dbcongress.com Dierks Bentley Fan-Clubbers blogging all things Dierks!

Dierks: Live On Letterman

2012-02-10T23:10:00.000-05:00

In case you missed the 49 minute performance either in person or on the live online webcast, here ya go!

DB Bucket List Miss: Crowd Surfing in Chicago

2012-02-10T23:00:00.000-05:00

I've always wanted to see Dierks Bentley perform at Joe's Bar in Chicago. The timing never works with my schedule. It's also on my "DB Bucket List" to be in the front row when he does a stage dive into the audience for a little crowd surfing. I could've checked two things off my list last night! In case you missed it on Twitter:

Via @DierksBentley's Twitter page: "crowd surfing in chicago. thx joe's and @US99!"

~Ronna

"Home" Eyes Top of Chart

2012-02-10T22:04:00.001-05:00

In its 19th week on the charts, Dierks Bentley's ACM Song of the Year nominated single "Home" continues its climb up the charts, coming in at #7 on both Mediabase and Billboard.

Billboard contained quite a treat this week, with a cover story about Dierks and the new album, but it focused primarily on the song's creation and meaning.

Here are some highlights, and I'll include a link to the story below, as well:

"When the Academy of Country Music announced Dierks Bentley's "Home" as a song of the year finalist, the moment was, frankly, a bit obvious."

"I'm always looking for a new sound," Bentley observes. "I draw a little bit from the rock bands I like. [Their albums are] different from the records before -- some you like, and some you don't. I always try to push for something new. That's a big part of who I am. I don't know if it's the smartest thing to do, but it's definitely me and the way I work."

"And then Dierks said, 'You know what? I've always wanted to write a really inclusive patriotic song.' And I thought, 'Okay, there's some common ground that we can all get behind.' At that point, I was willing to follow his lead. You just get a sense that this is someone who's got honorable intentions in life." (Dan Wilson, co-writer of "Home.")

(Click picture for full-size image)

This week, "Home" has been showing excellent growth at radio, so far picking up 2.5 million in audience (through Friday). It is a lock for #5 on Mediabase, and it's possible he'll just squeak past Luke Bryan's falling "I Don't Want this Night to End" (which will go recurrent next week), to snag the #5 spot on that chart as well. Keith Urban will be your next #1 song with "You Gonna Fly." It's hard to say whether Kenny Chesney's "Reality" will get enough oomph in it to hit the top spot, but if it does, Dierks will be next in line. If not, Dierks will take #1 after Keith has 2 weeks at the top. Either way, this song looks ripe and ready to take the top spot!

~ Carrie Srebro (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

Album Review: Dierks Bentley’s HOME

2012-02-08T23:00:00.002-05:00

As fans, we’ve waited a long time for new music from DierksBentley. We’ve watched from silent webcams, made up stories about the players in the Asheville, NC studio as well thesongs. And because Dierks had to make analbum that was as creatively satisfying as “Up On the Ridge,” no one knew whatto expect: including Dierks.

HOME debuted yesterday morning to an amped up Dierks gettingready to play the Today Show and the number two overall album spot onITunes. Number 1 on the ITunes CountryCharts. Dierks has been quoted aboutthe creative process, finding the right sounds after Ridge. And he wouldn’t be true to himself if he leftout the persuasion of mandolins and fiddle in a bluegrass bent towards thealbum. So this album finds him firmlysettled in knowing who he is and what sounds mirror his feelings. The sounds have matured with him, becomingmore complex, more encompassing, more feeling.

The fun is still there in Am I the Only One and Tip It OnBack. Rowdy drinking songs that havebeen associated with the fun, bad boy side of Bentley from the beginning.

But the heart of the man is still there. He’s Everyman. The interesting thing about Dierks’ music iseveryone sees and identifies with something different. From the rowdy 5-1-5-0 and Gonna Die Young, his vocals ease over theemotion and grab our attention. There’sbalance in the album. It encompasses alittle bit of all of us. The Woods (JonRandall Stewart) a mid-tempo song, flirts with familiar advertising lines. Diamonds Make Babies (Jim Beavers) provides agreat live show segue but doesn’t have the same effect on the album as it can’tslip past the cliché.

However, any femalewill tell you that the gravel in Bentley’s voice makes them pay attention to theballads. For the ballads on this albumare stellar. When You Gonna Come Around(Jamie Hartford) incorporates a style that makes you ache to see where itleads. Karen Fairchild from Little BigTown provides a smoky quality to the vocals that match well with Bentley’s gravel and provide sexualtension. Breathe You In (Ryan Tyndell)requires you to listen more than once. And ends with you licking your lips. Heart of a Lonely Girl (CharlieWorsham) incorporates those bluegrass elements never far from Bentley’sheart.

But the two stellar songs that can’t be missed on this albumare Home (Wilson, Beavers, Bentley) and Thinking of You (Beavers,Bentley). Home, complex enough toencompass our nation and all the ideas and persuasions that divide us as wellas bind us to each other. Sitting at #7on the Billboard and Mediabase charts when the album was debuted, Home speaksto all of us. It supports our diversityas well as our connections. It’s aspositive a song as it's possible to be, and filled with hope. Bentley supports this vocally masterfully asI expect it’s a difficult song to sing.

But my favorite is Thinking of You. The song is subtle and you buy right in,Bentley’s vocals are superior and perfect for the tune. It’s not until the end that you understandwhere he’s going with it. No surpriseabout where the album is goingthough. It’s going to number one withthe fans.

--Janet Marlborough

DB Congress Rep, CA

Dierks Bentley's Historic Ryman "Home" Show

2012-02-05T21:38:00.000-05:00

The Same. No it wasn't the same set list full of the usual hits that you may have experienced at a recent Dierks Bentley concert. No. The Ryman Auditorium, in Nashville, Tennessee, with it's rich history of being the mother church complete with 60 years of legendary artists crossing it's scarred floor boards, was stronger than ever Thursday night, as Dierks presented his new "Home" CD, complete with tons of special guests, to a sold out crowd.

An unlike the normally reverent 'sit and listen' crowd, we the fans in the audience were free to stand up and sing along to every song. Not only were we treated to most of the songs from the new album, but old favorites and hits like "Every Mile A Memory," "Free and Easy," "Feel That Fire," "Sideways," "How Am I Doin'?" and a "Your Cheatin' Heart" intro to "Lot Of Leavin' Left To Do"--where Tim Sergent's steel guitar never sounded sweeter. "Trying To Stop Your Leaving" was played with a new acoustic guitar vs. the normal red, electric guitar.

DB Congress (fan club members) from 14 states (FL, NC, TN, WI, IN, MS, DE, AL, MO, KY, CA, GA, PA, & MI) gathered at Jack's BBQ on Broadway before the show to hug old friends, meet new ones, compete in a Dierks trivia contest, share DB goodies and most importantly take turns "alley watching" for Dierks and/or the band as they wandered in and out the back door of The Ryman.

In the 1880s, when prominent businessman and steamboat captain Thomas G. Ryman found salvation in the words of fiery evangelist Reverend Sam Jones, he vowed to build a great tabernacle that would project Rev. Jones’s voice clearly and powerfully for all to hear. The result - The Ryman Auditorium with arguably the best acoustic sound without need for a microphone.

In fact, opener Will Hoge at one point stepped stage right - far away from all the mics - motioned for his band to lower the volume of their instruments and proceeded to belt out not just one line, but the entire song - "When I Get My Wings" acoustically. Can you say Standing Ovation? His vocal was incredible. As if his voice wasn't enough to win me over as a new fan, the couple sitting next to me (Donna, DB Congress rep from Kentucky) told me about his background and how he had been in a terrible accident that crushed his lungs and broke nearly every bone, and he was in the hospital for weeks. And that he wasn't a newcomer--but on album "Number 7."

Will Hoge

Dierks surprised the audience with a stunning segment with The Travelin McCoury's performed only with acoustics and vocals on "Fiddlin' Around," and "Draw Me A Map" from the Grammy-nominated "Up On The Ridge" album. The crowd went wild when Del McCoury stepped on stage to sing U2's "Pride (In The Name of Love)" also from "Ridge," and and old favorite of many die-hard DB fans, "Good Man Like Me," from the "Modern Day Drifter" album before wrapping it up with "Roll On, Buddy." Nobody could have wiped the smile off of Dierks' face.

Dierks and the band performed 7 of the 12 songs from the "Home" album, due out Tuesday, February 7, including "Tip It On Back", his 8th number one single--"Am I The Only One?," "5-1-5-0 (somebody call the popo)," and "Heart Of A Lonely Girl," which he dedicated to his wife Cassidy explaining she and his daughters had been sick and they knew he had to perform The Ryman in a few days so sent him off to a hotel so he wouldn't get sick. Dierks joked that here he was, getting ready to release an album called, "Home," and checking into a hotel with a backpack, guitar and a bottle of wine. Yeah, right!

After the "Up on the Ridge" redux, Dan "The Hawk" Hochalter took the stage for the haunting opening of Dierks' Pink Floyd cover (and Congress favorite) "Wish You Were Here." Absolutely love that opening fiddle - and Dan rocks it!

After that, he admitted that wasn't much of a dedication to Cass, so he launched into his second #1 hit, "Come A Little Closer," much to the delight of the females in the audience, despite the fact that Dierks had cut off most of his curls.

The special guests kept coming. Karen Fairchild, the soulful singer from Little Big Town, joined Dierks on stage to showcase the duet on the new album, "When You Gonna Come Around." Watch:

But the star of the entire night was little 3-year-old Evie Bentley, making her debut with daddy on The Ryman stage. After the first verse of "Thinking Of You," sang by Dierks alone with his guitar and his thoughts--eyes closed, he opened his eyes and motioned for the bare-foot beauty to join him on a stool, where her own-microphone awaited. Watch this emotional moment:

Although Dierks told us that was to be the last song of the evening, the show went on, because after all, the title song, "Home" had not been sung yet, nor the one that started it all - "What Was I Thinkin?" Many of the DB Congress waved American Flags during "Home."

For the finale, Dierks brought all the performers of the evening back on stage to say good-bye, not only to the audience, but to the historic Ryman stage floor boards - which he knelt and kissed. How appropriate the last song before the restoration begins was "I Saw The Light," an acoustic/audience sing-along. Here's the DBTV episode to recap the evening:

Everyone left the stage except Dierks, who stayed for at least 10 minutes, walking along the front of the stage, signing autographs, smiling, and saying thank you to the fans!

The evening was special--altogether emotional, inspiring, historic and unforgettable. Later I heard many Dierks fans say that even though they had seen him perform countless times over the last several years, they felt the night was in their top 2-3 as far as DB experiences go.

For me, it ranks as the top Dierks experience of the decade.

~Ronna
DB Congress Chair
Florida

Enter To Win Tickets to See Dierks in New York Feb. 8th

2012-02-01T21:01:00.000-05:00

EnterTo Win Tickets to See Dierks in New York!

Dierksis going to be performing on the Liveon Letterman series in New York City on February 8th, and DB Congress gets first dibs at winning them! The Bowery Ballroomshow sold out very quickly, so here's another opportunity. Go to dierks.com and sign in with your fan club login. Then click this link to fill out the form for your chance to win.

Transportationwill NOT be included so please be sure you can get to New York City beforeentering.

Forthose of you who can't make it to New York, you'll be able to watch the showonline at CBS.com.

HIT COUNTRY MUSICIAN DIERKS BENTLEY TO PERFORM

“LIVE ON LETTERMAN” WEBCAST, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8

Performance To Follow The Release Of His Newest Album, “Home”

CBS Interactive Music Group’s award-winning concert webcast series, LIVE ON LETTERMAN, will feature country superstar Dierks Bentley in a live webcast concert from the world-famous Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City, Wednesday, Feb. 8 (8:00 PM, ET/5:00 PM, PT).

Bentley will play music from his catalog of hits, including songs from his forthcoming Capitol Nashville release Home, which hits stores Tuesday, Feb. 7, the day prior to his webcast performance. The LIVE ON LETTERMAN franchise has been host to some of the most established bands and musicians across the globe, staged in an intimate and dynamic setting for worldwide followers to enjoy.

Fans can watch Bentley’s webcast live or on-demand at http://www.cbs.com/late_night/liveonletterman/. In addition, the show is available live and on-demand through CBS properties, broadcast on select CBS RADIO stations, viewable live on CBS’s JumboTron in Times Square, as well as via a live audio stream on Radio.com’s mobile applications. The webcasts are also offered through VEVO’s website, mobile and connected devices and syndication partners.

After selling over five million records, obtaining 10 GRAMMY® nominations, acquiring eight #1 hits in country radio, being named CMA’s “Best New Artist” and playing for the President of the United States, Dierks Bentley has proven to be quite a successful name in country music. Having skillfully developed his musicianship, Bentley has played at a wide variety of venues, including Lollapalooza, Telluride Blue Grass Festival and the CMA Music Festival. The multi-platinum singer/songwriter will release his sixth Capitol Nashville studio album, Home, on Tuesday, Feb. 7 and continue his headlining Country & Cold Cans Tour. “Home,” the second single off his new album, received a nomination Thursday, Jan. 26 for Song of the Year in the “47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards,” which will be broadcast on CBS Sunday, April 1.

Bentley’s LIVE ON LETTERMAN webcast will follow the taping of his performance on the LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN, which will be broadcast later that evening (11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Happy 3rd Birthday To DB Congress!

2012-02-01T20:38:00.003-05:00

We, the members, of the Dierks Bentley Congress, in order to form a more perfect fan club, established this band of brothers and sisters on April 21, 2007 in the now defunct "Dierksville" on dierks.com.

But today, we celebrate our third anniversary of our own site -- dbcongress.com!

Dierks mentioned in a November 2006 interview in DeKalb, IL that his fan club was like his "congress." Here is an excerpt:

"I try to keep that connection with the fan club as close as it can be. To me they're like the congress of the fans. They're the elected officials that actually pay money to be in your fan club and I really listen to them and I want them to feel like they're really part of this growth and all this stuff that's happening..."

We have grown from 9 to 708 reps strong representing all 50 U.S. states, Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. With DB as our President, it is an honor to serve as a member of the DB Congress and to be a Dierks supporter for life -- with no term limits!

"...been a long hard ride, got a ways to go, but this is still the place that we all call home..."

Happy birthday to us!

Are you in the DB fan club? If the answer is yes and you want to help promote Dierks is some small way every day, email ronna@dbcongress.com to be added to the rep page!

~Ronna
DB Congress Chair
Florida

Dierks To Debut "Home" On WSM

2012-01-26T22:51:00.000-05:00

Waiting not-so-patiently to hear every song in it's entirety on Dierks Bentley's new "Home" CD, instead of the mere 90 second preview on iTunes? Can't wait for the CD release date of February 7? Then tune in to 650am WSM radio on Thursday, February 2 at 2 pm central time!

You may recall that Dierks did a radio show last year on WSM called, "The Thread," produced by Shannon McCombs. Shannon posted on facebook that she was editing a Dierks radio show--a special that our DB Congress president is hosting--where he will showcase his next CD (Home).

I know many of us DBC-ers will be in Nashville on that day to see DB that night at The Ryman, so be sure to tune in! If you want to listen online, go to wsmonline.com!

Enjoy!

*The photo was found on facebook taken at the Country Music Hall of Fame about ten years ago.

Happy Birthday to The Hawk!

2012-01-26T21:57:00.000-05:00

The DB Congress extends warm birthday wishes to everyone's favorite fiddle player, Dan Hochhalter!

We all got a glimpse of Dan's incredibly adorable birthday cake via twitter today.

Tweeted by Dan: "Birthday cake from the one and only @mrshochhalter...good stuff!"

Tweeted by Dierks: "It's @fiddlindan bday today. check out this cake...!"

Happy birthday, Hawk! We hope you have a fabulous day with many more to come!

~Amy
DBC Rep, Delaware

Dierks earns an ACM nomination

2012-01-26T21:23:00.000-05:00

Nominations for the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards were announced this morning and we were quite pleased to see Dierks on the list! He received 2 nominations (composer and artist) for 'Song of the Year' for the current single, and title track of his new cd, Home.

Dierks appeared to be excited about the nomination. So excited he tweeted this picture:

Congress members from around the world want to wish Dierks all the luck on winning a much deserved award for such a great song. Hopefully a performance too...

-Stephanie, DBC Historian

Dierks Bentley Honors Bob Dylan

2012-01-24T23:49:00.000-05:00

A couple of months ago, we posted about Dierks being part of the Bob Dylan compilation cd that was released today, January 24.

Senor Dierks Bentley Joins Bob Dylan Compilation CD

In case you forgot, Dierks was nice enough to remind us today via Twitter!

You can visit the Facebook page for Amnesty International USA and get more information about the compilation cd. Be sure to check out the live version of 'Senor' featuring The Punch Brothers from the Up On the Ridge tour stop at the Ryman in May 2010.

Dierks Jumps On Stage With Alan Jackson & Keith Urban!

2012-01-24T22:53:00.000-05:00

Last night, Dierks Bentley tweeted that he, "jumped on stage with some dude playing a bar downtown Nashville tonight. he was pretty good..."

Since the face of "some dude" was kind of blurry, Dierks was trying to throw everyone off track, thinking it really was just some "random" singer. When in fact it was none other than Alan Jackson!

“@dutchiron: @DierksBentley totally cool of you. I'm sure you made his day!”---that was Alan Jackson! the day made was mine!"

Country Weekly reported the night as a private party jam with all the big hitters at Capitol Records, including Bentley, Jackson and Keith Urban, with his first public performance since throat surgery, singing "Mind Your Own Business."

Any Nashvillians attend? Send us more pics and videos if you got 'em!

Thanks!

Finding a 'Home' in the Top Ten

2012-01-24T22:49:00.000-05:00

In its 17th week on the chart, Dierks Bentley's latest single "Home" became his 14th Top-10 single thus far in his career! Congrats, Mr. Prez! Though it moved into the top 10 on Mediabase last week (it is #9 there), it finally hit its current peak on Billboard, at #10, this week (the two charts have different rules when it comes to sending songs to recurrent status, hence the difference).

It may seem as though the song is moving somewhat slower, and in some respects, it is. However, it is important to note that slower songs typically have a slower ascent up the charts. Not only that, but it did have a 3-week "rest" as the charts dealt with the Christmas effect. Right now, this looks to hit #1 in week 23 or 24. Average chart run time on Billboard is 21.8 weeks. There is an "everybody gets their turn" trend right now on the charts, which puts it 6th in line, assuming nothing going up drops out in front of it. And although it had a little bit of an "off week," I think Capitol is letting it have a bit of a breather before heavier rotation starts back up in conjunction with the album release, as well as Arizona's Centennial (you'll remember it's the "theme song"). For a slower song, it's selling fairly well, too, with current sales sitting at roughly 140,000. And, its listener feedback is also very high - it is #3 on Radio Feedback, and #9 at Callout America.

So although it won't be #1 when the album drops (I think it will be just outside the Top 5), it's still a very healthy-performing song and is doing a great job of promoting the album. As Mike Dungan pointed out to Billboard over the weekend, the great thing is that this album already has two songs that fans are familiar with and responding to (not to mention "Diamonds Make Babies," "5150" and "Cold Cans" that they introduced fans to on the road over the course of the past year). That should only help translate to album sales once the album comes out on February 7th (that's just TWO WEEKS AWAY!!!).

Keep telling radio you're still interested in hearing this song - call, text, tweet or email your stations regularly to request and/or thank them for playing it!

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

Big D and Bubba and Dierks in the Studio

2012-01-24T21:19:00.002-05:00

Watch Dierks Bentley and radio Ninjas Big D and Bubba in the studio as they talk about everything from the new album, (Home), the first time he heard himself on the radio, whether he likes vinyl, CDs or digital downloads and his pilot's license.

Do you remember the first time?

Vinyl or digital?

Come fly with me...

Map of Home Contest Winner Collects From Dierks Bentley

2012-01-22T22:33:00.000-05:00

Justin Bockbrader is one of two grand prize winners from Dierks Bentley's "Map of Home" contest, and he spent the day on the road with Dierks and crew in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan yesterday, collecting on his grand prize package!

The Map of Home contest was created to promote Dierks' new single, “Home.” DB Congress members were encourged to "pin" their "home" on a giant map of the world, and tell their story of what home means to them, with words, pictures and videos.

Justin lives just outside of Bowling Green, Ohio in the country side of a very small historical town. Dierks' Mt Pleasant, Michigan show on January 21 was the closest tour date near Pemberville.

"I just started this past summer to be a fan club member (now listed on the dbcongress.com rep page under Ohio!). I never knew it existed. But I came to know of Dierks when I listened to some of his older stuff and loved it because he sings about heart break and at that time I felt like I was in every song because I've went through all of that," Justin told us. "I respect and love how he writes the majority of his own music--now a days that's very rare."

Justin's winning entry is below.

I chose this picture because it is a true definition of home. This farm has been in our family for many generations. From the flag that hangs that was given to us at my uncles funeral, to the 1941 John Deere thats plowed many of fields and helped the family survive. My uncle lived on the farm right after WWII was over. He served for his country just like thousands of others did, and once he passed we could not give the farm away, so now we have family reunions and gatherings at the homestead. All 150 people come out year in and year out to see the old tractors and barns that stand tall for over two centuries. We still farm the land because thats what my uncle and our ancestors would want. I always stop out to see the flag drapped over the beams and think to myself I live in the greatest country in the world and nobody could ever take that from me. God Bless.

Dierks posted a series of tweets to introduce us to Justin:

"the first winner of our HOME map contest is here at our show in Michigan. about to go meet him. he is hanging out with us all day"

"say hi to justin bockbrader! or @bockbutt10. cool HOME story" (Justin tells us the nickname "bockbutt" was given to him by a buddy in the 6th grade and it has stuck every since...)

"he's a hockey player AND the number 7 is his number like me. liking this dude"

""I'm pretty sweet at #NHL Xbox".... wow, its on."

Justin told us that hockey was another huge influence on why he's a fan of Dierks. "I've played since I was four and it's rare to see any artist lace them up (hockey skates) let alone a country superstar like Dierks."

"1st preshow prayer and huddle with our HOME map contest winner @bockbutt10. thx justin for hanging w us all day."

From Justin's Perspective"

My day with Dierks was one of the coolest experiences ever--the man is so down to earth and the nicest dudes I've ever met. Not only him but also all his band members and stage crew guys. Such good people involved with Dierks. We started out eating lunch and meeting all the members, then we went to the tour bus and played some video games but the NHL game was scratched (he knew I would of owned him).

Next I watched the sound check to all the songs he was doing that night. Later in the day my parents and I got to do the meet and greet and attend the show.

Justin watches Dierks and the guys at sound check

"Finally after the show we got to hang out on the tour bus with guys and tipped a few brews back. Dierks is a big fan of old classic country music like Hank, Johnny, Strait, and Waylon which I love about him. I always felt like he would be a good man to tip a few back and listen to country gold saturday nights with."

Dierks lived up to that sentiment by opening the show with a new song from the upcoming "Home" album, "Tip It On Back." Justin and his dad got to do just that.

"Just an overall hell of a time," adds Justin. And one final Tweet:

@Bockbutt10: @DierksBentley Dierks man, really appreciate everything, was a badass time and experience, thanks for everything brother hope to see ya soon

Congratulations, Justin! Thanks for sharing your experience! And welcome to the DB Congress!

~Ronna
DBC Chair, FL

DBTV - Episode 51: Feel That Fire Hot Wing Eating Competition

2012-01-22T22:18:00.001-05:00

During a break from rehearsing for the 2012 Country & Cold Cans Tour, the band held the First Annual "Feel That Fire Hot Wing Eating Competition." Take a look at DBTV, Episode 51 to see who came out on top. The winner cries afterward, "It hurts to breathe!" Let's hope he recovers quickly in case "Breathe You In" gets added to the set list!

Dierks Bentley Returns 'Home' to Country

2012-01-22T09:27:00.000-05:00

Reposting from Billboard.com:

Dierks Bentley Returns 'Home' to Country

by Deborah Evans Price
January 21, 2012 9:00 EST

When Dierks Bentley steps onstage at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 2 to launch his new album, "Home," the show may feel like a walk down memory lane.
"I played gigs on Lower Broadway for a number of years. I'd walk by the building at three o'clock in the morning and rub my hand along the bricks in the back alley. That building means a lot to me. All I thought about was all the people who used to run back and forth between the Ryman and Tootsie's," he says of the country legends who traveled between the Grand Ole Opry stage and their favorite watering hole. "I think of all the history that has been a part of that place -- it really does mean something."

It's been more than a decade since Bentley (@dierksbentley, where he has 206,000-plus followers) was just another aspiring artist playing Music City honky-tonks. He's never lost his appreciation for country music's past, and it's Bentley's ability to merge the genre's traditions with his own progressive musical sensibilities that has earned him his own spot among today's contemporary hitmakers.

"The greats all have unique, distinctive voices -- Dierks is one of those," Capitol Records Nashville president/CEO Mike Dungan says. "He possesses one of those voices... you know who it is immediately. That's something you can't ever take for granted, or discount too lightly, especially in an environment where a lot of our men are starting to sound the same."

Bentley is also among country's most versatile artists, a gift he brandished boldly on 2010's "Up on the Ridge," a Grammy Award-nominated album that earned tremendous critical praise, but only a smattering of radio support. Ridge was about Bentley's passion for bluegrass and roots, and he was supported by guests like the Punch Brothers, Alison Krauss and Kris Kristofferson. With the Feb. 7 release of "Home," though, Bentley returns to the sound that made him a star.

"It's a step back into the country music mainstream," Capitol Records Nashville senior VP of marketing Cindy Mabe (@capitolnash) says. "It's 'home' because that's where he belongs, right in the middle of this format. He's so talented, and such a music lover that he needs to stretch his wings as an artist... but in the end, this is naturally his home. These songs and his voice take you back to the music of his first album, but it feels fresh at the same time."

Bentley debuted in 2003 with the No. 1 Hot Country Songs hit "What Was I Thinkin'." Since then, he's earned seven more chart-toppers, including "Come a Little Closer," which notched three weeks at No. 1; "Settle for a Slow Down"; "Every Mile a Memory"; "Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)"; and "Feel That Fire." "Am I the Only One," the first single from "Home," hit No. 1 last September, and the title track is No. 11.

Of Bentley's five previous releases, three hit No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. His self-titled debut sold 1.1 million, and sophomore set "Modern Day Drifter" sold 1.5 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan. "Up on the Ridge" peaked at No. 2 in June 2010 and has sold 244,000 units.

It's not unusual for country acts to record side projects, but such activity generally happens in the twilight of a successful artist's career. The move was risky.

"I really try to practice living in the moment," Bentley says. "No matter where it is -- onstage, or at a meet-and-greet or being with my family -- just listening to my voice at the moment. ["Ridge"] was what I wanted to do, and once I get it in my head, it's hard to talk me out of it."

Dungan was supportive of Bentley's creative detour. "That music comes out of him so naturally," Dungan says. "Every album Dierks had released until then had included a bluegrass-style song. Once a decision was made to go forward, that record probably came together easier than any Dierks Bentley record had before because that's where he lives creatively."

Dungan never intended for a single to be worked to country radio. Nevertheless, "Up on the Ridge" peaked at No. 21 on Hot Country Songs and "Draw Me a Map" reached No. 33. "I had in mind a relatively inexpensive project that we'd work hard for six months, and then be off of it and on to the next thing," Dungan says. "Then the press started to ring in strongly and favorably. We started to hear things like 'album of the year' and 'one of the best records ever,' and it went from being a six-month record to an 18-month record where we released singles to country radio. The broader world got an appreciation for the Renaissance man that Dierks is. But here we are back to the bread-and-butter side of things, and I'm happy to be here."

When Bentley returned to business as usual, country radio was ready. "We had massive success with 'Am I the Only One,'" Dungan says of the No. 1 hit. The label then followed with the title track, a heartfelt salute to America that Bentley performed in November at the White House before President Obama in a concert that aired on PBS. "One of the things we're coming to the market with when this album streets is that we're going to have not one, but two hits," Dungan says. "That doesn't happen often in our business. I'm happy about that. We're offering two tracks that are instantly recognizable, and that's value for the fans."

Bentley began the project by heading to Asheville, N.C., with producer Jon Randall. "It was five days of doing the most intense preproduction I've ever done on a record," Bentley says. "'Am I the Only One' came out of that session. It was a great way to bridge from the bluegrass world back into country."

Bentley recorded the remainder of the album in Nashville with longtime producers Brett Beavers and Luke Wooten. "I wanted to make sure the album had some kick to it, but also incorporate the acoustic sounds that I love so much," Bentley says.

The Arizona-born singer/songwriter has written or co-written his eight No. 1 hits, but while recording the new album, he spent more time than before listening to outside material. "Thousands of songs," he says. "I've had 16 singles and they've all had my name on them. It's the way that I've always approached it. But I want to have a single that's not mine -- put an end to the streak. I'd love to see somebody else's song go to No. 1. There are 12 songs on this record and I wrote six, although for this record, I wrote more songs than I've ever written in my life."

Bentley wrote the title track with Beavers and Dan Wilson. "Home" has been selected as the official song for Arizona's centennial celebration. "People are going through a hard time, the way the country and economy are. Hopefully it's a song that makes you believe better days are ahead," Bentley says.

The remainder of the album is a blend of romantic ballads like "Breathe You In" and such escapist fare as "The Woods" and "Tip It on Back," which Bentley describes as the flip side of "Home." "It's like, 'Times are crap right now. I'm going to drink a little more than I should and just enjoy tonight. I'm not going to worry about all that stuff. I'm just going to have a good time.'"

"When You Gonna Come Around" is a soulful duet with Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild. "I love her singing, love that band. They're so talented," says Bentley, who approached Fairchild about duetting at Capitol Records' post-Country Music Assn. Awards party. "She said she'd love to do it, so the next day I sent her the song and two days after that, she was in the studio. It was so easy, natural and fun, and [there was] good chemistry."

The closing track, "Thinking of You," features an appearance by Bentley's 3-year-old daughter, Evie, singing the final words: "Daddy's home." Wooten took the audio from a birthday video. "Luke ended up putting it on the record. Normally I'd be hesitant about something like that, but it felt like it was natural."

"What I hear when I listen to this album," Capitol's Mabe says, "is that Dierks is comfortable in the place he is in his life, and this music reflects that. He's 'home.'"

In addition to the Feb. 2 performance at the Ryman, Bentley will visit Denver, Phoenix, Chicago, New York, Boston and Washington, D.C., for special listening events through Feb. 11, and he'll do a series of live chats from each city. He's also scheduled to appear on NBC's "Today" (Feb. 7) and CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" (Feb. 8). Mabe says CMT will run a "Bring Dierks to Your Home" sweepstakes on the TV channel, online and on CMT Radio.

Bentley will resume the second leg of his Country & Cold Cans tour on Feb. 15, but first he'll take the stage at the Ryman, reveling in how far he's come. "I'm just a singer/songwriter that loves to be onstage with a band and loves to be out on the road," he says. "I love playing music. That's the dream I've always had."Fans are also being invited to submit photos that represent "home" to them, and that'll be part of a mosaic that makes up the album cover. Bentley will select one of the submitted images and the person who sent it will receive tickets to the Ryman show and meet him backstage. "We wanted the fans to get a chance to tell the story about their home," he says. "That's the most powerful four-letter word there is."

Dierks Bentley Live Stream: Recap of Town Hall Meeting

2012-01-18T21:33:00.002-05:00

Dierks Bentley just finished a live video online chat a few minutes ago! He answered questions from his fans who had posted on facebook, twitter and the live chat box. How DOES he keep up with us all?

**EDIT: Here's the video, but we've also recapped some of the Q and A below that.

dierks on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

These are not verbatim and not complete answers, just general notes.

If you weren't playing music, what would you be doing?
"Maybe coaching a pee wee hockey team," he joked. But he does love hockey.

What song on the new album "Home" was the most fun to make?
"Heart of Lonely Girl."

Where's "Fastback" why is it not on the album?
"I love that song but it didn't make it."

What about "Country and Cold Cans?"
"That song will be on a special edition for Target, along with "Line No. 7.""

What song by another artist do you wish you recorded?
"I listened to Jake Owen's last two singles when they were demos. I like it when the song finds the right home (artist)."

When did you decide to be a songwritre?
"I was 17, listening to Hank, Jr., I rewrote the lyrics to a Charlie Daniels song...I'm still trying to be one (a good songwriter)"

Some DB Congress Reps are doing a Lake Jump at Percy Priest 2/3, the day after the Ryman show 2/2.
"Looking forward to The Ryman show. I'll be in town that day I may have to check that out."

How do you pump yourself up before a show?
"We have Brit who makes backstage really nice /comfortable; we jump up and down a few times..."

What CD is in your truck?
"I know there's something, just don't remember--I'll get back to you on that one."

Plans for the song, "Distant Shore?"
"I wish I had made it a single. I'm thinking of breaking it out for this tour."

What do you hope to leave for your legacy?
"I never think about it. I love what I do and I'm so thankful to be doing it. I hope to be remembered for putting on great shows and I hope the music's meant something to you guys."

Got any advice for songwriters wanting to move to Nashville?
"Follow your dream."

Touring must be exhausting--how do you do it?
"I feed off the energy from the Meet and Greets and the crowds. This year we're gonna have fan club passes with embarrassing pictures of the guys. The goal is to collect all five (LOL)"

What is your dream concert line up?
"I would draw on my friends from the country world - loved doing Bad Angel with Miranda and Jamie; the Bluegrass world, the rock world - Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam--I'm a big fan--Bono, Springsteen..."

What do you enjoy the most on the road?
"That one and a half hours on stage is the best; being on the bus with the guys in the band, playing poker, listening to music, just talking and hanging out."

When are you gonna quit duct-taping your boots and get new ones?
"My boots are new every tour, I have 3 sets, just tape them up... they don't last long, maybe I'll get some cowboy boots..."

Do you ever get nervous on stage?
"I really don't. I used to when I first started out, but now I'm more anxious to get out there and do it right, my heart is racing and I just want to get out there and play!"

I only ever see you with the guitar with the hole in it--when will you get a new one?
"I don't like new things. That guitar and I have been through thick and thin. It is special to me, given to me brand new from a friend." Just like our tour bus--old--will turn a million miles this year. When it does, we'll have to stop and have a gig to celebrate."

Being from Arizona, how did you get into hockey?
"I wanted to do something totally different off the road and hockey's a great release--that and beer with the guys afterward."

Do you like smaller or bigger venues?
"Both. I like variety. I love the small intimate bars, and being outside in the summer, never knowing what we will get."

Random shout out to Stacey and Rachel in Australia! Dierks said he knew about Lee Kernaghan years ago and is excited to tour with him in March in Australia.

If you could see any 3 people in the front row of your concert, who would it be?
"Someone with a Little White Tank Top--it would be the fans--passionate fans with the [DB] merch on, the signs held up with song titles--when I see them down front I know they waited all day long to have that spot."

Who wuld you like to do a duet with?
"I love Karen Fairchild's voice (from Little Big Town) and I love the song we sang on the new album--it's called 'When you gonna come around.'"

What's a typical day like for you at home?
"I write songs, I work out, got up at 5:50 a.m. this morning cos the rest of the day was so busy, band practice, then home on the red couch hanging with my girls."

Do you want your daughters to get into the music business?
"I'm banking on my girls getting in the music business...lol...seriously, I would love for them to be in music, I hope for the fun of it."

What's your favorite TV show?
"Right now it's Breaking Bad."

Favorite bus pranks?
"Human smells, nudity are the go to options...(HA, HA, HA)--just kidding!"

Which songs get the best reaction in concert?
"I have never tried out more songs than last year. Diamonds Make Babies and 5150 got good reactions (both made the album)."

Favorite concert lineup to watch?
"I love watching all genres. George Strait would have to be in the mix."

Tell us about your Stubbs hat.
"My good friend Cody Canada (Cross Canadian Ragweed) gave it to me so I love it just for that reason alone, but also Stubbs is a BBQ place in Austin--love Austin, and then there's Eddie Stubbs."

Dierks thanked everyone for their support and signed off the live chat after just 45 short minutes (vs. the normal hour).

Dierks Bentley Congress Members Plan Special Song For Our President

2012-01-16T11:23:00.000-05:00

The DB Congress has one primary purpose—to support our president, Dierks Bentley. We are from all 50 United States and 10 countries and are dedicated daily to making and keeping him number one. But for a few DBC members, calling radio, tweeting and voting for him online was not enough to show Dierks how much he has influenced them and how much he is appreciated.

Kelsey Hodges (TN), Randy Alan Shaffer Jr (PA), and Adrian Taylor (NC) are planning a special project for Dierks and they want all of DB Congress to be a part of it. The trio from three different states used the power of the internet to put their ideas together to co-write a song--"Bentley's Jam"--about our DBC president (Dierks).

The Story Behind The Song

Kelsey is a Business Major at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. “Ever since I was in the 7th grade, my life has revolved around Dierks; from traveling hours for a concert or playing his songs at church, Dierks is one of the biggest influences who has led me to move to Nashville,” says Kelsey. Adrian, Randy, and myself are all musicians and huge Dierks fans. It was a great experience making this little tribute with two people that sincerely care about Dierks the way I always have. The main purpose of this song is to let Dierks know we all care and will forever support him!”

You may remember Randy as the face on the 2011 Last Call Ball souvenir lanyard. Randy says, “There have been numerous times in my life where Dierks' music has helped through troubled times. All of his songs and the way they are constructed relate to any listener and I think that's what connects Dierks’ congress so close to each other and all Dierks fans.” Randy remembers meeting Dierks for the first time in March 2011. “He’s just a really down to earth guy. I definitely will take Dierks’ advice that he gave me when I move to Nashville in a year and a half to continue my pursuit of being a country musician/songwriter." Randy proudly admits the threesome put a lot of thought into the song, trying to incorporate titles of Dierks' hit songs, to make "Bentley's Jam" a fun, rocking song.

Adrian says Dierks and his music have changed her life. “I can remember a friend of mine talking about a new artist in Nashville back in 2001. At first no one really knew the name Dierks Bentley, but by 2003, that all changed.” In high school, Adrian was jamming to Dierks in her car and posted his lyrics on her locker, already on the DB bandwagon and spreading the word to her friends.

“Dierks has been my inspiration and motivation many times in my life. It has been his music that has seemed to always bring me through the toughest times. Never will I be able to tell Dierks just how much his music has meant to me. So just to show him a little bit of a big thank you, I asked two of my friends who I know have some music experience just like me, to help co-write a song about Dierks.”

“We all agreed that we wanted to show Dierks' life through a song. So we basically started with him, traveling from his home in Arizona, to his new home in Tennessee. We mentioned the struggles and the accomplishments that he has faced. For me, this song isn't to be bragging, but to let Dierks know how much his fans appreciate him.”

Adrian feels this song, which came together in a matter of days and one 30-minute online session, symbolizes what all of the DB Congress feel--that his fans appreciate him and we support him with all of his work.

How Can Other DB Congress Reps Help?

Phase Two of this special project is spreading the word. Kelsey, Randy and Adrian want everyone to learn about “Bentley’s Jam” and the story behind the song. All DB Congress reps and other fans of Dierks Bentley can help by mentioning this project to their friends, posting on facebook and tweeting.

They definitely want the DB Congress involved in this project, not only by promoting, but being a part of it. All DBC members who are planning to attend the pre-party at Jack's Bar-B-Que on February 2 before Dierks’ “Home” concert at The Ryman will get a special treat! Kelsey and Adrian wanted the congress to hear it first so they will be debuting it at Jack’s, where reps can help with a special part of the song.

Also, The Gherm Guys have agreed to interview and video the co-writers when they take the plunge during a lake jump on February 3rd at 1 pm at Percy Priest lake. They’re asking any DBC member to participate or stand on the side lines to cheer them on.

What’s next?

Next steps are to get the music in order, followed by editing the music video which will include footage from Nashville (some of Dierks’ favorite hangouts) as well as pictures from Phoenix, and concert photos and personal photos of each songwriter. “Expect some laughter as well as some more somber moments,” added Adrian.

When All Is Said and Done

Once everything is completed, they will be making copies of the video. When asked what they would like to see happen from this experience, just a few things came to their minds. First, that Dierks will hear about the song. Second, that people will realize what a great artist Dierks is, and that he worked hard to get where he is today. And finally, that Dierks will allow them to sing this song for him in person.

“Whether or not Dierks will hear this song, we hope that all the Dierks fans out there will enjoy it. I’ve met so many great people that are fans of Dierks and I can’t wait to meet more people as Dierks makes more music,” Randy added.

Adrian wants to thank the people who have given them feedback so far. “This song wouldn’t be what it is, without three very talented brains working together--so thank you again for jumping on board Kelsey and Randy!”

Contact information:
Kelsey: kelseylhodges@gmail.com; Twitter: @kelseybentley92
Randy: randyalan99@gmail.com; Twitter: @randyalan99
Adrian: msaddie87@gmail.com; Twitter: @adrianftaylor

Hear Dierks Bentley on Two Album Releases Feb. 7

2012-01-06T22:40:00.001-05:00

Not only will Dierks Bentley release his next album, "Home," on February 7, but you can also hear him on a new Waylon Jennings tribute album, The Music Inside: A Collaboration Dedicated to Waylon Jennings, Volume II, which will also be released on Feb. 7.

Dierks' contribution to the compilation, "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean", was a staple cover in many of his shows a few years back.

Other artists on Volume II include Montgomery Gentry ("Good Ol' Boys"), Justin Moore ("I Ain't Living Long Like This"),Hank Williams Jr. ("Waymore's Blues"), Colt Ford ("Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line"), Pat Green ("Rainy Day Woman"), Jack Ingram ("Bob Wills Is Still the King"), Jewel ("Dreaming My Dreams With You"), and Josh Thompson ("Love of the Common People").

The Music Inside: A Collaboration Dedicated to Waylon Jennings, Volume I was released in February 2011, with a third album also planned.

Related Stories

DB Congress Nominated for "Best Fan Group!"

2012-01-06T22:05:00.003-05:00

Get your votin' fingers ready, congress! Charlotte, NC's 103.7 is celebrating the best of the best with their "Y'alls Call" Awards--and you can vote for your favorite fan group.

DB (Dierks Bentley) Congress is one of five nominees, including Christian Kane's #Kaniacs, Brantley Gilbert's #BGNation, Jason Aldean's #AldeanArmy, and Eric Church's #ChurchChoir.

Please VOTE for DB Congress and post to your facebook and Twitter pages, too!

Hint: If you are not from NC, you can enter 28213 for the zip code.

DB Congress To Hold Session February 2, 2012

2012-01-06T21:41:00.002-05:00

Calling all DB Congress Representatives! If you're planning to experience the Dierks Bentley Album Release Concert at The Ryman on February 2, 2012, come early and meet your fellow DBC fan club friends! We're planning to gather at Jack's Bar-B-Que from 4-7 pm. Jack's back door is right across the famous "alley" that leads to The Ryman's back door/artist entrance!

You can find all the "D"tails and RSVP on facebook on the Ryman Show Pre-Party Events page. We need to get a head count. The more the merrier!

We also have a general events page (Album Release Show) started for all happenings surrounding the big day, including ticket exchanges, group hotel room rates, etc.

Feel free to visit our regulart DB Congress facebook page and "Like" us and invite all your friends to "Like" us, too!

Hope to see you soon!

~Ronna
DB Congress Chair

DBTV - Episode 49: Dierks' New Year's Day Lake Jump Debacle 2012

2012-01-06T21:22:00.001-05:00

Ryan "Flash" Silver (aka Camera Guy) thought he was filming boss Dierks Bentley's annual lake jump on New Year's day but something went terribly wrong. When he tried to blame it on technology, Dierks wasn't settling for that. Instead, he held Ryan accountable like any good boss.

Happy New Year!

Watch:

Merry Christmas 2011!

2011-12-25T10:32:00.000-05:00

Christmas Religious Graphics

Merry Christmas!

Is it wrong that instead of listening to Christmas music, many of us are listening to 90 second clips of "Home" over and over? I am sure we would have loved to open a present this morning and find the hard copy of Dierks' new CD, right? We only have 6 weeks to wait, with the album concert at The Ryman on February 2 and the CD release date of 2/7/2012.

Back to Christmas day. Happy birthday Jesus and happy birthday baby Jordan! That's right, Dierks Bentley's youngest daughter is one today! Here's what Dierks had to say according to American Country Countdown:

"Capitol Records Dierks Bentley was at the hospital in Nashville welcoming his daughter Jordan into the world on Christmas Day 2010. That means this Christmas is also Jordan's first birthday. Says Dierks, "Some people tend to think that's like a really bad day to have as a birthday, because you've got to share it with Jesus and share it with Christmas and all the other presents, but I think it's great."

Even if Jordan gets upset her birthday is on Christmas when she gets older, Dierks has a plan. "She could have my birthday," he says. "She can take the 20th of November, and I'll take Christmas as a birthday. Everyone will forget! I'll never get older!"
Dierks and his wife Cassidy also have a three year old daughter named Evie."

And CMT's Alison Bonaguro tells us what Christmas was like for Dierks growing up:

"There were no white Christmases for Dierks Bentley. As a kid in Arizona, his were more like dirty, dusty, sandy Christmases. "I grew up in the desert, so we would always have Christmas out in the middle of the desert. We'd go out and take four wheelers and horses and motorcycles, dirt bikes and stuff and just have Christmas in the desert," he said in a recent radio interview. "You know, wrap tin foil around the cactus and ... have Christmas in the middle of the desert.""
-Alison Bonaguro, CMT.com

To all the DB Congress representatives around the world, and Dierks, Cassidy, Evie, Jordan, and the band and all the crew (Steve Misamore, Dan Hochhalter, Cassady Feasby, Tim Sergent, Brian Layson, Brit, Chris A., Chris R., Ryan, Jay and Mary & Tyne), we wish you and your families the merriest of Christmases today, and that next year brings you lots of happiness and success!

~Ronna
DB Congress Chair

Country Weekly Permanently Links To Dierks!

2011-12-20T17:50:00.002-05:00

From the Vault is a special section on countryweekly.com and the "Dierks Bentley: Friends For A Lifetime" story is a featured vault article! Not only that, but the story about Larissa and the friendships DB Congress reps have formed through Dierks, originally appeared in the October 10, 2011 magazine and links to even more Dierks content in the Country Weekly archives!

"In order to give Larissa's story a permanent place to reside, we're posting it here on this page, which is dedicated to Larissa's memory."

-Your fellow Dierks fans at Country Weekly

CW also thanks the fans for the comments, tweets and letters. One such letter appeared in the Oct. 31 issue from DBC Iowa rep, Mona:

Check it all out here.

~Ronna

Related blogs:
http://dbcongress.blogspot.com/search?q=larissa+tragedy
http://dbcongress.blogspot.com/search?q=DB+Congress+Reps+Have+Big+Hearts+

Listen to Snippets of Home by Dierks Bentley

2011-12-18T08:34:00.003-05:00

Thanks to amazon.com, you can now hear samples of all 12 tracks (listed below) from Dierks Bentley's forthcoming album, Home, set for a February 7, 2012 release. Go to Amazon to listen to snippets from each new song.

In addition to the #1 smash, Am I The Only One, and the second single, Home, spiraling up the charts, the CD includes some of the tunes Dierks has been testing on the Jagermeister and Country & Cold Cans tours such as Diamonds Make Babies and 5150. Surprisingly absent is his last tour's title. Let's hope it gets added as a bonus track!

We want to know what you think! Come back here and comment!

1. Am I The Only One
2. Gonna Die Young
3. Tip It On Back
4. Home
5. Diamonds Make Babies
6. In My Head
7. Breathe You In
8. The Woods
9. When You Gonna Come Around
10. 5-1-5-0
11. Heart Of A Lonely Girl
12. Thinking Of You

Don't forget to leave a comment after you listen!

You can still pre-order your copy at dierks.com and the album release concert at The Ryman in Nashville, Tennessee is February 2, 2012. Are you going?

Dierks Bentley's Free and Easy, Takes Fan Melissa Martin "Home"

2011-12-08T15:30:00.006-05:00

I am sorry to have to bring you sad news today, but we have lost another member of the Dierks Bentley Congress family. Today we honor Melissa Blackard Martin, DBC rep from Cordova, TN, who died Tuesday after a three and a half year battle with cancer.

"Dierks was her favorite," Melissa's Aunt, Lora Moore, told me. "She loved going to see him and always went if he was near. She would be so happy to know you were doing this [blog]. It also makes me feel so good that you are doing this for her!"

I never met Melissa in person, but after reading Lora's stories about Dierks and Melissa below, I wish I had:

"Melissa and I were very close. I don't know how to describe our relationship. I thought of her as a daughter, sister and good friend. We would go together to as many Dierks shows that were possible! She won her first Meet and Greet at the Huntsville, AL show in May 2009. She was in remission at the time and was so happy to share her news that she was a cancer survivor! Dierks was sincerely happy for her and that brought her joy!

Later that month, she got the news that the cancer had come back and metastasized to her lungs. Even though she was sick, she wanted to go to Miles and Music For Kids in October 2009, so we did. It turned out to be a beautiful day! Melissa was so excited to meet Dierks at the Harley Davidson dealership! It was a perfect day with friends and the concert was fantastic!

After the concert, walking down Broadway, she spotted Dierks coming out of The Stage. He stopped and talked to us for several minutes. He remembered her and asked how she was doing. As she shared the news that the cancer was back, he expressed his sorrow and said he’d keep her in his prayers. It was a day she never forgot and I am forever thankful to Dierks for making her so happy that day!

She was too sick to make it to the ‘Up on the Ridge’ show at the Ryman, so her mom, Rita and I went and she listened on the phone to the show.

We were able to meet him one more time together at a Meet and Greet in June, 2010 in Tunica, MS and as always, she had a big smile as he asked how she was doing.

In August 2010, she was in remission again and made it to another Miles and Music For Kids event in October with myself and her mom. In December 2010, we got the news the cancer was back in her lungs and brain. She underwent brain surgery to remove tumors, and had full brain radiation and chemotherapy this past year. This past summer, she heard he was playing the Opry and wanted to go, so we surprised her with a front row seat. She could barely walk on a cane, but she pushed and went to see him one last time.

Her favorite song was ‘Free and Easy (Down The Road I Go). With heart and soul, she would sing, Someday I know it’s gonna take me home, so Free and Easy down the road I go!

We are so thankful to have had Melissa in our lives and will miss her so much! Thank you, Dierks, for the memories!"

Melissa was 40 years old when she passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, after a courageous fight with breast cancer, which she chronicled in her Caring Bridge site from the beginning of her diagnosis to the end. By doing this she had one wish: that by sharing her experiences, both good and bad, it might help someone else who was facing this terrible disease or other hardships.

Visitation will be Friday, December 9 from 6 - 9 pm at Shackelford's Funeral Home, Bolivar, Tennessee. Services will be Saturday, December 10 at 11:00 am in the chapel at Shackelford's. Burial will be in the Shandy Cemetery, Bolivar. A fund (Melissa Martin Fund) has been set up for Melissa's children at First South Bank, 809 West Market Street, Bolivar, Tennessee 38008, care of Lora Moore.

A fellow DB Congress rep, Takara Dingley (MO), remembers meeting Melissa for the first time at the Dierks show in Tunica, MS. On behalf of the DB Congress, Takara has volunteered to collect money for flowers and/or donations for the Melissa Martin Fund.
God bless you, Melissa! You're finally home!

~Ronna (DBC Chair, FL)

Video Interview with Dierks Bentley's Mom & Dad at Home

2011-12-07T07:25:00.000-05:00

Dierks Bentley's new single will be the official song of Arizona's Centennial Celebration in February 2012. It's appropriate since AZ is where he grew up. Watch as his mom talks about Dierks' humbleness:

Arizona Centennial Commission Chooses "Home" for Official Song: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

Finding a "Home" in Top 20

2011-12-05T23:16:00.000-05:00

Photo Courtesy Carrie Srebro (ACC Fanfest 12/3/2011)

In its 10th week on the charts, the title track and second single from Dierks Bentley's upcoming album "Home" jumped 4 spots on Billboard to come in at #16! On Mediabase, "Home" is up to #18. Although audience isn't the deciding factor for Mediabase, it's the only place you can track audience gains and "Home" had some huge days this past week: on two different days it was the #1 audience gainer, one day with a pickup of 585,000 and one day with a pickup of 757,000. Those are pretty stealthy numbers!

"Home" hit the charts the same week as the new singles from Kenny Chesney ("Reality") and Brad Paisley ("Camouflage"). Kenny easily pulled away from Brad and Dierks in the weeks following (as many expected, I'm sure), but in recent weeks, Brad and Dierks have been engaged in a healthy battle, which Dierks is winning quite handily on Billboard ("Camouflage" is at #19) and poised to win on Mediabase (Brad is at #17, with Dierks less than 100 points behind). Not only that, but with "Home" sitting at #16 on Billboard, it's just two spots behind Kenny's "Reality." It's great to see our Prez hanging with the titans of the charts!

In the upcoming weeks, holiday music will start to become more prevalent, and many assume the charts "freeze" during this time. It's not exactly the case. The charts will still publish and Mediabase's daily information will still update, however the majority of the songs will see a significant loss in spins and audience, primarily in the week before Christmas. Some years, the charts remain fairly active, as was the case last year (for the top of the charts - it didn't help "Draw Me a Map" any. Hmph!). The chart that publishes on 1/2/2012 (the 1/14 chart) will likely see many songs with significant gains. On December 19th and December 26th, I won't have access to the Billboard information on those nights. Instead, I'll see the updates on Wednesday. All that being said, "Home" is in a great position heading into the holidays, and I still think it will fare well against the holiday music, or at least better than some of the other songs around it on the charts. Regardless, don't be alarmed if it loses a spot or two during the next few weeks; it will rebound and looks to be close to peaking right around album release the first week in February!

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

6 "Home" Updates from Dierks.com!

2011-11-27T17:49:00.000-05:00

In case you haven't visited dierks.com lately, here's what's happening:

Home, the new CD has a release date of Feb 7, 2012! Pre-order your bundle of the "Home" CD and merchandise today!
Dierks will be performing a special "Home" album release concert at The Ryman in Nashville, TN on Feb 2, 2102. Tickets are still available at dierks.com on the Tour page, and you can apply for a Meet and Greet.
There's still time to try to win tickets and Meet and Greets for Feb 2 and join the Mosaic at http://2mosai.cc/dierks. Wednesday, November 30, 2011 is the last day to enter by sharing on Twitter or Facebook.
Dierks picked the winners of the "Map of Home" contest: Hannah Rosamond (HannahR121) and Justin Bockbrader (bockbutt10) have won the opportunity to spend a day on the road with Dierks, where they will attend soundcheck, eat dinner with Dierks, and attend a show of their choice.
A new "Home" opportunity is available now! Pick your best eight photos and upload them to the original "Home" music video for a customized video you can share with family and friends!
Last but not least, "Home" is available on iTunes! It's only $1.29 so get it or GIFT it today! It's currently #34 on iTunes--let's push it back into the top 10 for Christmas with the troops coming "HOME!"

Senor Dierks Bentley Joins Bob Dylan Compilation CD

2011-11-27T16:30:00.000-05:00

Am I the only one who, after hearing "Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)" on Dierks Bentley's Up On The Ridge CD, had to know more about the meaning behind the Bob Dylan lyrics?

It seems there are a few possible interpretative themes--patriotic, religious, love or drugs--to name a few.

Whatever your take, be sure to give special attention to your calendars for January 24, 2012--when a live version of the song by Dierks will be available as one of the tracks on the forthcoming Bob Dylan tribute compilation CD.

The title of the 4-CD compilation is Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International. The human rights organization fights against censorship and activities on behalf of free speech.

Other artists include, Sugarland, who will contribute a live version of "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You," and Dylan himself singing the title track.

Given the title of the CD, I'm going with the patriotic theme. How about you?

~Ronna

What is Dierks Bentley Thankful For?

2011-11-24T10:10:00.000-05:00

On this 2011 Thanksgiving Day, we have a lot to be thankful for! Namely, Dierks Bentley. In a recent reply to his DB Congress, Dierks seems to feel the same way about us!

This year Dierks had a #1 with Am I The Only One, performed for sold out crowds, reached $1.7 for children's hospitals via Miles & Music For Kids, and sang for The President of the USA!

From The Country Vibe:

On Thanksgiving when Dierks Bentley counts his blessings, the thing he will be most thankful for are his two healthy daughters, Evie and Jordan. “Coming off the Miles & Music event this year in Nashville and Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and knowing how many families are going through tough times with health of their children. That’s the number-one blessing when you have kids is that they’re healthy,” says Dierks.

“Even when they have a mild cold, it’s like, ‘Aww, man. I feel so bad for them.’ I can’t imagine what those folks at Vanderbilt and St. Jude and all of those children’s hospitals across the country, what they’re going through on Thanksgiving. I’m sure they’re just happy to be together, and that’d be the same thing for me—just to be with my family and thankful for the blessings that I have.”

The men and women who are currently serving our country are the other people Dierks will be thankful for. He says, ”The second thing we will pray for is the troops and their families, the ones that are away from their families at Thanksgiving, the ones that are out there fighting on Thanksgiving Day so we can be back here and have that quality time, have that quiet time is definitely something we’re so appreciative of.”

Happy Thanksgiving to all our DB Congress Reps--thanks for your year-round dedication to Dierks!

We give thanks to all the band and crew who together display a great deal of talent to keep our president sounding and looking good--Chris, Britt, Jay, Brian, Steve, Tim, Dan and Cassady!

And finally, God Bless Dierks Bentley, his voice and powerful songwriting talent, and the man that he is. We love you! Happy Thanksgiving!

~Ronna (Florida)
DB Congress Chair

Videos: Dierks Performs at The White House!

2011-11-24T08:40:00.027-05:00

How appropriate for our president of the Dierks Bentley Congress (Dierks), to open the "Country Music: In Performance at the White House" show with his newest single, "Home." The PBS music special aired last night from the East Room of the White House, hosted by President and Mrs. Obama.

What an honor for Dierks to represent country music in our nation's home, along with eight other artists who performed: Lauren Alaina, who did a duet with Dierks (see video below), The Band Perry, Alison Krauss, Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Mickey, Darius Rucker and James Taylor.

"Standing in the East Room of The White House last night rehearsing ‘Home’ was a surreal feeling,” Dierks said. “No matter who you vote for or what you believe, it is one of the greatest symbols of our country. It is our nation’s ‘Home.’ I’m honored to have been asked to perform there, and tonight when I sing this song, I will definitely be thinking about all of the men and women in the military.”

What's Your Favorite Song?

From The Washington Post:

Dierks Bentley on being excited to be here:

"On my phone... I keep going to down to my Google maps, trying to get my blue dot to go on the White House. Hey! It worked! ... I guess ‘cause we’re outside... [Let me] take a screen saver shot of that blue dot.”

Bentley on why we should support our returning veterans:

“Now is the time that these guys are coming back, you know, with health problems and obviously they’re trying to put their families back together. And the economy’s crap. Now is the time to really show your patriotism, your support, and do something... It’s more than just a yellow ribbon... How do we incorporate these folks back into our society, into our economy, so they can have productive lives?”

In case you missed the show, here are a few videos for you.

1-Behind the scenes, with DB interviewing the other artists. Check out the "hugs" at the end!

2-President Obama's opening remarks

3-Dierks performs "Home," and dedicates it to the guys and girls in the military who are coming "home." (Thanks to Janet, NJ rep)

4-Lauren Alaina performing the Willie Nelson classic, "You Are Always On My Mind," duet with Dierks.

The show ended with Kris Kristofferson singing "Bobby Magee" and all the artists joined him on stage and sang a line or two. Then, as the credits rolled, President and Mrs. Obama thanked each performer by shaking hands and freely giving out hugs. Another great feat for the history books!

Powerful Last Name Becomes A First Name That Stuck

2011-11-17T20:53:00.000-05:00

Dierks DVR Reminder! See a video preview here and set a reminder to watch @OfficialRFDTV Sunday, 11/20, at 7/6c for Reflections From The Circle with @DierksBentley, featuring an interview with Country Music DJ Hall of Fame inductee Eddie Stubbs from the Grand Ole Opry stage. Visit www.opry.com to find out more!

Martin Guitar's New Ambassador is Dierks Bentley!

2011-11-16T22:19:00.000-05:00

I've never seen Dierks Bentley play a show without his D28 Martin Guitar--the one where his pinky-finger has worn a hole clean through it! It's no wonder Martin Guitar wanted him for their Ambassador!

"CONGRATULATIONS to our new Martin Guitar Ambassador, Dierks Bentley!!!! Dierks has been playing Martin guitars proudly for years, and we are thrilled to finally make it official. We are so excited to have this 10-time Grammy-nominated artist as a part of the Martin guitar family."

Martin Guitar could not contain their excitement on Twitter:

MartinGuitar: @DIERKSBENTLEY is our new Ambassador! We are SO EXCITED!!!! Welcome to the family Dierks! #guitar http://ow.ly/i/lmFN

DierksBentley: @MartinGuitar really honored. looking forward to playing my D28 tonight in Boise! thank you guys

MartinGuitar: @dierksbentley The honor's all ours - we've loved your music for a long time, & are so excited about the future! Have a great time tonight!

Dierks with his "Martin" in Springfield, IL, 11/5/11

Martin Guitar also follow DB Congress on Twitter and has been very supportive in helping us promote Dierks!

In honor of our their new Ambassador, Martin Guitar put together a Mixtape Vol 2 - Country, on @Spotify! Click here to listen!

Since 1833, C. F. Martin & Co. has been a permanent part of the American experience: The oldest, most respected, most innovative guitar in American history.

~Ronna

DB Congress Chair

DB Congress President To Perform for the US President

2011-11-16T21:31:00.000-05:00

Our DB Congress President--Dierks Bentley--will perform for the President of the United States of America on Monday, November 21, 2011.

"Country Music: In Performance at the White House" is a PBS music special in the East Room of the White House, hosted by President and Mrs. Obama. The evening celebrates Country music, whose roots run deep throughout American history. Taping on November 21, this concert honors the rich history and resilience of this uniquely American musical form. Leading contemporary Country artists pay tribute to many of Country’s iconic figures, tracing the history of Country music through performed songs.
Among those performing Monday night: Lauren Alaina, The Band Perry, Dierks Bentley, Alison Krauss, Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Mickey, Darius Rucker and James Taylor.

Some of the performers also will take part in an afternoon workshop at the White House for 120 local students about the history of country music and its cultural significance.

The 2 p.m. EST workshop and the 7 p.m. EST concert will stream live on www.whitehouse.gov/live.

The concert also will be broadcast by PBS on Nov. 23 at 8 PM ET.

Be sure to tune in!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.

Source

Home: Chart and Album News!

2011-11-11T22:19:00.000-05:00

In its 6th week on the charts, Dierks Bentley's "Home" moved to #23 on both the Billboard and Mediabase charts. The big win, however, was on the listener feedback charts. On the Callout America chart, "Home" rocketed up SEVEN spots to #14 with just a mere .7% of listeners saying they "strongly dislike" the song (what can I say? Haters are gonna hate). On the RadioFeedback chart, it moved another 3 spots to #13, between two of the strongest songs on the charts right now: Zac Brown Band's "Keep Me in Mind" and Eric Church's "Drink in My Hand."

Unfortunately, even though it's still growing healthily and gaining somewhat on Brad Paisley's "Camouflage," "Home" is likely to spend another week at #23 - nothing has or will fall out of the Top 10 to go recurrent, and all of the songs ahead of it are moving up as well. I expect upward movement will continue next week, however, and Top 20 is likely for week 8. Don't forget to buy your copy now on iTunes! :)

And the news we've all been waiting for was released this evening: the studio album "Home" has a release date! Mark your calendars for February 7, 2012! Isn't that cover fabulous?!

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

Top 10 Finalists Announced for Map of Home Contest

2011-11-02T19:08:00.002-04:00

Dierks Bentley has chosen the ten finalists of his Map of Home contest. The Grand Prize winner will be announced tomorrow (11/3). Who will spend a day on the road with DB? Which one is your favorite?

Congratulations to tracy for being our last weekly winner for Dierks' Map of Home Contest. The 10 finalists have been chosen. Five of these candidates are our weekly winners and the other five are the entries which have received the most "likes" since the beginning of the contest. Dierks will choose the grand prize winner, who will accompany him for a day on the road. That winner will be announced tomorrow.

Congratulations to these 10 finalists! You can click the title of their entry to view it.

msaddie1987 No Matter Where Life Takes Me, Wilkes is My Home :)

bockbutt10 Where I Come From

HannahR121 Home is Where the Rump Rests

simpsoja698 Home is Where You Hang Your Poopy Suit

tracy** Sand Road my home place

bobbieg12 Beautiful World

joeyssong Joey's Song

leahluvsdierks This Place is a Country Song Waiting to Happen

Devinerik Drawn to Home

randyalan99 My One Light Town Called Saegertown

** - tracy is this week's winner.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the grand prize winner, tomorrow!

Dierks Bentley Takes Tour International

2011-10-31T21:43:00.001-04:00

Dierks will be taking the Country & Cold Cans Tour into 2012 with international dates that will kick off in Vancouver, BC on February 15th. Following the initial Canadian stretch of the tour, Dierks will head to Australia for five headlining shows with local country star, Lee Kernaghan.

“You can find hard core country music fans all over the world, and I love being able to tour other countries and bond over that music we all love,” said Dierks. “The Fall leg of the Country & Cold Cans Tour has been crazy and really exceeded all my expectations. I'm looking forward to taking it to Canada and Australia in 2012…they do make Labatt and Fosters in a can, right?!"

In response to Dierks' sold out shows in New York City, the New York Times exclaimed, "Mr. Bentley was master of the party, the musical equivalent of buying a round for everyone in the bar."

International Country & Cold Cans 2012 Tour Dates:

2/15 Vancouver, BC

2/16 Kamloops, BC

2/17 Prince George, BC

2/18 Dawson Creek, BC

2/19 Edmonton, AB

2/21 Calgary, AB

2/22 Saskatoon, SK

2/23 Winnipeg, MB

3/9 Toowoomba, QLD

3/10 Brisbane, QLD

3/13 Melbourne, VIC

3/15 Canberra, ACT

3/17 Hunter Valley, NSW

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL TOUR DATES

Halloween with the Bentley's

2011-10-31T21:20:00.003-04:00

Most kids look forward to Halloween because of all the free candy. Dierks looked forward to it because of.... explosives? In an article on GACTV.com, DB discusses his past Halloween tradition of blowing things up and what he plans to do this year:

For Dierks Bentley, Halloween was another holiday he could use as an excuse to get his hands on explosives.

"When I was a kid, I was all into fireworks," Dierks said. "Growing up in Arizona, we couldn't get 'em so we'd have 'em shipped in illegally. I still remember the name of the guy we'd call. His name was Joe, and he's bring in, ship 'em in a package with no writing on 'em. We were all about M-80s in the mailboxes and bottle rocket wars. To me, as a kid, Halloween was fireworks, was blowing up stuff around home."

Halloween is a little tamer for Dierks these days. As the father of two young girls, Dierks is letting his older daughter, Evie, call the Halloween shots, including what Mom and Dad are going to dress up as.

"Evie's got her Halloween costume picked out," he said. "She's decided what everyone's gonna be this year in our family. So, she's gonna be The Little Mermaid, and her younger sister's gonna be a crab. I think his name is Sebastian. I don't know The Little Mermaid that well, but she's decided Jordan's gonna be the crab. And she wants me to be Swiper, who's a character from a TV show called Dora, The Explorer. I think she has Cassie going as Dora."

It sounds like Halloween will be a family affair... even Jake and George were getting in on the costume action! Here's some pictures that Dierks tweeted earlier this week:

We can only hope that we get a pic of Dierks as Swiper... I think we'd all laugh. A lot. haha!

Happy Halloween!!

~Amy

DBC Rep

Delaware

Bentley's Map of Home Contest Ends November 1

2011-10-31T20:11:00.000-04:00

Evenin', DB Congress! Want one last chance to spend a day on the road with our president, Dierks Bentley? You still have one more day to submit your "Home" story on dierks.com!

According to his facebook page, "Next Tuesday (November 1) will be the final day to pin and "like" entries. Our five weekly winners as well as the five entries with the most "likes" will be announced next Wednesday. Dierks will choose the grand prize winner from those ten entries and announce the winner of the "Day on the Road with Dierks" on Thursday (November 3). Good luck and stay tuned!"

Music City Network's, Evan Willhite blogged about building Dierks Bentley's Map of Home with a program called "Drupal."

"When one of our clients, Dierks Bentley, met with us about promoting his new single, “Home”, we were inspired to create something meaningful, something that dutifully captured the heartfelt message in his song - we all have a place to call home. It was Craig Dunn, our VP of client services, who came up with the idea that was to become Dierks Bentley’s Map of Home.

As soon as we met to discuss the idea, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy from a functional standpoint, but I was sold on the concept. The idea was that fans would be able to log in and add their own stories of “home” using text, images and/or videos. The stories would then become pins on a large interactive map where anyone could search through others’ stories by clicking on a pin for more info. I loved the vision but faced the challenge of how to build it...With Drupal's help, some fine-tuning of the functionality and an excellent design from Bryan Kemp, we created Dierks Bentley’s Map of Home."

Pretty ingendious, dudes!

I have been so impressed with so many of the entries. You all are so creative with the video slide shows, but some of the photos and story-telling are just as inspiring! It has always been my dream (as I'm sure has been many of yours) to spend a day on the road with DB! Best of luck to all of you!

~Ronna Clark
DB Congress Chair
Florida

Dierks DVR Alert: "Reflections From The Circle" - Nov. 20th

2011-10-30T15:44:00.004-04:00

Dierks Bentley will be a featured artist on a new show, "Reflections From The Circle," premiering on RFD-TV on Sunday nights at 7 pm Eastern. Tonight (November 6) the first episode will feature Vince Gill. Dierks, who is scheduled for November 20 (his birthday!), and other artists such as Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Kellie Pickler and Josh Turner will be reflecting on their personal lives and careers during interviews from the famed "circle" of wood on the stage of The Grand Ole Opry. WSM's award winning personality, Eddie Stubbs will conduct the interviews.

Dierks is seen "kissing" the circle here

For more information, click here. To find out what channel RFD-TV airs in your area, click here.

"Home" Breaks Top 30!

2011-10-26T21:01:00.001-04:00

In just its 4th week on the charts, the title track and second single from Dierks Bentley's forthcoming album "Home" has cracked the top 30, moving up 5 spots on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart to #30. On the Mediabase chart, "Home" moved up 7 spots and just missed the top 30, coming in at #31. (Unfortunately, that means one more week until "Home" will show up on RateTheMusic and Nashville Country Club's RadioFeedback surveys, and on many weekend countdown shows.)

"Home" made its debut on Callout America this week, as well, coming in at a fairly impressive #25, with only 1% of 450 responses saying they "strongly dislike" the song (4.5 people). Interestingly enough (and frustratingly enough), the song that passed "Home" on the charts this week - Brad Paisley's "Camouflage" - debuted at #35, with 12.1% of its responses at "strongly dislike" (54 people). "Home" was the highest debut on the Callout America chart this week.

In other "Home"-related news, Capitol Nashville announced yesterday that they will be offering two radio shows for Veteran's Day over the weekends of November 4-6 and November 11-13. Both shows will be hosted by our Prez. Home - Honoring Our Nation's Veterans will include patriotic music as well as a special version of "Home." Believing in Heroes is a public affairs program focusing on the Wounded Warrior Project, which, you'll remember, our Prez has partnered with for some dates on the current Country & Cold Cans Tour. Stay tuned to your local radio stations and let us know if you hear either of these shows being played!

Make sure you're requesting "Home" daily, whether it's by phone, email, Facebook, Twitter, or text! Let's keep on moving the song up, up, up the charts to its #1 "home."

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

A Huge Success for Miles & Music for Kids in Nashville!

2011-10-21T13:19:00.005-04:00

The DB Congress was in session at this year's Miles and Music for Kids event in Nashville, TN. A group of representatives hailing from Alabama, Delaware, North Carolina, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, New York, and California got together to sign nearly 170 get well cards for patients at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital! Each card included a guitar pick provided by DB's camp (thanks, Chris!). "Officially" meeting fellow DB Congress members and doing something kind for a great cause was a fantastic experience, and I hope we can continue the tradition year after year!

On the day of the event itself, bikers lined up, filling the entire driveway and parking lot of Harley Davidson of Columbia. Music, food, and mingling was on the agenda as Dierks and the other artists did press interviews inside the dealership. Performers Charles Kelley, Kevin Fowler, and Craig Campbell, along with Bucky Covington, were in attendance. NashvilleCountryClub.com posted their interview with Dierks which happened to star some familiar DB Congress faces! Watch for Janet, David, Jane, and myself in the background!

Here's the view from the other side of the camera :-)

Dierks led hundreds (maybe thousands?) of bikes in a parade from Columbia, through Tenessee country, and down the interstate (closing I65!) to an end at Riverfront Park in downtown Nashville. The venue was packed with an impressive number of people awaiting the beginning of the concert.

The show's MC was CMT's Cody Alan and included performances by Sarah Silva, Craig Campbell, Kevin Fowler, Josh Thompson, Colt Ford, Eli Young Band, and of course, Mr. Dierks Bentley. Charles Kelley, of Lady A, joined Dierks for How Am I Doin' and took the lead vocals on Long Trip Alone. A variety of styles like the acoustic performance from EYB and a loud, energetic one from Colt Ford offered something for everyone's taste.

MM4K was able to raise $204,938 for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital!! Thank you to everyone who participated!

It was great to meet and hang out with everyone who was there this year, and I hope to meet more of the DBC in the years to come!

~Amy S

DBC rep, Delaware

Dierks Bentley's "Home" Video Up For Vote on GACTV and CMT!

2011-10-17T20:00:00.002-04:00

Vote now!

GAC

CMT

DBTV - Episode 38: Country & Cold Cans Tour Kick-Off

2011-10-13T20:49:00.001-04:00

Dierks Bentley, Jerrod Niemann and Eli Young Band go together like Country and Cold Cans, don't they?

"Jerrod is a great singer, great guy, really funny dude. and we're having a total blast on this tour I can't think of a better combination than all three of us on the road together. It's getting off to a great start!"

Mike Eli says EYB has wanted to go on tour with Dierks for a long time.

This song is definitely rockin'!

Gotta have some cold beer with my country music
Gotta have some cold beer with my country music
Gotta have my baby rocking with me to it
Guitar six strings shot glass whiskey
Some thing just go hand in hand
For guys like me that's country
Country and cold cans

Some things go hand and hand don't they brother?

Be sure to look for Dierks' wife Cassidy and baby Jordan in the video!

"Home" Moves Up on Charts

2011-10-12T21:44:00.000-04:00

"This song is really well written in that it's well crafted and has a patriotic theme that doesn't get in your face. Great song."
-Greg Cole WKCQ - Saginaw

In the week before its official add date, Dierks Bentley's latest single "Home" had another strong week at radio. The patriotic song was the third-most-added song of both the Billboard (15 adds) and Mediabase/Aircheck (29 adds) reporting stations. In its 2nd week on the Billboard chart, "Home" jumped 12 spots to #41 (edging the new one from Brad Paisley by a mere 1,000 audience impressions!). On the Mediabase/Aircheck chart, "Home" debuted at a very strong #46. The song continues to perform well on the small-market stations as well, moving to #31 on Billboard's Indicator chart, and #36 on the Mediabase/Aircheck chart.

This past Monday, October 10th was the official add date for "Home." Now is the perfect time to start reaching out to your local stations and requesting the song (that is, if you haven't already). "Home" is definitely going to move into the Top 40 next week, which will be a great catalyst for even more stations to add it. And if tonight on Yes.com is any indication, the song is really starting to pick up!

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

Dierks Bentley - Miles, Music, Kids & New Lyrics?

2011-10-11T20:02:00.001-04:00

Photo Credit Larry Darling

Dierks Bentley raised over $144,000 for Chicago’s Children’s Memorial Hospital Sunday. This was Bentley's first "Miles and Music For Kids" event in The Windy City, but all total he's raised over $1.7 million over the last six years in seven cities through the motorcycle ride/concert.

The motorcycle ride started from Fox River Harley-Davidson in St. Charles, Il, and ended with a full concert at Joe's Bar. Opening for Dierks were Eli Young Band and Jerrod Niemann.

Not only did Bentley bike it to Joe's, he also wrote a third verse on the spot to his latest number one single, "Am I The Only One?" that included the famous bar in the lyrics. Watch and listen (video by Stacy):

Several DB Congress Reps supported our prez in this worthy fund raiser, including Stacy Baker from Michigan.

"The doors to The event opened at 1:00. They had a whole city blocked roped off. A building had been knocked down where the stage was set up so there was a lot of room for the "sold out" crowd. The music began right at 2. It started with Tyler Reeve who played a great set. Followed by the CMT star winner Matt Mason.

Then Eli Young Band came on. Dierks came on during their rendition of Lynard Skynards "Gimme Three Steps." It got everyone really excited. Then Jerrod Niemann played.

Photo Credit Larry Darling

After Jerrod there was a long break where they had a girl who had been treated at Children's Memorial Hospital talk. A $5,000 check was donated from The insurance company sponsors. The they auctioned off a special guitar made for the event. It was autographed by all the artists. They were encouraging Chicago to beat the previous auction in Ohio which was $10,000. At the end of the auction it sold for $10,500 dollars.
Then Dierks came on and as always the crowd went nuts. He started with his new beer and country music song ["Country And Cold Cans"]. He talked about the most amazing moment of the day: They were on the ride on a back road and were coming to the top of a hill and as they reached the top the while Chicago skyline stretched before them and one of the people he was riding with had a radio and at that moment Chicago's Country 99 station was playing AITOO. He said it was incredible. And because of that he decided to write a third verse for AITOO on the spot (see video above). He messed up the first time and joked about it then went on to sing about the girl talking about commitment and him going to Joe's bar.

When Dierks came on everyone seemed to forget they had been standing on uneven rocks for the past five hours and just were entranced by Dierks. It almost felt magical as the 80 degree day cooled off and the sun was setting during "Trying To Stop Your Leaving."

Photo Credit Larry Darling

Then I had to leave early as we had an hour trip back to our truck and a 5 1/2 hour ride home for work this morning. It was so worth it though, as any trip to see Dierks is. Bill and I counted that this past year we had seen Dierks perform 6 times and met him 3 times. It was a Dierks-filled year. I can only hope this next year is just as lucky!"

Fans won't have to wait to long for the next MM4K. It's this coming Sunday, October 16 in Nashville, Tennessee, marking the inaugural city's 6th annual event! Several dozen DB Congress Reps will gather at Joe's Crab Shack downtown Saturday night to sign get well cards for the kids at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital!

For more information, email KY rep David at david.m915@googlemail.com.

In Memoriam: DB Congress Rep Cindy From PA Passes Away

2011-10-11T01:11:00.004-04:00

Exactly four years and a day before her death, Cindy Wipprecht was writing about Dierks Bentley in an email to me. I had just finished a scrap book of the DB Congress members at the time (hand-crafted, not digital, so please forgive the blurry photo), and a fellow fan-clubber had delivered it to him during a M&G for me. Cindy was so proud to be a part of it:

Dear Ronna,
This was just a wonderful idea you came up with! I really enjoyed looking at the scrapbook and all the great things you put into it. You must have spent a long time putting it together. It made me feel very special to be a part of it and to have my picture displayed in it. I'll bet D was so touched when he received the scrapbook. Wish I could have seen his face when he got it. Bet you do too! Well, I can't say enough good things about this project. You sure have a gift for great ideas and thanks for sharing them with us all.

God Bless,
Cindy from PA
Founder of DDD Apothecary

Don't ask me how I kept this email for four years, but I remembered it when her brother emailed me to tell me about her passing and asked if I could pass along a note to Dierks himself, which I did forward to his team. I told him it is always sad when we lose a member of the DB Congress family, and I was so moved by her kind words to me. I wish I had met her in person.

Here is Cindy's obituary. Notice Dierks is mentioned:

Cynthia E. (Hogg) Wipprecht, 52, of Willow Street, passed away at the Hospice of Lancaster County on Thursday, October 6, 2011 after a heroic effort in her fight against cancer. Born October 18, 1958 in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Robert Winfield Hogg and Betty Jane (Oberdorff) Johnson, of Lancaster. She will be lovingly missed by her daughter: Jessica R., wife of Robby Crosby of Terre Hill, her son: Christopher C. Wipprecht of Maryland; her brothers: Robert and Dennis Hogg; and the father of her children: Bruce Wipprecht. Cindy attended New Providence Mennonite Church. She loved visiting the beach, especially Dewey Beach in Delaware, and camping with her family and friends. She was an avid animal lover and music enthusiast, especially for Dierks Bentley.

Memorial services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at the Gundel Funeral Home, 3225 Main St., Conestoga. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, 685 Good Dr., Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.

If you would like to send a message of condolence, please visit gundelfuneralhome.com.

God bless you, Cindy!
RIP 10-06-11

~Ronna
DBC Chair
Florida

Dierks Bentley Congress Rep of the Week: Megan Tuttle, Ohio

2011-10-09T13:01:00.003-04:00

You may have seen Ohio DBC Rep, Megan and her sister Lindsay on our home page rotating photo. Megan shares her Dierkstory below:

"Hello my name is Megan Tuttle and I live in Northeastern Ohio. I am 23 years old and I have loved Dierks Bentley since he came out with his first single, "What Was I Thinkin'." It's still one of my favorite songs of his, and that's my favorite part of Dierks' concerts when he sings that song last!

I became a Dierks Bentley super-fan when he came golfing at the private country club where I work. He was doing a show in town that night (September 5, 2010). Of course, I was off that day, but I heard he was there so I hurried up and put on my work uniform and went and waited for him. I waited for about an hour and a half, then he came around in his golf cart and I yelled, "Dierks, can we get a few pictures?" He immediately pulled his cart over and walked right up to us! I was so excited! He took a few pictures with us, gave us his autograph, then he ate a Cheeseburger and drank a diet coke. He hung out there for about 15 minutes talking to us.

Then he said, "Maybe I should give you guys a shout out at the show tonight." (He gave tickets to any who worked there, so my manager made a list of names who wanted tickets and he took that list to will call. What a nice guy!) But I already had tickets so I didn't need to be on that list.

About half way through his set that night at the Canfield Fair and right before "Settle for a Slowdown," Dierks says, "This one is for all my Tippy Girls out there." I was so excited, I couldn't believe he remembered us!

As soon as the Dierks Bentley live Ustream came on in February 2011, I was addicted! It was so cool to watch him online in the studio recording for his next album. That's all I did for a week straight! WOLF PACK!

After that show I saw what a nice, genuine guy he was, and I knew I had to go to another one of his concerts as sooon as possible! So my sister Lindsay, who goes to all the concerts with me, and I got tickets for the Pittsburgh, PA show for March 20th. We also both won a meet and greet!

It was so much fun in the meet and greet. We took the photograph, he signed something, then he talked to all of us for a few minutes. Also, during the concert, we were in the second row and Dierks pointed to us and said, "We got some wolf packers here tonight!"
Dierks is such a great live performer he has so much energy up on the stage! And every concert is just as fun as the one before! After that we got tickets for the May 5th show in Akron,Ohio. Lindsay and I did not win a meet and greet but we still had a blast! We made signs and Dierks pointed at us and read them out loud...so cool!

After Akron came the Dierks Bentley LAST CALL BALL7 (annual fan club party)! We traveled to Nashville nine hours to go to it! This was my favorite Dierks show ever! We got there a few hours early to wait in line. While we were waiting, Ryan "Camera Guy" came up and talked to us! Also Dierks' truck "Big White" was parked right in front of the venue. Lindsay and I took pictures by it and left him a note under his windshield wiper.

The show started and Dierks played about a 10-song set. After the show we had to wait our turn for a meet and greet with him. While we waited, Camera Guy (Ryan) came up to us again and interviewed us for a DBTV Episode! Lindsay and I appeared in the DBTV Episode 21! Also Dierks' dog Jake was there and we got to pet him and take pictures!

Finally around 2am, it was our turn for the Meet and Greet! I walked up and Dierks and I took a "howling" picture for the Wolf Pack! He also signed my wolf pack shirt! It was one of the best days of my life!

The next concert we went to after LCB7 was in Chambersburg, PA on July 15th. We had to travel 5 hours to get there. As always it was a great show but after the show was the best part! We waited by Dierks' bus and Tim and Cassady came out to say hi! We told them to bring Camera Guy out and they did! Ryan came out, gave both me and Lindsay a hug and hung out with us for a while! It was so much fun. Dierks, his band mates, and Camera Guy are a blast!

November 3rd is my next Dierks Bentley concert in Kent,Ohio! I cannot wait to make more memories with Dierks!"

Megan Tuttle
DBC Rep, Ohio

Thanks for sharing your story, Megan!

Would you like to be a feature DBC Rep of the week? Just email me at Ronna@dbcongress.com with your story, what DB's music means to you, and a few photos!

~Ronna Clark
DB Congress Chair
Florida

"Home" Makes Billboard Debut!

2011-10-04T21:04:00.002-04:00

"Home," the critically-acclaimed second single from Dierks Bentley's forthcoming studio release, made its debut on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart at #53! It did not chart this week on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart, however it was the #1 Most-Added song for the Mediabase-monitored stations. (It was #3 Most-Added for the Billboard-monitored stations.)

For both charts' sister small-market charts, the song debuted extremely well: On the Country Indicator Billboard chart, "Home" debuted at #42, and was the #1 Most-Added song by a landslide. On the Activator Mediabase chart, it debuted at #39 - again the #1 Most-Added song. The small-market stations are an excellent indication of how well the song is being received nationwide, and due to the high debuts it received, it's safe to say the larger market stations will follow suit. The official Adds date is this coming Monday, October 10th.

Capitol Nashville took out a full-page ad in Country Aircheck Weekly, which was full of quotes from various DJs, Program, and Music Directors nationwide. Are any of these from YOUR station?

"'Home' is not a song. It's an Anthem, and I pledge my allegiance to it." - Gator Harrison, WUSY Chattanooga

"A Song of the Year contender for sure!" - Jay Roberts, WQYK, Tampa

"With "Home" Dierks paints an emotional and heartfelt portrait of our country, but it doesn't feel heavy-handed or politicized. It's brilliant!" - Mike James, WPCV, Lakeland

"Inspiring ... could and should be a career record for Dierks." - Kix Layton, WSSL, Greenville, SC

"Dierks Bentley's "Home" is a completely original American anthem - fresh, warm, patriotic, heartfelt. I love it!" - Cody Alan, CMT

"This is one of those rare songs that says something and avoids the cliche. Beautifully written and delivered." - Beverlee Brannigan, KFDI, Wichita

"The new Dierks song is fantastic! It's patriotic without going overboard and being blatant about it. This song is a game-changer for him." - John Paul, Dial Global

"As the goose bumps raised up on my arms, all I could think was, 'This is the song that's taking Dierks to the next level!'" - Cory Myers, WWYZ, Hartford

"This is a very powerful song both lyrically and artistically. Speaks to and attracts the masses while staying true to our core." - Tyler Reese, WKKT, Charlotte

"The new single from Dierks, "Home," is just the right message to apply to these difficult times in our country right now." - Randall Bliss, WPAW, Greensboro

"Damn! That's one of the best songs Dierks has done!!!! A moving, powerful, emotional hit." - Sam McGuire, WYNK, Baton Rouge

"So far, Dierks is 2 for 2 from this new album. Am I the only one who wishes it was out sooner than February? Come on, Dierks, get this thing out!" - Travis Daily, WFUS, Tampa

No, Travis Daily, you are NOT the only one eagerly awaiting the release of the new CD! Congress, let's get this song to #1 so we can celebrate a #1 song AND a #1 album early next year!

~Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter, NC)

Meet Nick Carter - Dierks Bentley Congress Rep #700!

2011-10-04T20:11:00.002-04:00

We finally reached our milestone of 700 DB Congress Reps who are dedicated to supporting Dierks daily! Meet Nick Carter, representing Dierks in Ohio!

"Where to start....I found Dierks back in 2003 when he released his "My Last Name" single and it began to get air time around the Columbus, Ohio area. Since then, I've been a fan - like the rest of us. Dierks has been the only artist I've ever gone to a store before it opened to get a copy of his new CD! (Thank goodness for iTunes now).

The first live show I saw with Dierks was back in 2008. He was at The Ohio State Fair with Miranda Lambert. That is when I became a super fan of Dierks.

Seeing him live and in concert just took me over the edge. His energy and style just left me with a feeling of needing more.

Unfortunately, due to life and such I went on a three year streak of not getting to see him live in concert again until this year. I made the trek to Akron, OH to see him perform with Miss Willie Brown and Josh Thompson on May 5th, 2011 on a work night none the less. We went to the concert, didn't have the greatest seats in the world--but when you are there, with the music going, it doesn't matter.

Three weeks later, I was able to attend the Miles for Music For Kids event at the LC in Columbus, OH. I've also already purchased my tickets for his show November 3rd in Kent, OH.

I haven't been a lucky one yet to be selected for Meet and Greets, but I keep hoping that one of these shows I'll get the lucky email. Both my friend and I have joined the Fan Club in the last year and hope one day when we go to the concert we will both be back stage waiting to meet Mr. Bentley. It will be the first time for both of us.

My Favorite Event so far: Miles for Music - Columbus, OH

My Favorite Song: With the Band (Hoping one day I'll be with the band)

My Favorite Album: Feel That Fire

My Favorite Performance: Am I The Only One from the 46th ACM Awards 2011."

Thanks, Nick, and welcome to the DBC family!

Dierks Bentley's Pink Floyd Cover Still Getting Great Response

2011-10-04T19:45:00.000-04:00

Dierks Bentley, Dan Hochhalter on fiddle, Tim Sergent on steel

Roger Waters was so moved by Dierks Bentley's cover during Pink Floyd week on the Jimmy Fallon Show, Roger wrote a note on his facebook page to thank all the musicians who performed covers, including our DBC prez, Dierks Bentley!

"Wish you were here!! Dierks, I was truly moved. I loved the fiddle, the pedal steel, you sang it beautifully, Hank Williams would have been proud of you."

Now THAT's a thank you! Rumor has it DB has recorded "Wish You Were Here" for the Pink Floyd tribute album. We'll try to confirm that, so keep checking back for further details.

One of our very own DB Congress Reps was able to experience that night live and in person! Read Monica's story here:

"Thanks to DB Congress I found out the Dierks would be on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on September 29, 2011. Since I would be in the area, I applied for Band Bench tickets, which allow you to go onstage and stand on risers behind and beside the band. The day before the taping I got a call that I had won tickets! I flew into New York on Thursday morning just to go to see Dierks!

My friend Deanna and I arrived at 30 Rock at 4:00 pm to get our wristbands. We lined up with the other lucky Band Bench winners. Finally it was time to go inside. The first guest was Melissa McCarthy and we received her Bridesmaids DVD. Next up was Steve and JoAnn Ward, a mother and son who have a reality dating show, followed by famous photographer Mick Rock.

Then it was time to go to the stage for Dierks. I was on the stage left riser. I could see the stage door and was so excited when Dierks took the stage. The view from behind was a little different from being in the front. After the song, Dierks turned around and thanked us. The band left the stage and the show was over.

But then the stage door opened and they came out again! They were going to do another song! They taped “Home” to be used for another show. Once again Dierks turned around and said ,“Thanks!” The drummer (Steve Misamore) handed a drumstick to me and another lucky audience member. I also was able to get one of Dierks guitar picks.

We also got lucky and ran into Dierks and the band as they were leaving. Dierks took a few pictures and I told him I was part of DB Congress and he stopped to take a picture with me!"

Monic Mcmacken
DB Congress Rep
Arizona

Watch the video again of Dierks and the guys singing, "Wish You Were Here". Dan's fiddlin' gets me every time!

Video Interview of Dierks Bentley's #1 Song Party at Losers

2011-10-03T21:15:00.001-04:00

Watch the video of Nashville Country Club's interview with Dierks Bentley, as he celebrated his #1 song (Am I The Only One) with writers Jim Beavers & Jon Randall at the bar Loser's in Nashville.

So, how does the DB Congress get invited to the next #1 party?

Dierks' Pre-Show Parties To Support Wounded Warriors

2011-10-03T20:50:00.002-04:00

From Dierks.com...

Dierks has teamed up with country radio and Believe in Heroes™, a Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) initiative, for the 2011 Country & Cold Cans Tour. Leading up to Veterans Day on 11/11/11 Dierks will host pre-show parties for select dates on the tour. The first of these parties will be held prior to his show in La Crosse, WI this Thursday, October 6th.

Aiming to support and honor wounded veterans who have sacrificed, each party will be a chance for fans to give back to veterans and win prizes from Dierks, including ticket upgrades, merchandise and autographed limited edition handwritten lyrics of the new single “Home.”

"I meet so many service men and women at our shows, so I love being able to support the Wounded Warriors Project and honoring the heroes who have served our country," said Dierks.

"This program fits perfectly with the message of 'Home,' so we are going to do what we can between now and Veterans Day to really honor these people. I hope fans will plan to get there early and be part of it!"

Keep an eye on Dierks' tour page to see which dates will host pre-show parties. If you're planning to attend one of these shows, get there early to help celebrate a great cause!

Dierks Fans--Friends For Life

2011-10-03T20:01:00.000-04:00

If you're in the DB Congress (Dierks Bentley Fan Club), you're part of the family. We told you about Larissa, a DBC Rep in Kentucky, who died earlier this year. The DBC all rallied together to show our respects and to honor her memory by donating to her two favorite charities.

"Losing a fellow fan is like losing a member of the family--the Dierks Bentley Fan Club family." (Granny Ann Tate, DBC Rep, AL)

Country Weekly's Steve Morley felt this fan story was worthy of an entire page in the October 10, 2011 issue! Be sure to pick up your copy in stores now!

Bentley Had Gators Eating Out Of His Hand

2011-10-01T21:16:00.004-04:00

Gators are normally quiet creatures, but Dierks Bentley had them roaring, eating out of his hand, and chomping at the bit for more at last nights's concert at the University of Florida's O'Connell Center. "Tell me how loud is it gonna be tomorrow night?" Dierks repeatedly asked throughout the night. To which the nearly 90 percent UF crowd replied with deafening screams of approval and pride.

Yes, Dierks did his homework. He knew his performance Friday night would serve somewhat as a pregame UF vs. Alabama football "pep rally" of sorts and the audience did not disappoint.

I have been to DB shows where the audience was not into it--but that was not the case last night. For every single song the mostly 20-somethings had a reaction, even clapping along to the soft, slow beat of "My Last Name."

Announcing himself with voice only through the first verse, Dierks hit the stage with Feel That Fire, with the lights hitting him and the band the second the chorus started. The crowd went wild! Follwed up by Every Mile A Memory, and Am I The Only One? Before that song, Dierks told the crowd, "I know you can't drink in here, but who wants to have a couple thousand cold beers and kick it 'til the morning light...maybe at The Swamp?"

Dierks really knows how to connect with the specific audience he is entertaining and this night was no exception.

At one point the crowd began their two outstretched arms clapping up and down gator chop in unison, and Dierks did it too, but asked, "I see ya'll doing this...but what does that mean?...I'm just kidding, I know what that means!"

For "Come A Little Closer," Dierks interjected a relevant ad-lib: Come a little closer baby/I feel like layin' you down [on the 50 yard line] continuing the football theme. Come a little closer baby/I feel like stripping' it down/back to the basics of you and me/and what makes the world go 'round...[like little white tank tops and and Gator football].

During "Country and Cold Cans," where he describes all the things that "go together," the 'summer dresses and cowboy boots' lyric got the loudest response since the majority of the females were wearing just that.

The crowd at one point boo'd a little (the first and only time all night) when Dierks mentioned he wrote, "Up On The Ridge," up on his ridge in Tennessee--"hey you can't boo Tennessee--you beat them every year!" Dierks retorted.

A huge American flag hung from the rafters just above the stage and DB made note of it as he began to introduce his new single, "Home." But he actually had to quiet the crowd from chanting proudly, USA, USA, USA...before he could continue. The video is in two parts, one to show the flag, the second to zoom in more.

Before he sang the song, he summoned a group of Navy Seals to the stage to thank them for their service. One in particular - Pablo, I think - was a UF graduate--and you guessed it--the crowd erupted with pride, when the alum said he only had one thing to say, "Go Gators!"

After "Home," he asked if we liked it and the wordless answer said, "Yes!"

In fact, with all the pride in the O'Connell Center, Dierks could have easily sang his Up On The Ridge U2 cover, "Pride (In The Name of Love)" and the concert-goers would have eaten that up. He did tell them about being asked to sing/honor the Pink Floyd on Jimmy Fallon the night before in New York City.

I didn't get a set list, but if I remember correctly, he and the guys sang Free and Easy, Trying To Stop Your Leaving, How Am I Doin', Lot of Leavin' Left To Do, Settle For A Slowdown, So So Long, I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes, before ending with a "we're not gonna leave the stage, we're gonna just go straight to the encore" Sideways and What Was I Thinkin'.

Bass player, Cassady Feasby was, as always, flawless on support vocals and when the entire band chimed in at the intro of Up On The Ridge, it was a harmonious masterpiece.

Tim Sergent on steel guitar, Brian Layson on lead guitar, Dan Hochhalter on fiddle, Steve Misamore on drums and Cassady were all introduced by Dierks early in the set vs. toward the end--nice touch, D! They are all so talented!

Dan Hochhalter on the fiddle, in perfect parallel to Tim Sergent's banjo

First-time arena performer, Canaan Smith opened for Dierks. His mom and lots of his friends were in the audience right in front of us--never sat down! They were so proud. His voice was great, and his guitarist looked a lot like David Cook. The Nashvillian who lived in Orlando, Florida for a while (originally from Virginia), sang mostly pop-country acoustic ballads, but for the "Na Na" song he got the crowd to participate. He reminded me of Jack Johnson. The UF girls all loved him, because his Meet and Greet line after the Dierks show was really long!

My fan club presale ticket seat was six rows back at the end of the cat walk so my photos are not the best, even with 10x zoom, but trust me, the guys were looking and sounding phenomenal last night!

Keeping with tradition, the guys huddled before taking their final bow and Dierks was the last one to leave the stage after picking up the set list.

The Country and Cold Cans tour officially starts next Thursday, October 6 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Tour mates Jerrod Niemann and Eli Young Band will open.

~Ronna

DB Congress Chair

Florida

Dierks Honors Pink Floyd

2011-09-30T16:17:00.004-04:00

Dierks delivered in a big way on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night! Team Lonesome was asked to take part in a week-long tribute to Pink Floyd on the talk show. Dierks' performance of "Wish You Were Here" was strikingly beautiful and heartfelt, proving the versatility of himself and of the band.

"I was born in 1974, and my sister is three years older than me, so all that 80's music is nostalgic to me" Dierks told TheBoot.com. "Country music is 90 percent of what I've listened to since I was 17 years old, but Pink Floyd is one of the greatest rock bands of all time... we'll but some fiddle and steel guitar on 'Wish You Were Here' and Gram Parsons it up and see how it goes."

I'd say it went VERY well. If you missed it, you can watch it right here!

~Amy
DBC Rep
Delaware

Dierks Bentley's New Album To Be Titled "Home"

2011-09-30T07:02:00.003-04:00

According to Bill Dean of the Gainesville Sun, Dierks Bentley's new album will be titled, "Home," named after the patriotic single just released Monday of this week. We've been hearing it was to be called, "Diamonds," but Dierks said in late August there was no title yet, so I guess we will all find out for sure when the album comes out in February.

"To follow up such a special album [Up On The Ridge], Bentley says he is taking his time on the followup recording, which is slated for release in February 2012 and will be called “Home” after the album's title track."

We spend a lot of time on the road, and every one of those little small towns feels like home one way or another because we've been there before, so I think the title kind of works for the album. And it is like coming back to country music, coming home.

Coming after this bluegrass record, I really needed to reconnect and figure out what I wanted to do with my next record,” Bentley says. “I've been writing some stuff for over a year, and the album doesn't come out until February.

I'm still writing to see if there's anything else that might be left from this batch of inspiration and creativity. So we'll see.

Dierks is performing in Gainesville tonight at the University of Florida's O'Connel Center, and I'll be DRT-ing (Dierks Road Trip), from Tampa to get there as soon as I can. 'Cause when a DBC rep wants to see her favorite artist, there ain't no way of gettin' there too fast!

~Ronna
DBC Chair
Florida

Win A Tour "Date" with Dierks!

2011-09-28T22:45:00.002-04:00

Ok Congress, it's time to get your creative juices flowing! Go to Dierks.com and pin your "Home" on the map with a photo or video about what HOME means to you. The most popular entry wins a day on tour with Dierks! If you don't score big in popularity, don't fret; Dierks will be choosing other winners to receive prizes along the way!

From Dierks.com:

Dierks' Map of Home Contest Has Begun For Congress

In celebration of the release of Dierks' new single, "Home", we have put together a special contest exclusively for Dierks' Fan Club, The DB Congress. Dierks' Map of Home allows you to pin your "home" on an interactive map right here on Dierks.com. You can also upload a picture and video that represent your home. Creativity is key in this contest. It's all about what home means to YOU.

The grand prize winner, which will be chosen based on the number of "likes" their entry accrues, will win a Day on the Road with Dierks for themselves and a guest on a tour date of their choice (exclusions apply, travel is not included). This will include attending sound check, eating a catered dinner with Dierks, and attending the concert later in the day. Several winners will also be chosen by Dierks throughout the contest based on creativity of their entries. Prizes include various merchandise items.

Who wouldn't want to spend the day with our Prez? Start charging your cameras now!

~Amy
DBC Rep
Delaware

#1 Plaques and 2 Quarts of Patron

2011-09-28T21:36:00.003-04:00

On September 27, 2011, Dierks Bentley, Jim Beavers, Jon Randall Stewart and the members of Team Lonesome gathered at Losers Bar & Grill in Nashville to celebrate Dierks' 8th #1 hit. Before the party, Dierks tweeted the following:

@DierksBentley: headed to my #1 party for AM I THE ONLY ONE. thinking about all our hard core fans out there that made this happen. love you guys.

@DierksBentley: been waaaaay too long since I busted the '67 camero out!! perfect day to do it. headed to the party. thx again for calling Country Radio

The party, held by Capitol, BMI and ASCAP honored Dierks for performing; Dierks, Jim, and Jon Randall for writing; and Team Lonesome for the roles they played in the AITOO video. When Dierks was honored by ASCAP, Evie (who is getting so big!) joined him onstage to accept the award.

(Photos courtesy Nashville Country Club)

The writers, promotion team, and Team Lonesome were all awarded with 2-quart bottles of Patron.

“This is the first No. 1 that I’ve been really excited about the party and the actual location of the party,” Bentley notes. “[In the song], we wrote ‘I was flying solo / Down at Silverado’s / The joint looking like a morgue.’ Anyone who’s lived in Nashville as long as I have knows what Silverado’s is — it’s the one bar that used to be opened on Sundays. I was really excited to have the No. 1 party at Silverado’s … just have it be a crazy No. 1 party, but Silverado’s is closed. I wanted to have it there, but this is a great spot and is easy for everyone to get to. I don’t get to come here as often as I’d like because I’m on the road, so it was good second choice.”

Congratulations once again, Mr. President! We can't wait to do it all again in a few months - for your 9th #1 single "Home" AND your next #1 album!

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter-NC)

Is "Home" Dierks' "House?"

2011-09-27T07:45:00.000-04:00

As you know, "Home," the second single off Dierks Bentley's upcoming sixth studio release, went to radio yesterday for immediate airplay, and early reviews are entirely positive. The song was picked up by 4 stations last week, and looks to get many more adds this week, and likely be the Chart's "Hot Shot Debut."

Roughstock gave the song 5-stars, saying it's perhaps one of the best-written songs Dierks has ever written, and describes the production (by Jon Randall Stewart) as "epic." They liken the song to a U2 or Coldplay epic ballad.

But what really made me happy - and have a "yes!" moment - was when I was reading Billboard Country Update (unfortunately I don't have a link) this morning, and they likened "Home" to Miranda Lambert's "House That Built Me:"

Music is primarily a form of entertainment, a way for the listener to enhance or even escape the tedium of everyday life.

But on occasion, an artist latches onto a song that helps define who we are. Miranda Lambert did that profoundly in her association with “The House That Built Me,” a fact she reinforced during a Sept. 21 rehearsal for her fall tour. Dierks Bentley has done it on a national scale with “Home,” a song that was sent digitally to radio Sept. 26 through PlayMPE.

In both cases, the material creates an emotional experience even after repeated listens. And the impact is likely heightened by the songs’ contrast with the artists’ larger body of work. Both Lambert and Bentley have earned a reputation for gritty, edgy material.

Even in rehearsal, “The House That Built Me” continues to stand as a monumental match of artist and song. So likely will Bentley’s “Home.” Where “House” sifted through an individual’s identity, “Home” grapples with the makeup of an entire nation. Bentley wrote it with Brett Beavers and Semisonic founder Dan Wilson after the shooting of Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, attempting to make sense of the senseless. The writers ably captured the principles and enormous sacrifices that led to the founding of America while avoiding bumper-sticker patriotism. “Home,” with its simple chordal riff and thoughtful vocal performance, perfectly captures the mood of many Americans, desperate for unity in a difficult time. In that regard, it bears some similarity to Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” written 10 years ago this week, on Sept. 28, 2001. In the context of Bentley’s good-time, party singles—“Sideways,” “How Am I Doin’” and recent No. 1 “Am I the Only One”—“Home” could be even more powerful in concert.

Like Lambert’s “The House That Built Me,” “Home” aids listeners in sorting out who we are—and holds out hope that we can be even greater.

I'm so excited to hear this song on the radio, and to continue to hear such great things about it. Let's move this up the charts!

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter, NC)

Dierks Bentley's "Home" Goes to Radio Today!

2011-09-26T20:20:00.000-04:00

Dierks Bentley released his next single, "Home", to radio today! Watch this video of the making of the song and get ready to hit the radio campaign trail! Call, tweet, email, post, facebook, click, and vote! Be respectful, and courteous, ask nicely (not too many times a day), and always say thank you!

We've got four months to get it to #1, congress! The album is set to release February 2012!

"It's a really special song for me...I love this song."

"It's just one of those songs that just..it kinda fell out of the sky."

West, on a plane bound West, I see her stretching out below.

"The initial melody was there pretty quickly, and the idea -- the place we all call home--really quickly, like within an hour...but then its like wow when you're writing one of these kinda songs it's like your really taking on a big challenge, its like a big theme, a big anthem really...and that kinda makes it scary to finish the rest of the song cos you feel like ok we're gonna write that kinda song its gotta be really great.

...its been a long hard ride, got a ways to go, but this is still the place that we all call home.

"Hopefully when you listen to the whole song it leaves you feeling inspired, and reminds you of just what a great country this is, and how we've been through tough times before, you know just a lot of people have sacrificed to get us where we are and for us to have the freedooms that we have and I think they're reminded of that and thinking about that hopefully can make them smile or give them hope that better days are ahead."

...whoa o o yeah mmmmm

"I'm looking forward to seeing how the fans react to the song, I really am. I think it's a song that will hopefully touch a lot of people. I hope it gets played a lot cos I want people to hear the song and have it affect them so that when we come to do a show we can really gel over the ideas we share the commmon love of this nation."

...been a long hard ride, got a ways to go, but this is still the place that we all call home.

Listen to the whole song here.

Dierks DVR Alert: Jimmy Fallon 9/29/11 - Pink Floyd Week!

2011-09-25T14:11:00.000-04:00

The last time Dierks Bentley peformed on the Late Night With Jimmy Fallon show, he sang Draw Me A Map. On Thursday of next week, Dierks is the only country artist who will help Jimmy honor the legendary Pink Floyd, during a week long tribute.

Dierks will sing his interpretation of, "Wish You Were Here." Artists from other genres will fill the rest of the week, including The Shins, Foo Fighters, MGMT and the day after Dierks' performance, one of his favorite bands - Pearl Jam - will cover the classic Pink Floyd single, "Mother."

Floyd members Nick Mason and Roger Waters will appear individually as guests on the show on Monday and Tuesday. Waters also will perform "In the Flesh” from 'The Wall', with the Foo Fighters on Tuesday night.

In case you need a refresher, here is Pink Floyd performing, "Wish You Were Here," live:

Dierks Bentley: 5 Minutes With Fame

2011-09-25T13:27:00.001-04:00

Dierks Bentley is the feature artist in this week's "Five Minutes with Fame," an exclusive video series by The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and Microsoft Zune Marketplace, featuring singers, songwriters and bands at the forefront of today's music.

After a behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum, they sat down with Dierks to talk about his music, his road to success, inspirations, being on tour and of course, some of his favorite artists and artifacts highlighted in the Museum.

When talking about songwriting, Dierks said, "I feel like I'll always be a student of songwriting; I always want to get better, and write better songs..."

DBTV- Episode 36: Target Practice!

2011-09-23T11:41:00.000-04:00

To blow off some steam in the heart of Texas, the guys get their hands on some guns. Check out their unique selection of targets.... and we thought wasting bullets was Luke Bryan's thing.... ;-)

Even Dolphins Love Dierks!

2011-09-20T19:45:00.000-04:00

How can you not love a picture like this? Country Music is Love posted this picture of our Prez Dierks Bentley hanging out with the dolphin Steimie while enjoying some much-needed down time with his family at Sea World San Diego yesterday. In town for a show, Dierks and the family also met penguins and fed seals. That is my kind of outing!

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

Studio Version of "Home"

2011-09-20T17:51:00.004-04:00

Well, ~~we still don't have an add date~~, but the above ad ran in Billboard's Country Update last night (on the front page, no less) and the studio version has been found!

EDIT: "Home" goes for Adds Monday, October 10th!

CLICK HERE (this will work with Windows Media Player)

Getting very excited to hear this on the radio! We'll keep you posted as soon as we know when that will be.

Comment here and tell us what you think of the new song!

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

Dierks Bentley: Behind The Song in Country Weekly

2011-09-18T15:29:00.000-04:00

In the September 19, 2011 issue of Country Weekly, Dierks Bentley is featured in a 2-page 'behind the song' article, applauding his latest number one single, "Am I The Only One?"

Co-written with Jon Randall Stewart and Jim Beavers, Dierks said, "We came up with the story line and injected some of my actual real friends' names into the song."

Get the CW issue today, which includes the song's lyrics and chords!

DBTV - Episode 35: Miles & Music For Kids!

2011-09-18T14:42:00.000-04:00

Over $1.6 million raised for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, Dierks Bentley recaps past Miles & Music For Kids events and gears up for the Oct. 9 (Chicago) and Oct. 16 (Nashville) events in this week's DBTV. I was at the October 2010 Nashville and May 2011 Columbus events and I can tell you these DB charity bike ride/concerts are special experiences!

Are you going to be there to help push the $2 million mark?

On The Set Of Dierks Bentley's New Video, 'Home'

2011-09-17T08:57:00.001-04:00

I won the chance to be on the set of a Dierks Bentley video through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society auction. The video shoot took place Tuesday night in a soybean field on a farm just outside Nashville. My husband, Lloyd, and I were brought onto the set by Joanna Carter, VP of Creative Services at Capitol Nashville. She gave us the explanation for the treatment of this video which is:

Dierks singing in a field with an acoutistic guitar. Then there will be fireworks that illuminate the sky, and as they explode, images will form in the sky, images that tell the story of our country from who we are as a people to the beautiful landscape. It will then cut away to people all across America taking notice of what's happening in the sky.

So we watched as Dierks played his song in the field about  20 times or so, so they could get different angles.   We got to talk to him briefly between takes. I asked him who decides what the next single will be, and he said that in this particular case, Capitol Records did, which he said was just fine with him because he trusts their choices.   He said the song and video should be out in a couple of weeks.

After Dierks performance part was over, he left and so did we. It was about 2:00 a.m., but the crew was still going to be there filming the fireworks and b-rolls until 4:00!  (b-rolls, I discovered, are the filming of anything other than the main artist, i.e., background, extras, anything without Dierks.)

Joanna was very nice and has worked for Capitol Records Nashville for 18 years. She is on the set of every video filmed by a Capitol artist, and has been on every set of Dierks's videos.  She told us her favorite one was Long Trip Alone, though being a woman in a Mexican prison was a little scary! I told her I always love the ones where Jake and George make an apprearance.

While on the set, we also met Dierks's beautiful wife, Cassidy. She was very nice. We talked about the Kentucky Derby and how they get wonderful invitations to go, but Dierks always has a gig. We talked dogs, and she said that they thought about bringing them [Jake and George] because when they get home, the dogs will bark and might wake up their little girls. She also said Jake and George like going to "camp" when the family is on the road.

Here are some pictures from the shoot (it was hard to get good ones because it was so dark.)

One of the highlights of this experience was finding out that Dawn Gates, Senior Director of New Media at Capitol Records, raised $50,000.00 for LLS! Way to go!

~Lee Ann Miller (corgigirl)
DB Congress, Kentucky

Not A Lot Of Love For Dierks?

2011-09-15T21:56:00.000-04:00

Our friends and fellow DB Congress reps Lauren and Erin at Country Music Is Love.com are featuring a weekly column: Open Mic with Mike Thomas. This week, Mike gives his take on the Top 10 Underrated Artists of the 2000′s. Our prez, Dierks Bentley, comes in at #2. Do you agree with Mike? Leave your comments here and there!

"#2… Dierks Bentley - It’s hard to believe that Dierks released his first album in 2003 and is now up to SEVEN albums. He’s toured with Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney, headlined his own tour, and for a couple years, was a perennial nominee in the Male Vocalist category. To be this high on my list there has to be a reason for using the term “underrated” and here’s how it applies to Dierks: two platinum albums, a greatest hits package, and a bluegrass project all before the age of 35 – yet, Dierks will be sitting in the crowd at the CMA’s this November watching Kenny, Brad, Keith, Blake Shelton, or Jason Aldean take home the trophies. Here’s a guy who was so hot at country radio that women debated if he was better with the long, curly hair or the buzz cut when he shaved his head for his “Long Trip Alone” video. This guy has a deep songwriting range, he’s an amazingly talented musician, and really is one of the coolest guys to hang out with backstage. I think his bluegrass project is what caused him to be out of the CMA conversation this fall and I look for Dierks to be back in the game this spring."

Jay Ballinger Stays the Course for Kids

2011-09-15T20:50:00.002-04:00

Those of you who are die-hard Dierks Bentley fans probably have met funny guy and stage manager Jay Ballinger. Little did we know, the Louisville native hosts an annual celebrity golf scramble, benefiting Louisville's Home of the Innocents, where Ballinger and his sister were both under the custody of when they were adopted at birth.

The second annual "On The Course For Kids" will be held on Monday, September 19 at Quail Chase Golf Club, 7000 Cooper Chapel Road, in Louisville, KY. Celebrities scheduled to attend this year include country music artists Jake Owen, Josh Thompson, Bucky Covington, and Miss Willie Brown among others, all of whom have toured with Dierks Bentley.

The two man scramble will have a shot gun start at noon on Monday, September 19, with an acoustic concert following the awards ceremony at approximately 6:45 p.m. Registration for golfers is $100 per person. Tickets for the concert are $15 in advance or $20 day of show. All proceeds will benefit Home of the Innocents.

Fans are invited to come out to watch the scramble and meet and greet with the celebrities. Although there is no charge for watching, donations can be made at the registration table or by visiting Home of the Innocents. Return for the intimate acoustic concert and know that the entire purchase price of your ticket will benefit the Home.

According to Louisville.com, "Ballinger has now found such a comfortable place working with Dierks Bentley that he has turned down opportunities to join the tours of Kid Rock and Bon Jovi."

Jay Ballinger, side stage, Boone, NC - 7-23-11

“I feel really lucky,” said Ballinger. “I look at some of these kids, I feel lucky that I had great parents who adopted me, let me chase my dreams, and I never had to spend a day in that home. I never had to be in that situation and placed in foster care and all that stuff,” he continued.

Last year, in the first celebrity golf scramble, Ballinger and friends raised nearly $47,000 for the Home.

“I was one of the fortunate ones,” Ballinger said. “I’m in a place that I can give back. If you’re in place that you can give back and you can afford to give back, I feel like you should pay it forward. And that’s what I’m doing. I couldn’t think of anyone else that deserves it more than children.”

Best of luck, Jay! We hope you beat last year's total and surpass $50,000! We've got a lot of DB Congress reps in Kentucky that I'm sure will want to support this worthy cause!

See ya on the road!

~Ronna
DB Congress Chair
Florida

Dierks to Perform When "Opry Live" Returns To TV On GAC With 6-Star-Packed Shows

2011-09-14T21:33:00.000-04:00

"Opry Live" Returns To Television On GAC With Six Star-Packed Shows This Fall

Nashville, TN — September 13, 2011
Country music’s most famous show is returning to television. The Grand Ole Opry® will return to GAC: Great American Country for six star-packed “Opry Live” episodes to begin airing Tues., Oct. 4. The first show scheduled to air, an 80thbirthday salute to country legend George Jones, will be filmed tonight and will feature performances by Alan Jackson, Jamey Johnson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Ann Womack, and more.

Shows airing on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays in subsequent weeks will feature a who’s who of new stars, superstars, and legends of country music, including: Trace Adkins, Lauren Alaina, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Ronnie Dunn, Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Randy Travis, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood and more. Airdates will be announced at opry.com and gactv.com.

“GAC has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the Opry over the past eight years, partnering with them on ‘Opry Live’ and specials including ‘Country at the White House,’ ‘Music City Keep on Playing’ and ‘Country Comes Home.’ Special moments happen on the Opry stage and GAC is pleased to be able to share those moments with our viewers,” said Sarah Trahern, SVP/GM, GAC.

“We can’t wait to showcase some of this fall’s great Opry performances by the biggest names in country music with fans across the country on ‘Opry Live’ on GAC,” said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager.

Dierks Drops By American Chopper, Paul Jr. Designs

2011-09-14T21:12:00.000-04:00

Thanks to new DBC Rep, Harriett, for this great video find! Dierks Bentley surprises Vinnie DiMartino who turns into a "stupid fan." Dierks says he'd choose PJD (Paul Jr. Design) for his dream custom bike!

Dierks Brings Iowa 'Home' on 9/11/11

2011-09-14T20:22:00.009-04:00

According to the Spencer Daily Reporter, "Country superstar Dierks Bentley asked the crowd if he was the "only one who wanted to party" and the crowd let him know he wasn't alone. Bentley performed before a large crowd Sunday night, the first of two major country acts playing the Clay County Fair grandstand. Bentley performed several hits and had the crowd in the concert all night long." Photo by Michael Fischer.

Fellow Iowan and one of the DB Congress founding members, Mona Purdy, hadn't seen our president (Dierks Bentley) perform in over 13 months! Read her story here:

"This time I didn't have to drive at least two hours, he played in my hometown (Spencer, Iowa)! I had been very nervous ever since the date was announced because of the way ticket sales are handled. I did get standing room only! I arrived at the fairgrounds around noon and no one was around just yet. I walked around with the family and kept checking back at the gates. About 2 p.m. I found some friends had arrived so I joined them in line. I have seen Hollie, Kirsten, and Judy at several other shows. Doug would be joining us later. My friend Holly and her husband would also be joining us. This would be Holly's first time in a standing room only area and her first Meet and Greet!

When I went to check the Will Call Office for the M&G passes, a woman (Felicia) came up to me and asked if I was Mona. She told how she had been worried about her name change and if it would prevent her from picking up her pass. One of the people she had contacted had emailed her a photo of Dierks and I, and told her to look for me. She couldn't remember the name right away, but when she mentioned that person wanted a review, I knew it was Ronna!

This is weird, but to attend the M&G we had to leave the venue and were nervous about getting back inside. We were right up against the barricade in front of the stage and had many people saving our spots. Holly and I made our way back to the meet up area and met up with Felicia. She was the first in line but didn't want to be. So I went first! I'm not nervous about meeting Dierks anymore. But I really love to watch people meet him for the first time. It's awesome. During the M&G I asked him about an expected release for the new album. He said February. He told us he would be doing an acoustic version of the song "HOME" which would be the next single.

Later on stage, Dierks mentioned that his long time supporters had asked about the new music and he motioned towards the group dead center in front, my group!

During Frankie Ballard's show, Hollie and I had discussed the stage's height and our close proximity to it--perfect for catching sweat. Maybe 10 minutes later, Frankie stood above us (the stage was a couple of feet higher than us) and shook his head! We both started laughing as the sweat hit us! I was pleasantly surprised by Frankie's show. Not a big fan of A Buncha Girls, but he put on a good show. Enjoyed it. Between Dierks and Frankie's sets, a woman came up and asked if I was Mona. She had seen my tweet to the dbcongress!

@MLVSLTA: "@dbcongress anyone in Spencer yet? Look for a fat woman in a white db congress tee. It's Mona!"

Then @dbcongress retweeted it, then...

@MLVSLTA: "@dbcongress way to go Ronna! I just met the IA rep who was worried about the name change @ her M&G. she got it just fine!"

Dierks played almost every one of his singles, all but Long Trip Alone and Draw Me A Map. He played a new song about things that go together. That could be a hit single! He introduced his new song HOME. This was the tenth anniversary of 9/11. What a beautiful, awesome song! I can't wait to hear it at radio, and get the download! Dierks mentioned a few times about this being a Sunday--you couldn't tell it was by the crowd--we were loud! So Dierks announced that he was going to skip the encore and just keep playing.

It was a perfect night--Dierks playing live, and great friends to share the fun with!

My friend Holly is going to check out dbcongress.com. She emailed me last night. This show was a wonderful new experience and I think it will make her a devoted fan for life!"

~Mona Purdy
DB Congress Rep
Iowa

That's what we like to hear, Mona! We're growing the DB Congress, one fan at at time!