Memorial Day and Every Day, How Dierks Bentley Honors Those who Died for our Freedom

You only need to listen to his music or see him perform live to know how much America means to Dierks Bentley.   His patriotism is on full display every day. And on Memorial Day, a day to remember and honor those who fought and died for our country's freedom,  we couldn't help but think about how his words and music do just that.

The most obvious song is "Home," from the 2012 album of the same name. Written by Dan Wilson, Brett Beavers and Dierks, the lyrics subtly serve as a reminder that many of our military gave their life for something they believed in--freedom. 

brave, gotta call it brave, to chase that dream across the sea
names, then they signed their names, for something they believed
red, how the blood ran red, and we laid our dead in sacred ground
just think, wonder what they’d think if they could see us now
it’s been a long hard ride, got a ways to go
but this is still the place that we all call home
it’s been a long hard ride, and i won’t lose hope
this is still the place that we all call home

Several years ago, Dierks performed "Home" at Country Music: In Performance at the White House--a series of events created to showcase the music that's contributed to the fabric of American culture.



"'Home" has been a staple in Bentley's set list since 2012 and fans capture that image of freedom every night at his live shows, where he sometimes brings members of our military on stage.



Photo by Stephanie Lanham, DBC Rep, Missouri



Photo by Stephanie Lanham, DBC Rep, Missouri

Photo by Marycoleen Geiger, DBC Rep, Louisiana




Photo by Dan Foley, DBC Rep, Massachusetts and featured in "The Mountain" video

Many fans in the audience come prepared to show their love of America during Dierk's performances.

 

Photo by Meghan Dunphy



Photo by Roger Stroupe, DBC Rep, Ohio

His father, Leon, served as a First Lieutenant in WWII and during Dierks' performances of  "I Hold On" you can see his image in the flag on the big screen as Dierks sings, I hold on Like the stripes to the flag, Like a boy to his dad I can't change who I am, right or wrong So I hold on.  Leon Bentley died June 1, 2012 and for many shows after that, Dierks would sing Home and pay homage to his dad by changing the lyrics slightly: just think, wonder what He'd think if He could see Me now.

He'd be so proud, Dierks!


Photo by Carrie Srebro, DBC Rep, North Carolina


In 2016, the Black album brought us "Freedom," more evidence of Dierks' love of our country.  Written By Ashley Gorley, Ross Copperman and Dierks, he sings: That flag on a solider's sleeve
All around the world they know what it means, And they all just wanna little piece of freedom, yeah

These are just a few examples of how Dierks honors our country every day and those who fell defending it.

Don't miss seeing Dierks on the Mountain High Tour this year with Brothers Osborne and LANCO.  See tour schedule here.


Ronna Clark (FL)
DB Congress Chair