"Living" Released As New Single

It's official--a song very near and dear to many DB Congress members' hearts has been announced as Dierks Bentley's newest single.

First heard as a gift to DBCers present at a Las Vegas concert in December of 2017, the song "Living" quickly became a deep fan favorite.

 

For this very introspective, self-reflective, heart moving, downright gorgeous song, Dierks put his own pen to paper, personally writing this track with Ross Copperman and Josh Kear.

“The idea for this song started from being on the road and realizing how little ‘living’ we were actually doing out there,” he said. “Whole days would go by where you never leave the bus and all you would see is the back parking lot of the arena. Going to Walgreens was a big deal! That is when the idea was born that there is a true difference between being alive and actually ‘living.’ This song is certainly about big moments in life and adventure … but it’s more about finding the beauty and that feeling in everyday moments. My goal for 2019 is to get outdoors and seek adventure whenever possible while also being fully present and living in even the ordinary moments … whether it be my son’s hockey practice and my girls’ theater performances or sitting around the table having dinner in catering with my band and crew.”

While we can assume there will be an official "Living" music video in the future (not confirmed), this initial video was released before the album, and shares a fan story of truly living.


This might be presumptuous of me, but I, personally, could see this one going all the way to number 1 (which would make it his 19th number-one hit, following his 18th--Burning Man--just a couple weeks ago!). Now, we simply need to help get it there! Call, text, tweet your radio stations so we can share this lyrical gem with radio listeners everywhere.

With a heart full of grateful ...

Jessica Borrelli
DB Congress Rep, WA
@AllTheWayToMe

"What The Hell Did I Say" Hits The Airwaves Monday (Plus A NEW Music Video!)

The fourth single to be released from Dierks Bentley's Black album, What The Hell Did I Say, is sure to climb the charts in a hurry. Can this summer anthem continue the trend and hit No. 1 like the three singles to come before it?

Having the time of my life y'all on this What The Hell tour. Thanks everyone that came out to bristow VA tonight. @cswinde2 @whiskeyjam

A post shared by Dierks Bentley (@dierksbentley) on Jun 9, 2017 at 8:41pm PDT

"We named the tour after this song hoping that it would be a single this summer because it perfectly captures the anything-goes spirit out there this year," Dierks explains.

Mission accomplished.

Though not a song penned by Dierks himself, it was written by the team who, with Dierks, wrote his single Drunk On A Plane--Ross Copperman, Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins. He knew he needed to have it on the album.

"I've learned over the years of making records that ... it's okay to have some of those fun songs on there," he shares.

It certainly brings a care-free spirit to the album and the tour, not to mention the social media craze with #WTH.

A song filled with regret, and a potential hangover, WTHDIS follows a man who clearly blacked out the night before. Waking up to a call saying "I loved every single word you left on my phone" leads the caller to try to determine "what the hell" he said last night.

The momentum-carrying intro practically begs the subject of the song to get it into gear to figure out what happened. The baseline teases of potential trouble in what he said. The chorus slams into the frustration (and humor) of not being able to remember. By the time you hit the bridge, you really start to get concerned (did he propose? promise expensive gifts?). While you never reach the answer, the journey is a sobering one set to a party song tune.

"My fans are really patient on this record [Black]," Dierks said in a recent media event. "We've taken a lot of twists and turns: Somewhere on a Beach was different. Different for Girls was different for me. And then Black, for that to go No. 1, it's not the typical song that does that. [My fans have] been really patient allowing us to do stuff. So to come back with a song that's a real down-the-middle, fun party song--it's kind of a good summer song, and I'm excited about it."

The new music video, filmed last month in Tampa on the WTH tour, was released at midnight EST. Watch it here:



You can help get this song to No. 1 by requesting it from your local radio station! Let's see how fast we can get this song up the charts and leave radio listeners saying, "'What the hell' was that song? Let's 'dial it up again'!"


Jessica Borrelli
DB Congress Rep, WA
@AllTheWayToMe

Dierks Bentley Nominated for Lucky 7 Academy of Country Music Awards!

On the heels of five CMA Awards nominations in November, comes Dierks Bentley's lucky number seven nods for the Academy of Country Music Awards, airing it's 50th anniversary show live April 19, 2015 at 8 pm eastern on CBS from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Once again, he leads the male nominees with 7, only surpassed by female gal-pal, Miranda Lambert with 8 nominations. Bentley was also the most-nominated male artist at the Country Music Association's Awards in November.

"I like the number seven. It's my hockey number. It's my lucky number. This is my seventh album. It's always been my number, and it wraps this whole album up really well to have seven nominations. It's like it was meant to be, but it sure was unexpected. I'm just thrilled for sure. I've just got great people who believe in me, sometimes more than I believe in myself and really go to the wall to get my songs heard."

Not to mention he grabbed a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album (Riser)--his 12th Grammy nod, winners to be shown on the February 8 CBS broadcast at 8 pm.

While the five CMA nods garnered Dierks a win for Video of the Year, Drunk On A Plane, it was awarded off-air.

With seven ACM nominations this year, do we dare get our hopes up that he gets at least one win, and can we go one step further and cross all our fingers that he gets to give a speech live, on the show?  This has got to be his year, right congress?

Here's who he's up against:

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR [TIE]
Jason Aldean
Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton


ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
"Old Boots, New Dirt" – Jason Aldean
Producer: Michael Knox
Record Label: Broken Bow Records

"Pain Killer" – Little Big Town
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

"Platinum" – Miranda Lambert
Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf
Record Label: RCA Nashville

"Riser" – Dierks Bentley
Producers: Ross Copperman, Jaren Johnston
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

"The Outsiders" – Eric Church
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: EMI Records Nashville


SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
"American Kids" – Kenny Chesney
Producers: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
Record Label: Blue Chair Records/Columbia Nashville

"Automatic" – Miranda Lambert
Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf
Record Label: RCA Nashville

"Dirt" – Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Republic Nashville

"Drunk On A Plane" – Dierks Bentley
Producer: Ross Copperman
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

"I Don't Dance" – Lee Brice
Producer: Lee Brice
Record Label: Curb Records


SONG OF THE YEAR [TIE] [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
(Dierks is nominated for both Artist and Songwriter)
"American Kids" – Kenny Chesney
Songwriters: Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally
Publishers: Big Red Toe Music (BMI), Creative Nation Music (BMI), Farm Town Songs (BMI), Smack Ink (ASCAP), Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Twangin And Slangin Songs (BMI), Universal Music Corporation (ASCAP)

"Automatic" – Miranda Lambert
Songwriters: Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert
Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI), Wruckestrike (BMI)

"Drink A Beer" – Luke Bryan
Songwriters: Jim Beavers, Chris Stapleton
Publishers: House of Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)

"Follow Your Arrow" – Kacey Musgraves
Songwriters: Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves
Publishers: 351 Music (BMI), Highway 508 Songs (ASCAP), House of Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), Smack Ink (ASCAP), Universal Music Corporation (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)

"Give Me Back My Hometown" – Eric Church
Songwriters: Eric Church, Luke Laird
Publishers: Creative Nation Music (BMI), Longer And Louder Music (BMI), Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Twangin And Slangin Songs (BMI)

"I Hold On" – Dierks Bentley
Songwriters: Dierks Bentley, Brett James
Publishers: Atlas Holdings (ASCAP), Big White Tracks (ASCAP), External Combustion Music (ASCAP), Songs of Brett (ASCAP), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)
"American Kids" – Kenny Chesney
Director: Shaun Silva
Producer: Don Lepore

"Cop Car" – Keith Urban
Director: John Urbano
Producer: Michelle Abnet

"Drunk On A Plane" – Dierks Bentley
Director: Wes Edwards
Producer: Clarke Gallivan

"I'm Not Gonna Miss You" – Glen Campbell
Director: James Keach
Producer: Julian Raymond

"Somethin' Bad" – Miranda Lambert Duet With Carrie Underwood
Director: Trey Fanjoy
Producer: Trent Hardville


VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]*(Off Camera Award)
"Lonely Tonight" – Blake Shelton Featuring Ashley Monroe
Producer: Scott Hendricks
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records

"Meanwhile Back At Mama's" – Tim McGraw Featuring Faith Hill
Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw
Record Label: Big Machine Records

"Somethin' Bad" – Miranda Lambert Duet With Carrie Underwood
Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf
Record Label: RCA Nashville

"The South" – The Cadillac Three Featuring Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley & Mike Eli
Producers: Dann Huff, Justin Niebank
Record Label: Big Machine Records

"This Is How We Roll" – Florida Georgia Line Featuring Luke Bryan
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Republic Nashville

"Drunk On A Plane" is Dierks' New Single!

DIERKS BENTLEY GOES FOR MILE HIGH FLIGHT ATTENTION WITH NEW SINGLE 

“DRUNK ON A PLANE” LANDING AT RADIO TODAY

“Nashville’s Freshest, Funniest Party Song” Is Second Release From Bentley's No. One Album RISER

Award winning singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley ascends to 40,000 feet with the release of his new single “Drunk On A Plane,” available at country radio now.  Written by Josh Kear, Chris Tompkins and Bentley, the track is country music storytelling at its best as the narrator is left standing alone at the alter but finds the strength to forge ahead on a hilarious solo trip to Cancun.

"I have never been jilted at the altar, but I have had a marriage proposal rejected….all you can do is pray there's a good return policy for the ring, get drunk and carry on," laughed Bentley.  "Whether I have the band with me on stage or it’s just me and my guitar, the fans love this song, and they catch on to the choruses immediately.  It’s a fun song, but when you really listen, there’s also an underlying lonesomeness which is what makes it different that a lot of the other uptempo songs I’ve put out.”

“In the middle of his new album ‘Riser’ comes Nashville’s freshest, funniest party song of the past two years. His fiancé bailed and he had two weeks of vacation and nonrefundable tickets for the honeymoon, so he’s getting mile-high drunk en route to Cancun.”  – Star Tribune

"Catchiest chorus Nashville has heard in a while." – Billboard

“He’s released his share of party-friendly hits, and his new album Riser does feature a song called ‘Drunk on a Plane.’ But Bentley has always been more nuanced and reflective than his fellow country bros, and Riser’s best moments are heartfelt and personal. Even ‘Drunk on a Plane’ is full of regret…” - Las Vegas Weekly



“Bentley’s often shown a sly sense of humor, and it surfaces on the entertaining ‘Drunk on a Plane,’ which manages to turn a poignant portrait of heartbreak into a party song.”  – Associated Press

Country Weekly is giving fans a behind the scenes look at the making of “Drunk On A Plane” from the studio and on the road. To watch, click here.

“Drunk On A Plane” is the second single off Bentley’s No. one album RISER on Capitol Records Nashville, which has already seen its lead single “I Hold On” top the country radio charts, marking Bentley’s 11th career No. one as both an artist and songwriter. Next month, Bentley will kick off his headlining 2014 RISER TOUR on May 9 in Charlotte, NC.

For more information on new music and upcoming tour dates, visit www.dierks.com.

There were plenty of signs DOAP would be the next single.  Radio has been playing it for weeks.  And Dierks sent out a "Riser Air" kit for press flying in to Vegas for the ACM Awards festivities, complete with Mardi Gras beads, a Visa card for drinks to "fill up both our trays" and Advil:

Start requesting, congress!  It already debuted on the Billboard chart at #60 and just landed at radio today!

Dierks Bentley Single Review: "I Hold On"

We've been telling you about Dierks Bentley's new single, "I Hold On," since his first live performance of the song on the Locked and Reloaded Tour in January. We told you how much meaning it holds for our president and for us! And you may have seen him debut it on The View last week.

But we weren't fast enough in asking one of our very own DB Congress reps, Tara Toro, to write a review for us.  Got Country Online got to her first!  Here is the New Yorker's perspective, posted today on GotCountryOnline.com.  


===================================================

Do you want to know who Dierks Bentley is? Then look, and listen, no further than his new single “I Hold On.” Even though he has been playing the song at his live shows since January, Dierks officially debuted “I Hold On” this past Friday on “The View.” The song, which will be on his upcoming fall release, ‘Riser,’ was written by Dierks and Brett James.

Dierks has said this is probably the most personal song he has written, yet the song’s theme makes it universally relatable. “I Hold On” is both poignant and exuberant. We not only learn the things in his life that make him who he is, he also tells us “I can’t change who I am….right or wrong”. The things that make him who he is (and those that make us who we are) are unchangeable like the “stripes on the flag, like a boy to his Dad.” It’s a mid-tempo anthem to celebrate not only who we are, but remember and honor the things that make us that way. You can just hear an amphitheatre full of people singing “I Hold On” with him at the 3:25 mark, knowing at that moment every single person is thinking of something/someone that they hold onto.

As he sings in his unmistakable gravely voice, the song’s three verses open the curtain on who he is. The first verse refers to his truck, Big White (currently with about 200,000 miles). She brought Dierks to Tennessee with his father from Arizona back when he was 19 years old. The meaning of Big White and that trip impacts on a whole different level when you hear “she’s still here now he’s gone.” (Dierks lost his father last June)

As most know, the “beat up box” with “dents and scratches that makes it sound real good” is of course his guitar. Dierks has said he has been offered many a new guitar but prefers this one: the one that holds many memories from when he started out to this day (and has George Jones, George Strait and others’ signatures on it).

The third and final verse is something we all want to hear from our significant other: “there ain’t never been no doubt….Without you I’d be nothing….So if you ever worry about…..me walkin’ out….let me tell you something.”

The truck may be beat up, the guitar may have a hole, and his boots may need duct tape, but he is one guy who knows what is important in life: his faith, the love of his family and his country.  These are the things he can “count on to keep me going strong.” These are the things we all can count on. People, things, experiences all make our memories: whether it is a guitar, a car, a mother…this song will make you remember and think about what is at the heart of you as a person. It’s an anthem to keep those things that matter close, cherish memories and be yourself.

Look for the single to be available soon. 

[Just announced today: The song will go for radio adds on August 12!]

Heading "Four" Home

Ad from this week's Billboard Country Update

 

In its 21st week on the charts, the critically acclaimed "Home" jumped two spots to #4 on Billboard, while holding steady at #5 on Mediabase.


Right now is very much about waiting to see if Kenny Chesney's "Reality" will move to the #1 spot at all (which is still very much in question), or if Dierks will catch him before that happens to block Kenny from #1. On Mediabase, Dierks is currently 800 points behind Kenny, who is 1000 points behind Keith Urban (currently #1). On Billboard, Dierks is roughly 1 million audience impressions behind Kenny, who is 3 million back from Keith. I tend to think he's got a better shot at Kenny on Billboard first, but it's going to be a close race. 


In the meantime, keep requesting the song and above all, thanking your stations for playing the song. It's definitely important they know we aren't tired of hearing this great song! 


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