Hosting, Performing, Three Nominations--Dierks Looks To Have A Big Night at Next Week's ACM Awards

Only one week remains to plan your Black-themed party (or at the very least set your DVR)—the Academy of Country Music Awards are Sunday, April 2. And it’s going to be a BIG night for Dierks Bentley.

Next weekend, Dierks returns to host the 52^nd annual ACM Awards with Luke Bryan.

“It’s a great opportunity and a lot of fun,” Dierks said of hosting the ACMs. “Being in Las Vegas gives it a party atmosphere. I had a great time working on the show [last year], from the jokes and the opening monologue to being creative in a different way. And I love Luke!”

In addition to hosting, Dierks is scheduled to perform live at the show (he hinted at performing “Black” in a recent interview!) PLUS he’s nominated for three (deserved—can we say that?!) awards:

• Male Vocalist of the Year
• Album of the Year, Black
• Vocal Event of the Year, Different for Girls, featuring Elle King

The Black album, a risk for Dierks, has earned numerous accolades, including nine nominations between the ACM, CMA and Grammy awards. It received a GOLD certification in February; it’s the only album in the ACM “Album of the Year” category to have reached this mark.

“Different For Girls” was named the CMA Musical Event of the Year at the 2016 awards show. The song Dierks “lost sleep about” has reached people on a relatable level. He believes having Elle as the female vocal lead helped with that success.

“She took a song that was a great song and made it a Grammy-worthy song!”

While, according to Dierks, hosting the show makes performing at it easier, running the show has its own stressors. On the heels of the Oscars flub earlier this year, Dierks had a realization about hosting this year's ACM Awards.

“The [Oscars] taught us that no matter how prepared we are or how great we do up there, as long as there’s a huge screw up at the end, that’s all they’re going to talk about."

So, they came up with a plan to prevent mishaps.

If something goes wrong, they decided Luke will have a wardrobe malfunction.

“At least that way everyone talks about that and not the show,” Dierks joked.

With a night full of fun, talent and recognition, next Sunday is guaranteed to be a memorable night (for Dierks, especially) as country music takes over Las Vegas.

The ACM Awards are Sunday, April 2, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on CBS.

Jessica Borrelli
DB Congress Rep, WA
@AllTheWayToMe

New Dierks Song Released on Movie Soundtrack

Since Dierks Bentley’s first album, where he soon defined his place in country music, and through each album release since, fans have been craving new music. We can’t get enough.

Well, Congress, a musical snack was unveiled to whet your appetite as we eagerly await another album.

“Days of Dark” was just released on the original motion picture soundtrack “The Shack.” The movie, which hit theaters this weekend, tells the story of an unfathomable family tragedy and how they were transformed in a powerful way.

Number nine on the soundtrack, Dierks’ “Days of Dark” has been defined as a personal anthem for anyone who has lost hope. When facing struggles or wanting to give up, all you have to do is turn on this propelling, "emotionally uplifting" song. Laden with metaphors, the lyrics define personal darkness then morph into a story of light.

With his iconic “smoked gravel” voice carrying the song through, and an opportunity to open up his vocal range, it’s clear this song is classic Dierks. Through each brilliant verse, chorus and bridge, the Dierks we’ve loved over the last eight albums rings through. As would be needed with a story as powerful as this song tells, the music itself is strong enough to carry the positive message through, starting from the first note.

Dierks recently sat down to discuss the writing of "Days of Dark" and the honor he feels in being part of this movie:



The soundtrack is available through iTunes, Amazon music, pretty much anywhere music is sold. You can hear the song here:

“Days of Dark” was written by Dierks Bentley, Josh Osborne, and Ryan Tyndell.

Others featured on the soundtrack include country artists such as Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, and Brett Eldredge.

Jessica Borrelli
DB Congress Rep, WA
@AllTheWayToMe

Dierks Bentley and Jon Pardi get "Strait" to classic country on the "What The Hell" Tour

Whether you were born wearing cowgirl boots or just donned your first pair at a recent "What The Hell" Tour concert, there are some country classics with which everyone can sing along. 

So when Dierks Bentley and Jon Pardi decided to have some extra fun on tour, honoring one of their biggest heroes was just too good to pass up.

Man, did they do it justice.

During a recent “What the Hell” Tour concert, Dierks and Jon, after a time of banter and joking with the crowd, led the band (and entire audience!) in the George Strait 1987 hit “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.”

One fan* posted a video of this talented performance, which you can watch here (song begins at 1:57):

George Strait holds a special place in Dierks’ heart. Early in his career, Dierks had the privilege of opening for George on tour. At one of those concerts, Dierks met up with his childhood sweetheart, Cassidy, again (who would later become his wife!). On that same tour, when in Dierks’ hometown of Phoenix, Ariz., George played “I Just Want to Dance With You” because he knew it was Dierks’ mom’s favorite song.

From growing up listening to George through his parents, to opening for George on tour, to now headlining his own show and paying homage to his hero, Dierks certainly has a connection with King George.

As Dierks said in a recent interview, “He is tied into my family in many, many ways.”

One more unforgettable way was just added to those memories. It was worth every mile.

Jessica Borrelli
DB Congress Rep, WA
@AllTheWayToMe


*Thank you to YouTube user "shyloh durocher" for the video.