You Don’t Turn Dierks Down!

DB Congress member, Felicia ‘Flipundy’ Bundy, represents Dierks Bentley in Minnesota, but drove to the September 11th Dierks show in Iowa with her husband. Through the Fan Club, Felicia won a Meet and Greet, but was concerned since the instructions required a photo ID. Since getting married, she had not yet changed her drivers license, so she was in a panic thinking they wouldn’t let her in to her very first Meet and Greet!

Since it was Felicia’s first Meet and Greet (and most of us know how special that is!), she had lots of questions so we emailed back and forth a few times. She finally got a response from the Fan Club and they said they got it all sorted out and that either name would do.

“I'm so flippen excited!” the former up state New Yorker told me before the show. “I've never done this sort of thing before. I know I can’t take my camera in with me....are they usually good about getting the pics up on the website quickly? I'm imagining it being crazy. I have no clue how many people actually get the M&G or how long it lasts.....I'm also kind of afraid my pic will come out with me blinking or something stupid. lol......Here I am 31 years old and I feel like a teenage girl getting ready to meet Elvis or something.

I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep Saturday night. I think my husband is being driven crazy because all I can talk about is this. But, at the same time, he understands how excited I am. I have LOVED Dierks since the very first time I heard him sing, which was back around 2003. It doesn't hurt that he's so easy on the eyes too.

My kids all know who he is. When he comes on the radio, if one of them turns it down, I say "you don't turn Dierks down" and turn him right back up again! I think he's just amazing and I admire how he does his own thing without fear.

I have a lot I'd like to say to him, but I stutter when I'm nervous. I can't believe this is going to happen. I feel like it's not real. I'm like waiting for something to happen to prevent it. I'm over the moon. I'll email you after the show to let you know how it goes. Thank you for everything.”

That was all before the show. I told her everything would be fine and to look for Iowa DBC Rep, Mona, who also had won a Meet and Greet.

Afterward, I received this email:

“I thought I would email you and let you know, everything went great at the show! I saw Mona and she helped me to feel more comfortable for the M&G. Thank god! He [Dierks] came walking around the corner and I swear I almost fainted. When my turn came to go meet him, all I could say was ‘oh my god...I can’t believe I’m standing here.’ He asked if I was really that nervous and I just said, ‘I love you!’ I felt like such a dork. But, I calmed down when he smiled. I'm sure he's seen it all. And I felt a lot better. My husband got us a spot right up in front, center stage. I got some awesome pictures. And he signed my hat.”

I’m so ready for the next show! The energy Dierks brings is AMAZING!!! It was the best night I've had in a long time or quite possibly the best night ever considering it was a dream come true.”

Felicia, DB Congress Rep
Minnesota

Thanks for sharing your story, Felicia!

~Ronna, DBC Chair, Florida

Dierks Bentley On Another Level for Opening Night of the Mountain High Tour in Columbia, MD

Photo Credit: Mary Lou Greene 
Cassady Feasby, Ben Helson, Dierks Bentley, Steve Misamore, Dan Hochhalter, Tim Sergent,
Opening Night, Mountain High Tour, 5/18/18, Merriweather Post Pavillion

Dierks Bentley was nine songs into his opening night of the Mountain High Tour before he drew a breath. 

"I didn't get a chance to introduce myself....Hi, I'm Dierks Bentley, I'm your lead singer tonight and you guys are amazing.  You guys are so incredible I cannot believe ...just blows my mind you guys are all here, everywhere, alright! up top!"

The Merriweather Post Pavillion was a gorgeous setting, and the fans in Columbia, Maryland on Friday, May 18, 2018 didn't seem to mind the rain to have the chance at the Dierks Bentley Mountain High experience.

All six 'Team Dude' members managed four costume changes (and wigs) in record time from the VIP 'mountain-clad' acoustic set, to 15 minutes later opening for LANCO in overalls as "The Maryland Monroes," then the new set, and a psychedelic '70's-themed encore--complete with platform shoes, bell bottoms and oh, yeah, a pilot's uniform.

The VIP acoustic set started out with stripped down versions of 5-1-5-0, Up On the Ridge, Drunk On A Plane and new from The Mountain album, "You Can't Bring Me Down." Fantastic fiddle playing by Dan Hochhalter! At one point, someone in the crowd was face-timing and Dierks took the phone and introduced the band to them. Dierks on the mandolin was having a blast, then traded with Ben Helson for the guitar.  Thank God for the versatility of this skillful group of musicians! Check out the VIP acoustic videos on our DB Congress Facebook page!

It's 9:20 pm and the lights go dark.  The intro music starts..."Well I bet my soul on a six string gamble, and I climbed like hell through the brush and the bramble. Even though I had my doubts, told myself, don't look down, and I turned that hill into a pile of gravel.  It was only a mountain, nothing but a big ole rock.   Only a mountain,  it ain't hard if you don't stop.  It just took a little step, a right then a left then a couple million more, who's countin'?  Hell, it's only a mountain, Hell, it's only a mountain...then BAM! An explosion --90 seconds of electricity and elaborate new lighting (compliments of Chris Reade), and live electric guitars, drums, bass, and banjo. Dierks, Ben Helson, Cassady Feasby, Dan Hochhalter, Steve Misamore and Tim Sergent rocked 'The Mountain' hard, straight into the next song--I Hold On.

Transitions were tight--they never stopped playing. Ending each song on the same note the next one began--seamless.  Before Somewhere On A Beach, Dierks quipped, if you want to climb a mountain, you gotta start at the bottom, you gotta start at sea level before you reach that altitude. The wild drum sound of Woman, Amen was augmented with LANCO and Brothers Osborne drummers in addition to Bentley's own Steve Misamore and perfectly positioned Black as the chaser.

Burning Man brought Brothers Osborne to the stage again--a much anticipated number since the Brothers are featured on the album cut.  And many DB Congress reps heard it live first in Vegas in December 2017. Ben Helson and John Osborne killed it while Dierks,  jumped up and down excitedly:

Up On The

Ridge took a turn to Hillbilly Shoes (a nod to Montgomery Gentry), spotlighting the vocal talent of bass player, Cassady Feasby. "You think you know me, but you ain't seen nothin' yet.  Til you walk a while, a country mile in my hillbilly shoes, he belts out while Bentley harmonizes with background vocals:



During 5-1-5-0, LANCO lead Brandon Lancaster returned to duet with Dierks on the 90's throwback, "Sold" (Grundy County Auction).



So how did the tour name come about? Dierks tells us.

"Ah man, we've been off the road for a while...this is our first night of the Mountain High Tour.  I got a record coming out called The Mountain, so me and the guys we're responsible for the "Mountain" part of the name, Brothers Osborne are responsible for the "High" part of the Mountain High Tour.  Pretty good, right? We're just so relieved to be back on the road, this is where we love to be.  We had to take some time off to try to make the best record we could, but we missed you guys, miss being around you guys."

"It was a crazy year last year, it was a hard year for a lot of us in country music, in the country music community and a lot of difficult times out there that we all went through together.  I was meeting earlier tonight with a girl who was here with her family and its her first concert back since Route 91 and I want to recognize her and her family--thank you for coming out tonight and letting us be your first concert since then--really means  a lot to me and the guys that you guys came here."

"I know everybody here, you all have your own mountains you're climbing, your own personal battles, and I tell you the one thing I know is that country music fans have more perseverance and determination than any people I've ever met in my life and we're gonna send this song to all you risers out there tonight--this is for you guys, you are risers, there's nothing you can't do, nothing we can't get through together. Isn't that right?"

Am I The Only One? allowed the guys to all sit down for a minute (whew!) on the new stage with a U-shaped set of lighted steps, and Dierks introduced each of them, then strolled out to the B stage for Tip It On Back--a perfect fit for the fans on the lawn- and Say You Do, before heading back to the main stage for Living, Thinking and Sideways.

When darkness comes to town, I'm a lighter...the stage goes dark for a short time and then a 70's clad crew come back for the lively Drunk On A Plane encore and suddenly Dierks is maneuvered high up in the stage clouds for the Mardi Gras tune in a make-shift plane.

As if our clear eyes weren't even blinking, it was over, leaving us with a heart full of grateful for all Dierks and his crew gave us tonight, an uplifting evening, allowing us to feel that fire we've been missin', we were living!

Don't miss the Mountain High Tour tonight in Camden, NJ.  See all tour dates here.

Ronna Clark
DB Congress Chair

Dierks Gets Knee-Deep in Dirt for Fan Emily

DB Congress rep, Emily Leisgang from Wisconsin, asked Dierks Bentley to take a knee for their Meet & Greet photo and he obliged.

Read her story below!

Last Thursday (June 23, 2011), Dierks Bentley was the head liner at Country USA in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, which is a HUGE five day country music fest. As soon as they announced he was playing at Country USA and the date was on his website I signed up for a Meet & Greet through his fan club. The Monday before the show I was so bummed when I got an email saying I didn't get a Meet & Greet. So I really didn't think I was going to meet Dierks this time.

In our hotel room Wednesday night, my friend Angela Mueller and I made a poster that said, "Dierks Wanna Dance? Fire up the band!" 

Finally Thursday came and I was to the point I would do anything for a M&G.  Well I got one...from a little local radio station--Y100. When they gave me the pass I cried and said I would never be able to thank them enough!

I always said if I met Dierks again I was going to do a "funny" picture because I had two pictures just standing next to him smiling and was sick of doing that. So I came up with the idea of Dierks on one knee proposing to me! It's always been a joke between my friends and I that Dierks would propose to me one day. No one thought I would actually get him to do it. Waiting in line for my turn at the M&G I was so worried I would get up by him and chicken out. Dierks is my idol and I was afraid I would lose all motor skills.

But when it was my turn I quickly walked up to him and before he could say anything I said, "Ummm, I have a question for you and if you honestly don't want to do it you don't have to!"  He looked at me and goes, "Okay, whats that?" (Mind you the tents were in the grass and all muddy and wet because it rained all week).  I looked him in the eyes and said, "If I put my jacket down will you get on one knee and pretend to propose to me?"

He looked at me and laughed then said, "Well then your jacket will be all dirty and wet and you'll be freezing tonight." I said, "I don't care," and threw my jacket on the floor. With a laugh Dierks got on one knee held my hands and we smiled for our picture.

Dierks then gets off his knee, picks up and hands me the jacket and says, "So last time I was on one knee was six years ago when I asked my wife to marry me."  I busted out laughing. I am the second girl ever to be proposed to by Dierks Bentley.

After our laugh I told Dierks about the sign I made. He then asked me if I could make my way to the front row because we were going to dance tonight.

Then my M&G was over and it was time for the show.  Even though it was pouring rain he did an AMAZING job like always! I did make it to the front row.  Dierks saw me but the stage was too high and he couldn't get down, but he did mouth the word 'Sorry' to me.

Later that night when I got home I was looking at my jacket.  It was clean except for one spot had mud on it...where Dierks put his knee.  I may never be able to wash my jacket again!

In July Angela and I are taking a mini-road trip to see Dierks and I'm hoping to meet him again to see if he remembers me and to get him to sign the picture of him proposing to me.

Now I can die a happy girl in my little white tank top knowing I got Dierks Bentley down on one knee :)

Emily Leisgang
DB Congress Rep, Wisconsin

M.A.R.J. GOES TEARING THROUGH THE MIDWEST CORNFIELDS OF IL AND IN

*MARJ (Mona, Alicia, Ronna, Jenny go to Tinley and Indy)

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

Here we go...buckle up...

I flew in from Florida Friday, August 7 on the 7:40 Southwest. Chicago's Midway airport was bustling. Alicia picked me up then we met Jenny and Mona at Jenny's house and headed out to start our DRT weekend with every DB CD rockin' the stereo! I was dubbed "the navigator," or the shot-gun-girl, with AAA TripTiks in hand, we were off to tear through the cornfields of Illinois and Indiana.

I had met Alicia before, and had met Jenny and Mona via email, but you would have thought we had known each other for years already--we all connected instantly. That's not hard to do when your primary commmon-thread interest is Dierks Bentley!

Alicia gave us several disclaimers up front, one being she sings along loudly to all the DB songs--by the end of the weekend she had lost her voice! I had to admit to relating everthing we see to a Dierks lyric (as you will see throughout this blog)--so the girls made up a name for that - Dierks Turet Syndrome--DTS.

We found Tinley Park around 1 pm and pulled up to the front gate where a toothless-wonder parking attendant told us the gates would not open until 5:30. We decided to go eat at TGIFriday's where we had our first Dierks reference of the weekend. We sat down and the waitress saw all our Dierks shirts and asked if we were going to the show and we said yes. She said "Awww, Dierks Bentley makes my heart melt!" And we all 4 in unison said "Us, too!"

But the next time that old sun and I meet up I'll be a thousand miles East...

Around 2:30 we went back to the gate just to see if anyone was lining up and the same attendant was there and making everyone turn around. We tried to park in the adjacent parking lot to wait and he waved his arms furiously at us and said that was private property and we could not park there. What? So we decided to head about 18 miles east to our hotel and check in. Road Dude was waiting for us and Aunt Tracie had sent him with gifts for us and Dierks!

Grandpa took it off to Europe to fight the Germans in the war...

On our way back a car came up beside us and Jenny and I started screaming. Alicia was driving and thought we saw Dierks' bus or something but it was some grandpa driving all over the road and into our lane--we had to swerve a little but we're ok.

That might make for a good story man but that don't make it easy lovin' me...

Jenny got checked for ticks. The guys from US 99 radio approached us while we were in line and asked if they could interview us. They asked Jenny if they could check her for ticks--a blatant reference to Brad Paisley's song of the same name. The filmed it so check their website! We told them that they needed to aske Dierks-related questions of us---how they missed all four of us wearing Dierks shirts I have no idea.

And there's a few more like me, who ain't afraid of fightin' for the cause...

Mona, while on the quiet side, took off like a woman on a mission every time she saw someone in the crowd with a DB Congress shirt on! She wanted to make sure she met them and let them know she was the one who sent them their shirt! She saw Mary who lives in the Chicago area and caught up with her and brought her back to meet us in line. She had a M&G, which was cool because Alicia and I had one as well and all three of us had on our DB Congress shirts.

I've been stuck for days in a lonely town when my luck ran south...
But our luck did not run south. What are the odds that all four of us DRT buddies would get a M&G between the two shows? By the time we got inside we had just enough time to find our seats and Alicia and I went to our M&G.

Brittany is Dierks' new tour assistant and she was really friendly, but really strict--which helped him stay on schedule. We had to place all our belongings on a table and could only have our one item to have signed in our hand. And she even checked one girl's magazine to make sure nothing was inside. We three with DBC shirts were together in line and when Dierks saw us he had Brittany get his personal camera and got a pic with all three of us. I emailed Brittany, but no response yet--in the meantime, thank you Dawn for taking this pic!

Then we each had our individual time with him. He asked me how the site was doing and I said great, but still waiting for him to post a comment! I handed him a card and he started to read it--but I told him it was too long and wait until later. I asked him about posting a message on dbcongress.com and told him I wrote the website address in the card. He said he would do that tomorrow. And he is a man of his word! Here is what he posted the next day:

8 Aug 2009, 15:32 p.m.
dierks: ronna...im here!!! love the site. amazing work. im totally blown away....

8 Aug 2009, 15:34 p.m.
dierks: we are in indy today...great weather. had a blast in chicago last night too

During Alicia's time with Dierks, well, I'll let her tell you:

"When Dierks came in he immediately saw us sporting our Congress shirts and we got a huge smile. As we got closer to the front of the line, he asked Brittany to get his personal camera so she could take a picture of him with Ronna, myself, Mary (another IL Rep) and Road Dude! I thought that was so cool of him! It just makes me realize even more how much we (the DB Congress) really do mean to him.

Then it was my turn! So he says Hi and gives me a hug and they take our picture. I gave him this cool luggage tag Tracie made him with a pic of Road Dude 8 mile style...WUP on one side and a pic of Evie "hitchhiking" with him on the other, he loved it. I had brought some of the new decals with me and told him Tracie was nice enough to give them to him in Detroit for me! He's said "Yeah, I have those on the bus, I love them." I told him how Nid (in England) and I designed them together and that I ordered them and am now mailing them across the country to everyone who wants one. He said "Thanks so much, I've been seeing them everywhere." That made me feel good. So I knew I could only get one thing signed so I asked him to sign a decal for Nid. Nid misses out on way too much living "across the pond" so I really wanted him to have this. Dierks signed and put..."Nid, Thanks Mate." I thought that was so cute. I had handed him a small stack of them under the one he was signing for Nid, thinking I could give him the rest but he right away started signing one to me!

Here's where it gets strange and exciting people...he knew my name!?!? He started writing it before I said anything, he had ALI already written and I go, Oh Alicia..CIA..He says "I know you." I swear I could have danced a jig right there but seriously no one wants to see that, least of all Dierks. LOL. I said to Ronna "You told him didn't you" and she said "No, I told you he would know you." Well I don't know if he knows me because of the decals or he saw the back of my Congress shirt or what but I can tell you it made my year!!! Even if he never remembers it again, I'll have the memories. Ahhhhh!!!

Then on top of all that he even signed the rest of my stack and told me to hand them out, since he had his on the bus. Sorry Brittany, I got WAY more than 1 thing signed, but it was his idea! I mean seriously, he just blows me away! He is the BEST!!! People ask me all the time why I would spend my own money on decals to promote him, I say to them "If you have to ask that question you just don't know Dierks at all!" He is so appreciative of everything we do! So then we had a short Q&A session and then it was big hugs all around and off we go to the show! There's just nothing better than spending a Dierks filled weekend with the most amazing man, music and friends! I am truly blessed."

During the M&G group Q&A someone commented on President Obama quoting him and he said "yeah, that was wierd." I said, no, that was awesome! He commented how the Presiden't people must have had to teach him how to pronounce "DIERKS." As always, the M&G was over way too soon!

We got back to our seat and about a minute later they were introducing Jimmy Wayne. I have always been so impressed with his voice. I was extra impressed when he started signing autographs from the stage DURING his performance--singing and signing simultaneously! Now that takes talent! He never missed a lyric! Kerosene Kid, Do You Believe Me Now, and Stay Gone were a few of the 5 or 6 songs he did, but Sara Smile just blew me away.

Dierks exploded on stage after a quick video introducing him with Sideways. The set included (in no particular order) Feel That Fire, How Am I Doin'(...with every single "Chicago" girl in sight), What Was I Thinkin', Come A Little Closer, Lot of Leavin' Left To Do, Trying To Stop Your Leaving, and an acoustic My Last Name. He was just getting started and his time was up! Fifty minutes is just NOT long enough for Dierks! DB and TLB came back out for one more - Free and Easy. WUP! You could tell he didn't want to leave the stage.

This pic was on the US99 radio station website:

Brad Paisley played for two hours. My favorites were Then, She's Everything, When I Get Where I'm Going, Letter To Me, and Waitin' on a Woman. Brad's show is, well, "showy" to say the least. There is sooooo much going on besides the singing and the music. Don't get me wrong, there were a lot of cool affects, but I would have been perfectly happy if he had NOT played "Play (I think that's the instrumental song with the super hero animation in the background)" or Catch All The Fish or The Pants ... and given that 15 minutes to Dierks!

After the show we were waiting in our cars for the traffic to clear a little, and the radio stations were blastin' Dierks' How Am I Doin'. A guy in the car next to us was singing every word at the top of his lungs, so we started to sing with him at the top of our lungs. It was kind of a dueling Dierks moment.

We ate at Around the Clock which was a block from our Best Western in Shereville, slept for 4-5 hours then off to Indy!

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

Three hours later...Our Best Western in Noblesville was on Craig Street. Ironic, since Jenny's last name is Craig. We checked in, freshened up and headed for the venue.

Seven really is the luckiest number!
Unlike Tinley Park, the girl at the Noblesville gate was very friendly. Gates opened at 4:30 so we had a few hours to eat and relax. We found a really nice outdoor mall/township--very quaint. We decided on Red Robin and David and Heather joined us after a bit. The waitress asked us if we were all family and we said yes--the Dierks Bentley fan club family! The 6 of us are from 6 different states - Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. Indiana Purdue Cutie, Kristin joined us after lunch to follow us through the gate so we could all be next to each other for tailgating -- 7th state! Dierks' lucky number is 7--his hockey jersey is #7, and Sideways just became his seventh #1 single, in the 7th month of the year.

From Left to Right: David-KY, Ronna-FL, Alicia-WI, Mona-IA, Jenny-IL, Kristin-IN and Heather (TN)


When we walked out of the restaurant about 4:30, Alicia was catching us up on Twitter and found this post from Dierks:

jc penny rocks...clean socks, clean underwear...and a new pearl snap shirt for the stage tonight...no need for a shower i guess.3:28 PM Aug 8th from web.

So we're walking to our cars and look to the right, and there is JC Penney--right there! He was right there while we were inside! Agh! So close and yet so far. We had to wonder if he saw Alicia's car (Jeep) where we had written his name all over it! Throughout the weekend we got a few honks and one car pulled up beside us and started hollering at us--it took us a minute to realize they liked Dierks, too!

Also, several times in two days people would see our Dierks shirts and ask, "Is Dierks a good guy?" Even the merch guy at Tinley. Strange to hear them ask the question that way but they got an earful from us!

So we tailgate about an hour and then head up to the gates. Once in, Jenny and Mona head off to their M&G. We were in row T under the cover, but I looked back and the place all the way up the lawn to the back fence was packed! If I had to guess I would say there were close to 10,000 people there.

When the girls came back from the M&G, Dierks had signed Mona's DB Congress shirt:

They said Dierks told them he was planning to headline next fall and to take January and February off the road. They also told me Dierks said to tell me he posted on DBC.com! Made my whole year! Of course I did not get to actually see it until we got back to the hotel but I was elated to say the least. They also met Sharon who also had a DBC shirt on!

A few of the highlights from the show:

*We could see he came to rock with his blue jeans and red pearl snaps from JC Penney. Dierks could so be a spokesperson for them, telling everybody to go the men's dept. and get that same shirt--size small--for just $19.95! (haha)

*During Trying To Stop Your Leaving, Dierks sang the lyric: "You don't love me, you don't love me anymore" and in between all 4 of us yelled YES WE DO! Everybody stared at us but we didn't care. Dierks kind of chuckled but got the next line out--he is such a professional!

*After My Last Name (Dierks had told everyone to sit down), Alicia and I stood up and started cheering--nobody else stood up--and Dierks was looking at us and shrugging his shoulders at the rest of the audience like "aren't you gonna stand up again?"

*I had made a sign, "DB CONGRESS in the House" - with all our 7 states. It was a small sign, and I only held it up for 5 seconds at a time and I think Dierks saw it before security made me put it away.


*During Come A Little Closer, Dierks saw a couple in the audience making out and he pointed to then and said, "Hey, that's what parking lots are for!"

After the show we tried to meander down by the busses but they were gated. So we stopped to talk by a fence with party lights but it was covered although we could hear voices and though we heard D's. Then security sent us on our way. The traffic getting out was all backed up for miles, so while waiting, Alicia opened the sun roof and I got a bad case of DTS again...Indiana stars in a purple night...

We ate at Perkins and as the 7 of us from 7 states stood in the parking lot talking, and not wanting to call it a night, all of a sudden the cops were nippin at our heals....well, not ours, but all around us. We guessed they were looking for some bad boy somewhere.

So there you have it...I am slowly chipping away at my goal of meeting one DB Congress rep from every state--21 down, 29 to go!

I have a few more pics I wanted to add to this blog but they are not cooperating. Check back in a few days and hopefully I will have added them.

Dierks Bentley's "Riser" Album - A Conversation Between Dierks Friends

Riser review, part two.

It's difficult to be objective when you're a Dierks Bentley fan for life. If you talk to any DB Congress member they will say they love his new album, "Riser." Of course...what's not to love? Anytime our president puts himself out there, raw and exposed, it makes us love him even more.  As an artist and songwriter, the character of the man who moves us with his music every day oozes out of every pore of Riser.  

Every lyric is truly believable, his vocal never more emotional and heartfelt.  It's as if he's giving us a peek into his very soul. In fact, "heart and soul" are threaded throughout the project both lyrically and emotionally.

Follow along below while Dierks friends discuss each track. 

Bourbon in Kentucky - Written by Hillary Lindsey/Gordie Sampson/Ryan Tyndell.

• CS:  There is nothing to say about this song that hasn't already been said: a wonderful song that most people didn't get to hear, didn't get its justice at radio, blah blah blah. Still so, so good. One of my favorite Dierks cuts in years... there are a few songs on this album that would likely make my Top 15 Dierks songs list and this is one of them.
  
• RC:  Some say I Hold On sounds like a hearbeat but to me, Bourbon's guitar riff is thump-thumping like a heart ticking away, and and the subtle, vibrating instrumentation added by producer Ross Copperman is so unique.  Kacey Musgraves lends smooth vocals to blend perfectly, resulting in a harmonizing balance with Dierks' gravelly ache. This is an extremely well-written song.  But Dierks added his own twist.  By the end, he's just over it...."so forget you." A BIG song, that radio might regret not getting behind.

Say You Do - Written by Matt Ramsay/Shane McAnally/Trevor Rosen

• CS:  And this is another one that would crash my Dierks Top 15. I absolutely cannot get enough of this song. I've been a big fan of Shane McAnally's songwriting for a while now, notably starting with Kenny Chesney's "Somewhere With You" and this one is absolutely no different - I love it. There's such longing in the lyrics and I really feel like Dierks nailed this vocally. SO well done. I would be ecstatic if this was released as a single... right now this is my favorite song on the album.
  
• RC: Besides Riser, this is my favorite song on the album.  I can't get it out of my head. Then I heard Dierks and the guys sing it live for the first time at the iHeart Radio show in NYC and when Brian Layson, Cassady Feasby and Dan Hochhalter sang the harmonies, I was blown away! Say you want this to be a single, Dierks!  Even if you don't -- say you do!

I Hold On - Written by Dierks Bentley/Brett James

• CS: I still love this song, even though it's been 13 months since I heard it for the first time. This song is like the little song that could to me - I'm proud of how well it's doing recently and I know that it will be a very, very meaningful #1 for Dierks when it gets there. IT BETTER GET THERE.

• RC: This song still gets to me.  Being a hard core fan, I know this IS Dierks.  Brett James did a good job co-writing to capture Dierks' essence.  I love the way the drums sound like a train clacking down the track and the ghost-like background vocals in the last verse really drive home the point that things from the past are here to stay in his "here and now" life.
  
• CS: Yes! I love the production on this song, and I love the album version so much more than the radio version - the instrumentation seems so much fuller and it really enriches the entire song.

Pretty Girls -Written by Jessi Alexander/Dierks Bentley/Jon Randall

• CS: While thematically one could argue that it's "bro," I feel like it loses that stigma both in the imagery of the lyrics, the depth of his vocals, and the whole mid tempo vibe of the song. It's probably in the bottom half of the album for me overall, but it's not the skipper I thought it would be based on the title and initial info that was released about the song.

• RC: Pretty Girls lyrically -- no. But I like the "Tip It On Back" melodic vibe. And it doesn't sound so bro like.

• CS: Pretty Girls was inspired by the fans! Cmon! I love it. Haha.

• RC: Oh I thought you didn't like PG. Miranda [Lambert] loves it! She wants it to be a single.
  
• CS: You know I hate bro but to me it ain't bro. These 'bro' songs lately make me feel dirty listening to them - PG to me just rings so true, and again, there's significantly more depth to the lyrics than 90% of what's being released lately.

Here on Earth - Written by Dierks Bentley/Ross Copperman/Ryan Tyndell

• CS: I really like this song. It kind of punches you in the gut, especially if you've ever lost someone close to you (and there are so very few who haven't experienced that), but melodically and lyrically it's so well done. Definitely among the top songs on the album for me.

• RC:  The ache in his voice is so real and takes me right back to my mom's death. There ain't a piece of my soul I haven't searched.  Anyone who has ever suffered the loss of a loved one is instantly transported to that time with his vocal vulnerability.
    
• CS: I would agree with that. It's been years since I lost anybody but I still cried the first time I heard this song. And I can relate to the lines "I've read the words of the Teacher but I still struggle with what it's all worth." This song is just so honest.

Drunk on a Plane - Written by Dierks Bentley/Josh Kear/Chris Tompkins

• CS: So through the course of my listening to the album, I've done a 180 on this song. I would be totally fine seeing this as the next single. It's silly, yes, and has sort of a novelty feel and will likely have a very high burn rate - but it's well-written and clever and honestly doesn't really sound much like anything else out right now. I really enjoy the instrumentation and Dierks' vocals on this song really sold it for me - and hearing the full song helped, as well. So. Single. Go for it.
• RC: Yep - this song has #1 single written all over it! Yes, there's that alcohol thing, yet it's different and lyrics are so catchy and unique! Favorite line: "Told her about my condition, got a little mile-high flight attention." Am I the only one who tries to sit in seat "7A" on a Southwest flight?"

Five - Written by Dierks Bentley/Ross Copperman/Ryan Tyndell

• CS:  Listening to the previews, Say You Do and Five really jumped out at me immediately and were the two I couldn't wait to hear in full the most... and after hearing them both in full that still stands - I love this one, too. Great song. Great storytelling and longing here, and again, Dierks nailed the vocals.
• RC: Love this song, but could have done without the screaming guitar. Favorite line: "Girl you never cross my mind, yeah you stay there all the time." And the hook: "but the one that came up tonight is the one I've known all my life, it's your mama's place and I heard your pretty voice say, this might sound crazy..."
• CS: I would normally agree but Ross Copperman's production on this entire album is just so solid - the guitar doesn't seem out of place to me.

Riser - Written by Travis Meadows/Steve Moakler

• CS:  So much buzz surrounding this song already! What an uplifting song. I love that Dierks' whole premise for naming the album after this song is that this song fully embodies the man he wants to be. I can totally get behind that - it's so inspiring. I'm still nervous about this as a potential single... I feel like the timing needs to be just right for it to work out, but at the very least I hope this song can see some nominations, and if not this year, then for 2015 (depending on its potential release to radio and eligibility deadlines). He really did the song great justice here.

• RC: The title track was brilliantly written by Travis Meadows and Steve Moakler; yet, it's as if Dierks penned it himself...perfect for this time of his life and perfectly weaves the story of his transformation over the last two year from his dad's death to his son's birth. He has always been a riser, steadily singing along for the last decade, not content to follow the formula, rising above the norm. Favorite line: I'm a get down low so I can lift you higher.  During the Riser documentary, Dierks supports his wife Cassidy on the way into the hospital to have baby Knox. "You're gonna do so good," he tells her. "Thank you...so are you!" she replies, resting her head on his shoulder.  Literally and figuratively this line says it all: Lay your pretty head down on my shoulder/You dont have to worry anymore." Dierks IS a lighter, a survivor. Believability 101.  Plus, I love the use of "er" to turn verbs into nouns.  Like us--we are DBC-ers! How meaningful that his dad was in the Thunderbirds charitable organization and that helped shape the idea for the Riser bird symbol.

Sounds of Summer - Written by Zac Crowell/Matt Jenkins/Adam Sanders

• CS:  I still think this could be the next single, but I really wish they hadn't used the autotune in the bridge or whatever. It just kind of sticks out like a sore thumb. I like the melody and this song sounds nice, but my husband called it a Jake Owen song and I definitely have to agree (which isn't necessarily a bad thing, per se - it's more BBJN than Beachin so there's that). But overall, I'd probably put this toward the bottom of the album for me... which isn't to say it's a bad song, or even one that I'll skip. To me, it's just filler.

• RC: In Sounds of Summer, producer Ross Copperman dubs Dierks' own voice in the background vocal. Did I imagine this or do you hear it, too?
• CS: Yep, that's Dierks doing backing. The more I listen to this song the more I enjoy it. I really like that the song is talking about the sounds of summer vs. the sights or some of the more cliche tailgates, moonlight, beer themes that have been overrunning the airwaves lately. To me, the sounds of summer would be seagulls at the beach, fireworks, the stillness of a hot summer day... it's cool that there's a song that speaks to that.

Damn These Dreams - Written by Dierks Bentley/Ross Copperman/Jaren Johnston (The Cadillac Three)

• CS: This song breaks my heart. It's almost like it's too honest... like, painfully honest to the point where I'm like, "stop touring! Go be with Cassidy and your adorable children and be a dad!" but then I'm like, well... but he's doing what he loves so I probably shouldn't feel too guilty, right? But man. This is a great song, but it's so hard to listen to. (Kind of like Down in the Mine off Up on the Ridge. Brilliant song - but can't listen to it every time.)

• RC:  "Damn these Dreams" proves his love for both fans and family--and he's torn. its hard to look true love in the eye and leave.  

Back Porch - Written by Cary Barlowe/Jaren Johnston/Hillary Lindsey

• CS:  I'm still unsure about BP's inclusion on the album. I think if I could change one thing about the album, it would be to put another song in its place. I understand why they included it, but I wish we'd gotten something entirely new - but that might just be the greedy megafan in me.
• RC: Agreed.  I like the song, but it fits better on the Country and Cold Cans EP.

Hurt Somebody - Written by Matthew Fleener/Shane McAnally/Mark Nessler

• CS: Hello wonderful song. Hello Chris Stapleton harmonies. What a gem. I mean, what else more is there to say? 

• RC: That lonesome fiddle is somehow soothing the "hurt" in his voice.  Chris has a powerful voice (Falling For You).  I wouldn't have minded if Chris had a more prominent presence.
• CS: I love a fiddle...

• RC: And which song is Charlie Worsham playing on? LOVE him!
• CS: I know he played on Bourbon in Kentucky, according to a Billboard article that was out when BiK was at radio ... but I don't know which other tracks he played on, if at all. I'd love to know, though!
• RC:  Charlie, if you're reading this, clue us in!

-Carrie Srebro (CS) - North Carolina

-Ronna Clark (RC) - Florida 

BIRMINGHAM FELT THE HEAT!

*This one is VERY long(You may even need to take a short intermission). I'm sure you will feel as if you were there with us every minute of the day!*

We had already gotten the forecast for the weekend and it was going to be HOT! Summer peaked its head a couple of days early with temps staying around 100 degrees all day Saturday. The festival was blocked off along streets and parking lots downtown, and that only made it hotter.

Birmingham, AL is about an hour 1/2 to 2 hours away from home, and I was determined to get there early before the gates opened to claim front row for Dierks! I got things ready the night before so we could sleep in Saturday morning and not be rushed to get things together that morning, but to get there in plenty of time before gates opened. Right as we were coming into downtown I saw an electronic marquee sign that flashed up "Dierks Bentley" and was hoping I could find where it was to take a picture, but there are huge buildings all downtown and was hard to find, but we did some walking around and happened to see it.

The sign was listing names of artists who were going to perform at the festival. We got to the gate around 10am that was closest to the stage Dierks would be performing on that night. No one was around except for one guard and we were awful lucky about finding a parking spot within walking distance of the gate entrance, a park, and some grub - and parking on Saturday's at the meters are free! I went back to get our chairs and we stayed in the shade for a while.

We hadn't been there too long and we heard someone doing sound check. I tried to listen to see if I recognized the music since no on was singing at the time. I wasn't 100% sure just yet, but I thought it sounded like a Dierks song. Then a couple of minutes later I heard someone talking. It kind of sounded like Dierks, but couldn't really tell until they started singing. Yep, my ears were right and it was Dierks and we listened to his whole sound check! Although we couldn't see a thing on the stage since the gate we were at was 2 blocks away, but the whole area could hear it and they sounded great!

My Dad came with us for security reasons, and we had him to stay with our chairs while we went to find the buses haha. We found them and they were to the left of the stage and Dierks was just about finished with sound check. And what else did my little eyes spy at the buses?! Dierks' jeep of course!

I expected to see him driving out and about in it sometime throughout the day, but I don't think he ever did unless it was before we got there. There was a big, tall building so one side of the street was shaded and there was a concrete bench that was on the same side so went went and sat on it for a while and talked to the real nice guard that was at the gate. He told us that he worked at Bama Jam this year and it had 100,000+ people in attendance and we were talking about Dierks and other artists. So we stayed there a while waiting to see if Dierks or the gang would come out or take a spin in the jeep, but nothing happened. None of them in sight :( But it was okay since I had my m&g later. We weren't bored at all because we talked to the guard for the most time. he was very friendly and knew his Country music! haha. I called my Dad later on to see if people were showing up, but we were still the only one's there. People who worked at the festival were going and coming, but no one coming to line up yet. This was between 11am-12pm that I called him, and the gates opened at 1pm and no one there! I didn't think about it until then, but I was worried all week about it being a crowd of people lined at the gates before we got there, but I guess the heat kept most people from lining up early. We stayed at the buses a little while longer until it was about time for gates to open at 1pm.
There was a small crowd of people now, and it was right at 1pm, but gates wouldn't open until ticket sellers and the Ticketmaster scanning devices arrived. We all waited on them at least 15 mins, but they said the other gates weren't opened either. I was first to get our seats at the stage. Other people were going to different stages and checking stuff out, and we were the only two at the stage for a good five minutes, but I got exactly where we wanted - front and center! That's what I got there early enough for!

After we got settled down, we went to see where I needed to pick up my m&g pass. I knew it would be at merch or Will Call. I was hoping it would be at merch because it was right near the stage and Will Call was a long walk. I went to merch and I asked where I needed to pick up my m&g at and one girl said with a bit of an attitude, "Oh, I don't think he's doing a m&g tonight." Well, not to sound rude or anything, but DUH! I figured that much out myself, but that wasn't even what I asked, but I quickly replied, "No..I am in the fan club and I have a m&g for tonight." She was rather speechless after hearing that, and a guy that was there said that the passes won't be at the merch, but will be available at Will Call after 4pm. I kindly said "Thank You" and went on. It was still a couple of hours before I could pick it up and we went ahead got a couple shirts.

You could leave the festival all day as long as you had on a wrist band and we went back around to the buses for a few minutes to see if there was any activity going about. None..except for people working there. We were getting a bit hungry and asked the guard if he knew of a good place to eat, and he suggested a grill that was a few streets over, but we didn't really want to lose our good parking spot. There was a BBQ place right across the street from where we parked and we tried it out. We had to wait a few minutes because there were some ahead of us and the owner was cooking some fresh BBQ. He said he doesn't cook ahead, and oh it was sooo good! It beat paying too much for stuff inside the festival. We got a BBQ sandwich plate for a reasonable $6 each! It came with slaw on it if you wanted it and with fries...he even toasts the buns! YUM! I would definitely recommend it if you're ever in downtown Birmingham. I believe it was called North Meats South BBQ between 17th and 18th Street on 4th Avenue.

After we ate that, we went to the jeep to cool off and to put some make up on so I'd be ready for the m&g haha. You couldn't put on much because it was so hot and you'd pretty much sweat it off anyway. At the time, the thermometer in the jeep read 108 degrees! WOW! Now that was like Nevada or Arizona hot!

By the time we got cooled off and went back in the festival, it was time to pick up my pass. It felt like I had to walk 2 miles just to get it and walk through a crowd of people..crazy! I got there and I was the first one to pick up a m&g. I had to sign and inital by my name saying that I picked it up and noticed that there were 15 other names on the list, and knew the m&g was full. I came back with my pass and listened to some other artists that came on before Dierks. I never heard of any of them before, but they were pretty good.

*INTERMISSION?*

It was still day light at 7pm when I had to go back for the m&g. I met a couple earlier at the porta-potties who said they had m&g's too lol. And I think they saw me leaving and it looked like I knew where I was going and they followed me. If I hadn't asked security or some guy earlier about where to go then I wouldn't have had the slightest clue either due to weird directions haha. They and their friends had on brown passes and I was the only one with a red FC pass, but I almost didn't have a pass a couple of times because it wouldn't hardly stick from the moment I put it on. Luckily, a couple of people were warning me that it was about to come off. There were about 30 others who were in line, but theirs were just big white stickers with date and artists names as a pass. So they went first since there were just a few of us. There were supposed to be 9 other FC members beside me for the FC m&g, but they didn't ever show up. :S I saw Dierks coming was in a blue plaid top with that backwards cap...yes! Those 30 workers quickly went through line and then it was time for us 5! Dierks signed the others items and tooks pics with them, and then it was my turn! He asked me how I had been and greeted me with a hug. I told him that I was doing good, but was trying to stay cool..that was hard to do lol. By 7pm I was already burnt, and I had worn my LWTT so my upper arms and shoulders are now red and sore. He noticed my LWTT was from '04. I told him we'd been there all day and I was already burnt. He noticed and carefully put his hand on my arm and said I was hot lol. I had him to sign my FTF cover and he put his arms around me again and I hugged back for the picture...finally a huggy(?) picture haha!

I read an article on gactv.com Friday night where they highlighted Dierks being mentioned by Forbes magazine and I printed that off to show him. He read it and he thought it was cool. I had made DBC buttons to pass out and I had a few extra with me and I quickly thought to give him one lol and I told him that Friday night we had a big accomplishment, but I'll share what that is soon in the next blog! ;) I told him thanks for doing the video for the DBC website and he said it was no problem at all. I was fixing to turn to leave and he gently grabbed my arm and hugged me again and said thanks for all the support! After we both talked for a few minutes we got the other 4 in and took the group picture! It was just posted this morning on the site and I can't believe how great it turned out!

I easily made my way back to my seat through the crowd with a huge smile on my face. We met a couple of girls that afternoon who sat by us who were fans of Dierks. Lynn's husband is a soldier over in Iraq and I'm not sure what her friend's name was(sorry). We watched Matt somebody and Corey Smith perform before it was time for Dierks. I had heard of Corey because he comes to the area pretty often, but had never seen him live, so I didn't know whether I'd like him or not. After a couple of songs, me and Momma both decided that he was not our cup of tea. (Sorry if there are any fans of his reading this.) Finally it was about time for Dierks to come on and perform! Right before he did though, people who were setting up the stage were looking into the crowd and the security in front of us were too. I thought that someone passed out due to the heat, but we asked and said it was a fight. Security opened the gate down below us and got in there to break it up. When they came out and escorted the two out..it was two girls who had gotten in a fight. That shocked me because I figured it was a couple of guys. After that stupid little fight about 20 police came through and stood between the stage and us(and the gate). I was so aggravated because they were all right in front of us and I was afraid that I wouldn't get one decent picture without their heads being in the way. Well, most of them still stood around, but they moved off to the side..thank goodness.

Right before the show started, I felt something hit my leg, but didn't pay attention right then. I looked down and in front of me on the ground looking at me was the famous db logo on a pick! I got excited, but also wondered where it came from. I jokingly said that it fell from the sky, but I looked around and noticed that Jay was throwing out Robbie's purple and yellow-ish guitar picks. I bet he threw out 50-100 of those things and the guard in front of me got me a few that I couldn't reach. It was soo funny. I could see him throw them, but couldn't see them when they got near me. Jay even ended up hitting that guard and he almost hit me in the eye and head a couple of times lol. But he wasn't meaning to of course. It was like a game once people figured out what he was doing and what he was throwing. Thanks Jay! :)

Dierks came out...still in his blue plaid shirt and backwards ball cap on! I was soo excited and I was totally a different person when Dierks and TLB hit the stage! I felt like I was 16 all over again. (Ok..I know that I'm not old at almost 22 yrs now, and I still look 16 to most people lol) But I was just all giddy and jumping up and down singing every word to every song! This show was as if Dierks was headlining all over again, and that was exciting that he got nearly an hour 1/2 to perform!! The teeny boppers and others around us would look at me from time to time because I was having the best time of my life that night! After 10pm, it was still hot and Dierks didn't even act like it bothered him a bit! He had that energy like he always does - running back and forth on stage while singing, but man the sweat was just rolling off of him and I didn't even see him wipe it off a time!

He did sing all the hits except for MLN. I kind of wanted to hear DL&C, myself. I had made a few signs and even a big "DB Congress <3's>

Right before they left, he looked at Lynn to get her sign. He held it up on stage and motioned for her to come up with him. The guards helped get her out and on stage with him. Dierks gave her a hug and took her back stage with him. She was so happy and I know it made her night! I got a few pics of her and I think her friend was too excited as well and didn't get any pictures. I passed out some DBC items and cards before and during the show that had my DBC email on it and yesterday when I got back home she had already sent me a message because I told her that night that I took a few pics. She wanted to know if I could send them to her so she could send them to her hubby and of course I was more than happy to! I know Dierks just got a couple of fans for life after that! I didn't get a set list...almost did, but one of the guys on stage took it and wadded it up and then threw it out. Sorry, but that was stupid if you ask me. I did manage to get a drum stick after yelling Jay's name a few times. Dierks didn't have any picks lined up on his mic but only had a couple he threw out during the show. Well, they're black and I couldn't see where either went, but I knew one went above my head, but that was it. I didn't get either one. I had put my signs in my chair during the show and I while I was asking Jay about a set list and drum sticks my Momma told me to come to her. She had picked up my signs and asked, "Look! What's that?!" And I reached over to get it and could not believe what I saw! One of Dierks' picks that he threw out in the crowd landed in MY chair of all places! I got so excited and squealed like a little pig haha! I bet those guards didn't know what to think of me, but I'm sure they knew I was a huge DB fan before the first song was over lol. We waited and let the crowd of people leave before we left and others were looking through the trash on the ground and was finding a couple of picks. I looked and found about two more. I heard something fall on the ground and noticed it was a pick. I wondered why someone would just throw it, but I looked and saw that Jay was throwing a few more out to those that were around. For some reason, I think he meant to throw it at me lol. Earlier when he was doing it before the show, I couldn't catch or see where they were going and he kept trying and trying to get them at me lol. After the crowd cleared out, we met my Dad outside the gate and we put our chairs and things up. As we were coming out the gate, there was this curly headed guy not far from us and my Momma kind of thought it was Dierks, but he turned around and it wasn't. I said, "Why would he be out here at the gate for anyway?!" lol. I mean the guy was seriously wearing something like Dierks would! We made our way back to the buses again and about 3 or 4 people were there...even Fake Dierks! Haha! He seemed a bit drunk, but I could not help but to laugh at him!

The girl said that someone had told them that Dierks had already left. She told them that his jeep was still there and that meant that he was too. That person didn't really have anything to say after that because he knew too that Dierks was still there. A few minutes later she saw Dierks and yelled for him. She had a good eye because I almost couldn't tell that was him if it hadn't been for his cap. He was making his way over to us, but some guy stopped him to talk. While Dierks was talking, some blonde girl came over to us and said that Dierks isn't coming over or something another. She thought the guys were trying to come in the gate when they or no one really was. :S She was just rude - whoever she was. A few minutes later, Dierks did come over to take pics for the few of us.

The girl that was there said she had a 3 yr old son who loved Dierks and asked if he could do a video for him real quick. He did, and it was just so sweet! The girl was from GA I thought she said and she is a DBC member - I rememered her name as soon as she said it, but I can't for the life of me recall what it was right now. When it was my turn, I just wanted to tell him thanks for everything and he surprisingly said that he loved my DBC sign! I didn't think he really saw it during the show, but that proves how much I know haha.

Chris just came out of no where! I honestly didn't see where he came from because he wasn't around until after Dierks got there, but he took pics for us all. I had Dierks to sign my pic from January's m&g and I couldn't believe what he wrote! I was watching what he wrote and I about started to tear up right then and there because I was in such awe.

When it was time to take my pic again with Dierks, he put his hand on my shoulder - and if you remember I mentioned that I had gotten sunburned - well for some reason I put my hand over his and moved his hand off of my shoulder because I told him it kind of hurt. Ok, to be honest, it really didn't hurt THAT much...I don't know why I did that because any other time I wouldn't have done anything like that, but it made a funny moment for sure! He was like oops and said something like that I was hot and I was a hot woman haha! I'm telling you that I was definitely feeeling the fire just from my burnt shoulders alone..they really were on fire! And then he said, "How did you make it back up front after the m&g??" I said that it really was easy and I had no problem. And he motioned his arm to elbow someone. But nah, it really wasn't bad at all to get back up there because although it was a big crowd, they were kind of spaced out a little at the time, so I didn't have to "swim" through the crowd by knocking them with my elbows haha.

I didn't really get to meet any other DBC members. Kimmie Jo was there, and we texted before and and after the show, but it was so hot that she left early and it was packed by the time Dierks came on that she couldn't get right up there with us and a couple of others didn't make it for certain reasons. Wish y'all could've been there! It was one awesome night!

People who I socialize with outside the DB and Country music world probably think I'm crazy for how much passion I have for Dierks, Country music and everything else that relates to that, but the things Dierks says and does for all of us fans just amazes me. Time and time again, he unintentionally proves himself to me why he's still my favorite artist. He goes out of his way all of the time for us. I feel that by promoting him any way I can - requesting songs, buying albums/tickets/shirts, handing out cards, etc. - is a way of giving back to him for all the kind things he does and the friends I've made through him, but sometimes I feel the things I do aren't near enough. Saturday night made me fall in love with the DUDE even more(I don't know how that's even possible), and I thank him over and over for the wonderful memories over the years. (Ok, I better stop because my eyes are getting watery again!)

Thanks Dierks, TLB, & Crew from the bottom of my heart! MYSELF & THE DBC LOVE YOU!


-Amanda Morris (Mississippi Rep./DBC Secretary)

LITTLE WHITE TANK TOP TRIO MEET THEIR HERO--DIERKS BENTLEY

You may remember an illustration of Dierks Bentley, created by DB Congress rep, Angela Mueller, that resulted in a full page Country Weekly story in the March 22, 2010 issue (Dierks is My George Jones). Four long months later, Angela finally won a fan club Meet and Greet, allowing her the chance to give her composition to Dierks in person. Finally, she was able (through tears) to tell him what his music means to her.

Angela, cousin Katie and friend Emily (all DBC reps in Wisconsin) spent hours preparing for their DRT (Dierks Road Trip), creating signs and home-made little white tank tops, in honor of Dierks' first number one single and anthem, What Was I Thinkin'. Here's her story:

ANGELA:
I drove three hours with my cousin Katie, who is a brand new DB Congress rep, and my friend Emily to the Hodag Country Music Festival in Rhinelander, WI on Saturday, July 10. Katie and I have loved Dierks together since his first single came out and when we are together he's all we talk about. We both grew through our teenage years listening to him. Emily, who we picked up on the way, is a young veteran fan clubber and Katie and I met her when I had my first Meet and Greet with Dierks at the Island Resort and Casino in Michigan. Katie wasn't a rep at the time but along for the show. It was Emily's first M&G at the casino too. We hit it off and have been good friends ever since. Dierks brought us all together!

Hodag was amazing first because of the people. Everyone there was incredibly nice! And people loved our homemade "I Love Dierks" white tank tops. We got a lot of positive attention because of them.

Katie, Angela, Emily (Hodag Fest, Rhinelander, WI, July 10, 2010)

We tried to find Dierks in the campgrounds but a security guard informed us he had already left to go golfing. The day was so long waiting for our Meet and Greets. We saw a glimpse of Dierks later walking around backstage and of course yelled hi to him and he waved. At Hodag you can walk behind stage and see all the buses from behind a gate. He walked up the stairs to the stage where Jack Ingram was playing! We ran back to the front of the stage with the crowd. They did Barbie Doll together and it was amazing! The crowd LOVED IT! Seriously--best duo ever.

Before we knew it the time came for the Meet and Greet. My stomach was doing flips! We got a picture with Brittany. She wasn't sure why we wanted a picture with her but we thought it turned out cute.


For all of us it was our second time meeting him. Katie was calm and collected. Emily and I were freaking out to say the least. I can't speak for Em, but I know he's like her first love, so that's why she was emotional. For me--the first time I met him I was literally frozen with awe or whatever you want to call it so I wasn't emotional until after. This time I was purely emotional--excited and nervous to give him the illustration and show him the CW article in person.

I noticed something. It's funny how while the fan clubbers are in line there is a buzz in the air as we all talk with each other and share our experiences. But when Dierks walks in all goes silent and we are breathless for a second as we stand in the presence of our hero, our inspiration.

He laughed when he saw Emily's tank top first, saying "I love you, too! And you," pointing to Katie, "and you!" pointing at me even though my tank top was covered up at the moment by my flannel shirt.

Of course tears welled up in my eyes, my heart pounded even faster and I almost lost it right there. But I stayed calm. I enjoyed my time in line watching him interact with the other fans. He's so kind and warm and appreciative.

Finally my turn came. I had my shirt undone so he could see my homemade tank top underneath. Of course he loved it and told me I looked great. We posed for the picture and then I opened the magazine for him to sign. He said something to the effect of "wow my manager told me about this! That's so cool, so glad to meet you again!" Then he signed it.



I handed him my illustration which I had printed out at Fedex Kinkos. He told me how awesome it was and started to sign it! I was like, "NOOOOO, it's for you!" It was so funny. He apologized and then went on again about how cool it was, stared at it and turned his almost signature into "from Angela."

I said, "I just graduated from college and I'm so broke so I couldn't get this framed for you I'm so sorry." He laughed and said thats ok. I was trembling and tears began to well up in my eyes. I knew if I didn't say it now I'd be hating myself later. I didn't want it to be like last time. So I started to push the words passed my lips. Then the tears started streaming down my face. All I remember is beginning like this, "Dierks you have no idea..." I know then I paused because of my crying (embarrassing!) so he asked, "Is my music meaningful to you?"

Now I really can barely remember this. I cried and cried explaining in bits and pieces how his music has always been there for me through everything good and bad in my life including my older brother's deployment, fiancé's deployment and now my little brother's deployment. I told him how I'm a song writer starting out just like he once did and he's the one I look up to. I don't remember this but my cousin Katie told me that I kind of stepped away from him as I was crying but he put one arm around me and pulled me back into him. I do remember apologizing profusely for crying though. I could feel everyone there staring at me, at us.


This I remember. Dierks asked, "Did they make it home okay?" referring to my brothers. I really laugh at myself for the way I responded. I said "Yes Dierks, didn't you read the article?" I think my expression was like, "What the hell Dierks, you didn't even read it?" It was kind of disappointing that he actually didn't read it but I sort of expected that. He scrambled to open the magazine and actually tried to read it right there! That was short lived though because he noticed my black nail polish and I think then one of his managers told us to finish it up.

It felt like I had been standing with him there for 15 minutes, which is a very long time for a M&G. His managers had been very gracious to let it go longer. Once again I don't remember what he said but it was a lengthy thank you between the both of us, we hugged, and I walked away. The tears started all over again. Words can't describe how I felt for the rest of the night.

The show was amazing! He played his hits but also played good songs from his various albums like "So So Long" "Draw Me a Map" and "Little Heart Wrecker." He dedicated "Long Trip Alone" to the military and military families like he always does. He said "I know what you guys are going through. I just met a girl backstage who's going through it, too." That had to be me!


The crowd really got Dierks going. This was my sixth time seeing him in concert and this was by far the best. He played for almost two hours! He was so hyped up, more than usual, trust me. He even took our posters and set them up against the front amp for the crowd to see. Yay!


He had a really hard time ending the show and leaving the stage. And he even signed autographs for 20-30 minutes after the show! After it all I tweeted: "pounding headache-check, ringing ears-check, voice gone-check, best concert of my life...CHECK!"

I left an extra copy of the CW magazine with Brittany so hopefully he actually reads it. I'm so glad I got the chance to have met him again. I just hope he doesn't remember me only as the girl who cried.

I still feel like I have not expressed to him enough what his music means to me, what he means to me. Because I guess it goes even further than the music, or actually that his music is ten times more meaningful to me because of what I know of him as a person, too. I look up to him so much. I want to follow his footsteps in life not only as a great musician and songwriter but as a person. From his music to his charity work to his roles as a loving husband and father---everything about him is pure, true and good all around. I mean even learning about his terrible pre-fame job cleaning toilets on house boats is amazing because it shows he is a regular person who worked hard like the rest of us!

And the way he treats his fans is rare and precious. That is why he is my hero--he's a package deal and he never disappoints! I can only hope to one day be half the person he is.

And one thing I've realized after every show I see and especially after meeting him a second time, is that I would give anything to be able to sit down with him and talk music--to just hang out with him for a day and learn more about the person behind the lyrics, learn about what inspired him and how he comes up with ideas for some of his songs, learn about his song writing process--that would be indescribable! As a young songwriter that is one of my biggest dreams, and maybe even have a jam session with him! A girl can only dream.

I'm so glad to be apart of the DB Congress. So wonderful to be able to tell you everything! Thank you!

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EMILY:
As for meeting Dierks it was AMAZING! This was my second time meeting him. The first time I was so shell-shocked that I was meeting him I had no emotion--just in complete shock. This time meeting him when he walked in for the meet & greet I was okay until he walked by Angela, Katie, and me and read our shirts that said "I <3 href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7NHYclv63I1n-nb1MiCxZPEsfJBq8eMizfngnioQFwTzOENDU-dLEAN2ShpHM8veI6itR9RgmaV2vsSuuQ2Y0EsDwkv0jCakQTVb8jPAQyy6Qm-Tm7Z-T1dHgc5vxMGuZ2nYGxbl82ld/s1600/Dierks-hodag-July10-M_G-Emily.JPG">I made a scrap book page of the picture of Dierks and me from last time for him to sign. Dierks looked at the picture from last time then looked down at himself and says " Well I'm so glad I decided to wear the exact same shirt for you again." It was hillarious! We both started laughing!

I have to say Jack Ingram singing Barbie Doll with Dierks had to be one of the best duo performances I have ever seen live!









Dierks actually threw his guitar pick to me after a song! When I caught it I totally flipped out! You see Dierks is my favorite singer/song writer. That guitar pick is now getting framed along with my Meet & Greet picture.


Dierks is such a nice guy --very down to earth. Meeting him just makes me appreciate his music so much more. And if it wasn't for a Dierks show I would have never met my wonderful friends that I have today, Angela and Kaite.

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KATIE:
He was so sweet to all his fans at the concert and put on a great show! The fan club meet and greet was awesome! He paid attention to each fan and was so great! He was super nice and even remembered me from the last time we met in October.


Thanks to Angela, Emily and Katie for sharing the details of your DB experience! I'm not a songwriter, but I have always wanted to sit down and talk shop with Dierks, too!