In addition to a headlining tour and his own festival, Dierks Bentley's 2019 was a year themed around promotions, podcasts, special appearances and appeals for helping others--all in the spirit of "Living." As year two of The Mountain comes to a close, let's take a look back at all the memories!
JANUARY
JANUARY
The year started off strong for both Dierks and his team, and for fans across North America, as well--the Burning Man tour hit the road Jan. 17. With nine stops in Canada (where he has much respect, given his love of hockey!), and dozens more across the US, the tour was hailed as the "Most Anticipated Show of the Year." A summer extension of the tour was announced in February, adding 31 more tour dates!
But to kick off a tour of this magnitude, the promotion needed to be just right. So Dierks got the help of his tourmates, Jon Pardi and Tenille Townes, to help promote a tour "on ice." Check it out here:
Just two weeks after the start of the tour, Dierks received incredible news: Burning Man hit #1, the 18th of his career!
FEBRUARY
Happy birthday to dbcongress.com, which celebrated 10 years on Feb. 1!
On the heels of Burning Man topping the charts, it was time for a DB Congress favorite to be released, as the third single from The Mountain: Living. (Continue reading for info on the highly-praised music video and for the results of how this one did on the charts!)
The Grand Ole Opry loves Dierks as much as we do, so it's no surprise to see their name numerous times throughout the year. The first was for a concert entitled Grand Del Opry--all to honor bluegrass legend Del McCoury on his 80th birthday! Dierks was a special guest for the evening, coming on stage numerous times for what was clearly playtime for the artists!
Dierks "left it all on stage during his sold-out" concert stop at the legendary Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tn., on Feb. 22. The 4-hour show was deemed unforgettable with its energy and surprise guests (including Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert!). The stop was unforgettable for Dierks himself, as he shared this highlight video of the evening just one week later:
MARCH
Dierks was featured on a number of podcasts this year! The first was with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum podcast, Voices in the Hall. This podcast brings "insightful conversations with compelling artists." Dierks' did not disappoint. You can read more about his interview and listen to it here (recorded Feb. 22).
While a noted singer-songwriter today, Dierks is simultaneously resurrecting the past, leading a 90s country resurgence through his side group Hot Country Knights (otherwise known as the guys in the band). Though HCK has been around for years, they are a new flavor of country for many fans. Mainstream media finally caught on, advertising them as a band that would open for Seven Peaks Music Festival later this year, though DBCers knew they'd been "touring with Dierks" for quite some time already!
"Country Music: Live at the Ryman, A Concert Celebrating The Film By Ken Burns" was filmed March 27, with Dierks as the headliner. "The concert, which was shot live, explores country’s roots while also highlighting the diversity of musical styles and artists that fall under the country music label." The film aired in November on KPBS TV.
APRIL
Dierks was "travelin' light" at the ACMs, with a noteworthy duet with Brandi Carlile, and he walked away with a win for the ACM Music Event of the Year for "Burning Man" in collaboration with Brothers Osborne. (Later in the year, in June, this music video was also up for the CMT Music Awards Collaborative Video of the Year.)
With a single release, a music video is sure to follow--and "Living" was most certainly a sought-after video! It definitely didn't disappoint. Featuring a full day of play with his son Knox, Dierks truly shows the importance of living, this time through the eyes of fatherhood. Click here for behind-the-scenes clips and see below for the full video:
The Living music video was soon dubbed by Rolling Stone a Top 10 Country Video of 2019. "The father-of-the-year award goes to Dierks Bentley, who spends his time during the “Living” video blowing his 5-year-old son’s mind. As the two square off in a Nerf war, grab ice cream cones, and hit up the local waterpark, the song’s carpe diem message springs to vivid, movie-montage-worthy life.”
Dierks also hosted the fourth annual CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence awards, where 30 music teachers throughout Tennessee and U.S. were honored "for their commitment to shaping the next generation through music."As if he wasn't busy enough, Dierks also welcomed the NFL Draft to Music City, by offering a free concert from the Main Stage, right in the streets of downtown Nashville!
Dierks was featured in another podcast, this time with Velvets Edge (to "answer lifestyle questions from beauty and fashion to travel and health. Featuring interviews with interesting people.") This time, the interview was a two parter:
Part 1: "Kelly talks to Dierks Bentley about what getting started in the music business actually looks like, what it feels like to be the Susan Lucci of Country music award shows, [the pros and cons of being famous, and more]."
Part 2: Dierks Bentley answers fan questions with Kelly including most embarrassing moment on stage, [will he ever bring back the curls, and more.]
JUNE
CMA Fest is always filled with energy, and Dierks' 35-minute show was definitely an energy carrier! With non-stop music and his notable interaction with fans, he equated this moment to fully "living." Later in the set, he brought tourmate Tenille Townes on stage to introduce her, saying, “I think the next generation of country music is in good hands. It’s different for girls out there, and I think Tenille Townes is leading the next generation of girls at country radio.”
As CMA Fest continued, Dierks was invited to play with Marty Stuart and others at the Ryman for the Late Night Jam "with a foot stompin’ party that kept onlookers hollering well into Thursday’s early hours."
June brought an injury to which Dierks replied, "You can't bring me down." While spending time with family in Colorado, Dierks was reported to have broken his arm during a mountain biking accident, but even his cast couldn't stop him from picking up his guitar and having a jam session with his oldest daughter, Evie. Watch this adorable (and impressive!) video from their front porch in Colorado:
JULY
Sponsor for the Burning Man tour (and for which Dierks is a spokesperson), 5-Hour Energy release two new TV commercials, featuring our very on DBC President.
100 Percent
Day Off
And further "flexing his goofball muscle" (a side that, let's be honest, we all know and love!), the Highwomen's debut single "Redesigning Women" inspired Dierks to do a dramatic reading of the lyrics. "Clad in corduroy and spectacles and puffing on a pipe, Bentley thumbs through a selection of books -- all written by iconic female authors -- before settling on "Redesigning Women" and beginning to read aloud. The song reflects on the many roles women play in society, splitting their days between careers and family life, and somehow managing to pull it all off." Watch the full reading here:
AUGUST
On Labor Day weekend Dierks brought us his second annual Seven Peaks Music Festival. "With the awe-inspiring mountain views of Buena Vista, CO accompanied by the other “14,000 reasons to go” (CMT.com), fans [including many hard-core DB Congress reps] poured in from 50 states and 6 countries for three days of music on two stages, the “Somewhere On A Beach” daytime party and outdoor adventure experiences unlike any other from a festival that “does it all” (Esquire)." Unlike other festival or tour stops, Dierks was very accessible, constantly roaming the festival grounds and taking selfies with hundreds of fans!
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| Photo credit: Zach Belcher |
Dierks Bentley--the musician and the dad--performs on The Today Show and adopts a puppy—Goose!
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| Credit: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images |
SEPTEMBER
Dierks Bentley's gratitude-filled "Living" becomes his 19th Number One single...marking three consecutive number ones off The Mountain.
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| Credit: The Green Room PR |
Bentley and rising star Tenille Townes are featured in episode three of a newly created podcast, Country Mile, with a "wide-ranging conversation about day-to-day life on an international tour, honing their craft, fiddle fairy dust and festival fringe fashion." Listen here.
Dierks headlined the Community Concert for the Ally Challenge PGA Tour golf tournament, benefitting charities in Michigan, and was part of the Celebrity Foursome exhibition featuring the legendary Jack Nicklaus and Kid Rock.
Honoring George Strait and Loretta Lynn, Dierks performed at the second Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards.
OCTOBER
DB Congress surpasses 900 reps world-wide!
Records Duet with Maddie and Tae on their new EP, "Lay Here With Me."
Dierks was honored to play the inaugural concert at West Point, especially with his dad and granddad serving in the US Military.
The Riser Foundation receives more than $33,000 from a fundraiser at Joe's Bar in Chicago.
Celebrates 14 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, October 1. "Dierks Bentley may be the only singer banned from the Grand Ole Opry before he even got to sing there."
Featured on Chase the Dream Podcast with Ed Mylett. "This interview is raw and honest, Dierks and I come clean about how we don’t always want to go on stage. However, the moment we do, we realize exactly why we love it, and that’s because it feels like HOME."
Performs at Delebration Bluegrass Fest with Del McCoury and Sam Bush.
Each year, the highly-coveted '10 Songs I Wish I’d Written' Awards are voted on by Professional Songwriter Members of NSAI honoring the work of their songwriter peers. Dierks' "Burning Man" makes the 2019 list!
Named Spokesperson for Music Health Alliance’s “Heal The Music Day,” October 18, 2019, Dierks helped to raise $400,000 for this "annual effort to raise awareness and support for the emergency and ongoing medical needs of our country’s creative community."
“The work that Music Health Alliance is doing on behalf of our music community is incredible,” said Bentley. “They are on the frontline advocating for people like my band members, our crew, team-members and all of our families. It’s with deep gratitude that I support ‘Heal The Music Day’ so that Music Health Alliance can continue to help the people who dedicate their lives and talents to making Nashville, TN the Music City.”Dierks' clothing line with Flag & Anthem, Desert Son, releases a camo Riser t-shirt and hoodie, with 100% of proceeds going to Folds of Honor. "All proceeds from the exclusive t-shirt/hoodie will help provide educational scholarships to spouses and children of American’s fallen and disabled service-members. The t-shirt features Bentley’s signature Riser Bird in a camouflage print and is available now at www.flagandanthem.com.
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| Photo credit: The Green Room PR |
Bentley was recognized by the RIAA for PLATINUM certification of “his most affecting song” (Rolling Stone) “Burning Man” (feat. Brothers Osborne) while the lead single from his No. One selling record “Woman, Amen” was certified GOLD.
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Photo Credit: The Green Room PR
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NOVEMBER
- Tyne Parrish – The Green Room PR
- Chris Reade – Lighting Director
- Mary Hilliard Harrington – Red Light Management
- Scott Tatter – Monitor Engineer
- Jay Ballinger – Production Manager
- Zach Belcher – Videographer/Photographer
- Dan Hochhalter – Touring Musician
Ashley Gorley Nabs Seventh Songwriter of the Year Honor at ASCAP Nashville Music Awards for "Living."
“I want to thank you for creating a song I can sing to myself as a reminder of how I make life choices and steer my life, so thank you,” Bentley said before the trio (Gorley and Jon Nite) performed his latest Billboard Country Airplay No. 1.
Ross Copperman was named Songwriter of the Year during the 67th annual BMI Country Awards, Dierks' "Woman, Amen" one of four compositions to earn him the honor.
“It's always shocking when a song succeeds,” Copperman said on the red carpet. “It's so hard to get it cut by an artist, and then to get it to go to radio, and then for it to work at radio and be consumed by the fans. So literally winning one of these awards is like winning the Super Bowl.”
Alter egos Hot Country Knights beefed up their YouTube Channel this year and introduced each of the 'band' members and how HCK came to be! Meet Doug Douglason (Dierks), Monte Montgomery (Drummer Steve Misamore), Barry Van Ricky (Steel Guitar/banjo, Tim Sergent), Terotej Dvoraczekynski "Terry" (Fiddlin' Dan Hochhalter), Trevor Travis (Bass, Cassady Feasby) and Marty Ray Roburn (Rayro...or Ben Helson on lead guitar).
A day after Dierks' 44th birthday, November 20th, CMT chronicles 16 years of Dierks' career. (We are still waiting to hear what he thought of his birthday presents from DBC!)
A fifth Dierks Bentley Whiskey Row announced for Denver in 2020.
“I couldn’t be more excited about Whiskey Row now having a home in Denver as well. Colorado has always been a big part of my life and continues to be so as a place where I write and record music, spend time with family and put on our Seven Peaks Festival. Selfishly, opening a Whiskey Row there just gives me more excuses to head to the mountains!”
DECEMBER
Dierks and DB Congress reps are featured in Live Nation/DISH Network Hometown Series.
"Once we got to know each other, it was so much more than Dierks." -Mary Lou Greene, NC
"As an artist, somebody who gets to sing every night, one of the greatest compliments when we see other fans, people make friendships through your show. People that never knew each other and because of your music, maybe because of your fan club, they became like lifelong friends. I've had families started from our concerts so it's pretty humbling for the music and for what we've created out here to be the centerpiece of a lot of people's lives in some ways." - Dierks Bentley
Once again, Dierks was part of A Taqueria Holiday Fundraiser to benefit Safe Haven Family Shelter. All proceeds from the menu and bar were donated to Safe Haven Family Shelter. For every $1 spent on food and beverages, Safe Haven received $9!
Bentley Bids Farewell To ‘The Mountain’ After Chart-Topping Success Of ‘Living.’
“This is it. This is the end of The Mountain,” he shared during the No.1 celebration. “It was a journey that started during a trip to Colorado with incredible songwriters where we unplugged for days and just had so much fun,” Bentley said. “To have three songs off this album go number one that are so meaningful to me is something special. If I were to do a writer’s night tomorrow I would play all three of those songs…these songs guided me to where my life is now.”
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“I believe in Mee’s mission to heal ourselves through great food and great company. Mee’s passion for great healthy country food is only surpassed by her passion for serving others,” Bentley wrote. “I wanted to be a part of the family."
Dierks, along with Ben Helson and Dan Hochhalter, performs "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" on CMA Country Christmas.
Dierks performs "Old Flames Can’t Hold A Candle To You" and discussed Dolly Parton's 50 years on the Grand Ole Opry.
Wow! What a year! What was your favorite Dierks promotion, podcast or special appearance in 2019? Leave a comment!
-Jessica Borrelli, WA and Ronna Clark, FL
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