Happy Father's Day, Dierks!

On this Father's Day, let's take a look at Dierks Bentley's perspective from both spectrums - having a dad and being a dad.

The Riser album oozes images of having a dad and being a dad.  In "I Hold On," Dierks references his dad throughout the song.

Dierks shared some funny memories about his dad Leon who died June 2012, with Y108 in Pittsburgh. Remember the "old beat up truck" that Dierks and his dad drove to Tennessee?  Dierks "holds on" to that truck as the song says, because of all the special memories he and his dad created in that truck.  And to come full circle, now Dierks has three of his own kids riding in the back of the 200k mile truck making new memories.  No amount of "jangle in his pocket" could make him trade up.

In his live show, when Dierks performs "Home," (from the Home album) it is one of the more moving moments of the night.  Especially when he inserts his dad into the lyrics and points to him on the big screen.  "Think.  Wonder what he'd think.  If my dad could see me now".  He'd be proud, Dierks!

Photo credit: Carrie Srebro, Tampa, FL, 9/20/13

In "Damn These Dreams," Dierks is torn between his two true loves - family and performing on the road.

"It was all fun and games 'til the little ones came/ 'Cause it makes my hear bleed/ When I gotta drive away and listen to 'em say/ Hey daddy, why you gotta go, please don't leave."

Being on the road a lot and being a dad to three kids of his own, Evie-5, Jordan-3, and Knox 9 months, it's easy to believe Dierks has never been alone with all three.  He told The Dr. Don Show about his fear:

“My wife was like, ‘Yeah, I might step out and go do something real quick. Are you cool?’ I was like, ‘With three? No, I’m not. Like, there’s just no . . . It’s physically impossible. It’s not safe. I mean, no, you can’t go anywhere.’ It definitely requires all hands on deck. I think back to the earlier days where I used to think I was tired, you know, and you go catch a nap in your bunk or something like that. It’s a whole different level of reserves these days you just dive into but you know kids and their lack of self-consciousness, they’re so fun to be around. They kind of provide energy in a weird way. Whatever they don’t, alcohol makes up for the rest.”

Perhaps the most poignant page in the book of Dierks having or being a dad is when he sings about the legacy of a family name in "My Last Name."  We leave you with a passionate acoustic performance from The Grand Ole Opry in tribute to his dad.

In Loving memory of Leon Bentley:





Happy Father's Day to you, Dierks and all the guys in your band and crew, and to all our DB Congress family!

Dierks Covers Country Weekly, Feature Article: Rising Son

Be sure to pick up the March 3, 2014 issue of Country Weekly magazine, featuring our favorite artist, Dierks Bentley on the cover!

The 6-page feature article, Rising Son, tells Dierks' story over the last 18 months and how the album "Riser" came to be--from the death of his dad to the birth of his son, and how that changed him.

Look for the nickname his daughters called his dad. Appropriate, don't you think?

Happy Fathers Day 2013

Maxim Magazine, August 2006

Happy Fathers Day to our prez, Dierks Bentley!  God bless his dad, Leon (rest in peace) for bringing us such a wonderfully talented artist with great character as a father, son, husband and friend.

We wish all our DB Congress reps a happy father's day with their families and all our Team Dude friends a fantastic day off with their kids and dads! Thanks for all you do to entertain us all year long!

Bentley's Back! Thanks Fans for Support After Dad's Passing

Only a week after his dad's death, Dierks Bentley is right back where he is the most at home--on stage.

Photo Courtesy of the CMA

Saturday, June 9 in Detroit at the annual Hoedown, Dierks dedicated "My Last Name" to his dad.  I don't know how he held it together to get through it, but he did! When he finished, he said, "thank you, that was for my dad...thanks dad (as he appeared to wipe tears away) ...and this next one's for Detroit (Line No. 7)":




CBS Local, Kurt Wolff, had this to say:

"It was the sound of letting go–the powerful feeling of a human being who has felt loss, yet was now ready to step back into the world and cut loose. Dierks Bentley, who lost his father only a week ago, chose Detroit’s WYCD Downtown Hoedown as his moment to return to the public eye, and the stage–and to turn all that emotion into something positive.

And what the fans got last night was a truly rousing performance from one of country music’s most engaging performers.

Low-key in person, and even during interviews (he spoke with WYCD’s Steve Grunwald backstage before his performance), it’s a surprise to see how engaging and fiery a performer Dierks can be when he gets in front of a rowdy crowd."

Read the rest of what he said about Dierks here.

Dierks thanked his fans after the show in Detroit on Twitter: “good to be back. thank you detroit… much needed. thanks for bringing it tonight.”

After Detroit, it was back to his home state of Tennessee, to perform at the CMA Music Fest LP Field stage in Nashville on Sunday, followed by The Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday night--a fill in at the last minute for Charlie Daniels.

What goes around comes around.  Big and Rich filled in for Dierks after the Washington Nationals game June 2 so Dierks could be with his family at this sad time in his life.

It's just like Dierks to show appreciation to his fans, During CMA Fest, he said:

"It was really something I was looking forward to. Good medicine. It's what I needed. The second I got out there, I felt great... All these people I don’t know reaching out in so many great ways."

And his fans have shown their love and appreciation for him.  I have personally witnessed dozens of fans send donations to Hospice, who cared for Leon Bentley in his final days, in support of their favorite artist.  For more info on how to donate click here, or send condolence cards to Dierks at:

Dierks Bentley, c/o The Green Room PR 

PO Box 331474, Nashville, TN, 37203

When we're all alone, or in a crowd, in a quiet place or where music's loud...that's how you know we're thinking of you!  We're always thinking of you, Dierks!

Welcome back, Mr. President!

~Ronna
DB Congress Chair (FL)

Donation Information for Dierks' Dad

For those who would like to donate to Hospice in memory of Dierks' dad, Leon, here are the instructions:

ONLINE:

1. Go online to http://www.hov.org/donations.aspx 
2. In the "In Memory Of:" section, select My gift is "Personal"
3. In the next screen enter the information below.  Select "I would like you to notify the family of my gift" and the "Please provide the family's contact info" box will open.
4. In the "How would you like your names to appear..." add your name and (DB Congress) See my example circled in red.
5. Continue through the screens to finalize your donation.  Dierks and his mom will both get notified and you will receive a thank you letter for tax purposes.

BY PHONE: If you prefer to call Hospice and give a donation with credit card, call 602-530-6992. Just have them add "DB Congress" next to your name for the acknowledgement.

BY MAIL: If you prefer to mail a check, send to Hopice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.  Include a note to have "DB Congress" added to your name for the acknowledgement.

Many thanks to Robin Brin at Hospice for her kindness in helping us coordinate our contributions under the DBC name. She wanted everyone to know how privileged Hospice of the Valley was to care for Dierks' dad, and they are so thrilled the family is recommending donations to Hospice.

I think we have plenty of money for flowers now--thank you to everyone who mailed checks to me today.  Any excess I will send to Hospice with your name and "DBC."

Thank you to my DBC family for your generous spirit!  I am also working on a location for us all to meet up on Wednesday in Nashville.  Stay tuned.

~Ronna