DB Bucket List Miss: Crowd Surfing in Chicago

I've always wanted to see Dierks Bentley perform at Joe's Bar in Chicago. The timing never works with my schedule.  It's also on my "DB Bucket List" to be in the front row when he does a stage dive into the audience for a little crowd surfing.  I could've checked two things off my list last night!  In case you missed it on Twitter:

Via @DierksBentley's Twitter page: "crowd surfing in chicago. thx joe's and @US99!"

~Ronna

Dierks Bentley - Miles, Music, Kids & New Lyrics?



Photo Credit Larry Darling

 

Photo Credit Larry Darling



Dierks Bentley raised over $144,000 for Chicago’s Children’s Memorial Hospital Sunday.  This was Bentley's first "Miles and Music For Kids" event in The Windy City, but all total he's raised over $1.7 million over the last six years in seven cities through the motorcycle ride/concert.

The motorcycle ride started from Fox River Harley-Davidson in St. Charles, Il, and ended with a full concert at Joe's Bar.  Opening for Dierks were Eli Young Band and Jerrod Niemann.

Not only did Bentley bike it to Joe's, he also wrote a third verse on the spot to his latest number one single, "Am I The Only One?" that included the famous bar in the lyrics.  Watch and listen (video by Stacy):



Several DB Congress Reps supported our prez in this worthy fund raiser, including Stacy Baker from Michigan.

"The doors to The event opened at 1:00. They had a whole city blocked roped off. A building had been knocked down where the stage was set up so there was a lot of room for the "sold out" crowd. The music began right at 2. It started with Tyler Reeve who played a great set. Followed by the CMT star winner Matt Mason.

Then Eli Young Band came on. Dierks came on during their rendition of Lynard Skynards "Gimme Three Steps."  It got everyone really excited. Then Jerrod Niemann played.



Photo Credit Larry Darling

After Jerrod there was a long break where they had a girl who had been treated at Children's Memorial Hospital talk. A $5,000 check was donated from The insurance company sponsors. The they auctioned off a special guitar made for the event. It was autographed by all the artists. They were encouraging Chicago to beat the previous auction in Ohio which was $10,000. At the end of the auction it sold for $10,500 dollars.
Then Dierks came on and as always the crowd went nuts. He started with his new beer and country music song ["Country And Cold Cans"]. He talked about the most amazing moment of the day: They were on the ride on a back road and were coming to the top of a hill and as they reached the top the while Chicago skyline stretched before them and one of the people he was riding with had a radio and at that moment Chicago's Country 99 station was playing AITOO.  He said it was incredible. And because of that he decided to write a third verse for AITOO on the spot (see video above). He messed up the first time and joked about it then went on to sing about the girl talking about commitment and him going to Joe's bar.

When Dierks came on everyone seemed to forget they had been standing on uneven rocks for the past five hours and just were entranced by Dierks. It almost felt magical as the 80 degree day cooled off and the sun was setting during "Trying To Stop Your Leaving."



Photo Credit Larry Darling





Photo Credit Larry Darling




Photo Credit Larry Darling




Photo Credit Larry Darling



Photo Credit Larry Darling




Photo Credit Larry Darling

Then I had to leave early as we had an hour trip back to our truck and a 5 1/2 hour ride home for work this morning. It was so worth it though, as any trip to see Dierks is. Bill and I counted that this past year we had seen Dierks perform 6 times and met him 3 times. It was a Dierks-filled year. I can only hope this next year is just as lucky!"

Fans won't have to wait to long for the next MM4K.  It's this coming Sunday, October 16 in Nashville, Tennessee, marking the inaugural city's 6th annual event!  Several dozen DB Congress Reps will gather at Joe's Crab Shack downtown Saturday night to sign get well cards for the kids at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital!

For more information, email KY rep David at david.m915@googlemail.com.

STAGE DIVE LEAVES A NICKNAME

In addition to his on-stage singing, Dierks Bentley has been known to connect to his fans in a very touchy way--by stage diving into the crowd! And one particular night in February 2007, he persuaded one Illinois Dierks fan-for-life to go stage-diving with him! Who could say no to those baby blue eyes and that killer dude smile? Here is Stacy's story:

"It was August 21, 2004 and my friend begged me to go to a local fair to see this up-and-coming country singer Dierks Bentley. Now I didn't want to go, but my friend said it would be a great time and that he was real cute and I would enjoy the show. So I thought, "What the heck?" and went.

Now in his earlier performing days he wasn't the great entertainer we know and love today. He basically stood in the middle of the stage playing his guitar and looking all cute in plaid--hardly any crowd interaction (which is hard to believe now).

After the show, he met all us fans and I'm not one to pass up on meeting country singers so I got in line. When it was my turn he was just so sweet and down to earth and something just clicked! He called me a "sweetie" and I knew I had found an artist to be a fan of for a lifetime.

Three years and 13 shows later, it's February 1, 2007, and I find myself at Joe's Bar in Chicago. This was the High Times and Hangovers 3 Tour with Cross Canadian Ragweed. This show sold out in four minutes so we knew we had to get there early to get our front row spot! We had to resort to joining Ragweed's fan club just so we could get tickets! We got in line at 10:30 am and there were only two people ahead of us! We were stoked!

My birthday was the week before so I made a sign that said "It's my b-day..dance??". I held it up a couple of times but got no reaction from him. No biggie to me. So he's singing 'Come A Little Closer' and he gets to the music break in it and before I knew it he was coming towards me and grabbing my hand and pulling me up on stage! I was flipping out inside!

He tells everyone about my sign and then we slow dance a little. Then he starts pushing me towards the crowd.

"What are you doing?!"
Dierks just smiles and says, "Let's stage dive!"

I told him no and that the crowd wouldn't catch me and he assures me they will but I still say no.

If I do it, will you do it?"
Without even thinking I just blurted out "OK."

Then he does a running start into the crowd and lands right into a mass of waiting hands to catch him. He gets back on the stage then comes back to me.

"Your turn!"
I then had changed my mind and told him 'No' again.

"You promised!"
So I just give up: "Alright."

So we walk over to the crowd and he pushes me back into the crowd and they do catch me! It was the weirdest feeling with all these hands on your back, but it was by far the 'kewlest' thing I have ever done!

I get back onstage with D and he gives me a kiss on the cheek and says "Nice job!"

A year later I was at a meet and greet with him in Moline, IL. When it came to my turn to meet him he goes "We stage-dived together didn't we?" And I told him yeah and he goes "'Stage Dive' Stacy!" And the name has stuck ever since!

Just last night at my 23rd show in Iowa City, IA he sees me as he's passing us to get on his bus and he goes "Hi 'Stage Dive'!" I get butterflies in my stomach just thinking that my favorite singer knows me by name. He makes me feel so special and that's why I will be a fan for life!"

Stacy says she has the video from this night to remember, but is holding it close to her heart!