Dierks Bentley's Top Highlights of 2013

Birthing a bar and a new baby boy (Knox) are just a few of Dierks Bentley's accomplishments in 2013. Raising money for worthy causes,and giving back to the fans and "Home" country were all huge themes as well.  Check out our list (in no particular order) and let us know if there's any we missed!

1. Performing on The Grammy's: Miranda Lambert brought her tourmate and our DB Congress president to The Grammys back in February. They performed their #1s "Over You" and "Home." Dierks said, "To perform on the Grammys will be one of the coolest things ever. I am thrilled beyond belief." We were thrilled to see him on our televisions at an awards show! Watch here.
2. Opening Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row:  Opening a bar was something that Dierks always wanted to do.  So, on July 4th the bar with his namesake opened in Scottsdale, AZ. The bar has a 1920's feel with a modern country vibe, warm wood surroundings and a 360-degree stage. It prides itself on being a technologically advanced bar as well as having taps at every table. The menu is American Gastropub with a twist. Dierks has been known to frequent his own bar several times since the opening, so it definitely needs to be a part of a DRT.  Check it out here!
   
   
3. CMA Fest: Ah Lenny Kravitz, not sure what he was doing at CMA Fest, but if you witnessed that fiasco, you know what came afterwards. Dierks knew he totally had to get the crowd back after that, and boy did he deliver! His performance was killer, even jumping into the crowd. Storme Warren even said that Dierks Bentley had the most applause of anyone at the fest! “I don’t have a hometown, I have a home country,” he said. “This song is called ‘Home’ and I’m sending it out to all the guys and girls that keep this country safe. This song is for them.”
4. Country Cares Benefit Concert honoring the fallen firefighters in his home state of Arizona! It was an emotional, joyous and sad, but successful evening in Arizona at the Country Cares Concert. The event, headlined by AZ native Dierks Bentley, who brought in Randy Houser, The Band Perry and David Nail to play, raised more than $476,000 for the Granite Mountain Hot Shots' families. Dierks introduced a new song, "Here On Earth" - a tribute to his dad and all 19 firefighter heroes who perished in the Yarnell Hill wildfires near Prescott.
5. ACM Party For A Cause in Vegas: Day two of the outdoor music and philanthropic event was headlined by Dierks himself. He brought the party as well as Sheryl Crow, who came out and sang, and Tim McGraw who  presented a military family with a new home.
6. Finding Jake: Severe thunderstorms aren't liked by many dogs and Jake is no exception. On January 13th, Dierks beloved companion jumped a fence at the house and ran off. Dierks took to social media to rally fans and friends to help find Jake.  In just a few hours, Dierks' wife, Cassidy, notified him that someone posted on Facebook that Jake had been found. Jake was almost hit by a car but was saved by Anna Belle. Dierks was no doubt elated. He tweeted "One of the happiest days of my life. Grown men don't cry.....yeah right."
   
   
7. Record Breaking MM4K:  Because of Dierks Bentley, kids have hope.  Raising over $307,000 for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in the Miles and Music For Kids event, Dierks broke all previous years' records!  Guest appearances by Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, Brett Eldredge, Easton Corbin and Chase Rice made 2013 a huge success!
8. His baby boy Knox: Dierks announced at LCB9 that he and Cass were expecting a baby boy. Already having two girls, he was thrilled. Well, Baby Boy Bentley arrived on October 9th. Dierks tweeted his admiration for his wife "well...our boy knox is here! about to have the best tasting cold beer of my life! so proud of my wife. she rocked it. crazy stuff. #beerme"
9. Spends Labor Day Running:  With a killer time of 21:38 in the 5k Franklin Classic, Dierks was a little worried about his competition. "These girls look hard core!" he tweeted, referring to daughters Evie and Jordan.
   
   
   
10. Hosting the ACM Honors:  For the second consecutive year, Dierks hosted and performed with Ricky Skaggs.  He "blending informality and irreverence made possible by the lack of network television cameras with a genuine appreciation of the night's award winners," according to USA Today.
    
    
    
11. Locked and Re-loaded Tour with Miranda Lambert. Dierks has said that some of the best times he has had out on the road have been with Miranda and her crew. Well, the two friends joined up to tour together again in 2013 and gave fans all across the country a night to remember at every tour stop. Dierks' set list closed out with a patriotic, cell phones in the night sky, "Home."  Collaborations included "Bad Angel," Goyte's "Someone That I Used To Know" and "King of the Road."
12. The NEW DB Congress T-Shirts now available exclusively to congress members in the dierks.com store.  The design was personally approved by Dierks himself!
    
    
    
13. Giving away guitars and experiences:  Dierks found a way to give back to the fans in a big way.  During each show, he pulled a fan on stage to play his guitar during, "Lot of Leaving Left To Do" and signed and handed a brand new Fender to a fan at the end! Many DB Congress reps were happy recipients!
    
    
    
14. Dierks is featured on other artists' albums...The David Mayfield Parade (Tempted), Brad Paisley (Outstanding In Our Field), Terri Clark (Golden Ring) and The Cadillac Three (The South).
15. Bourbon In Kentucky, debuts on radio and gets fans fired up, but was quickly replaced with the lead single from upcoming Riser album  after high demand for "I Hold On." Watch live from the Grand Ole Opry:
    
    
16. I Hold On: Dierks' latest emotional and personal single received national television exposure when he and the band were able to perform it on both The View and America's Got Talent. Country radio got behind the song, pushing it to #21 on the Billboard Airplay charts (#20 as of Jan 5th charts), and fans organically posted what they hold on to.
17. Last Call Ball 9:   Having to cancel LCB8 due to his dad's death in June 2012, Dierks shared his personal feelings with his fan club, with a acoustic set featuring new music, and lots of heartfelt conversation.
18. In memory of George Jones: Country music icon and Dierks' friend George Jones passed away this year. The Possum's final concert turned into a tribute on November 22nd in which many country artists performed, including Dierks who sang "I Always Get Lucky With You."
    
    
19. Dierks announced the title for his next album, "Riser." An initial Fall release date was pushed back and we are all waiting with excitement for an announcement soon for a 2014 release date.  Get caught up on all our exclusive DB Congress interviews with Riser songwriters and producers here.

Leave a comment and we will draw a winner for a 2014 Country Music Hall of Fame calendar featuring Dierks on September!  Drawing to be held January 1, so post your thoughts now!

Feature: Meet the Newest DB Congress Rep: Amanda Walsh

The DB Congress is not only a place for all of the die-hard Dierks fans to come to support our Pres. on a daily basis, it's also a family where new friendships are forged. Welcome to our newest member, Amanda Walsh, from NY. Amanda had the pleasure of seeing Dierks and the band in Albany, NY on March 2, 2013 on the Locked and Reloaded Tour. Amanda told us about her experience.

"I first heard Dierks' music on the radio! I fell in love with him when I heard What Was I Thinkin. His voice is so different from anyone else you hear. I have been in love with his voice ever since--which was years ago!! I could listen to him 24/7 and never get tired!! 

Even though I've been a Dierks fan for years I just joined the fan club in November when I heard Dierks was coming to a city near me, Albany, NY. I wanted to see if there was any chance of being able to meet such an incredible artist. I was sooo thrilled when I got that email that I had won--seeing I don't win anything!! I met him on Saturday and I'm an even bigger fan of his now! He is an incredible person! I really hope to meet him again!! I'm so happy to be a part of a wonderful supportive fan page!"

Welcome, Amanda, we hope you enjoy being part of this terrific family and hope to see you at a show! If you would like to join the fun email us at dbcongress@yahoo.com.

~Tara DBC Rep NY

Dierks Bentley Rewarding Hard Core Fans with Fender Guitars, Experiences of a Lifetime

Got a guitar, got a guitar on my back...

Hard core, DB Congress fan club members have been singing along to those lyrics from Dierks Bentley's top 5 song, "Trying To Stop Your Leaving" for years, never dreaming they would be acting out the words for real--on stage with the man himself!

Seems Dierks, along with a little help from Fender Guitars, is showing lots of love for his myriad minions in every show of the Locked and Re-loaded tour with Miranda Lambert.  It's as if he's "thanking" his loyal fan club members by bringing them up on stage and giving them a special experience--an experience of a lifetime--during "Lot of Leavin' Left To Do."

And even though the two songs both have "leaving" in the title, DBCers sure are "staying" up on stage, rocking out with the boys in the band for the rest of the song on his red #7 Fender Custom Thinline (*thanks, Dr. Feasby)!

At the end of the show, Dierks brings out a fresh Fender Telecaster, autographs it, and hands it to the 'with the band' member of the night.

Stage Manager, Jay Ballinger (@Jbgod222), recently tweeted the latest shipment:

"Whats in the box?"Thanks to @fender 50 lucky @dierksbentley fans will find out! #lockedreloaded"

The fans aren't the only ones enjoying this streak of giving.  Dierks is getting a lot out of it as well.  He was so taken by one girl's reaction, he made it his Twitter (@DierksBentley) profile photo:

"maybe my favorite pic of the #lockedreloaded tour so far. love her expression!!!"

We told you about the first guitar give-away in Knoxville, Kentucky to DB Congress member, David. Here are a few more stories below.  Who will be next?


STACY LOBDELL (IL) - Dekalb, IL, Valentine's Day - Feb. 14, 2013

This was her second DB stage experience.  The Illinois DBC rep has been known as 'Stage-dive Stacy' ever since she took a leap of faith with Dierks six years ago.

"Dierks is the best to his fans and if I wasn't already, I'll be a fan for life." 

ASHLEY WARDRIP (KY) - Baltimore, MD - January 24, 2013

She doesn't remember much about being on stage...

"It all happened so fast. I went to the Baltimore show by myself, got there at 2 pm and doors opened at 7 pm. I got in the corner of the stage and pit on the left side of the stage. I had a sign that stated I drove 10 hours just to see him (from KY).

During "Lot Of Leavin' Left To Do" he took my sign, showed it to the cameraman and then reached his hand out. I said, "Are you serious?" and he laughed and said "C'mon!" I, not so graciously, climbed on stage where he put his guitar around me. I have never touched a guitar and I was so nervous that I was strumming the wrong part so he had to grab my hand and put it in the right spot. No idea how long I was playing but I saw him staring at me, and I asked him if he needed his guitar back. He gave me the biggest hug and escorted me off stage. 

Afterward they brought out a guitar, he knelt down in front of me and signed it and gave it to me. Since I was by myself and not in the greatest part of town I had 3 security guards walk me to my car. Best day of my life!"  

DAVID WATTS (CA) - Scottsdale, AZ - January 31, 2013

It must have been the shirt.....that earned him a trip to the stage.

@DistantShore19 David: "I named her Fae. #ILoveHer"

David tweeted to Dierks the next day: "Dude, when I showed my 12 year-old son the guitar, he said, 'That's so cool, Dierks made your dream come true!' He was right! Ty Bro."   David also tweeted that the best part of the show was not getting pulled on stage, not getting a guitar, but watching Dierks shed a tear for his dad when he sang his new song, "I Hold On."




STEPHANIE LANHAM (MO) - Kansas City, MO - March 9, 2013

Stephanie Lanham (MO), is also a member of our DBC Cabinet, serving as Historian and graphic designer!  Fellow Missouri rep, Takara, captured Steph's special moments on video:






Dierks knows how many miles his fans travel to see him.  He knows we get there early and stand in line for hours in the cold, heat, sleet, rain and snow--just to secure that front row, elbows on the stage, spot in the pit.  He knows we do all that to have that 'come a little closer' moment with our number one artist.

He knows how much we support and promote him every day in between shows.  And this is his way of recognizing our dedication and showing his appreciation!

Every mile a memory
Every song another scene
From some old movie goin’ back in time to you and me
Every day a page turned down
Every night a lonesome sound
Like a freight train rollin’ through my dreams

We love ya, dude!

~Ronna
DBC Chair (FL)

Dierks Bentley Ohio Fan Finds Herself Front Row For Free and Easy

Dierks Bentley had the sold-out crowd singing along to his entire set during the Locked and ReLoaded Tour stop at the Ervin J. Nutter Center on Wright State University's campus in Fairborn, Ohio, Friday, February 15. Check out austin360.com for some fantastic photos! Lighting Director, Chris Reade has outdone himself with the new lighting elements!  Photo Credit: Brian Glass/Concert-Captures.Com

Beth Coats was there--front and center!

"I have been a fan of Dierks since 2007. When my sister turned 16, I took her to her first concert which happened to be Dierks with Keith Anderson in Fort Wayne, IN. At this past show, I loved that he debuted his new single ("I Hold On"). He talked about how one song would sum up his life. Free and Easy is my favorite song -- hands down. Every Monday, my mom, grandma, my sister and myself would go to church. On our way, we heard this song every week and it became 'our song'. I also loved that he pulled that young girl from the crowd -- showed her how to hold the guitar and strum it. Her face was priceless. Doing things like this makes an impression and that girl will never forget that show!"

Thanks for sharing your story, Beth!  Enjoy some of her photos below:

Thomas Rhett, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Cassady Feasby on the washboard

New Tour, New Look ... New Music!

As you all know, the Locked & Reloaded Tour kicked off last week in Columbia, SC. Lots of DB Congress members were able to make it to shows during the kickoff weekend between Columbia, Knoxville, TN; and Roanoke, VA.

I went to the show in Roanoke on Saturday night, and had heard a few "spoilers" about what to expect in the show. By now you've heard that they're using video elements (which I really, really liked - they enhanced the show, rather than distracting from it), a larger stage (I'm 95% sure that Dierks will fall on those stairs at some point...) and perhaps about Dierks giving away a guitar every night.

As usual, Dierks and the band gave a high-energy performance, that kept the sold-out crowd on hand dancing in their seats and on their feet. The set kicked off with Am I The Only One and included new hits like 5-1-5-0 and current single Tip it on Back, as well as old favorites such as Lot of Leavin' Left to Do, Every Mile a Memory, and Come a Little Closer. Up on the Ridge is always a crowd favorite, and on the new stage with the awesome full-moon-and-woods backdrop it really transported the crowd to the ridge with Dierks and the band.

However, the highlight for me, and for the fellow DBC reps I was with, was the addition of a new song, "I Hold On." I had heard rumblings of a new song being performed and had my camera locked and loaded (pun intended!) and ready to record the new song. Dierks introduced the song by saying that after his dad passed away last year, he wanted to write a song. He went on to say that if there was a song he'd written that he could play for anybody to tell them what he's all about, this would be that song. The song is, in a word, fantastic. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments!



Another favorite moment for me was during "Home" with all of the cell phones lit up.

If you go to any of the shows on the Locked & Reloaded tour, make sure you stay all the way through Miranda's set, because you'll see some familiar faces during the encore - the show closes with a rousing rendition of "Bad Angel" and includes Miranda's full band as well as Dierks' full band. In the pic below, you can see that Steve, normally our favorite drummer, was "playing" the banjo. Hmmm...

All in all, the show was great. Dierks and Miranda compliment each other well and they work well together as performers - and they both seem like they are genuinely enjoying themselves. My only complaint? Not enough Dierks! But I guess that's how it always goes...

Carrie S.
DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC

Dierks & Miranda Unleash Locked & Reloaded Tour!

Bad Angel buddies, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert unleashed dozens of tour dates to their fans yesterday.  The two are teaming up again, co-headlining what promises to be a "must see" show!

From Dierks.com:

We're excited to announce that Dierks and Miranda Lambert will be heading out on tour together next year for the Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley: Locked & Reloaded Tour, which will kick-off on January 17th. Stay tuned to Dierks.com for all of the latest info on tickets and tour dates.

“Making music for our fans is the best job in the world,” said Miranda. “It’s especially great being able to take to that music on the road with someone I respect as an artist and human being. This will be a tour of ‘epic badassery,’” she laughed.

Dierks added, “Some of my favorite times on tour over the years were with Miranda and her crew. We have a lot in common musically and our fans do too. It's going to be a killer year.”

Dierks and Miranda last toured together in 2007!

We hope you're as pumped as we are!




Miranda posted cities on her website:

2013 Headline Tour Kicks-off January 17
Columbia, SC
Knoxville, TN
Roanoke, VA
Baltimore, MD
Reading, PA
Atlantic City, NJ (AC Boardwalk Hall) Jan. 26, 2013
Dekalb, IL
Dayton, OH
Huntington, WV
Ames, IA
Champaign, IL
E Lansing, MI
Rochester, NY
Albany, NY
Portland, ME
Wichita Falls, TX
Oklahoma City, OK
Kansas City, MO
Macon, GA
Jacksonville, FL
Estero, FL
Bossier City, LA
Springfield, MO
Tulsa, OK
Syracuse, NY
Hershey, PA
Uniondale, NY
San Diego, CA
Irvine, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Phoenix, AZ
Albuquerque, NM
Denver, CO

Stay tuned for dates and venues!  Pre sale for Atlantic City, NJ are today, October 24, 2012, on mirandalambert.com at 10 am eastern and on dierks.com at 11 am eastern.