We Hold On and On and On and On and On

If you've seen Dierks Bentley live in concert lately, you know he's added a new song to the set list. Known for his awe-inspiring, autobiographical songwriting skills, Dierks hits the nail on the head with, "I Hold On."  Not only does it hold true to his character, but it inspires us (DB Congress) as well.

"If I had to play one song for a complete stranger, it would be this one. This is what I'm all about."  ~Dierks Bentley

Last weekend in Estero, Florida, Dierks introduced the self-anthem and we held up signs for the last verse to show how we feel about our favorite artist--just like the song says. Dierks picked up the last sign and held it up to the crowd and said, "thank you!"

See full lyrics below, but here's the last verse:

Yeah baby look at you right now

There ain't ever been no doubt

Without you I'd be nothin'

So if you ever worry 'bout me walkin out

Yeah let me tell you somethin'

I hold on

I hold on

IIIIII Hoooooold On

Let us tell you somethin'...

I Hold On – Dierks Bentley

It's just an old beat up truck

Some say that I should trade up

Now that I got some
jangle in my pocket

But what they don't understand 

Is its the miles that make a man

I wouldn't trade that thing in for a rocket

What they don't know's
my dad and me

We drove her out to Tennessee

And she's still here and now he's gone

So I hold on

Yeah it's just an old beat up box

Six rusty strings across the top

It probably don't look like much to you

But these dents and scratches
in the wood

Yeah that's what makes it
sound so good

To me it's better than brand new

You see this here flat top guitar's

Had my back in a million bars

Singing every country song

So I hold on

To the things I believe in

My faith, Your love, our freedom

To the things I can count on to keep me going strong

Yeah I hold on

I hold on 

I hold on

Like the stripes to the flag

Like a boy to his dad

I can't change who I am right or wrong

So I hold on

Yeah baby lookin' at you right now

There ain't ever been no doubt

Without you I'd be nothin'

So if you ever worry 'bout me walkin out

Yeah let me tell you somethin'

I hold on

I hold on
I hold on...can you hear me baby?

IIIIII Hoooooold On

To the things I believe in

My faith, Your love, our freedom

To the things I can count on to keep me going strong

So I hold on

Yeah I hold on 

I hold on and on and on and on and on

### 

So if you ever worry about whether or not to include this song on your upcoming album, Dierks, just know that we hold on no matter what. But it sure would keep us going strong if you did.

Dierks Bentley Congress Members Plan Special Song For Our President

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

Bentley's New Album's Got A Lot More Kick

Dierks Bentley may be riding high on the acclaim his bluegrass-influenced Up on the Ridge album has earned — including multiple Grammy nominations — but the country star isn’t resting on his musical laurels.

Bentley and his producer Jon Randall Stewart have set up shop at a recording studio in Asheville, N.C., and plan to start work on a new album this coming week.

“I’m going to use the term kick (butt) to describe it,” Bentley said of his new material. “Everyone is asking me, ‘Is it bluegrass or country?’ I think you’re asking the wrong guy because I thought the last record was a country record with bluegrass influences. The simple answer is it just has a lot more kick. It will complement the other side of my career, the more commercial, fun, rocking stuff.”

Bentley said that while he normally writes the bulk of his own songs, he personally reached into the local songwriting community to find material for the new project.

“I’ve listened to at least 2,000 songs for the new record,” he said. “I feel like a Nashville (producer) right now because I’ve heard so many songs. I get people in my e-mail, where they send me a song and I listen to it on the spot and I send them an answer.”

Don't forget to visit dierks.com starting Sunday, January 30 to sneak a peek at Dierks in the recording process through a 24-hour live video-feed.

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