Dierks Bentley and Jon Pardi get "Strait" to classic country on the "What The Hell" Tour

Whether you were born wearing cowgirl boots or just donned your first pair at a recent "What The Hell" Tour concert, there are some country classics with which everyone can sing along. 

So when Dierks Bentley and Jon Pardi decided to have some extra fun on tour, honoring one of their biggest heroes was just too good to pass up.

Man, did they do it justice.

During a recent “What the Hell” Tour concert, Dierks and Jon, after a time of banter and joking with the crowd, led the band (and entire audience!) in the George Strait 1987 hit “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.”

One fan* posted a video of this talented performance, which you can watch here (song begins at 1:57):

George Strait holds a special place in Dierks’ heart. Early in his career, Dierks had the privilege of opening for George on tour. At one of those concerts, Dierks met up with his childhood sweetheart, Cassidy, again (who would later become his wife!). On that same tour, when in Dierks’ hometown of Phoenix, Ariz., George played “I Just Want to Dance With You” because he knew it was Dierks’ mom’s favorite song.

From growing up listening to George through his parents, to opening for George on tour, to now headlining his own show and paying homage to his hero, Dierks certainly has a connection with King George.

As Dierks said in a recent interview, “He is tied into my family in many, many ways.”

One more unforgettable way was just added to those memories. It was worth every mile.

Jessica Borrelli
DB Congress Rep, WA
@AllTheWayToMe


*Thank you to YouTube user "shyloh durocher" for the video.

COUNTRY WEEKLY GOES EYE TO EYE WITH DIERKS BENTLEY

Dierks Bentley: What I really think about George Strait. That headline is on the cover of the 1/4/10 Country Weekly issue, along with Dierks' white T mug shot, giving me reason enough to buy the magazine.

The 6-page feature story goes eye to eye with Dierks, digging into dialogue about what a big year 2009 was for the multi-talented, and quick-witted country music artist, whose powers of intelligent observation, keen perception, and mental acuity have all contributed to his success.

Never lacking in his sense of humor, Dierks had this to say when asked, "If you went to a beach and didn't know it was a nude beach, would you stay and go swimming or would you leave?"

"I would leave only because it would probably be like male and female. I don't want to see a bunch of naked dudes [laughs]..."

CW asks Dierks his thoughts on Forbes naming him to the 10 Next Breakout Stars, how he found out that President Obama quoted him and if George Strait ever responded to Dierks giving him the song/CD during the GS Artist of the Decade show. They also asked him to finish sentences such as: "I'm better off without...", and "I can sing better than..."

Dierks also responds to some thought-provoking questions like,'What do you like most about yourself?' 'How do you handle rude people?' 'When was the last time you told a white lie?' and 'If you could have anyone cloned and keep them all to yourself, who would it be?'

Overall, Pat Gallagher did a great job in this 'eye to eye' interview. Although, I half expected the "eye" reference to tie to Dierks' latest single, "I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes", especially since it's on the verge of becoming his third consecutive number one hit. Never saw it.

Be sure to pick up a copy to read for yourself how Dierks answered these and many more questions. Also, please send your thank you emails to Country Weekly.

~Ronna Clark

DB Congress Chair

DIERKS TALKS HOCKEY, HIS HAIR AND A SURPRISE KISS

Dierks did a massive satellite radio tour recently and one of his interviews was with The Wakeup Crew of K102, Donna and Muss, in Minnesota. Listen as he discusses hockey, Sideways, the surprise kiss from Melissa Peterman at the CMT Awards and much more!

DIERKS SINGS BLUE CLEAR SKY ON STRAIT TRIBUTE

Dierks Bentley performed on the George Strait Artist of the Decade television special, which aired on CBS last night. The event was filmed live on April 6 in Vegas. According to CMT News, prior to singing "Blue Clear Sky," Dierks briefly went off script to recall his first major tour as Strait's opening act.

"In 2005, I was playing in this building, opening up for George Strait," Bentley said. "A girl called me that I had known since I was 13 years old. She said she wanted to come out to the show. We had tried dating a couple of times, but I kind of figured it wasn't going to work out because I was chasing this dream down in Nashville. She came out to the show, and you talk about 'out of the blue clear sky' -- 'One day you're giving up the dream/And the next you're picking out a ring.' We eloped down to Mexico that same year. So I owe George and Norma a lot for giving me my life, and I love my life. I really appreciate it, and you are my blueprint for what we aspire to be."

None of that dialogue made the television version. But Dierks did manage to show everyone his great sense of humor by giving George, uh, I mean Norma Strait a CD he just happened to have in his back pocket! See Dierks' performance below.

VOTE FOR DIERKS IN FINAL ROUND OF CMT MUSIC AWARDS!

Dierks made it to the final round! Vote, Vote, Vote for Dierks Bentley!

Dierks is nominated in the final round of voting at the 2009 CMT Music Awards. He is up for CMT Performance of the Year - "Country Boy" with George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Brad Paisley!

Watch the performance here:

Alan Jackson More CMT Music More CMT Music Videos

While you're on the voting page, vote for Trey Fanjoy for Best video Director of the Year, awarded to the director for his/her body of work from the past year, including "Trying to Stop Your Leaving" - Dierks Bentley.

Dierks has also been confirmed to perform at the awards show, which will be held in Nashville on Tuesday, June 16th and will air live on CMT.

VOTE NOW for Dierks! Thank you for supporting your DBC president!

DIERKS PICS IN PEOPLE MAGAZINE

I finally found the June 2009 People magazine - Country Special edition today and quickly grabbed it off the Publix rack and put it in my shopping cart. I tried to leave it there and go on about my grocery shopping, but I couldn't stand it! I had to look inside to get a peek at any and all Dierks Bentley pics! Here's what I found:

Page 30...the left side of a 2-page spread of the 21 country stars honoring George Strait at the Artist of the Decade event. Since this is a Dierks Bentley blog, you'll have to buy the magazine to find out where Keith Urban's other hand is!




Country's Hottest Guys started on page 36 with Brad, Blake, Keith...and then I think I hesitated a little too long (for a die-hard Dierks fan) on the center-fold--Chuck Wicks looking fine in blue jeans and a white, wet top---in the surf, on the beach, when I found The Free Spirit Dierks Bentley on page 43.


Ironically, Dierks is quoted saying "I grew up in Arizona riding horses and wearing cowboy hats. Now I'm a country singer, and I don't wear hats and I ride motorcycles," he says with a laugh. "Go figure!" Now does that dispel the controvery over the American Songwriter comment, or what?

To watch the photo shoot video on People.com, go to:
http://www.people.com/people/videos/0,,20279105,00.html

MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT FOR 'COUNTRY BOY' DIERKS BENTLEY & FRIENDS

Calling all DB Congress representatives! A special congressional session is in progress! Our president, Dierks Bentley, is nominated for a 2009 CMT Music Award: CMT Performance of the Year, for "Country Boy." Artists: Alan Jackson, George Strait, Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley.

YOUR VOTE is needed--but hurry! Voting for the first round ends May 19. You can vote only once (with each email address), so make it count! Ask all your family, friends, and co-workers to vote for Dierks!

In case you missed "CMT Giants: Alan Jackson," you can see it here:



Log in and choose four of your favorite videos per category. Your picks will determine which videos make it to the final round of voting on May 19.

Mark your calendars for the only fan-voted awards show in country music. This year, the CMT Music Awards promise to be better than ever with more music and more stars when the 2009 CMT Music Awards air Live + Loud on June 17.


Hmmmm...seems like I've seen "Live + Loud" before....uh, yeah...that's the name of Dierks' live concert DVD "Live & Loud At The Filmore!" I hope that's a good sign that maybe Dierks will be performing on the June 17 CMT Music Awards show! Be sure to tune in to see our president!


Vote, Vote, Vote!

GEORGE HONORED, DIERKS SINGS

The George Strait Artist of the Decade special (held live in Vegas Monday night) will air at 8 p.m. on May 27 on CBS and will feature footage of live performances by Brooks and Dunn, Jamie Foxx, Jack Ingram, Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, John Rich, LeAnn Rimes, Blake Shelton, Lee Ann Womack, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban.

“It's kind of ironic to be standing up here getting ready to present this award to the man who’s fully responsible for where I’m at today,” Garth Brooks said. “It is an honor to pass the torch to the man who I believe has carried the torch for country music for the last 30 years,” he said.

After Garth Brooks’ unannounced appearance, it was Strait’s turn. As anyone who has watched tributes knows, they can take on an almost “I’m watching my own funeral” feel for the recipient, and as performer after performer talked about growing up on Strait or—to really dig in the dagger- Bentley talked about how his dad loved Strait, the 56-year-old honoree must have felt he was as old as the hills.

“As a songwriter, the ultimate goal is to get George Strait to cut one of your songs,” another performer, Dierks Bentley, said. “I’m not afraid to say I’ve stalked and ambushed him a number of times … I think the last time was in an elevator in Nashville,” he joked before slipping Strait’s wife, Norma, one of his CDs.

Dierks Bentley gave George Strait a CD

Dierks sang George's, “Blue Clear Sky,” during the tribute.

BENTLEY PERFORMS FOR KING GEORGE

The 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards is honoring George Strait as the "Artist of the Decade." The ACM Awards will be telecast live on Sunday, April 5, 2009 (8 pm Eastern), and Dierks will be presenting an award (which one is yet to be named).

The next day (April 6), a special concert will be filmed with a live audience from the Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The show will air on CBS on May 27.

Dierks (whom George Strait secured as his supporting artist during his 2004 and 2005 tours) will perform during the show and will be joined by an amazing lineup of country music superstars, including scheduled performances by Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, LeAnn Rimes, Blake Shelton, Lee Ann Womack, John Rich, Jack Ingram, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and more-paying tribute to "The King of Country" George Strait and his legendary 25-year career.

If you live close enough to drive, or you can hop on a plane last minute, tickets are still available to the public for the April 6 event for $200, $150 and $100 through Ticketmaster.com for the all star country concert television taping. Proceeds of all sales benefit the Academy of Country Music Charitable Fund (ACMCF).

Strait is the fifth to receive the artist of the decade honor, after Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn, Alabama and Garth Brooks.