Dierks Shares "I Hold On" with GAC's #DearAmerica Campaign

One of Dierks' sentimental tracks from the upcoming Riser album, "I Hold On", is the soundtrack to GAC's on air and online #DearAmerica campaign. GAC has asked viewers to write or show them in pictures what they love most about America and the viewers have responded. Co-written by Dierks and Brett James, the song's lyrics speak to the types of letters and photographs that continue to come in through Twitter, Instagram and email.

"This song is probably one of the most personal songs I've ever written or recorded, but at the same time it hits a lot of universal themes that I think we can all relate to," said Dierks. "I've really been able to sense that from the fans when I play 'I Hold On' out on the road and am really looking forward to seeing what country fans tuning in at home will share."

No word yet on whether "I Hold On" will replace "Bourbon In Kentucky" as the summer single. Stay tuned to dbcongress.com!

Photos can be shared by using #DearAmerica on both Twitter and Instagram or by emailing dearamerica@gactv.com. They can also be uploaded to the fan wall on the Great American Country mobile app.

Learn More About The Campaign on GAC HERE >>

Watch the #DearAmerica Video HERE >>

Dierks Bentley to Headline Country Cares Benefit Concert

Dierks will make a special trip to his home state this month to headline the Country Cares Concert, benefiting The Granite Mountain Hot Shots on Monday, July 22. The show will take place at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, AZ.

VIP Packages and Individual Tickets go on sale today, Friday, July 12 @ 10am MST at KMLE1079.com and at Tim’s Toyota Center box office.

VIP Package ($351) includes:
-Artist pre show reception
-One ticket in rows 2-5
-Event t-shirt

PURCHASE VIP PACKAGE HERE!

PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL TICKETS HERE!

Proceeds from the concert will go to the United Phoenix Firefighters Charities who will distribute the proceeds of this show directly to the 19 families.

Here's an excerpt from People.com:

When the country star [Dierks Bentley] learned that 51 children were left fatherless following the devastating Arizona wildfire that killed 19 elite firefighters on June 30, the Phoenix native knew he wanted to help.

With his only day off for the rest of July, Bentley, 37, is hosting the July 22 "Country Cares Concert" in Prescott Valley, Ariz., to raise money for the fallen families affected by the deadliest firefighter loss since the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attacks.

"We want to make as much for those families as we can and hopefully start something that will continue on long after the music is over as far as remembering the firefighters and their families and these kids that live on as well," Bentley said, the Associated Press reports. "We want to help get something rolling to look after them and help them move forward."

The 19 members of the elite Granite Mountain Hotshots died battling an out of control wildfire in Yarnell, Ariz., a small town about 85 miles northwest of Phoenix, after lightning ignited the blaze on June 28th and shifting winds blocked their ability to escape. The firefighters were based in nearby Prescott – where Bentley's benefit concert will take place.

DB Congress Exclusive Interview: "Riser" Songwriters - Part Two

Songwriter Steve Moakler admits at first he didn't feel qualified to write it. But when Dierks Bentley sings his song that he co-wrote with Travis Meadows, Steve says it's like a "gritty, romantic, and empowering anthem."  "Riser" is the title song from Dierks' new album due out in October. Part Two of our exclusive interviews with the Riser songwriters continues with Steve's candid answers below.

DB Congress: What was your reaction when you heard Dierks Bentley was recording your song?

Steve Moakler: I was thrilled to hear that Dierks was recording our song. Initially, I didn't let myself get too excited because I didn't want to deal with the heartbreak if it didn't end up on the record...It seemed too good to be true at first. It still does.

DBC:  What was co-writing with Travis Meadows like? Have you written together previously? What songs?

SM:  I love writing with Travis. To me, he is the most inspiring and authentic songwriter in town. It's always an honor to write a song with him. We have written a handful of songs together. The only one that I'd say holds a candle to "Riser" is one called, "Wide Open." It's on Travis's new record and I plan on recording it on my next one.

DBC: How did the song make its way to Dierks? Did he hear it? Did you pitch it?

SM: I believe our publisher Jeff pitched it to Dierk's executive producer.

DBC: What do you think Dierks’ treatment/interpretation brought to the song? Is it the same as your original or were changes made?

SM: He made it his own. His interpretation is bigger than what I thought it could be... It feels like an anthem when he sings it. It's gritty, romantic, and empowering.

DBC: Have you heard Dierks' final cut of the song? If so, how do you feel about that? 

SM: Yes, I have heard it. It blew me away. I feel humbled to have been a part of something so great.

DBC:  How much more special is having the title track than just an album cut?

SM: It’s exciting how strongly he has embraced the message of the song and wants to inspire people with it. As a songwriter, I can’t think of anything more gratifying than that. Album title or not, it’s really just an honor to have a song on his record.

DB Congress hit the streets of Nashville at CMA Fest 2013 promoting Dierks & Riser;
Steve Moakler poses with the sticker with his song's namesake

DBC: Tell us about the backstory –was the song inspired by any specific events? 

SM: Travis initially had the idea to write a song called “Survivor.”  He started improvising a bunch of brilliance and asked me what I thought. I said, “Man, I love what you’re doing, but I don’t feel qualified to write this song. I don’t feel like I’ve survived enough to really contribute.” He said, “Moakler, I was saving this idea for you. You’re so damn optimistic, and that's what makes you qualified.” So I listened to him, and then we wrote the song. It's really affirming that he thought of me with an idea like that, and I still hear the song as something to live up to. I feel empowered and hopeful every time I sing it.

DBC: Great use of the “er” turning verbs into nouns like, “a get out aliver,” “no run and hider” and of course, “I’m a riser.”  Did you guys have to dig deep for that or did it come naturally?

SM:  That came really naturally.

DBC: You’ve been described as having indie roots, whose songs you wouldn’t expect from a 25-year old who is quickly emerging as one of the best of a new generation of pop-rock songwriters.   Your 2011 album release, "Watching Time Run," includes "Play You Down" which has a country vibe.  In addition to 'Riser,' is that how you might transition your artistic talent to country music?

SM: You know, I have a lot in common with country music, but I don’t think that it’s the genre that I’ll call home as an artist at this point. I see myself more in the singer/songwriter where there is a different freedom to lean into rock, pop, and folk influences. It’s no secret that country has had a big influence on my sound and writing. I have loved being a part of the writing community in Nashville and have felt really welcomed and encouraged by everyone.

DBC: You're from Pittsburgh, PA, right? What brought you to Nashville?

SM: Since I was 14, I had dreamed about making a living writing and performing my own music. When I graduated from high school, my incredibly limited knowledge and gut instinct led me here. I was enrolled at Belmont University for two years when I first moved to town. I love Pittsburgh and I miss my family, but moving to Nashville was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

DBC:   They say everyone has six degrees of separation.  It’s interesting that you have two songs on the movie soundtrack for “October Baby.”  Jason Burkey starred in that movie, and he was also the lead actor in Dierks Bentley’s Tip It On Back video and Ross Copperman (Riser Producer) co-wrote that top 5 single.  And, you’re getting ready for a tour to Germany in July called, “Feels Like Home.”  Now you have the title cut on Dierks’ upcoming album! How well did you know Jason, Ross or Dierks prior to ‘Riser’?

SM: Wow, that's crazy! I had no idea about all those connections. I met Jason at the October Baby debut in Birmingham. He was incredibly kind and down to earth. That’s the only time I’ve gotten to hang with him though.  Ross and I had written a song together a couple of years ago, but we spoke for the first time in years when he called me up and asked me to sing the background vocal on “Riser.”  That was a really exciting phone call... Ross is also super kind and talented.  I still haven’t met Dierks. I was supposed to write with him and Travis Meadows about a month ago but it didn’t work out. I’m really looking forward to meeting him.

DBC:  How much of a chance do you feel ‘Riser’ has to get released as a single and make it to #1?

SM: haha I don’t know... People in town seem to think that it has a good chance. But the more I learn, the less I seem to know. I’m trying not to get my hopes up about it. That would be unbelievably cool.

DBC: Who else have you written for previously?

SM: Jake Owen and Andy Gibson. Kelly Pickler recorded a song of mine a few weeks ago... There’s no telling whether or not its gonna come out or not. I’m still just a rookie at this whole thing. It’s a lot of fun.

DBC: Have you talked to Dierks recently? Tell us about that conversation.

SM: I haven’t talked to Dierks yet, but I can tell you right now that I’m gonna say “thank you” in my first or second sentence.

DBC: We can’t wait to hear the entire album! Do you have any other cuts on it?

SM: I can’t wait to hear it either! I’ve been hearing great things about it. I don’t have any other songs on the record, but I’m sure that there’s no shortage of killer tunes on it.  Thanks a lot for reaching out and taking an interest in Travis and I. I appreciate the good questions.

Thank you, Steve, for answering our questions and the inspirational songwriting! We think this album is gonna be huge for Dierks!

In case you missed it, here's the video of Dierks singing "Riser" at Last Call Ball in June 2013:




Want to know more about Steve Moakler? Click here.

~Ronna Clark
DB Congress Chair (FL)

Today We Celebrate Our Independence!

Happy Independence Day! July 4, 2013 will go down in Dierks Bentley history as the day he opened his first bar and grill in his home state of Arizona.  But "Home" means a whole more to our DB Congress president.  His number one single, "Home" talks about our nation's history in a patriotic, yet non-precocious way.

brave, gotta call it brave, to chase that dream across the sea 

names, then they signed their names, for something they believed

DB Congress rep from Louisiana, Sylvia Sylva, captured this moment above when Dierks sang Home during theParagon Casino, Marksville, LA show on  Friday, June 21, 2013. "It was my favorite patriotic concert moment of my year," she posted on Twitter.

The song resonates well on a day like today - as we celebrate the independence of America.  GAC included Dierks' "Home" video in their Top 20 Patriotic Songs:

Dierks is drawn to another patriotic anthem, written by Lee Greenwood nearly 30 years ago. “God Bless the U.S.A.,” sure to be heard at many Fourth of July events all over the U.S.

“That song comes on the radio, and my immediate reaction is to immediately, like, turn the channel ’cause I’ve heard it so many times. By the time my hand goes from the steering wheel to the radio dial, like, I’ve already, instead of switching it, I’m turning it up, ’cause it sucks you right in.”

GACTV.com tells us Dierks' definition of  "America"

“Getting a chance to travel across the country on a tour bus, stepping up on stages whether it be county fairs, state fairs, arenas, rock bars, the Opry stage, anywhere across the country and looking out at that crowd and seeing people,” Dierks said. “The people, to me, are what America’s all about.”

Dierks, the son of a veteran, shows his patriotism every day, not just on the Fourth of July. “I love this country, and I love the history of this country,” he said. “I read books on this country. I spend my time on the road traveling physically throughout the country. The soldiers and their families are constantly on my mind. We work closely with the Wounded Warriors Project. We think about this stuff all the time."

Today is also the grand opening of Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row:

“My favorite is the table taps where you can just have the waitress or waiter swipe your credit card on your table and there’s three taps of beer at your table. So, PBR, Bud Light, Blue Moon—I’m not sure what they're gonna be,” he said. “And then there’s one of just Fireball [whiskey].

“So, you can sit at your own table, pour your own drinks and watch your money go down on this little thing that shows—a hundred dollars, fifty, watch it go down.”

And Dierks offered a way to say thanks to service men and women, and to salute the 19 firefighters who died in a wildfire in Arizona on Sunday.

"Buy a firefighter or serviceman a drink this weekend, it's the least we can do for the safety and services they provide us. R.I.P. brothers." 

it’s been a long hard ride, got a ways to go

but this is still the place that we all call home

it’s been a long hard ride, and i won’t lose hope

this is still the place that we all call home

Dierks will perform at Jam in the Valley in Varysburg, New York tomorrow - July 5, along with Scotty McCreery and Chris Cagle.