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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brian Layson (lead guitar) and his kids

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

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

- Lee Ann Boyle, NE

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

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

- Katie Prater, TN

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

- Kristin Houghland, IN

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

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

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

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

Special Guests

Eric Close (Teddy on ABC's Nashville)

Chip Esten (Deacon on ABC's Nashville)

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

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The music

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

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

Steve Misamore, Cassady Feasby

Tim Sergent, Dan Hochhalter

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

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

And the main man....Dierks!

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




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



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



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

And one final with Brian Layson's son Moses!

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

Dierks Bentley Congress Rep of the Week: Megan Tuttle, Ohio

You may have seen Ohio DBC Rep, Megan and her sister Lindsay on our home page rotating photo.  Megan shares her Dierkstory below:

"Hello my name is Megan Tuttle and I live in Northeastern Ohio. I am 23 years old and I have loved Dierks Bentley since he came out with his first single, "What Was I Thinkin'."  It's still one of my favorite songs of his, and that's my favorite part of Dierks' concerts when he sings that song last!

I became a Dierks Bentley super-fan when he came golfing at the private country club where I work. He was doing a show in town that night (September 5, 2010). Of course, I was off that day, but I heard he was there so I hurried up and put on my work uniform and went and waited for him. I waited for about an hour and a half, then he came around in his golf cart and I yelled, "Dierks, can we get a few pictures?" He immediately pulled his cart over and walked right up to us! I was so excited! He took a few pictures with us, gave us his autograph, then he ate a Cheeseburger and drank a diet coke. He hung out there for about 15 minutes talking to us.

Then he said, "Maybe I should give you guys a shout out at the show tonight." (He gave tickets to any who worked there, so my manager made a list of names who wanted tickets and he took that list to will call.  What a nice guy!) But I already had tickets so I didn't need to be on that list.

About half way through his set that night at the Canfield Fair and right before "Settle for a Slowdown," Dierks says, "This one is for all my Tippy Girls out there." I was so excited, I couldn't believe he remembered us!

As soon as the Dierks Bentley live Ustream came on in February 2011, I was addicted!  It was so cool to watch him online in the studio recording for his next album.  That's all I did for a week straight! WOLF PACK!

After that show I saw what a nice, genuine guy he was, and I knew I had to go to another one of his concerts as sooon as possible! So my sister Lindsay, who goes to all the concerts with me, and I got tickets for the Pittsburgh, PA show for March 20th. We also both won a meet and greet! 

It was so much fun in the meet and greet.  We took the photograph, he signed something, then he talked to all of us for a few minutes.  Also, during the concert, we were in the second row and Dierks pointed to us and said, "We got some wolf packers here tonight!"
Dierks is such a great live performer he has so much energy up on the stage! And every concert is just as fun as the one before! After that we got tickets for the May 5th show in Akron,Ohio. Lindsay and I did not win a meet and greet but we still had a blast! We made signs and Dierks pointed at us and read them out loud...so cool!

After Akron came the Dierks Bentley LAST CALL BALL7 (annual fan club party)! We traveled to Nashville nine hours to go to it!  This was my favorite Dierks show ever! We got there a few hours early to wait in line.  While we were waiting, Ryan "Camera Guy" came up and talked to us! Also Dierks' truck "Big White" was parked right in front of the venue.  Lindsay and I took pictures by it and left him a note under his windshield wiper.

The show started and Dierks played about a 10-song set. After the show we had to wait our turn for a meet and greet with him. While we waited, Camera Guy (Ryan) came up to us again and interviewed us for a DBTV Episode! Lindsay and I appeared in the DBTV Episode 21! Also Dierks' dog Jake was there and we got to pet him and take pictures!

Finally around 2am, it was our turn for the Meet and Greet! I walked up and Dierks and I took a "howling" picture for the Wolf Pack! He also signed my wolf pack shirt! It was one of the best days of my life!

The next concert we went to after LCB7 was in Chambersburg, PA on July 15th. We had to travel 5 hours to get there. As always it was a great show but after the show was the best part! We waited by Dierks' bus and Tim and Cassady came out to say hi! We told them to bring Camera Guy out and they did! Ryan came out, gave both me and Lindsay a hug and hung out with us for a while! It was so much fun.  Dierks, his band mates, and Camera Guy are a blast!

November 3rd is my next Dierks Bentley concert in Kent,Ohio! I cannot wait to make more memories with Dierks!"

Megan Tuttle
DBC Rep, Ohio

Thanks for sharing your story, Megan!

Would you like to be a feature DBC Rep of the week?  Just email me at Ronna@dbcongress.com with your story, what DB's music means to you, and a few photos!

~Ronna Clark
DB Congress Chair
Florida

Did DB Discuss "Pride" With U2's Bono?

It's no secret how much the band U2 means to Dierks Bentley. So much so that Dierks covered (albeit with meticulous vocals, mandolin, fiddle, and banjo instrumentation) the U2 hit single, "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" in his critically acclaimed 2010 bluegrass project, Up On The Ridge.

"Pride (In the Name of Love)" is the second track on U2's 1984 album, The Unforgettable Fire, and was released as the album's lead single in September 1984. Written about Martin Luther King, Jr., the song received mixed critical reviews at the time, but it was a major commercial success for the band and has since become one of the band's most popular songs.

The iconic rock band made it's first appearance in Music City (Nashville, Tennessee) on Saturday, July 2, 2011--the first time since 1981--in the round - a 360 degree stage, nicknamed, "The Claw."

DB Congress rep, Kalen, who represents Dierks in Oklahoma, is also an avid U2 fan and follows them all over the country (kind of like many of us DBC-ers do for Dierks!).  Kalen was in Nashville for the U2 concert at Vanderbilt Stadium and tweeted from the audience:

"Wow! my @DierksBentley just got a shout out from Bono from the spaceship stage at Vanderbilt. Awesome Dude! @DBCongress"

So of course I had to know more!

ME: So Dierks got a shout out from Bono? I need details! Gotta post that on dbc.com! Do you think D was there?

KALEN: Yes. Dierks' name came out of Bono's mouth onstage last night! I about died! Bono said it when he mentioned how great it was hanging out with the singer/songwriters "last night" (which would have been the 1st).  Before that, I am about 99% sure we saw Dierks on the floor with Cass.  I tried to get a pic but we were 14 rows from the floor & the lighting wouldn't take pics. But I saw a white Tshirt, dark jeans & blonde curls and a dark-haired girl with him.  He walked like Dierks...so that's why I say 99% sure it was him. Then when Bono names off all these names and says...and "Dierks" not Dierks Bentley, just Dierks! They are on a first-name basis. D got to meet Bono. Happy for him but jealous.

ME: Did they sing Pride? Aren't you from Oklahoma? What are you doing in Nashville?

KALEN: Yes. They sang Pride--one of my favorites of U2. I am from OK but kinda follow U2 around when they tour. Staying in Nashville through the 4th. Hope to see another Blonde Curls sighting!

According to Billboard.biz, "Backstage hospitality was filled with notable Nashville music business figures and artists, including Clement, manager Ken Levitan, singers Dierks Bentley and Michael W. Smith..."

Thanks for sharing, Kalen! So it seems our DBC president met his idol, Bono! Congrats! Wish we could've been a fly on that wall!

~Ronna Clark
DB Congress Chair, FL

Dierks Bentley Live Stream: Recap of Town Hall Meeting

Dierks Bentley just finished a live video online chat a few minutes ago! He answered questions from his fans who had posted on facebook, twitter and the live chat box.  How DOES he keep up with us all?

**EDIT:  Here's the video, but we've also recapped some of the Q and A below that. 

dierks on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

These are not verbatim and not complete answers, just general notes.

If you weren't playing music, what would you be doing?
"Maybe coaching a pee wee hockey team," he joked.  But he does love hockey.

What song on the new album "Home" was the most fun to make?
"Heart of  Lonely Girl."

Where's "Fastback" why is it not on the album?
"I love that song but it didn't make it."

What about "Country and Cold Cans?"
"That song will be on a special edition for Target, along with "Line No. 7.""

What song by another artist do you wish you recorded?
"I listened to Jake Owen's last two singles when they were demos.  I like it when the song finds the right home (artist)."

When did  you decide to be a songwriter?
"I was 17, listening to Hank, Jr., I rewrote the lyrics to a Charlie Daniels song...I'm still trying to be one (a good songwriter)"

Some DB Congress Reps are doing a Lake Jump at Percy Priest 2/3, the day after the Ryman show 2/2.
"Looking forward to The Ryman show.  I'll be in town that day I may have to check that out."

How do you pump yourself up before a show?
"We have Brit who makes backstage really nice /comfortable; we jump up and down a few times..."

What CD is in your truck?
"I know there's something, just don't remember--I'll get back to you on that one."

Plans for the song, "Distant Shore?"
"I wish I had made it a single.  I'm thinking of breaking it out for this tour."

What do you hope to leave for your legacy?
"I never think about it.  I love what I do and I'm so thankful to be doing it.  I hope to be remembered for putting on great shows and I hope the music's meant something to you guys."

Got any advice for songwriters wanting to move to Nashville?
"Follow your dream."

Touring must be exhausting--how do you do it?
"I feed off the energy from the Meet and Greets and the crowds.  This year we're gonna have fan club passes with embarrassing pictures of the guys.  The goal is to collect all five (LOL)"

What is your dream concert line up?
"I would draw on my friends from the country world - loved doing Bad Angel with Miranda and Jamie; the Bluegrass world, the rock world - Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam--I'm a big fan--Bono, Springsteen..."

What do you enjoy the most on the road?
"That one and a half hours on stage is the best; being on the bus with the guys in the band, playing poker, listening to music, just talking and hanging out."

When are you gonna quit duct-taping your boots and get new ones?
"My boots are new every tour, I have 3 sets, just tape them up... they don't last long, maybe I'll get some cowboy boots..."

Do you ever get nervous on stage?
"I really don't.  I used to when I first started out, but now I'm more anxious to get out there and do it right, my heart is racing and I just want to get out there and play!"

I only ever see you with the guitar with the hole in it--when will you get a new one?
"I don't like new things.  That guitar and I have been through thick and thin.  It is special to me, given to me brand new from a friend."  Just like our tour bus--old--will turn a million miles this year.  When it does, we'll have to stop and have a gig to celebrate."

Being from Arizona, how did you get into hockey?
"I wanted to do something totally different off the road and hockey's a great release--that and beer with the guys afterward."

Do you like smaller or bigger venues?
"Both.  I like variety.  I love the small intimate bars, and being outside in the summer, never knowing what we will get."

Random shout out to Stacey and Rachel in Australia!  Dierks said he knew about Lee Kernaghan years ago and is excited to tour with him in March in Australia.

If you could see any 3 people in the front row of your concert, who would it be?
"Someone with a Little White Tank Top--it would be the fans--passionate fans with the [DB] merch on, the signs held up with song titles--when I see them down front I know they waited all day long to have that spot."

Who wuld you like to do a duet with?
"I love Karen Fairchild's voice (from Little Big Town) and I love the song we sang on the new album--it's called 'When you gonna come around.'"

What's a typical day like for you at home?
"I write songs, I work out, got up at 5:50 a.m. this morning cos the rest of the day was so busy, band practice, then home on the red couch hanging with my girls."

Do you want your daughters to get into the music business?
"I'm banking on my girls getting in the music business...lol...seriously, I would love for them to be in music, I hope for the fun of it."

What's your favorite TV show?
"Right now it's Breaking Bad."

Favorite bus pranks?
"Human smells, nudity are the go to options...(HA, HA, HA)--just kidding!"

Which songs get the best reaction in concert?
"I have never tried out more songs than last year.  Diamonds Make Babies and 5150 got good reactions (both made the album)."

Favorite concert lineup to watch?
"I love watching all genres.  George Strait would have to be in the mix."

Tell us about your Stubbs hat.
"My good friend Cody Canada (Cross Canadian Ragweed) gave it to me so I love it just for that reason alone, but also Stubbs is a BBQ place in Austin--love Austin, and then there's Eddie Stubbs."

Dierks thanked everyone for their support and signed off the live chat after just 45 short minutes (vs. the normal hour).

BLUEGRASS IN THE BLIND HORSE

Hello, Congress! I am here to share my tale from the Blind Horse Saloon in Greenville, SC. :)

We got to the Blind Horse right at 6:30, which was when my Meet & Greet email told me to be there. I was fairly stressed, but it turned out that it was for nothing, so I got over it. I found Angie (choppergirl - Rep/SC) and Keesh (keesh_a_leash - Rep/NC) and we just sort of hung out and tried to figure out what was going on. There were 7 of us who'd purchased the "VIP Package" which allowed us to cut the line when the doors were opened. Funnily enough, 4 of us 7 also had Meet & Greet, which was nice. They separated the VIP ticket-holders, so we just hung out and talked. At one point, a random sing-along to Sideways broke out, complete with dancing. A few minutes after 7, they opened the doors, and we went in, got our IDs checked, our M&G passes (a pic of Jake!), and hurried to front-center stage. We'd determined outside that Keesh and Mr. Carrie would hold our spots while we went to our M&G at 8, so until then we just chilled and took lots of pics. I met Sandra (dierksdds), Laurie (hunterl5), Tammi (tammis - Rep/SC), and Kim (scmonkeyshinejovigirl), and by the time we went to line up for our M&G, we were chatting away like we'd known each other forever (and Tammi and Laurie really have, haha).

At 8 we went over to the designated place and Brittany separated us from the radio winners. We had a small group, and we were by a cooler that was filled with Bud Light. Sandra asked Brittany if we could bring Dierks a beer, but alas, it was not meant to be. Finally, it was time to head outside to see the Dude! Sandra went first and had Dierks sign the UOTR Tour shirt she'd gotten from the dierksfans.com store. Dierks commented that he'd been "seeing those shirts everywhere" and I piped up that it was "Nid from England's store." Dierks was like, "Nid's doing this?! Awesome!" and seemed genuinely impressed. Way to go, Nid!

As I was walking up to him, he told me he liked my shirt (it was from the 2006 tour), and gave me a hug. We did the picture thing, and then I told him I had something for him. I gave him one of Alicia's DBCongress decals for his guitar case, which he happily accepted and thanked me for and said he'd put on his guitar case in honor of us. Then I gave him the magnet that Renee from NY had made me last year, and he asked when the picture was taken. I told him it was from Raleigh last summer when he'd signed my yearbook, and he was like, "oh yeah! Have you lost weight? You look great." Um. I have, and thanks for noticing?! I got a little flustered after that, but quickly regrouped to see if I could get something else signed for our lovely DBC Chair, Ronna. (Surprise, Ronna!) (I'd promised to get her 2 of the limited-edition UOTR Tour posters, then had the brilliant idea to have one signed for her.) He quickly agreed, and as I was pulling the posters out, I told him that I do the chart updates for the website and he said that he "loved the site" and that we all "do such a great job with it." I thanked him for posting in our chat box and also for the tweet from the previous night -- I was so happy that I remembered everything! So he signed Ronna's poster, and then proceeded to sign mine as well. I thanked him for spoiling me and he said, "oh no, I'm the spoiled one, with fans like you guys." Aw.


After Tammi and Laurie had their M&Gs, we all gathered around for our group picture. In the back, Laurie was on one side of Dierks, and Angie was on the other. While we were getting the picture taken, Angie's phone started to vibrate, and Dierks mentioned that somebody was vibrating, and Laurie commented that she could feel it, too, through Dierks. It was the first of many funny moments. After that, he talked a little about the tour and the album, and one of us mentioned watching him on Leno. He didn't stay up to watch it, by the way, because he had a 4 am lobby call the next morning, but did watch it eventually. Sandra mentioned that she set her alarm for 11:25 pm so she could watch it, but had to sit through Jessica Simpson. Dierks then commented that Jessica's boobs are the size of her head, and when he was watching it he measured her head with his fingers and then her boobs, and yep, same size. ?! Then he commented how the dress she was wearing was obviously padded and "she doesn't need it!" He seemed to genuinely not understand why she'd use padding for anything, it was hysterical. Then we all sort of realized that we were talking with Dierks Bentley about Jessica Simpson's chest, and it got very silly for a minute. After that, he went through and gave everybody hugs -- it was over so fast! -- and when he gave me mine, he thanked me again for all the work on the website and said to keep it up. Our pleasure!

We headed back inside, linked up, and made our way back to the front of the stage, which was not that easy of a task! We only had about a 20 minute wait before Hayes Carll took the stage to get us ready for Dierks. I enjoyed his set. He was funny, and definitely set the tone for the show. His bass player, Bonnie Whitmore, has an UNREAL voice.

After a quick stage change-over, it was time for Dierks! Jason Carter (fiddle) and Rob McCoury (banjo) came out first, and started getting things going. Then Ronnie McCoury (mandolin), Dierks, and Alan Bartram (upright bass) came out. They kicked off the show with Free & Easy, which got the crowd completely pumped up and is completely awesome with a kick of bluegrass thrown in! After that, the track listing included oldies/goodies Feel That Fire, Settle for a Slowdown, Sideways, Come a Little Closer, How Am I Doin?, and What Was I Thinking. Up on the Ridge got HUGE response, and I'm proud to say that the Congress girls were right up front and yelling along to the song. The girl next to me was staring at me like, "you know this?" Haha! He also sang quite a few songs from the new album, including Rovin' Gambler, Bottle to the Bottom, and Fiddlin' Around -- which might be my new favorite song. I LOVED it. I was singing along by the end of it! But the two highlights of the show for me were his "Ode to Del McCoury" which was Good Man Like Me (!) and his 'therapy session' after How Am I Doin? which ended up being a rousing cover of All My Exes Live in Texas -- the song that introduced me to George Strait and country music. I was in heaven! It should also be noted that Dierks gave Bud Lights to Keesh, Lissa, and Sandra (who got 2) while giving a special shout-out to "the best fan club in the world which is lining the front of the stage tonight." Sandra had one of her bottles signed after the show, too, when Dierks stayed onstage for about 15 minutes or so, giving high-fives, and signing everything from boots to cell phones!

On the whole, it was a fantastic night. The show was incredible, and I left completely 100% excited for the CD. The crowd was really into it, and Dierks looked the happiest I think I've really ever seen him -- he was totally in his element, and the energy just spread throughout the place. I didn't hear anybody grumbling about how "bluegrass" the show was, or anything like that, which made me really happy. And Dierks prefaced the show by saying "if you're here to see a typical Dierks Bentley show which includes lots of drums, guitars, and me running around, you came to the wrong show." I loved it. I appreciate him so much for putting himself out there this way, and introducing us to this side of his love for music. I love getting to see what shaped him as an artist, and this tour is absolutely perfect for that.

So, Dierks, if you read this, thank you, so much for doing what you do. Thanks for being so awesome to your fans, and thanks for always making me walk away with a smile on my face. And if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be part of this awesome community of people ... and I think my life would be much emptier without them!

~ Carrie S. (Chart Reporter/DBC Rep ~ NC)

Dierks Gives DB Congress Props In Chat With US1035

US1035's Catfish and Launa in Tampa, FL talked to Dierks Bentley this morning and they played Domestic, Light and Cold--which Dierks admitted was never a single, but would be a good fit for the set list of the upcoming Country and Cold Cans Tour. 

Dierks talked about his thoughts being with the families of the fans killed in Indiana.  Launa asked if he makes the decision to go on stage with pending bad weather and Dierks said, "...country singers want to get out there...our fans are here, they paid money, they wait all day long, we wanna get out there and at least play two or three songs."

They compared Catfish's old car to Big White--Dierks' old truck with 196,000  miles.  The bus on the other hand is 50,000 miles shy of a million miles--we're gonna have a big million-mile party for the bus.

But my favorite part was the huge DB Congress shout out!
"...I go out to these shows and they're all out there with their [DB Congress] shirts on and the congress--I call the fan club the congress--I figure if you're part of the fan club, you spent money to be in the fan club your voice should be heard louder than the others so I listen to what they have to say and they really give me good advice and good support over the years..."

 Listen to the podcast here:

DIERKS BENTLEY IN DAYTONA BEACH

Although Dierks Bentley in Daytona Beach was a free show, it came with a price. Verizon sponsored the event at the V-Lounge--(how appropriate for V-Day weekend), which is normally a "right-on-the-beach" stage behind The Ocean Deck Bar and Grill. But the weather wanted no part of cooperating, and it raised it's ugly gusts up to 40mph, rained relentlessly, and brought with it a chill to the air.

Driving 4 hours from Tampa (normally only 2.5) in the pouring down rain, wrapped up in the warmth of my Dierks Bentley hoodie, and thanking the hubby every hour for doing the driving, all I could hear in my head was DB singing, You Hold Me Together from the Feel That Fire album:

"By now I should've been broken,
On the rocks that rise from life's ocean,
Just another ship lost at sea
By now I should've been scattered
In the wind of my lonesome travels
Like a thousand dandelion seeds
And I should've come unraveled
At the seams like a well worn sweater
But you hold me together"

I knew it wasn't likely D would sing my favorite FTF song that night, but the surrounding images screamed these lyrics to me!

We arrived around 3 pm and scoped out the place. We talked to The Ocean Deck and Verizon staffers and everyone was giving us a different version of what the plans were. Food was good, but no tables, so we shared with another couple--Betty and Warren from IL. Big NASCAR fans! The girls from Verizon posed for a pic:


Winning VIP passes and Meet & Greets via the DB Fan Club was supposed to get us special seating by the stage in addition to the M&G. But due to the weather and high tide, the event got moved in doors--and all hopes of VIP seating were dashed! Not that anyone can control Mother Nature. We found out that Dierks actually made the decision to move it indoors for safety reasons.

First in line for the Meet & Greet--that is a first! Usually I'm last, but with 100 behind us, we wanted to try to get in to the VIP area! Can't you just hear Ricky Bobby saying, "If ya ain't first, yer last!" Brittany and Chris told us there was a photographer to take pics and they would print them for us by night's end. Could not use our own camera, and no autographs.

I brought my copy of the 2009 DB Congress yearbook I made and sent to him since I didn't know if he had received the original. He said he had, but would love a second copy and that he really liked it. So I gave it to him along with a letter for him and one for Tim. Took a pic with hubby and me and time to move on. Shortest M&G ever. Just as well, since we wanted to make our way to the VIP area ASAP!


Big mistake on my part thinking we (the DB fan-clubbers) were the "only" VIPs--there were probably 100+ others. And since everyone inside The Ocean Deck had already been there all afternoon, we had to squeeze through a sea of hundreds to get to the make-shift VIP area--which was a pit of sorts.

Normally I love being in the pit for Dierks, but last night was the worst I have ever been in--literally we were all squished in on all four sides. Luckily hubby is taller than me, so he stood behind me and took photos. About 3/4 of the way through the show, the fire marshall came in and offered a choice: Clear the aisles (what aisles?) and go outside to listen to the show via the Verizon tent speakers, or shut down the show. All those who volunteered to go outside got a free drink. Funny thing is, it got WORSE after that up front! What?

While all of that may have been the "price," the show was the reward! Verizon hosted a quick Q&A with the NASCAR Nationwide series drivers #22 Brad Keselowski and birthday boy Justin Allgaier, Verizon's #12, and they both introduced Dierks!


Dierks and the guys kicked it off with hot harmonies on Dixieland Delight! I've never heard them sing this live--what a treat!


The rest of the set list had the party rockin' just right! A few songs in, and Dierks asked the crowd to shout out requests. Everyone wanted Sideways but he said he had to work up to that one..."I gotta BE sideways to sing Sideways!"


Dierks told us how he loved being back performing in the small bar setting, apologized for having to move it inside but that just got him closer to the bar and asked for a shot of...who knows what. That cup was never empty all night and the Bud Lights flowed freely.


Then (not sure of the order), Life on the Run--D changed up the lyrics and since the stage was so small Robbie had no mic, but was definitely singing his "low low low low" part. In fact, Dierks got playful with a lot of lyrics last night. Like on I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes ("If you need a little bit of help from "Steve"...Sorry, Steve, I've never seen you in a vest before!").


As usual, Every Mile a Memory was customized for the locale ("Florida stars...Daytona night). So So Long and How Am I Doin' were dedicated to all the Ex BFs and GFs. Trying To Stop Your Leaving, Little Heartwrecker, Feel That Fire were all sang straight with lots of that Dierks Bentley moxie-grit emotion! With Free and Easy he interjected, "I keep rollin' like Tim's old banjo," and before Lot of Leavin' Left To Do, Dierks had this to say:



Come A Little Closer and Settle For A Slowdown were the only two slow songs besides 'Eyes, but every word and note was perfection!


Covers included Hank Jr.'s Family Tradition--where the crowd went wild...but it was not my favorite vocal from him--sorry dude, what melody was that?

On the flip side, he started out "I was drunk the day my mom got out of prison, and I went to pick her up in the rain..." David Allan Coe would've been proud! After that verse though, he stopped and said "That's not the perfect country song cos it doesn't say anything about Little White Tanks Tops! Then launched into What Was I Thinkin'...more fan participation.


Closing the night with Last Call: "It's not last call but that's the name of this song," Rod rocked it on the electric guitar. But I really wanted to hear the fiddle from the recorded version! Kristi Jo, where were you?


No stage diving/"surfing" and no fans on stage...absolutely no room. All 5 of them had to stay in the same spot all night! Steve only had half drums--not the full set he's used to.

Despite the pushing and shoving and sardine-ness, if I had been front row on the rail, and had elbow and breathing room, it would have been one of the best shows I've ever experienced.

After the singing, Dierks signed a few autographs, hugged Kasey Kahne's mom and left the stage. I tried to get a set list or a pick--no luck. At the last minute Jay called me back; he had found Dierks' Thomas O'Brien, thick, black, 100% cotton,"towel" and gave it to me. If ya ain't first, yer last!


Met Kasey Kahne's mom, Tammy and got a pic. She was so nice!


We then made our way back to the Verizon tent to pick up our M&G photos and I had totally forgotten about the autographed poster and a swag bag with a t-shirt and other goodies! What a cool suprise! Thanks, Verizon!



It was great to see/meet some DB Congress reps (Keesha, Ann, Lissa). The drive back to Tampa was a lot faster than the ride to the beach. Dierks is always worth it.

Next DRT: Orlando, Feb. 27-Universal Studios Mardi Gras!

~Ronna