Young Fan Gets Priceless Birthday Gift from Dierks Bentley

 

One of our youngest DB Congress members, 8-year-old Derek Verst, got the best birthday gift ever last weekend in Indy! 

 

Mom Gina told us, "Derek is one of my triplets and it was his belated birthday present to go to the Dierks Bentley concert, including VIP."

 

Last September in Cincinnati, Dierks pulled Derek on stage during Drunk On A Plane.  So his goal for the VIP experience this time in Indy was to get Dierks to sign a photo he had brought from last year's experience.

 

But, boy did he get so much more! Gina tells us the story:

 

"The Indy VIP show was already extra special in and of itself because Dierks' girls, Evie and Jordan, each joined him on stage to sing songs.  But, then while prepping to do D.O.A.P. during the VIP show, Derek held out the photo and Dierks willingly autographed it.  He then asked Derek if he remembered the words.  Derek confidently replied, "Yes!" (he later asked me how he could not know the words to his FAVORITE song?!?)  Dierks helped him up on the stage and adjusted the mic Ben Helson had been singing on.  Derek nailed every last word!

 

Derek was still floating on cloud 9 from the VIP experience and I think his night would have been made with that.

 

But, he stood in the pit at the rail near our seats, singing and dancing along the entire night.  His face when the plane emerged for D.O.A.P. was PRICELESS! 

 

A group of people who were in the VIP event came over and asked if they could try to get Derek on stage and I said, "Sure!"  While Dierks was singing D.O.A.P., a man lifted Derek up and a large group of people started pointing and motioning towards Derek.  Dierks came over and grabbed his "co-pilot."  He placed Derek in the cock-pit of the plane and Derek got the best view in the house to watch the remainder of the finale.

 

 

 

After the show, Dierks tweeted a shout-out to his "co-pilot" with the picture."

 

 

 

Truly an unforgettable night!

Special thanks to Suzanne Jarvis for the videos and Kathy Butler for the photos.

 

Dierks Bentley Fans React to Miles and Music For Kids Record-Breaking Event

Dierks Bentley had plenty of reason to smile big, in awe of the crowd on September 28, 2014.  He broke his own record Sunday, raising $335,479 for the kids at Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, in Nashville, Tennessee. That topped the 2013 amount of over $307,000.

The Miles and Music For Kids celebrity motorcycle ride and concert marked his ninth year and more than $2.6 million for the kids all total.

This year, a pre-event creative campaign gave a jump start to the annual fund-raiser with, Riser bird flockings and "flock" insurance.

DB Congress (fan club) reps were feeling a mix of emotions-reverence, respect, and pride for our DB Congress president and all he has accomplished because of  his huge heart! He truly does 'give it all he has to give,' to borrow a line from "Up On The Ridge." Many of them shared their most memorable moments below, happy to support him and the kids in this worthwhile event.

I loved it when he gave a shout out to George Jones' wife, Nancy, (who was watching from a roof top building) and talked about how he influenced him.  When he gave a shout out to DB Congress for being there and mentioned Riser birds and the pilots in the crowd, I know my friend Jessica and I were proud to be part of congress and we were repping our pilot outfits! It was fun having people ask us for pictures and why we did it.  Loved Dierks' reaction to the total dollar amount raised! I honestly thought he was gonna cry. - Adrian Taylor, NC

It was my first MM4K. I loved everything. The way people from all over the country gathered to support Dierks and his cause was amazing. Dierks had so much positive energy and it radiated to the crowds.  I will make this a definite annual trip!  I just love my DB Congress buddies. Best fan club ever! - Brandy Knight, MS

My two favorite parts were when he presented the check to the hospital and his intro to "I Hold On." That story never grows old. The truck, the guitar with George Jone's autograph....awesome when a superstar remembers and appreciates where they came from. Class act, DB!
- Greg Birkmann, MO

Watching Dierks hang out with his peers side stage is always fun, you know he's having a blast. It really does feel like CMA fest, except the weather is better and you know your money is going towards something worth while! - Takara D., MO

I love seeing the families of Dierks, Dude Inc., and the guests. The fact that the event is family-oriented makes it all more special. Here is a great pic that I love.  - Meredith Mauer, SC

Brian Layson (lead guitar) and his kids

Funny thing though... Moses was trying to take pics or videos of dad, Brian Layson! He was so focused! - Kristin Houghland, IN

Dierks is one of a kind! He has a heart of gold and appreciates his fans! He knows without the fans he wouldn't be where he is today! Proud to be a member of DB Congress and a long time fan! 

- Lee Ann Boyle, NE

My favorite part was that he acknowledged that we had been with him on the road the last four days. He knows when we are there! - Sandra Grubb, NC

I love how excited he is about playing in Nashville, not only that but the joy he gets from giving back to people. He's such a humble, great guy! I also loved how he brought his mom along with him! 

- Katie Prater, TN

I love both making new friends and meeting up with "old" friends. Traveling alone isn't so bad when you know your DRT friends will be there. Picking them up from the airport and sharing a favorite spot for lunch is especially fun. For me, Saturday night's Indy concert was the first time D never seemed to know I was at a show. Knowing he's gotten so big that so many people are there to see him and that he is so in the moment of entertaining and enjoying every minute of it is bittersweet. Seeing him on Sunday at the dealership saying quick hellos to everyone, getting a hug and a how are ya... Always great. When I told him awesome show last night, he looked at me and questioned "you were there?" I think he felt bad for not having seen me, and yet you could tell he seemed humbled that fans would drive such distances to attend multiple shows back to back. He's the real deal folks! 

- Kristin Houghland, IN

Two highlights for me were the check presentation and his shout out to us for following him for four shows in a row. -Kathy Butler, IN

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David Mattingly, DBC rep in Kentucky, coordinated the annual pre-party for MM4K9. They had dinner/drinks and some card signing at Joe's Crab Shack in downtown Nashville Saturday night before the ride/concert on Sunday.   Reps brought with them some 'Get Well' cards for the children at Vanderbilt. "This is a huge hit and the hospital staff appreciates and acknowledges our efforts," David posted.

Each rep and each of the 176 get well cards received a Dierks Bentley guitar pick from the current Riser Tour. Janet Marlborough flew in from California to help sign cards and posted this photo:

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Storme Warren, Sirius XM The Highway (Master of Ceremonies) and Ricky Kelley, Harley-Davidson of Columbia tell the crowd all the many states and Canada that all the riders came from!

Special Guests

Eric Close (Teddy on ABC's Nashville)

Chip Esten (Deacon on ABC's Nashville)

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People magazine captured Dierks and baby boy Knox (who turns one on 10/9) and Dierks and his mom, Cathy, who rode on the back of his bike with him to the Riverfront

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The music

Dee Jay Silver warmed up the crowd, followed by Riser Tour opener, Jon Pardi

Randy Houser, backed by Dierks band, wowed us. Then finished his set solo, with a goose-bump version of "Like A Cowboy"

Steve Misamore, Cassady Feasby

Tim Sergent, Dan Hochhalter

Kip Moore performed a moving acoustic rendition of "Hey Pretty Girl" after several of his hit songs with Dierks's band backing him.

Chris Young couldn't say enough good things about Dierks, after being on the Riser Tour with him, then launched into his power ballads

And the main man....Dierks!

Dierks said he saw a lot of fans in the audience that came to show after show and he was always trying to find something to make the same show a little different and special for them.  One way he thought was to sing his new single, "Say You Do":




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It is about the money... "We've come a long way from passing a Gatorade bucket around with Dalton."



Guess all that pre-event flocking helped boost the total!



And the final bow...the "I'm not worthy" bow...(yes you are!)

And one final with Brian Layson's son Moses!

We can't wait for #MM4K10 to set a new record again!

Baby Bentley's First Photo: Daddy Dierks and Buddy Knox

It's been three months and we finally get to see a photo of Dierks Bentley's first baby boy, Knox!  Dierks Tweeted yesterday:

"watching football with my buddy knox. he wants me to give a shout out to @LBTmusic for his new duds! @nfl #NOvsSEA."

Karen Fairchild from Little Big Town replied: "Seriously, could he be any cuter??? Can't wait to meet him. - KF".

Lots of fans replied as well with comments like this:

So here's a baby picture of first born sister Evie (now 5), they look a lot alike, don't they?  So, Dierks, if you're reading this, next we'd love to see a picture of all three kids!

Dierks Bentley Gets "5-1-5-0" for Bud Light's "50/50/1" at Irving Plaza in NYC

August 1, 2013, Dierks Bentley, was the artist chosen to represent New York in Bud Light Music First's "50/50/1" event, featuring live performances from every state in the USA!  Irving Plaza in New York City was bubbling over with excitement all afternoon, as over 1,000 "free" ticket holders tried to get inside.

Thanks to the Dierks Bentley fan club for giving away last minute tickets that were hard to come by through Bud Light and NASH-FM!  Tara and I made plans to meet at the venue.  It was two planes and a taxi ride to Manhattan, then the all-day-anxiety of getting to the rail to be front row stage center were well worth it to experience the man and the band up close and personal.

Dierks' entertainment style is just that--personal.  For an hour and a half, he connected with dozens in the crowd, pointing, making eye-contact, slapping high-fives, touching finger tips, and even bringing one lucky girl up on stage to play his guitar.  Then he left her up there to come down into the audience, and sat on the rail right between me and Tara.  Special thanks to those DB Congress reps at home watching all this streaming online and capturing that moment! Not bad quality for a computer screen capture! Thanks, Janet!

Dierks joked that she was brave to wear an "Alabama" shirt
to a "New York" show

He was clearly having a good time but more than that, he was making sure everyone in the room was having fun, too.  And he does it all so naturally.  He just says whatever comes to mind.

Like when introducing his multi-talented band of brothers, he shared with us each of their nicknames.  Brian Layson (lead guitar) is Cactus; Steve Misamore (drums) is Steve when he's sober, Tony when he's drunk and Dwayne when he is high. Dierks asked, "Which one are you tonight, Steve?", who held up 2, maybe 3 fingers. Cassady Feasby (bass) is "the doctor," but he called him "nerd-o" that night. Tim Sergeant "Sarge" (steel, banjo) comes from Kentucky. "We can all use a little "K-Y" on tour," Dierks quipped.  Dan Hochhalter (fiddle, guitar) is "The Hawk" (who played injured after a bicycle accident two days before.).  He also teased Dan about his supply of Cialis and his use of performance enhancing drugs. Dierks joked he'd be there all night for the comedy and to "try the veal," but then promised to get back to singing after he said Steve gave the signal that the comedy hour was over.

Brian "Cactus" Layson

Steve / Tony/ Dwayne Misamore

Cassady "nerd-o" Feasby

Tim Sergeant from "KY"

Dan "The Hawk" Hochhalter

Even though Dierks was the headliner, Chris Stapleton stole some hearts and mesmerized souls as he belted out several songs he wrote ("Your Man"-Josh Turner and "The Right Ones," that he wrote with "Home" co-writer Dan Wilson).

Beautiful harmonies emanated when his wife joined him on the Waylon Jennings classic, "Amanda," and a few others.  Watching and listening to him sing "Sometimes I Cry" --just him and his guitar--it was so moving.  Pure, raw, powerful emotion. Too bad most of the venue was talking over it--how disrespectful!

His single, "What Are You Listening To?" is now available on iTunes, and I promise you are gonna wanna download it pronto.

You may remember Chris as the lead vocalist for the GRAMMY nominated bluegrass band The Steel Drivers, but the first time I heard his powerful voice was on Dierks' Up On The Ridge album on track two, "Fallin' For You."  We could see the set list on the stage floor and were excited to see the song listed with (w/CS) next to it!

"This guy right here sang on this next song [on the Up On The Ridge record] and we haven't done this song in like three years. But man, it's so very not often you get a chance to hang with one of your buddies on the road and then he's here and you get a chance to sing a song we were just singing back stage and we said, 'hell if we're singing it backstage we might as well take it to the stage and sing it for these hard core fans.'  I look down at this front row of fans that have been following me my whole life with these Stubbs hats and Stubbs T-shirts...this is a one time deal in New York and this is one of the best singers I've ever heard in my life." ~Dierks Bentley

In addition to the "one time deal" that was "Fallin For You," other songs the die-hards in the audience heard that night away from the typical set list were "Summer On Fire" and "Bourbon In Kentucky."  Dierks also performed a song that he hasn't sang in recent shows, but a fan favorite:  "How Am I Doin'" really brought the energy of the crowd way up. As he sang to a woman, who although there with a male companion, had her lips in a pucker for a kiss, a guy in the front row had his arm around his Dierks' waist!

It turned out to be very funny because later when he was singing "Come A Little Closer" he sang "I feel like layin' you down" and added "at least the girls."

The Will Ferrell look-alike that makes an appearance at every DB show in NYC was there in the balcony, and Dierks made sure to point him out to the crowd and shout out some of his favorite flicks like "Semi Pro" and how they were awaiting the release of Anchorman 2.

When he started singing his newest single, "I Hold On," we held up our signs of support ("We Hold On") and the live stream caught a glimpse on camera.

"What Was I Thinkin'" and "Sideways" signaled the encore, and  had everyone in the crowd jumping on their feet with the energy at an all time high. But the crowd got quiet and attentive when the introductory notes to "Home" started.  As Dierks has said before, he does not have a home state, but a home country-the USA and as before, the statement was met with roaring applause and screams. With cell phones high in the air, everyone there celebrated great music, a great performance and the great country we live in.

The guys take their final bow and Dierks drops to his knees to say thank you to everyone. No--thank YOU for a great experience!

After the show, we were walking around the front of the venue and we saw Dierks in a van. Proving yet again, what a wonderfully warm person he is, he looked over and said "hey Tara, come here...hey Ronna, come here." Hugs were exchanged as we talked about the show. He actually commented that he was watching us watch Chris Stapleton perform and was impressed with how respectful we were. He was gracious enough to get out of the van and we took a photo at his suggestion.

The man is not only a talented singer songwriter, but a person with a generous heart who truly appreciates his fans. And Dierks, we always will appreciate you and be Dierks fans for life!

Every Mile A Memory!  The next day I rode a train to Grand Central Station, a taxi to the airport and two planes all day to get back home to Florida but it was totally worth it--it always is! Tara lives in New York and tweeted: @DierksBentley 2hr drive into city, 5hours in line, mega anxiety...would I do it again?...yes!!


Set List:
Am I The Only One
Free and Easy
5-1-5-0
Summer On Fire
Every Mile A Memory
Lot of Leavin' Left To Do
Settle For A Slowdown
Feel That Fire
Tip It On Back
Up On The Ridge
Fallin' For You (w/Chris Stapleton)
Bourbon In Kentucky
Come A Little Closer
How Am I Doin'?
I Hold On
=========
Encore:
What Was I Thinkin'?
Sideways
Home


~Ronna Clark
DB Congress (FL)

~Tara Toro
DB Congress (NY)

Dierks Bentley Audio Interview by Q106

A big shout out to one of our new DB Congress Twitter followers, Q106 radio - @pottersaid of Madison, Wisconsin!  Thanks for sharing the audio of your Dierks Bentley interview with us from the Jefferson County Fair!

Is Dierks the voice of the Nashville airport?  Is Fifty Shades of Grey part of your pre-show ritual?  Find out how DB answers these questions and more!

Listen here.

Dierks Bentley Live Stream: Recap of Town Hall Meeting

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 songwriter?
"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).