Dierks Bentley and Friends -- Hot Country Knights Performed at Joe's Bar in Chicago, To Benefit The Riser Foundation

Dierks Bentley kicked off Sunday night, October 27, 2019, at Joe's Bar on Weed Street in Chicago with, "The Mountain," a pre-Halloween treat for DB Congress members in attendance as it's not very often Dierks plays the title song to his 2018 album 'live' for his fans. 

It was appropriate though, as he sang, "I climbed like hell through the brush and the bramble."  He's come a long way to be in a position to give back in a big way, and the event and Joe's was a benefit for The Riser Foundation--raising over $33,000.

The Riser Foundation was launched in 2006, by Dierks and a handful of passionate Nashville supporters of charitable organizations--mostly to help children and families.  You may remember our blogs from the 10-year run of Miles and Music For Kids, the motorcycle/concert event that benefitted Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, and several children's hospitals around the country.

Over two dozen more organizations have benefitted from the efforts of The Riser Foundation over the years including:

Safe Haven - Spotlighted in Dierks' Riser video

Hospice of the Valley - where Dierks' dad spent his last days

Jordan Sterling Foundation -  Dierks' sang a song he wrote dedicated to his friend.

Music Health Alliance - Dierks was the 2019 spokesperson for Heal the Music Day

California Fire Foundation - Only The Brave movie, "Hold The Light," Granite Mountain Hot Shots

Add $33,042 from the event at Joe's and The Riser Foundation has donated nearly $8 million, supporting more than sick kids, but also homelessness, literacy, education and hunger over the years.

As usual, DB Congress reps were in line early in the day, to be front row for the show that night.  As with most benefits, many folks had bid upwards of $700, donating to the cause, and earning them early entrance--so sadly, the front row spots for hard-core Dierks fans were not meant to be that night.

But in the second row, he still saw us, called us out, pointes to us and proceeded to blame us for having to shake up the set list.

"It's always great seeing you guys here, but you make me have to change things. I was gonna do the same show we did last time I was in town, but I was like, nah...gotta change it up!"

The evening would not be complete without the benefit's namesake song, Riser, at which point the band left the stage and Dierks remained with just his guitar and heartfelt voice:

 

"I would not do this anywhere else 'cause it could totally wreck the show, but I know I can trust you guys to be cool letting these guys play about 2 or 3 songs.  These guys love 90's country, they're called Hot Country Knights...just give them a chance...

We dare you not to sing along to the catchy Hot Country Knights theme song!

We'll even provide the words.  H-O-T COUNT - RY - KNI - GHT - S!

After a few HCK songs, there was banter between Dierks and his dudes: Where's my band? Where are my guys? Will you guys do a couple of my songs, do you know my stuff?  Yeah--anybody can play your stuff.  Can you zip that?

To be in tune with the Riser benefit theme, we were proud to surprise Dierks early with the new limited edition Flag and Anthem/Desert Son Riser Camo Tshirts* that went on sale to the public the next day.  These tees give 100% of the proceeds to Folds of Honor, to help provide educational scholarships to spouses and children of our fallen and disabled service-members.
*The Camo shirts are currently sold out, but will be back in stock next week! Keep trying the link!

"We believe that there are everyday Risers all around, and it's our obligation to recognize, stand by and support them." - The Riser Foundation website

Donate to The Riser Foundation.

Dierks' Double Stage-Dive at Joe's Bar

Dierks Bentley; photo by Alicia Rose

To see Dierks Bentley perform (and stage dive) at Joe's Bar in Chicago is on many a bucket list of hard-core DB fan-clubbers (DB Congress), including Kathy Butler (IN) and Alicia Rose (WI).  But the only way to get tickets for the show last week was to be a local resident and win through a Chicago radio station.  When that didn't happen, Kathy and her entire family drove three hours to a casino in Indiana where US 99.5 was doing a drawing for 50 pairs of tickets. 

Kathy:

It got down to the last 12 pair of tickets when we heard my dad's name called. I'm not ashamed to admit I squealed and jumped up and down! My poor dad lost all day on the slot machines, but came out the biggest winner!  

Dierks opened the show with the title cut from his new album, Riser, which earned the #1 spot this week on Billboard Country Albums today. He also played Say You Do, Drunk On A Plane, Back Porch, Bourbon In Kentucky and I Hold On from the new CD, along with some older hits. The crowd went crazy for Drunk On A Plane. He also did "Hey Brother," a cover by Avicii.  He mentioned how many faces he recognized as longtime fans and that no matter how famous he gets he'd always come home to Joe's. 

He did a stage-dive twice. I caught his ankle/boot. When they pulled him back on stage I got pinned under him, so he pretty much sat on my head!  After the concert he was his normal amazing self and stayed out for awhile to sign autographs--anything from boots, hats, a lady's forehead and a dude's chest!  As always it was worth the long drive and missed sleep. My highlights for the evening, besides D sitting on my head, was Brian, purposely smacking me in the face with a nasty bra hanging from his guitar. He made up for it by letting me "play" his guitar. Got a drum stick from Steve and lots of love from D. He was exhausted but still put on a great show. 

Alicia:

I was shocked and beyond grateful when Kathy won tickets to the US 99.5 Live Country Riser Release Party at Joe's Bar and she asked me to go! I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am so blessed to have met so many amazing people through Dierks and DB Congress.

We were a little concerned about the weather because the high was only supposed to be 3 degrees with wind chills well below zero and if you've even been to Chicago you know the wind off of Lake Michigan in the winter is brutal. But as luck would have it, Joe's now has an Off Track Betting facility and they are open during the day.

Dierks came on stage at 9 pm and kicked things off with Riser! Amazing! I love that song so much--it's my new anthem for life. Kathy and I were right up front against the stage and couldn't have had a better spot. (ok well maybe just a little better only because Brian's guitar was turned up so loud that we were trying to signal them to turn it down a little.) The show was fantastic. The energy was amazing and people seemed to really be loving the new stuff, especially Drunk on a Plane. People were calling that out like crazy before they played it. 

Dierks did his traditional Joe's stage dive (twice) and basically was sitting on top of Kathy and me while we tried to push him back up on stage. I'm sure the people behind us were helping too but it felt like it was just us. It's all that muscle he's put on recently--he's seriously buff and looks even better than usual. (I know, I know, how is that even possible?) 

When the show was over, Dierks stayed on stage to do autographs and pictures for at least 40 minutes. He is so awesome to his fans and people of course really appreciated it. I got my Riser CD signed and my ticket stub. My night was absolutely amazing and I didn't want it to end. I'm so ready for my next show! Praying more dates get announced soon because waiting until August 31 at Soldier Field is not acceptable! Again, a huge thanks to Kathy for the invite! I owe you BIG :)

All Photos by Alicia Rose:

Dierks

Dierks

Brian Layson

Cassady Feasby 

Dierks signs autographs after the show

Dierks stage dives