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.