Big Dierks Bentley Fans Sometimes Come In Small Packages

Young Matthew Pinkham has been a big Dierks Bentley fan for more than half his life! He’s even a member of the DB Congress, representing Kentucky! But Matthew might never have known about Dierks and his music if he hadn’t gotten very sick when he was young. Turns out, Dierks (and CMT) is the reason Matthew picked up a guitar, learned how to play/sing, and now the fifth-grader has performed over 150 dates in the last few years—all at the age of eleven!

We asked his mom Becky, and Matthew to tell their story:

Becky, can you tell us the story of when Matthew first got sick and how you went to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee for a second opinion?

“Well, he was 4. He had been complaining of his legs hurting. As a mother of 4 kids born in a 6 1/2 year span, I kept telling him he probably pulled a muscle. A few weeks later, I passed it off as "growing pains" that his sisters had experienced. Weeks later, his gait became real pronounced and started falling a lot. My husband and I both became very scared. I took him to the doctor the following day. I just remember the look of fear my normally composed pediatrician had on her face. I think she thought maybe it was cancer. She sent us to the ER to have X-rays done. The following day, she called and said, "Becky...I have good news and bad news." You never know how to take that! She continued, "The good news is, he doesn't have what we feared. The bad news is...it looks like he has a rare bone disease called Perthes. And strangely, it's in both of his legs.

From there, she sent us to a specialist in Louisville (about an hour north of us). She confirmed Matthew’s prognosis of having bilateral "Leggs Calve Perthes." Usually, 95% of the cases it is in only one leg/hip. Matthew was part of the 5% to have it in both. His case had become so severe that both of his femoral heads had totally degenerated. This meaning that he was to bear NO weight on his legs indefinitely. She put Matthew in a wheelchair at all times unless he was squirmy and then he could use this tiny little walker. We continued seeing the original doctor for several months, going every 6 weeks.

One day, I came home from work and a woman had left a message to call her if I wanted to talk. This lady's son also had Perthes, only his was trauma induced where Matthew's was genetic. I'm usually a very private person and my husband and I both were keeping all of this to ourselves and our parents. By this time, a few people had heard so I decided to call her. She told me about her son's doctor in Nashville at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

I didn't know what I wanted to do. I know that every time we went to Louisville to see his doctor, he was scared and cried. After talking about it, my husband and I decided to get a second opinion with Dr. Greene at Vanderbilt. Matthew fell in love with him the second we walked in! Dr. Greene actually did some funny trick to him like pinching his nose and poking his stomach and made some funny sound. Our first doctor was super smart but didn't have the greatest bedside manner. She spoke above or to us. Dr. Greene spoke "WITH" us and just got on mine and Matthew's level.

During that visit, after MONTHS of being in a wheelchair and being pulled in a wagon at school, Dr. Greene told Matthew he didn't have to stay in the wheelchair, to use it only when he hurt or if he was limping/falling. From that point on, we made the 2 hour drive south every 6 weeks. In time, our appointments spread to every 8 weeks, then to every 3 months. Years later, they became every 6 months, every year, and now, on Matthew's 10th birthday (April 18th) Dr. Greene told Matthew that his legs had healed the best they would EVER be. We will come back for a check-up when Matthew is 13.”

Matthew, tell us about watching Dierks on CMT and how you learned to imitate his famous half grin?

“Well, I think I was just 5 years old and we didn't listen to country music. We always listened to top 40, R&B, and hip hop. After finding out about my legs and my bone disease, my mom quit teaching school to stay home with me for while. I think I was supposed to start kindergarten that year but she kept me out.

Anyway, I couldn't do a lot. I remember watching my sisters and the kids on my street play outside and I couldn't--I had to stay in. At recess, I had to sit and watch all of the kids play on the playground. So when I was at home, my mom bought things like coloring books, stickers, and some toys for me to sit and play with.  I never really liked a lot of toys but my Hot Wheels. My dad manages his fathers and uncles Lincoln car dealership here in town so I kind of had an obsession with cars and motorcycles. I knew all of the makes and models of my HUGE collection.

I would sit and play with my cars and one day, I saw Dierks Bentley on TV. I thought he was THE coolest guy! I started dressing like him. I would wear jeans, black Harley Davidson boots and the same black T-Shirt over and over. One year, I remember, the ONLY thing I asked for for Christmas was a necklace like Dierks'. And...I got it! I even carried a black wallet with a chain on it. I still wear it a lot when I perform.

Anyway, I would go to Sally’s Beauty Supply and ask the ladies there to find something to make my hair curly. One day, the lady sold me a bottle of "Curly Burly" shampoo! It didn't work! From then on, I would sit and play with my Hot Wheels on the floor and watch CMT. I couldn't wait for a Dierks video to come on because I would stand up and imitate him. I would play an air guitar jumping on the couch (which....I wasn't supposed to do according to mom and my doctor). I would imitate his facial expressions and just the way he moved. I think I was pretty good at it. 

I also remember being in the car a lot and my mom and I would listen to DB over and over and I would ask her things like, Mom, why does he want her to come a little closer? I would also ask her questions about his videos. Now that I'm older, I think I get the songs a little better!"

The local TV station - WHAS11's Great Day Live, interviewed Matthew recently and asked him to demonstrate “Dierks’ grin,” which you can see at around the 2:30 mark.

Matthew, do you have any videos of you performing a Dierks song?

“Well, honestly I have a bunch of videos on You Tube but NONE of me playing Dierks. I have a whole binder of songs I used to play of his but when I started performing more and learning more about my voice, his songs are REALLY hard for me. I would HATE to disrespect him and do his songs an injustice. I hope as I get older, I will be able to find a key that sounds half decent to sing some of his music."

Which Dierks concerts have you been to? 

"I have seen him at EVERY Miles and Music For Kids event in Nashville but one since his first one. My aunt and mom actually snuck me back stage at the first Miles and Music to meet him. I got to meet Dierks, Eric Church, Montgomery Gentry, Jeff Foxworthy, and Ray Scott. Yep...jumping brick walls and sneaking past security at the age of 5!

I have seen Dierks open for Kenny Chesney in Chicago and Nashville. I got to meet him in Evansville at a meet and greet. I had him sign my "binder" that I kept my music in for guitar. He totally missed the whole HUGE section of HIS songs and just saw a few others. He was like wow??? No Dierks? I was too shy to show him the REAL music in there!

Then there was the time I got to see him at the Murat in Indianapolis. He was singing "So So Long" and pulled me up on the stage with him. He was asking me if he should leave or stay with the girl? And how I felt about girls. Little did he know I lived in a house full of them! So, I told him to say so so long! I got a picture with him on that stage and then at the first Miles and Music. A bunch of Harley Davidson riders put me up on the stage with him.

He has met me so many times and he doesn't even know I'm the same kid. Most of all, he doesn't know that I'm just a kid who picked up the guitar because of him. Now, my music is who I am. I want to tell him this and tell him thanks!" 

When most little boys wanted games and toys, Matthew only wanted a chain likes Dierks' for Christmas, which he is wearing in this photo

How many performances have you done? Where is your favorite place to perform?

"Oh gosh, I've performed close to 150 times in the last few years, I would say my VERY favorite memory was performing in Freedom Hall in Louisville with Keith Urban. What a memory!




Otherwise, I really like playing in some bars in Nashville. I played several times in a place called Roosters; also the Nashville Palace which is right across the street from Opryland Hotel. I LOVE performing on TV! Another thing I like doing is nursing homes and soon I get to go perform for kids at the Children's Hospital in Louisville. The bigger the crowd, the better I do!"

Tell us about your brothers and sisters. Do they sing as well? How do they support your singing?

"Well, I have 3 sisters. They are really good to me. They help me when I perform. They carry my equipment. They help set up my speakers, mic, the stool that I take everywhere, and whatever guitars I bring and all of that. Now...do I tell them thank you? Probably not enough. I really do appreciate them but I have to keep my little brother image of "oh my sisters drive me crazy" up! Shhh... don't tell them, they aren't so bad. And...they bring lots of pretty girls to the house!

They all sing. My oldest sister Halle has sang with me. My middle sister Marisa...well, we tease her all the time because she has the WORST voice in the world! And Sydney probably has the best voice of all of us but she is real shy and won't ever sing in front of anyone! Our music teacher at school always tells my mom how good she sings. The girls usually come watch me. 

Sometimes they are busy though. It's ok. I don't always want to go watch them play soccer or cheer. So, it's even! My mom hopes if I ever sing for a living we will all always be together! Halle will be my production and tour manager, Marisa will totally be my hair stylist and designer, and Sydney will be the brains behind the operation. Mom...well she will drive the tour bus while my dad and I play Xbox!"

Do you write songs as well? If so, can you give us a few lines from your favorite song? 

"I know I should probably start writing here in the next year or so but I haven't written any yet. My dad's friend wrote a song for me and he wanted me to have a part in it so I helped him write one verse. It's not all together yet but I will say it's about my parents. Everyone who gives me advice says I need some original music. Well...I've heard it probably from 3 different people this week. This is on the top of my list. I know I'm not ready to write my own but I will be hunting for some.

We aren't sure how to go about getting our hands on music for demos and so forth that is copy written but we have started a search. I have had SO many people tell me, Hey I'll write a song for you. Or... work with a great bunch of publishers, let me get you to Nashville and we will sit down and write YOUR SONG. Well... I'm ready. I want these people to follow through! It would be great if I could get one of my HEROS like DB,Keith or Kenny to write one for me! Ha! That would sure show all the people who stood me up, huh?"

We know you perform other genres of music other than country. What other non-country artists do you like to perform? (Really enjoyed your Greenday song!)

"Since I'm a normal 11-year-old kid, I really like to perform Bieber and One Direction. A few people call me Half-a-Bieber! The girls at school like when I perform both of their songs. I like older rock a little. My guitar teacher, Cuni, introduces me to a lot of different music. I've played Zepplin, Skynard, Greenday, Howie Day, even a Taylor Swift song. I even learned two of her songs from her Christmas CD for my second grade teacher as a Christmas present a few years ago."

What is on the calendar for you in 2012? We see you've done some acting and modeling as well!

"Who knows? I never know. My mom never tells me until right before a show. I tease her all the time about that. I will do a few things for our mall in the next few months. I am performing at two restaurants in Louisville soon. I am going to perform at a Grand Opening at a Sports Pub here in Etown [Elizabeth] soon. I get asked to do benefits often. I am really excited to get to sing for the kids in the hospital. I know a few producers or management people have been talking to my mom as far as acting goes. I just show up for auditions whenever they call. So, my life is like spur of the moment!"

What are your plans for the next few years? When you grow up? What's your dream career?
  

Since I'm only in the 2% on the growth chart, NBA basketball isn't looking too good for me! I make really good grades and am in the advanced classes at school. I even made this program called the Duke Tip which means I scored in the top 5% of the nation on my standardized test. But honestly, I want to play music and travel. I want to be the headlining act. Of course I will have to be the opening act for a while. I want to take country music by storm like Taylor Swift!

What's the reaction from your friends at school to your singing, performing, playing guitar, acting, and modeling? 

"It's funny. I'd say I'm kind of one of the cool kids at school. Everyone knows I play music. Not so sure they know HOW much I play and where all I play. I say sometimes that I'm like Hannah Montana. I'm just Matthew Pinkham at school, but I'm this different person on the weekends.

I'm the little guy at school, too. So I kind of have to prove myself with sports. I think I've got the music thing covered, though! I think they always look forward to our talent show at the end of the year to see what I'm going to do! My mom works at my school so the teachers and adults there keep up with me and are real excited for me when things are going on!

I don't think they know, but there is this manager for Disney that will send me auditions for different jobs. I've auditioned for two roles for Disney but didn't get either. It's kind of hard/awkward auditioning all the way here in Kentucky to them all the way there in Los Angeles. I think I need to just go out there and audition. My friends at school would flip if I ended up getting one of those parts!"

Who's your biggest inspiration and why?   

"Hmm… well, I don't think it's just one person. My dad is a big inspiration. He is so strong and works SO hard. 110% is the minimum he gives in everything he does. Dierks would have to be my first musical inspiration because he is the reason I ever picked up my first guitar and got me connected and interested in country music. Keith Urban and my guitar teacher Cuni would have to be huge inspirations, too. Both of them make me want to be a better guitar player/musician."

We hear you've got your sights set on performing on the Miles and Music For Kids stage with Dierks, since that event every year benefits the very hospital that helped you get better. Tell us about that aspiration.

"Well, from the first Miles and Music I went to, I felt like I was already a part of it. A lady saw me walk in with my "Dierks" gear on and my bandana on my head with my first guitar strapped on my back. She worked for DB and asked me if I wanted him to sign my guitar. That's when my aunt decided she was getting me back to see Dierks. We paid a bunch of money for these tickets and found out we bought tickets to ride our motorcycles in the "ride." Only...my mom is only 5 foot tall, doesn't own a bike, and isn't your typical Harley Davidson kind of girl, but the concert was just so cool. I was right next to the stage and that's where I always want to be if I'm watching a show.

Now...the only other BETTER place to be is ON the stage! But, since my whole story started, Dierks and Vandy and actually Harley Davidson has been a part of my life. Dierks and my doctor at Vandy Children's are part of my story. Part of my song! I honestly wish I could connect with Dierks and help him raise money for his benefit each year. I might only be able to raise a little bit of money, but I also might be able to raise a lot! Who knows? He has to believe in me. I would love to go on just before him and sing for 30 minutes or an hour. He just has to trust me!"

(The 2012 Miles and Music For Kids Event is October 14 this year, but no details yet.)

One more feather in his cap is that Matthew made it to the second round of America's Got Talent this past year! If he had made it farther, the next round was with the judges. Maybe next year!

Becky, how is his health now?

"At Matthew's last appointment, his doctor told us that his legs were as good as they will get. One has regenerated 95% while the other is in the 80% I believe. After a few years of not being allowed to play sports (which is a whole other issue because Matthew comes from a huge line of athletes and loves sports and recess/PE at school, he played a few seasons of baseball but has chosen to continue playing basketball. He has a goal on our main floor, one in the basement, one out front in the driveway, one in the pool and a goal on the back patio. He even has one built on the door of a little trailer for his music equipment that someone in our community donated. So, if you walk in our home, you will either hear the sound of lots of children's voices, basketballs dribbling on the hardwood or the sound of the goal being dunked on, or best of all, the sound of Matthew Jordan [yes his middle name is the same as Dierks’ youngest daughter] singing and playing his guitar!"

Matthew says, "I didn't have cancer, thank God, but what I went through wasn't fun. My bone disease and not being able to play like a normal kid led me to loving Dierks, country music, and my guitar! I NEVER would've known I had a talent or love for music like I do had it not been for my illness!"

Matthew’s dream is to play on stage at Dierks’ Miles And Music For Kids, the charity event that helps the very hospital that helped him.

"C'mon Dierks...I will rock your socks off and everyone else watching! BIG THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES! YOU are the reason I am who I am today!"  

You can catch Matthew performing a one hour set at Wicks Pizza, 9700 Bluegrass Parkway in Louisville, KY on July 29, 2012.  Be sure to become a fan on his facebook page, too!

New Temporary Dierks.com Website Launches Today!

Hey DB Congress Members!  There's a new "temporary" Dierks.com!

Team Dierks is very busy behind the scenes working on a brand new website that will let you interact with each other like never before and also interact with the full website by commenting on nearly everything, rating content, uploading your own photos, videos, blog entries and concert reviews and more!

They are working hard to keep any glitches or problems to a minimum. If you run into any major issue please send an email to support@musiccitynetworks.com and they'll do their best to get you answers fast.

Also, if you haven't noticed already, the price of an online only membership is now only $9.99! The new site will be launching soon so keep checking dierks.com! 

Watch below as Dierks makes the announcement.  I hope that when the new site launches that Dierks also reaches for his razor to reveal that handsome face under that beard!



~Ronna
DB Congress Chair

Holiday Surprises for DB Congress

Hey DB Congress! We have a few holiday surprises for you to fill your December with even more merriment and cheer! 2010 has been a great year for Dierks and the DB Congress, and we want to cap it off right!

The first holiday surprise is a 10% discount code in the Official Dierks Bentley Online Store! This code is good on everything in the store, so pick up some gift for the fellow Dierks fan in your life, or introduce someone new to his music! The discount code can be found on dierks.com in the Fan Club section. To use it, visit the online store! The code will be active through December 31, and is only for use by the DB Congress.

The second holiday surprise is $5 off membership in the DB Congress (Fan Club)! Time to renew for another year or buy a membership for a friend! Membership is usually $24.99 per year, but with the discount code found on dierks.com in the Fan Club section, you can take $5 off the membership price through December 31!

We hope the holidays are very happy for you and yours. Cheers to a new year!

DIERKS TAKES NEW HAMPSHIRE'S LIVE FREE OR DIE TO HEART

I first met New Hampshire DB Congress rep, Lora and her husband John at Last Call Ball V. The June 2009 event was the first time Lora had met Dierks Bentley. Now, nearly a year later, she finally wins an official Fan Club Meet & Greet and lives to tell about it! (~Ronna)

"I just wanted to share with you my wonderful experience last night. As you know, it was my very first fan club Meet & Greet with Dierks last night in Portsmouth, NH at The Music Hall. Thanks again for your kind words and advice.

So, there we were - waiting patiently for the door to open and for Brit to say, "okay, come on in...." My knees were shaking a bit. The line forms backstage and there he is - looking fantastic as usual, just as I remembered from last year's Last Call Ball. We meet (again), shake hands, he asks what my name is...we take our picture and I give him a gift - a "NH Live Free or Die" bumper sticker for his new guitar case. He took it and read it aloud and asked if that was a New Hampshire slogan. I said yes and he said that he didn't know that. He loved it and said he would place it on his case right away. He put it in his back pocket.


I asked him how things were back home and mentioned that NH had its own battles with flooding last month so, personally, I understood and was thinking about him. He was so friendly and you really could see how much he cared about his fans. For those who attended the show the night before, he asked what they thought about the CD that was handed out. He really wanted to know what the fans thought about his new music. I was standing to his right and he needed to get to the other group of M&Gs. He put his arm around me and I gave him back the biggest hug! It was fantastic! I guess I was in the right place at the right time. It's something I will remember for a long, long time.

The show began and it was truly amazing. About mid-way through, in between songs, he said "thank you, New Hampshire - live free or die," which put a huge smile on my face. He talked about his new guitar case and said, "thank you for the sweet girl who gave me the bumper sticker." I was jumping up and down in the aisle. My night couldn't have gotten any better. After the show, I told my husband that the night was probably one of the best nights I've ever had. It was truly special. Thank you Dierks!

When I got home that night (well, by then it was morning...) I saw his Facebook status - (it just keeps getting better!):

"the dude in the white long sleeve, best dancer of tour. NH,live free or die..we love you"

And, I'm in the picture! I'm the one straight ahead leaning against the wall in the black shirt. See me?

Here are a few pictures from last night. I truly mean it when I say that last night's experience will stay with me for a very long time.






Thanks again, Dierks, for being who you are, taking time for your fans, and making me feel special.

Sincerely,

Lora Sciacca
DB Congress Rep
Plaistow, NH

P.S. Not to mention that Dierks ate at the same hamburger joint that my friend and I did after the show - Gilley's in Portsmouth - which he tweeted about."

MAY 3 - IMPORTANT DAY FOR DIERKS FANS

Monday, May 3 is an imporant day for Dierks Bentley Fan Clubers (DB Congress). First, it's the last day we can vote for Dierks to get him to the final four nomimnees for the CMT Performance of the Year. Vote here.

Second, "The Thread", Dierks' radio show will be featuring part two of the Lower Broadway show he did a few weeks ago. Tune in at 2 pm central or go to wsmonline.com.

Third, he's recorded a few videos exclusively for the fan club! So be sure to stop in on the Fan Club page on dierks.com this coming Monday,May 3 to see our first exclusive video of a very unique performance from the man himself!

Not a member of the fan club? It's not too late! Sign up today at dierks.com and see these exclusive videos!

MANSFIELD MARKS FIRST DIERKS SHOW FOR PA REP

Do you remember when you first joined the Dierks Bentley Fan Club? If your experience was anything like mine, it was a little intimidating! I was 45 and had never been in a fan club and had no idea what a "Meet and Greet" was all about. So I read everything on dierks.com and with the help of some great long-time fan clubbers, I learned a lot and after three tries, won my first M&G!

Now, five years later, it was my turn to pay it forward. Geraldine joined the Dierks Bentley Fan Club recently and was in the same position I was back in 2005. The new Pennsylvania DB Congress rep reached out to me to get some answers. "I do apologize for sounding so dumb, but as I said earlier, I've never done this before. I have no idea how any of this works...I just know I would really love to meet Dierks one day. To be honest with you, this will be my first concert ever."

Boy, did I know how that feeling! So I told her not to worry, that I had been there too, and pointed her in the right direction.

A few weeks later, Geraldine emailed me again. "Just want to thank you for your help a couple of weeks ago...I got a meet & greet for the Mansfield, PA show. I am so thrilled to finally get to meet Dierks. I think I'm more excited than a child in a toy store. I have a feeling these next two weeks are going to creep along. Again thanks for all your help."

Finally, after the April 9 Mansfield show, Geraldine shared her experience:

"My meet and greet was better than I had imagined it could be. I certainly read him right...he is truly a sweetheart. After the M&G he took us to his dressing room and sang 'Up On The Ridge,' and he was fantastic of course. I love how he makes you feel so comfortable around him. What a guy...sure hope I get that opportunity again. Loved him before...love him even more now! And his concert was GREAT! I hated to see it end. Waited until I couldn't see him anymore, as my husband tugged at my sleeve. Then sadly, I had to leave. On a brighter note though, I left with a precious memory that I will treasure forever."



Asked to share some of her one-on-one conversation with Dierks, Geraldine says, "He loved my name, thought it was very pretty. He asked it's origin, but I had no idea. I told him everyone likes it but me. I let him know how much I love his music and that I am always looking for more. He smiled (real cute, I might add) and said it's on it's way. Then walking through the hallway I passed Nid's message to him, asking him to follow @dierksfans on Twitter again. Said he'd talk to the person who handles it for him. Then we reached the dressing room. And sadly, my time to talk with him had to end. Sometimes life sucks...that was one of those moments! But I was lucky enough to snuggle in close to him for the group picture. I keep checking to see if he posts it on dierks.com like he said he would. I left a message on dierks.com, just don't know if he'll ever see it. Wish I knew a sure way to get the message to him."

Don't we all wish that! Thanks for sharing, Geraldine! Welcome to the DB Congress family!

TOMORROW IS DIERKS DAY MONDAY! PRESALES AND RADIO SHOW

Dierks Bentley Fan Club presale tickets are on sale tomorrow, 3/15/10 for Arkansas and Pennsylvania! First access to presale tickets go to the DB Congress members! These presales will begin Monday, March 15, 2010 at 12PM Local Venue Time (and don't forget about Daylight Savings Time this weekend). As always, tickets are limited and available on a first come, first served basis, so don't wait to get them!

4/7/2010-Barnhill Arena (Fayetteville, AR)
4/9/2010-Decker Gym at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania(Mansfield, PA)

Presale tickets can only be accessed through the dierks.com Fan Club page in the Community section, with the special link, so make sure you log in!

Oh, and Meet & Greets are still open for both shows so make sure you click on the "Request M&G" icon on the Tour page!

Good luck!

Also, don't forget tomorrow is the first day for Dierks' radio show on WSM 650 AM at 2 pm central time. "The Thread" is bound to tie you to the past, present and future of country music through our president's wit and talent! Listen online at www.wsmonline.com!

JOIN THE DB CONGRESS DIERKS BENTLEY FAN CLUB TODAY!

Dierks Bentley's official website, dierks.com has a new home page! Check it out and join the DB Congress (fan club) today! Get access to pre-sale tickets, Meet & Greets with Dierks and more! Go to dierks.com now!

Already a fan club member? Want to vote and promote Dierks a few minutes every day? Leave a comment with your dierks.com username and the state or country you represesent and we'll list you here on dbcongress.com on the Representatives page!

Join the fun! Be a part of our DB family!

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