Oct 💞 pic.twitter.com/mMyp54OGJI"



Let's give it all we got to give, congress and campaign to move "I Hold On" to #1 on the charts!

Dierks Performs on America's Got Talent

He wasn't there to compete--no need.  Dierks Bentley showed his true talent when he performed on the NBC America's Got Talent finale last night with country singer contestant, Jimmy Rose.  The duo sang Dierks's newest single, "I Hold On" (a shortened-for-TV version).

Jimmy started out the song, "It's just an old beat up truck..." and although Dierks was away from the microphone, he visibly mouthed the words along with the up and comer, not satisfied to stand silent to his own-penned lyrics!

Jimmy is from Kentucky and served in Iraq and worked briefly as a miner.  Nice job pointing to the American flag when singing, "like the stripes to the flag, like a boy to his dad..."  We're thinking "Down In The Mine" might have been an appropriate encore!

Jimmy left in third place, but we're thinkin' he will show up in Nashville soon!

Watch the performance here:

Dierks Holds On to Hosting Duties, Honors Keith Whitley

Holding on to a second consecutive year of hosting duties for the ACM Honors, Dierks Bentley was "blending informality and irreverence made possible by the lack of network television cameras with a genuine appreciation of the night's award winners," according to USA Today. 

September 9, 2013 - Source: Rick Diamond/Getty Images North America

Tuesday night's seventh annual event at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville was sold out and featured a mix of live music, historical video retrospectives and current video tributes and interviews with industry veterans honoring Special Awards recipients. 

DB Congress Reps were in the audience and shared their impressions of the evening:

Kelsey Hodges - TN
Dierks was so great Tuesday night, he definitely needs to host more shows! He said he was going to join Blake and Luke with the ACMs next year as "Blierks!" haha. He opened the show with "I Hold On," then a performance with Ricky Skaggs to honor Keith Whitley which was out of this world. It was an amazing night, and, it was also cool to share the night with other Congress members!

Mariana Bowring - GA
Dierks was such an awesome host! He opened singing "I Hold On" which really set the mood for the rest of the night in a great way! He kept the show moving right along delivering all his lines strongly and always throwing in some humor whether it was poking fun at Lady A or how much beer he'd been drinking! Later in the night he sang an awesome duet with Ricky Skaggs and then sang a song in tribute Keith Whitley which was beautiful! After the show was able to catch him as he was headed to his truck and got him to sign my hat! Awesome night!

Cecia Guidry Benoit - LA
I had a wonderful night! Dierks really started the show off with a bang by playing "I hold On" and also sang a duet with Ricky Skaggs, "Don't Cheat In My Hometown" AND the BIGGEST highlight was when Dierks sang "I'm Over You" as a tribute to the great Keith Whitley!
Cecia drove right back home so she could see Dierks in Mississippi Wednesday night!

Among the honorees were Blake Shelton and Lady A, and both had tweets for Dierks afterward:

Dierks was equally excited and tweeted a pre-show prep photo:

And Ricky Scaggs had kinds words for Dierks too!

Honorees included a few studio musicians who have played on several of Dierks' album cuts:  Aubrey Haynie (Fiddle Player of the Year) and Guitarist of the Year J.T. Corenflos.

For a complete list of performers, presenters and honorees, click here.

Surprise! Dierks Bentley Wins Over New Fans at The Wildhorse Saloon

Tennessee DB Congress rep, Alicia Alarid, is our guest blogger today! She agreed to share her unique, "surprise" experience with us!

"This past Sunday my husband and I went to the annual Dollar General Literacy Foundation event at The Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville.  We have gone to this event numerous times over the years and there is always a “secret” entertainer that they keep very hush-hush.  We have seen some great acts like Sarah Evans, Darius Rucker and Blake Shelton to name a few. 

Every year I try and snoop to see who the entertainment will be to decide if it is worth the time.  This year a little birdie told me they heard it was “Dierks something or other.”  I almost died!  I was unwilling to believe it 100% as I had been given bad information in the past, but of course I checked Dierks.com to see if it was even possible, and he wasn’t otherwise engaged. 

When I arrived downtown my first order of business was to do a drive by and look for Old Goldie (tour bus) or Big White (Dierks' truck).  Nothing.  My heart sank.  I thought for sure I had been fooled.  When the doors opened we went inside and I cased the stage.  Everything was covered, except for orange amps stage left – I started feeling a little more at ease.
  

We went upstairs and did the required chit chat, etc., as this was after all a work event.  Then I saw some movement on stage – someone brought out a very rough looking acoustic Martin guitar, and that was it – I was down in front of the stage in seconds.
  

Once the DG people did their business and finally announced the artist, everyone filled in around us.  (I obviously was the only one that had some forewarning).  It was fantastic!  We were right up front, mic stand in our faces.  Dierks and the guys were amazing as always--he really knew how to grab the attention of those who had no idea who he was. 

Honestly we were so close that we were behind the speakers and could not hear any of the vocals at all (not a problem when you know every word) but it was so worth it.  Dierks was extremely interactive with the crowd, lots of fist bumps, high fives, and he even took a sip of my beer!  It was an amazing evening. 

At the end of the show I asked him if I could have the set list and he pulled it up and went back and signed it and brought it back.  Somehow I even managed to come home with three different picks, but in all the excitement I don’t even remember getting them!

It was a great show, but unlike the many others that I have been to, most people there did not have any idea who Dierks was.  This was an event with people coming in from all over the United States, most of them in their 40’s and 50’s (and beyond) that don’t follow country music.  Dierks was able to pull all of them in, and from what I could tell by the reaction after the show they absolutely LOVED him.  It was a great opportunity to gain new fans and of course Dierks nailed it!"

Feature DB Congress Rep of the Week: Greg Birkmann, Missouri

Our newest DB Congress rep, Greg Birkmann, has been a Dierks Bentley fan since "What Was I Thinkin'," and recently emailed us to see what the congress thing is all about, wondering if it would be for him.  Apparently it is, because he joined the congress, representing Missouri, and agreed to tell his Dierks story below!

"I've always been a fan of Dierks' music, since "What Was I Thinkin'".  I like how he keeps the traditional sound of country, and throws in a bluegrass sound combined with his own rowdy style.

 

I have to admit, although I've always really liked his music, I didn't really get to know him as a person until last summer when his dad passed away.  I began reading about his passing online, and before I knew it, I was watching every DBTV episode, past interviews, and was really impressed by how much he interacts and involves his fans in his work.  Being a huge fan of country music, and an amateur guitar player & vocalist, I grew great admiration for Dierks.

 

I wanted his autograph, and soon learned about the Congress group and presale offers along with meet & greets, so I joined the fan club.  To my surprise, I was accepted the first time I submitted a request for a meet & greet, and got to meet him last June in Columbia, MO. 

 

I was in a group of 9 people for the M&G, and when he walked in the room, he looked right at me and said, "A few familiar faces."  I didn't really know what that meant at the time, but when I talked to him one on one, he said, "We've met before, haven't we?"  I said no, and then he looked at me and said, "We have the same haircut."  I thanked him for making it cool!

 

I left the M&G thinking he was about the most sincere artist towards his fans I've ever known.  We recently all found out how sincere he is to his home state, along with mankind, with the "Country Cares" event.  I'm now a die hard Dierks fan, and as weird as it sounds, I think of him as a buddy or bro!

 

I'm happy to help promote Dierks by doing what I can.  I look forward to helping team Dierks!"

 

 

Thanks, Greg! Welcome to the DBC family! Be sure to check out the Campaigns!

 

Dierks Bentley Announces Miles And Music For Kids - November 3, 2013

 

Start making your travel plans now, congress! Dierks' 8th annual Miles and Music For Kids is set for November 3, 2013! Stay tuned for details on our annual DBC get together the night before in Nashville to sign get well cards for the kids!

 

 

Dierks is gearing up for his eighth annual “Miles And Music for Kids” celebrity motorcycle ride and concert set for Sun., Nov. 3 in Nashville, TN. Benefiting Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Jake Owen and Easton Corbin are the first announced special guests to join Dierks for the all-star concert. DB Congress Fan Club pre-sale tickets are available beginning Wed., Sept. 4 on www.dierks.com and general public tickets go on sale Frl., Sept. 6 at 10:00am CT through Ticketmaster.

“This is honestly the most fun day of my year, and it brings the whole community together for a great cause,” said Dierks. “We got rained out last year for the first time, so I want to make up for it in a big way. The lineup is going to be killer, and it'll be a fun way to kick off a big week that celebrates country music with the CMA Awards just a few days later.”

Since first hitting the pavement in 2006, Bentley has visited seven cities to raise over $2 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country. This year’s annual event will begin at the Harley Davidson of Columbia (1616 Harley Davidson Blvd., Columbia, TN) for an hour-long ride that ends downtown at Nashville’s Riverfront Park. From Riverfront, Bentley will take the stage for a family-friendly day of music with a lineup that will continue to grow as the event approaches.

Fans can purchase a combo ticket for the ride and concert for $50 or individual concert tickets for $30. Special VIP packages are also available. All proceeds from the event will benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

CLICK HERE to join DB Congress for $9.99 and have first access to Miles & Music pre-sale tickets!

 

The following ticket options will be offered for this event:

 

$300 VIP Rider Ticket includes: Ride in the front of the pack with the Celebrities, a ride t-shirt and VIP Concert ticket with access to VIP Dealership area with food and non alcoholic beverages and the Concert VIP Tent with donated food & 3 donated beverages

$150 VIP Concert Ticket includes:  VIP Concert ticket with access to the VIP Concert Tent with donated food & 3 donated beverages.

 

$50 Rider Concert Ticket includes: GA Concert ticket & ride. All riders have to have this ticket.

 

$30 Concert Ticket ONLY includes: GA Concert ticket only

Dierks' MM4K event on Sunday will kick off CMA Awards week, with the awards show following on Wednesday night 11/6.

Dierks Bentley Gets "5-1-5-0" for Bud Light's "50/50/1" at Irving Plaza in NYC

August 1, 2013, Dierks Bentley, was the artist chosen to represent New York in Bud Light Music First's "50/50/1" event, featuring live performances from every state in the USA!  Irving Plaza in New York City was bubbling over with excitement all afternoon, as over 1,000 "free" ticket holders tried to get inside.

Thanks to the Dierks Bentley fan club for giving away last minute tickets that were hard to come by through Bud Light and NASH-FM!  Tara and I made plans to meet at the venue.  It was two planes and a taxi ride to Manhattan, then the all-day-anxiety of getting to the rail to be front row stage center were well worth it to experience the man and the band up close and personal.

Dierks' entertainment style is just that--personal.  For an hour and a half, he connected with dozens in the crowd, pointing, making eye-contact, slapping high-fives, touching finger tips, and even bringing one lucky girl up on stage to play his guitar.  Then he left her up there to come down into the audience, and sat on the rail right between me and Tara.  Special thanks to those DB Congress reps at home watching all this streaming online and capturing that moment! Not bad quality for a computer screen capture! Thanks, Janet!

Dierks joked that she was brave to wear an "Alabama" shirt
to a "New York" show

He was clearly having a good time but more than that, he was making sure everyone in the room was having fun, too.  And he does it all so naturally.  He just says whatever comes to mind.

Like when introducing his multi-talented band of brothers, he shared with us each of their nicknames.  Brian Layson (lead guitar) is Cactus; Steve Misamore (drums) is Steve when he's sober, Tony when he's drunk and Dwayne when he is high. Dierks asked, "Which one are you tonight, Steve?", who held up 2, maybe 3 fingers. Cassady Feasby (bass) is "the doctor," but he called him "nerd-o" that night. Tim Sergeant "Sarge" (steel, banjo) comes from Kentucky. "We can all use a little "K-Y" on tour," Dierks quipped.  Dan Hochhalter (fiddle, guitar) is "The Hawk" (who played injured after a bicycle accident two days before.).  He also teased Dan about his supply of Cialis and his use of performance enhancing drugs. Dierks joked he'd be there all night for the comedy and to "try the veal," but then promised to get back to singing after he said Steve gave the signal that the comedy hour was over.

Brian "Cactus" Layson

Steve / Tony/ Dwayne Misamore

Cassady "nerd-o" Feasby

Tim Sergeant from "KY"

Dan "The Hawk" Hochhalter

Even though Dierks was the headliner, Chris Stapleton stole some hearts and mesmerized souls as he belted out several songs he wrote ("Your Man"-Josh Turner and "The Right Ones," that he wrote with "Home" co-writer Dan Wilson).

Beautiful harmonies emanated when his wife joined him on the Waylon Jennings classic, "Amanda," and a few others.  Watching and listening to him sing "Sometimes I Cry" --just him and his guitar--it was so moving.  Pure, raw, powerful emotion. Too bad most of the venue was talking over it--how disrespectful!

His single, "What Are You Listening To?" is now available on iTunes, and I promise you are gonna wanna download it pronto.

You may remember Chris as the lead vocalist for the GRAMMY nominated bluegrass band The Steel Drivers, but the first time I heard his powerful voice was on Dierks' Up On The Ridge album on track two, "Fallin' For You."  We could see the set list on the stage floor and were excited to see the song listed with (w/CS) next to it!

"This guy right here sang on this next song [on the Up On The Ridge record] and we haven't done this song in like three years. But man, it's so very not often you get a chance to hang with one of your buddies on the road and then he's here and you get a chance to sing a song we were just singing back stage and we said, 'hell if we're singing it backstage we might as well take it to the stage and sing it for these hard core fans.'  I look down at this front row of fans that have been following me my whole life with these Stubbs hats and Stubbs T-shirts...this is a one time deal in New York and this is one of the best singers I've ever heard in my life." ~Dierks Bentley

In addition to the "one time deal" that was "Fallin For You," other songs the die-hards in the audience heard that night away from the typical set list were "Summer On Fire" and "Bourbon In Kentucky."  Dierks also performed a song that he hasn't sang in recent shows, but a fan favorite:  "How Am I Doin'" really brought the energy of the crowd way up. As he sang to a woman, who although there with a male companion, had her lips in a pucker for a kiss, a guy in the front row had his arm around his Dierks' waist!

It turned out to be very funny because later when he was singing "Come A Little Closer" he sang "I feel like layin' you down" and added "at least the girls."

The Will Ferrell look-alike that makes an appearance at every DB show in NYC was there in the balcony, and Dierks made sure to point him out to the crowd and shout out some of his favorite flicks like "Semi Pro" and how they were awaiting the release of Anchorman 2.

When he started singing his newest single, "I Hold On," we held up our signs of support ("We Hold On") and the live stream caught a glimpse on camera.

"What Was I Thinkin'" and "Sideways" signaled the encore, and  had everyone in the crowd jumping on their feet with the energy at an all time high. But the crowd got quiet and attentive when the introductory notes to "Home" started.  As Dierks has said before, he does not have a home state, but a home country-the USA and as before, the statement was met with roaring applause and screams. With cell phones high in the air, everyone there celebrated great music, a great performance and the great country we live in.

The guys take their final bow and Dierks drops to his knees to say thank you to everyone. No--thank YOU for a great experience!

After the show, we were walking around the front of the venue and we saw Dierks in a van. Proving yet again, what a wonderfully warm person he is, he looked over and said "hey Tara, come here...hey Ronna, come here." Hugs were exchanged as we talked about the show. He actually commented that he was watching us watch Chris Stapleton perform and was impressed with how respectful we were. He was gracious enough to get out of the van and we took a photo at his suggestion.

The man is not only a talented singer songwriter, but a person with a generous heart who truly appreciates his fans. And Dierks, we always will appreciate you and be Dierks fans for life!

Every Mile A Memory!  The next day I rode a train to Grand Central Station, a taxi to the airport and two planes all day to get back home to Florida but it was totally worth it--it always is! Tara lives in New York and tweeted: @DierksBentley 2hr drive into city, 5hours in line, mega anxiety...would I do it again?...yes!!


Set List:
Am I The Only One
Free and Easy
5-1-5-0
Summer On Fire
Every Mile A Memory
Lot of Leavin' Left To Do
Settle For A Slowdown
Feel That Fire
Tip It On Back
Up On The Ridge
Fallin' For You (w/Chris Stapleton)
Bourbon In Kentucky
Come A Little Closer
How Am I Doin'?
I Hold On
=========
Encore:
What Was I Thinkin'?
Sideways
Home


~Ronna Clark
DB Congress (FL)

~Tara Toro
DB Congress (NY)