Dierks Bentley at the Opry 95th Birthday Celebration

 

Photo Credit to @Opry on Twitter

 

The first live concert post-quarantine was a balm to our live music deprived souls.  A few DB Congress members were some of the lucky few that were able to attend the Opry’s 95^th Birthday Celebration on Saturday, October 3, 2020.  This was the Opry’s first night with a live audience since March.  The bill included Vince Gill, Lorrie Morgan, Terri Clark, and Dierks Bentley. 

 

    

The Opry offered the first of the 500 seats to those with tickets originally for October 3^rd.  After that, tickets went on sale to the public and sold out quickly.  The Opry was able to assign seating with social distancing in mind.  Our pew of four did not include anyone else.  Of course, masks were required while inside and outside of the venue.  Ushers were strict about social distancing while in line to enter the venue. 

Nichole & Michelle

Tracy, Nichole, Mary Lou, & Michelle
Masks were only removed for the photo.

 

The last fifteen minutes of the one hour show featured Mr. Dierks Bentley.  Seeing the band and Dierks on stage together again was incredible.  Terri introduced Dierks and mentions his 15^th Opry Anniversary (cheers), her collaboration with Doug on the Hot Country Knights- The K is Silent album (crickets), and Dierks’ collaboration with her on her Christmas album (cheers).  That’s okay with us, HCK can continue to be our best kept secret. 

 

Dierks and the guys opened the set with Burning Man, the first track on The Mountain album and the name of the 2019 Tour.  Although this song was written by Bobby Pinson and Luke Dick, it fits Dierks to a T.  Faron Young’s song Goin’ Steady was the second song chosen by Dierks to honor a musician from the past.  He gives listeners a great rendition and a nice ending note that is reminiscent of a yodel.  To close out the show, Dierks was joined by Vince, Lorrie, and Terri to sing Will the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By) single by the Carter Family.  As you can imagine, the entire audience of 500 joined in on the song. 

 

Of course, the set or shows are never long enough.  But these four DB Congress members had a memorable night at the Opry and trip to Nashville.  See some quotes from the night below as well as the link to view the entire show.

Truly Yours,

Michelle 

 

Michelle (DB Rep from Texas) states, “When Vince opened the show, those first few notes were just incredible. Not having live music for the last seven months has been very sad.  The virtual tidbits we've gotten from Dierks has just not been enough.  I hope a full tour will be here soon!”

 

“Hearing & being a part of live music again...it was one of those “heart pounding out of my chest” moments & the fact that it was Dierks at The Opry made it even better!!!!”  says Mary Lou (DB Rep from North Carolina).

 

“When the time came and that curtain opened I wasn’t thinking about my mask, how many people were in attendance, or how we were amongst the first people to sit in the seats of the Opry house since March.....The only thing on my mind was the music! Live in person music for the first time in months......and in that moment everything made sense. Music has always had a way of healing my soul ❤️ and Dierks and the rest of the band being there was an added bonus 😉 ”, states Nichole (DB Rep from Florida).

Tracy (DB Rep from Mississippi) says, “When I stepped onto Broadway and then later into the Opry House and could listen to live music for the first time in months, my heart was so happy! I felt as if the world was turning again and everything was going to be ok!” 

 

Tracy & Mary Lou at Whiskey Row Rooftop
Masks were only removed for the photo.

 

The entire show can be streamed here:  https://youtu.be/3-x_S1uEgQg

Dierks begins at the 1 hour and 16 minute time mark.