DIERKS SINGS FOR PHOENIX KIDS

Dierks Bentley stopped by the Phoenix Children's Hospital:



{Source: Meg}

Then, azcentral.com posted the following article on their website:

Phoenix's homegrown country star, Dierks Bentley, attracted about 3,500 motorcycle riders and music fans to Tempe Marketplace on Saturday for a fundraiser for Phoenix Children's Hospital.

"I'm just the bartender at this event, mixing things up," Bentley said before leading 300 motorcyclists on a ride that started at Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson in north Phoenix and ended in Tempe.

"We have all these great bands, riders and fans getting together for a good cause," he said. Bentley, who has topped the country charts and sold millions of albums, was joined on stage by Nashville stars Stoney LaRue and Jimmy Wayne, Tempe's Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, and Scottsdale's Jessi Coulter.

His rides have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Children's Miracle Network, which includes Phoenix Children's Hospital.

Saturday's ride marked the first time Bentley has staged his Miles and Music for Kids ride outside of Nashville, which is now his home.

Debi Pompo of Paradise Valley, who took part in the ride, said, "They did a good job of putting this together. It was great to see everybody coming together, even though (economic) times are really tough."

Rider D.J. Bean of Paradise Valley said, "Dierks seems great. He's been a good sport."

The atmosphere at Tempe Marketplace was festive, under mild weather with Mark Curtis of Channel 12 News acting as emcee.

"I love it out here," said Bentley, who will stay in the Valley for a few days and return in late December.

"Dierks has bent over backwards to meet with the kids," said Will Mandeville of the Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation. He added that Bentley toured the hospital Friday and sang for children in a playroom.

Buddy Stubbs, who owns the Harley dealership where the ride started, said Saturday that Bentley will perform at his store for Arizona Bike Week, on April 16.


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KMLE Country 108's Tim and Willy went out and supported Dierks Bentley in his event to raise money for the Phoenix Children's Hospital. They started their ride at Buddy Stubbs Harley Davidson and rode to Tempe Marketplace. Tim and Willy hosted an after ride party at Cadillac Ranch.



We're hoping to get some DB Congress rep/fan stories and pics to share with you on the concert portion of this worthy fund-raising event. Stay tuned!

DIERKS TO HELP HOSPITAL WHO HELPED HIM

The second of six big events across the U.S. hosted by Dierks Bentley to benefit children's hospitals is less than a week away, taking place in Dierks' hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. The Miles and Music For Kids event begins on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at the Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson with Dierks leading a motorcyle ride and ends with a concert at the Tempe Marketplace. The proceeds will benefit the Phoenix Children's Hospital.

A phone interview with the East Valley Tribune revealed some new Dierks trivia that even his die-hard DB fans may not know about!

Dierks told the East Valley Tribune, "I had a problem with my feet when I was born, and Phoenix Children's [hospital] really helped me and my family out. Once I got to a place in my life where I had some celebrity currency built up and I could do something that would really help these kind of hospitals out, I wanted to do that...the whole idea is to be really down home, really accessible and just have a good time and raise money for a good cause."

"A lifelong motorcycle fan (He drove a $600, 1982 Honda CX500 for years before being able to put money down on the bike of his dreams, a 2002 Harley-Davidson), Bentley will ride a loner from Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson."

Dierks will visit family who still lives in town, staying through Thanksgiving. He'll be visiting the hospital, too. "It's amazing to see these kids and their spirit. You're coming through there to entertain them and give them something to be excited about, but it's the other way around. They're the ones whose spirit really shines. The kids and the staff - they're angels. Just to be able to shake their hands, it means a lot."

Joining Dierks in performing after the ride are Jimmy Wayne, Stoney LaRue, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers and Jessi Colter.

DB Congress reps in Arizona and other states are planning to attend, so please take lots of pics and send us your story so we can blog it!