The “Playing Possum: The Final NO SHOW” tribute concert was held Friday night, November 22, 2013 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. More than 100 artists performed, and Dierks Bentley was lucky enough to be one of those artists to honorhis friend, George Jones.
George's wife Nancy described it as a family reunion. Dierks said "it's like "The @CountryMusic Awards Meets `Field of Dreams'," according to a tweet from David Wild (@Wildaboutmusic).
Travis Tritt shared this photo on Twitter of him and his wife, Bobby Bare, Miranda, Blake and Dierks from backstage:
Singing, "I Always Get Lucky With You," Dierks poured his heart and soul into the classic Jones song. USA Today correspondent for Nashville, Brian Mansfield tweeted:
"You can tell @DierksBentley has spent lots of time studying how to sing like #GeorgeJones. It pays off for "I Always Get Lucky With You.""
A play by play from The Tennessean showed Dierks played at 8:33 p.m., and afterward, Ralph Emery said “One of my favorite singers,” shaking his hand after the performance.
A few DB Congress reps were 'lucky' enough to be there in person. Ashley Wardrip says she doesn't remember much, "other than he was amazing, I was very excited, and after he was done I was ready to leave! Everything was so rushed because they had so many artists there; they announced him, he sang, and left.
Special thanks to Ashely's friend Cathey Morris for sharing her video with us of the special moment! At the end, Dierks holds up his guitar, as if to George in heaven, and said, "God Bless George Jones."
Because of Dierks Bentley, kids at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN have hope. Dierks' 8th annual Miles And Music For Kids charity event started off on Sunday, November 3, 2013 with a motorcycle ride from Harley-Davidson in Columbia, TN and over 1,000 bikers rode to the Riverfront downtown Nashville for a full line up concert. Many DB Congress reps were among the riders. "Charitable gifts are critical to our fight to find treatments and cures for childhood illness and injury that will reach well beyond our region and potentially save the lives of millions of children," states the hospital's website. It goes on to say, "Gifts of any size matter and support hope and healing at Children’s Hospital." This year, Bentley's event raised $307,296 for the kids--that's a lot of hope and healing! And he broke his own record, with that being the largest one day amount in the event's history. All total, this event has raised over $2.5 million dollars in eight yearsfor Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country. As soon as Dierks signed the over-sized check, the little girl in the pink hoodie (a patient at the hospital), literally 'took the money and ran' off the stage!
Photo by Harriett Watkins
Artists who performed to the nearly sold out crowd of 10,000 included Tyler Reeves who warmed up the audience while waiting for Bentley and the riders to arrive. Jake Owen, Brett Eldredge, Chase Rice, Easton Corbin and Luke Bryan followed.
Every year, the support from the fans for these events catches me off-guard,” said Bentley. “I shouldn’t be surprised because the country music community is the first to open their wallets to help out, but this year they were lined up before the sun was even up."
On stage, Dierks thanked not only the fans, but all the artists who gave their time for the good of the kids:
"...to the guys that showed up and played on this stage today that gave up their time, but equally as important, if not more so...you guys [the fans], spending the money and time to come out and and raise...you're the reason why we all get to do this and we are just so thankful for the success you have given me and all these guys to a great cause like the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital...so thank you guys."
See photo slide show from The Tennessean here. Because of Dierks Bentley, hundreds of fans have become good friends over the last 8-10 years. Meeting through the fan club, the DB Congress gathered the night before to support Dierks by signing get well cards for the kids in the hospital. Nearly 30 reps from 14 states assembled to meet new Dierks fans and reminisce with old friends. The camaraderie is amazing.
Photos below by Laci Kent Photography. See more of her photos of Miles and Music For Kids here.
Brett Eldredge
Chase Rice - "I'm going out on tour w/ Dierks next near...not sure I was supposed to tell yet."
Dierks brought this little girl on stage and then gave her a signed guitar after the show
L to R: Brian Layson, Cassady Feaby, Dierks, Dan Hochhalter and Tim Sergent on banjo in the background
Dierks
Dierks
Easton Corbin led a sing along to "Roll With It"
Jake Owen
Luke Bryan. While Luke was singing, Dierks' daughters Evie and Jordan
were side stage dancing, while Dierks himself was singing along to every word
Once the sun set behind the Nashville buildings, the temperature dropped; but that didn't stop DB Congress from showing their support of their favorite artist with "I Hold On" Little White Tank Tops, which Dierks seemed to really appreciate. He sprinkled in "I Hold On" white tanks tops into the song lyrics for "What Was I Thinkin," "Sideways," and even the namesake song itself.
Watch the Nashville Country Club's video interviews of Dierks, Easton Corbin, Eric Close (Nashville TV show) and DB Congress NC rep, Sandra Grubb here.
DBTV recap by Ryan "Flash" Silver:
Because of Dierks Bentley, it was a memorable weekend for a great cause.
Dierks Bentley's new video for his top 30 single, "I Hold On," tells a story of faith, love and freedom.
It's Dierks' own personal story, complete with antics with the guys in the band on the road, his bus, his truck (although Big White is a Chevy and it's clearly a Ford in the video), his guitar that's "had [his] back in a million bars," a hockey game, his love for his wife and baby and remembering his dad in heaven. You'll find fast signs of freedom in the form of subtle American flags sprinkled throughout. Director Wes Edwards ("5-1-5-0" and "Tip It On Back" videos) has captured the essense of DB's humble and grateful nature.
There's even a split second nod (although probably not intentional) to us--the DB Congress. See if you can spot our "sign" as you watch the video below.
Press Release from The Green Room PR (October 29, 2013):
Critics Point to the "Poignancy" and "Intensity" of the Lead Single From Dierks' Upcoming Studio Album RISER
Dierks has teamed up with CBS to premiere the music video for his emotional and autobiographical new single “I Hold On” across multiple CBS properties. Today, omg! Insider will take fans behind the scenes of the shoot for a sneak peek of the video before it officially premieres tomorrow morning across CBS digital properties including all CBS country radio stations’ websites, Radio.com, MetroLyrics.com and ACMCountry.com.
Shot in Nashville, TN and over a weekend of tour dates in Texas, the new video was directed by Wes Edwards and follows a young musician balancing his climb in the music business with keeping a firm grip on the values he holds close. According to Music Row, the lead single from his forthcoming studio album RISER is a "song that shakes you" and Bentley "delivers with conviction."
“It was really important to me that this video capture the story of this song…my story. But it also needed to take on the more universal themes that the choruses cover,” said Dierks. “The lyrics were written from such a real and emotional place, and I put a lot of pressure on making sure this video held up to what Brett James and I wrote that day. I hope when people listen to it, they raise their beers up, but this time for the bigger idea of what we all stand for as country music fans…faith, love and freedom."
We are so looking forward to the new album, Riser, and continue to promote this single to radio! Let's get it to #1, congress!
About 23 hours ago, our DB Congress president (Dierks Bentley) tweeted that his new baby boy, Knox, was born: October 9, 2013! (Photo from 2010 CMA Awards when wife Cassidy was pregnant with Jordan, 2).
Bringing the boys to the lead in the Bentley household--Dierks, Knox, Jake and George (dogs)--DB shared his pride and joy with the Twitter world:
With just 50,137 to go, new daddy Dierks may reach one million followers sooner than later, as the news spread like wild fire today.
And in true character, he wanted to make sure to thank everyone:
Nobody's sayin', but we're wondering if "Knox" is possibly a family name, similar to the way that "Dierks" is his mom's maiden last name.
Apparently, baby boy Knox and mom Cassidy are doing great--well enough for Dierks to perform tonight in Lincoln, Nebraska. But earlier today, he spent some time with his two girls (Evie who just turned 5 on Oct. 4 and Jordan who will be 3 on Christmas day) to explain what it means to have a baby brother:
"could have done without seeing my son's "stick out" (as my girls call it) covered in blood. ouch! makes you question the circumcision thing...I try not to post too many pics of my kids but this is too good: me trying to explain what circumcision is and why"
The look on their face is priceless!
Congratulations Dierks and Cassidy! Hugs from all your 'congress! We can't wait to see pictures!
Passed down from generations too far back to trace I can see all my relations when I look into my face May never make it famous but I'll never bring it shame It's my last name
-Dierks Bentley, Harley Allen
