GAC'S NAN KELLEY 'WOO HOOS' DIERKS

Nan Kelley interviewed Dierks Bentley on the GAC Top 20 Video Countdown this week, and she made no secret of how much she loved his new album, Up On The Ridge. They talked about how the album came about and how Dierks called each of the featured artists on their cell phones (Miranda & Jamey) to ask them to sing on the record. She talked about how Pride blew her away, and Dierks gave Del McCoury and Chris Thile/Punch Brothers lots of credit.

Dierks talked about his daughter, Evie loving the album, too, and always asking for "da da's" record to be played. Dierks said if she was old enough to buy records the album might be platinum by now.

He also said he likes listening to the record not to hear himself sing, but to hear all the wonderful instruments and artists who make up the whole body of work.

Dierks was beaming ear to ear and Nan was flat out gushing! She said she would love to hear "Draw Me A Map" as a single on the radio (us, too!). Dierks admitted it could happen, that he's gotten a lot of great feedback on that song, with Alison Krauss singing harmony vocals. "Draw me a map, that leads me straight to you - woo hoo!" Nan said excitedly.

Dierks joked he might have to put Nan in charge of radio promotion to get the song played. She joked, "This is Jenny from Ohio" pretending to call a radio DJ. Dierks looked right in the camera and said, "OK, Jenny in Ohio, you gotta call radio now."

Noticeably present on Dierks left hand was his wedding band, which he doesn't usually wear. It was good to see! Guess he's visibly 'fessin' his love for wife Cassidy.

Conspicuously missing was the Up On The Ridge video from the top 20 countdown. So, we need your help, congrass! Vote daily, please! Give it all you've got to give!

TOP 30 FOR "RIDGE"

Last week, in an interview given to The 9513, Dierks had this to say about a Top 40 song coming from his new CD, "Up on the Ridge" due out June 8th:

"The feedback’s been great, and it means a lot to me, but having a Top 40 hit on this record means more to me than ever before. This record wasn’t made with that in mind. It was made just to be an album in its entirety."

So, based on that, I wonder how he felt upon learning that "Up on the Ridge," the debut single, cracked the Top 30 this week on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, coming in at #29 in its 6th week! It moved 8 spots on the chart this week, and picked up 1.2 million in audience! Mediabase is roughly a week behind Billboard, and in its 5th week on there, it's #37. However, as of today, it's already moved to #32, and should easily crack the Top 30 on Mediabase by the next chart run on Sunday -- which is excellent news for those of you who've yet to hear it on your local country stations. Top 30 is the goal, not only for countdowns/syndicated airplay, but because most Country radio formats are now Top 30 as well.

The reaction to this song has been extremely positive. It's refreshing to hear something different on country radio, and I think people are responding to that. And, just for kicks, I decided to go back and see where "I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes" was in its 6th week, and wouldn't you know ... it was #29. So let's get Dierks the #1 he should have gotten with IWMYCYE -- and the one that could mean the most to him!

Also, the video for UOTR is up for voting on GAC's countdown! Head over to GAC every day to cast your vote -- let's crash their countdown next week!

~ Carrie (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

DIERKS OFF THE RECORD

Dierks Bentley has always had a special connection with his fans--especially his hard-core followers. That's how I became a DB fan--because of his ability to look you in the eye and instantly connect and suck you in for life! Not that I'm complaining.

Dierks Bentley told the national radio show GAC Nights: Live From Nashville: "I really feel like I've met everyone who's bought one of my records. I truly feel like that. We spend so much time out there. We have such hardcore fans that sing along to every song off the record and know the whole new record by heart. I feel really blessed to get out there every night and have them get up and sing these songs back to me."

So, let's show Dierks how much he means to us, too! Vote for the I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes video on the GAC Top 20 EVERY DAY!

DIERKS' FIRST VIDEO - VOTE BY AUG. 10

Now, GAC is asking fans to vote on their favorite "first" videos from their favorite artists. What Was I Thinkin' is among the nominees!

There are over 60 music videos to choose from, so we need your help to get WWIT to the Top 20 where it belongs! Vote Daily here!

Voting ends August 10, 2009. The final countdown based on YOUR VOTES will air on GAC August 26th at 8 p.m. ET! The countdown will re-air on GAC all the way through the month of September!

*HINT: You can vote for up to 10 videos, but don't! Just submit WWIT only! That will help our chances!