Riser Dierks Bentley To Be Recognized For Humanitarian Efforts

Dierks Bentley is finally getting accolades for something DB Congress members have known all along--Dierks is an amazing guy with a huge heart.

Country Radio Broadcasters announced this week that Dierks has been selected to receive the Artist Humanitarian Award at the 2018 Country Radio Seminar. Created in 1990, this annual award recognizes the "humanitarian achievements of country artists." Dierks is the 28th recipient of the award; past recipients include artists such as Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and Charlie Daniels.

Looking back on more than a decade of service, the examples of Dierks' humanitarian achievements are endless.

One of the most notable--the reason he was selected for this award--is his Miles and Music for Kids motorcycle ride and concert. This event, held for 10 years, raised more than $4 million for children's hospitals across the country, including the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

Ready for tomorrow... @indianmotorcycle #DIERKSMM10

A post shared by Dierks Bentley (@dierksbentley) on Oct 31, 2015 at 3:38pm PDT

Another highlight that contributed to Dierks receiving this award were his efforts to support the families of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. In 2013, he partnered with Entercom Country KMLE/Phoenix and Guyann Communications Country KAFF/Flagstaff to host the Country Cares Concert in Arizona, which raised more than $500,000 for the families of the firefighters. He since played a part in promoting the major motion picture about the Hotshots, "Only The Brave," singing and writing the movie's featured song, "Hold The Light." (This song is so powerful, there is buzz about it being an Oscar contender.)

headed back from @onlythebravemovie phx premiere last night. last three days have been profoundly moving. met some great folks, made some new friends and learned a lot more about the bond that exists in the firefighter and first responder community. it was a honor to spend some time with all the people that come down from prescott az last night for the premiere and later at @dierkswhiskeyrow

A post shared by Dierks Bentley (@dierksbentley) on Oct 11, 2017 at 12:19pm PDT

He's also an advocate for the Safe Haven Family Shelter in Nashville, even featuring a family from the shelter in his "Riser" music video. The entire Bentley family has jumped in to support this shelter. Through these efforts, the family has brought tens of thousands of dollars in donations, not to mention countless opportunities for advocacy. Even last week, Safe Haven did a fundraiser where the Bentleys were on site and matching funds raised (his kiddos even helped serve).

We are excited to have @dierksbentley and @charles_esten here tonight at A Taqueria Holiday. For every $1 you spend, Safe Haven gets $6.

A post shared by Safe Haven Family Shelter (@safehaventn) on Dec 4, 2017 at 4:17pm PST

Beyond these three notable humanitarian efforts, in just the last year, Dierks has raised money for disaster relief for those affected by the hurricanes; hosted a private concert for first responders; donated blood; adopted from the humane society; supported our military; advocated for the National Park Service; fished to benefit cancer research; took on the volunteer position on the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority Board of Commissioners. Not to mention his day job (of which we all are familiar!) and being one heck of a hubby and dad.

It's clear Dierks has taken his natural platform and made it a voice for good. We might be biased, but looking at all this man does, not just for his family and fans, but for the community, it's clear there is no one more deserving of this honor.

Congratulations, Dierks!

Successful night raising money for the kids! #mm4k10

A post shared by DierksBentleyCongress (@dbcongress) on Nov 1, 2015 at 10:30pm PST

The award will be presented at the Country Radio Seminar on Feb. 5 in Nashville.

Dierks previous received the Country Radio Seminar "New Faces of Country Music" award in 2004.

Jessica Borrelli
DB Congress Rep, WA
@AllTheWayToMe

DIERKS HITS THE BLUEGRASS, RED DIRT ROAD

Dierks Bentley performed "Red Dirt Road" at the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN last night as a tribute to Brooks & Dunn, the dynamic duo who are "splitting, but not quitting." They were presented with the Country Radio Seminar Career Achievement Award during the event held to celebrate radio DJs.

Dierks introduces Red Dirt Road like this:

"One of the first concerts I saw in Arizona was when B&D came to town. I'm a huge fan of theirs. I knew I couldn't out honky-tonk Kix Brooks, and I can't out-sing Ronnie Dunn but I thought I could bring in some good friends in the bluegrass community, the guys from the travelin' McCourys: Ronnie McCoury, Rob McCoury, Jason Carter, Alan back on the upright bass and... we'll out-bluegrass 'em! I picked a song these guys wrote, they've influenced me not only from the stage in their shows and their whole catalogue of hits, but also just as songwriters also....they're great songwriters this is a song the two of them wrote together and I think it typifies everything that's great about a great country song. Here's our version of it:"

John Shomby -"the guy in charge of programming at Max Media of Hampton Roads"--had this to say about the event: "Tonight I had the opportunity to attend the Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner honoring some DJ's, radio managers and Brooks & Dunn for Career Achievement. Two big momemts - Taylor Swift came onstage to intro one of the DJ's (no, not Jimmy Ray!). The second was Dierks Bentley performing with the bluegrass band, The McCoury's, and doing a blue grass version of "Red Dirt Road". Really cool rendition and you can tell that Dierks really likes the bluegrass thing. Don't be surprised if he hits town with this band and does a bluegrass show some time soon. "

Other artists were there to help honor B&D and the DJs, including Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, Randy Owen and Blake Shelton.

*Special thanks to Meg for finding the You Tube video for us!