Dierks Adds Personal Touch to Upcoming ACM Awards

With the Academy of Country Music Awards a little more than one month away, elements of the show are starting to be revealed. The news coming out this week is certainly welcomed! It's been announced that Dierks is bringing a personal touch to the event. Here's what we know about this awards show (and why you should tune in!).

1. The Black music video was nominated for Video of the Year
Others nominated in the category include:
"It Ain’t My Fault" - Brothers Osborne (Dierks' touring buddies in 2018!)
"Legends" - Kelsea Ballerini
"Marry Me" - Thomas Rhett
"We Should Be Friends" - Miranda Lambert

Last summer, when talking about Black, Dierks said, "It's about my wife; watching this one rise to the top of the chart is extra sweet.” Seeing the video nominated in this category--with the song and imagery inspired by his wife, Cassidy--is, no doubt, worth any award.




2. Dierks will NOT be returning as host with Luke Bryan ...
In February, Dierks let it slip at a Country Radio Seminar interview that he and Luke will not return for a third year as hosts.

"We got fired this year," Dierks jokingly said. "We're out. We are no longer. Is that public knowledge? I assume it is. We won't be back. It was fun! We did two years. I love Luke to death; he's one of my favorite people. ... It's hard not to have fun with Luke. The ACMs are great and [they] were so good to me."

A DB Congress member was in the audience and caught the conversation on video. This topic is discussed at 17:23.



The Academy has not yet announced who will be presenting awards. We're holding out #hope.


3. However, Dierks WILL be performing!
With Woman, Amen--the first single off Dierks' upcoming album, The Mountain--climbing the charts, the Academy announced the song will be performed live during the show.

Perhaps #patience should have been a key to the mountain, because I certainly need some right about now!

Performing #WomanAmen Sunday, April 15 on CBS #ACMawards

A post shared by Dierks Bentley (@dierksbentley) on Mar 7, 2018 at 10:06am PST

Other artists scheduled to take the stage include: Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, and Thomas Rhett.


4. YOU could be part of the performance
This is where we see Dierks' personal touch come through. ACM and CBS announced a special opportunity for fans to be part of his performance during the show.

"Dierks Bentley will be performing his hit WOMAN, AMEN and he’s looking to YOU to help him out. Who have been your female everyday heroes, your inspiration ... mom, sister, wife, relative, friend, teacher, coworker, doctor, teammate, coach, or role model? You could be a part of this celebratory anthem by submitting a personal picture of the woman you want to honor."

The Academy explained the selected images will "be featured on screens behind Bentley during the live telecast of his performance."

If the posts we are seeing with #WomanAmenACM are any indication, DBC members will likely see some familiar faces!

#WomanAmenACM This is my mom Becky. She is the glue that keeps us all together :-) my parents been married 57yrs. She is one heck of a #WomanAmen Love you mom 💕 pic.twitter.com/ga7Bc8EWkt

— Brenda Estes-Worden (@baconnlegs) March 10, 2018

#WomanAmenACM This is my one and only sister, Michele & she’s my inspiration daily. She’s always there for me & encourages me to be the best that I can be. She gives me faith, grace, hope, strength and love without end. I truly thank God for this #WomanAmen 💚 pic.twitter.com/gcCRgTQYnd

— itskeysha✌️ (@CeciaBenoit) March 9, 2018

#WomanAmenACM This is my 94 year old Grandmother who inspires me everyday to be a strong, independent and caring person like she is! She is what #womanAmen by @DierksBentley is all about!! pic.twitter.com/Zid6PDyMZx

— Tracy Carter (@cartertracy12) March 8, 2018

Click here to see the full contest rules and submission instructions.

Take and post a photo of the woman in your life who inspires you daily! Use the hashtag #WomanAmenACM in your post for a chance for your photo to be included in Dierks' #ACMawards performance on April 15th on CBS! Visit: cbs.com/dierks

A post shared by Dierks Bentley (@dierksbentley) on Mar 8, 2018 at 9:26am PST

The Dierks we know and love will absolutely be taking the stage in true fashion--#humble, #grateful, full of #grace, honoring, fun, and loving the women in his life.

DB Congress viewing party, anyone?

The 53rd ACM Awards, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, will air live Sunday, April 15, at 8 p.m. (EST) on CBS. 

Jessica Borrelli
DB Congress Rep, WA
@AllTheWayToMe

Dierks Bentley Gives Viewers Energetic, Classic Night at the ACMs

While the Vegas flair was prevalent throughout this year’s ACM Awards—from bright lights and stage design to colorful attire and appropriately-colorful humor—there was one thing that remained a true classic: Dierks Bentley.

Hosting the show with Luke Bryan (the pair affectionately known as “Lurkes”), Dierks brought charm, wit, four wardrobe changes (okay, we lost count), and raw talent to the stage. A viewer poll through Gold Derby reports that 84 percent say the show’s hosts were “AMAZING! Hope they come back next year!”

In addition to comedic antics from Dierks and Luke, such as fishing in the Bellagio fountain, swinging together with Cirque du Soleil, and even posing for wild photos with the Thunder from Down Under (encouraging Aussie Keith Urban to “strap on the chaps!”), the performances ruled the show.

Dierks, Luke, and Eagles rock legend Joe Walsh kicked off the night in a pleasantly surprising way—a high-energy, musically-loaded tribute to the late Chuck Berry.

Dierks fans didn’t have to wait long to hear a live rendition of one of the songs that has been gracing our speakers since last May, performing “Black.”

The Boot describes this performance accurately, saying, “Sometimes the best performances are the simplest. Bentley proved that if your song is strong enough, you don’t need pyrotechnics or dancers to captivate the crowd. Wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, Bentley did what he does best: perform."

For those watching (already obvious to the Congress!), it’s clear that performing is Dierks’ sweet spot. In classic form, he was quick to engage with the crowd, swaying and singing to the music while holding hands with those in the front.

Luke even took a turn singing “Black," jokingly, to himself, as a wax statue from Madame Tussauds. Dierks quickly told him to stop, exclaiming, “My wife’s out there! Don’t ruin the song for me!”

Near the end of the night, “Flatliner” with Cole Swindell, had the entirety of Vegas rocking! From Keith Urban getting down in the audience to Jason Aldean singing along, everyone was on their feet. There is no question the two have a blast working together. As Billboard said, “The duo's high-energy performance [ironically] had heart and pulse rates elevated throughout T-Mobile Arena.” Cole even ended the song saying, “I will never forget this moment. Dierks. Thank you so much.”

We will never forget it either, Cole.

And oh, the attire. From jeans and t-shirts to a perfectly-fitted light gray suit with white button down and black tie, Dierks let the 15 million viewers know he can pull off anything (including the attire he and Luke donned to make a play on Thomas Rhett’s closet)!

Even Sounds Like Nashville jumped on the Dierks train. “While Bentley may have kept it simple for the night, there’s no problem with sticking to the basics when you look like that.”

True fact, Nashville. True fact.

Even Dierks’ wife, Cassidy, stole the spotlight on the red carpet.

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Hosting? Witty, fun and on-point. Performances? Energetic, classic and engaging. Though Dierks didn’t walk away with an ACM “hat” trophy, he’ll always be “a winner in our eyes."

Thank you to the ACM for these images, and Just Jared for the photo of Dierks and Cass.

Jessica Borrelli

DB Congress Rep

@AllTheWayToMe

Hosting, Performing, Three Nominations--Dierks Looks To Have A Big Night at Next Week's ACM Awards

Only one week remains to plan your Black-themed party (or at the very least set your DVR)—the Academy of Country Music Awards are Sunday, April 2. And it’s going to be a BIG night for Dierks Bentley.

Next weekend, Dierks returns to host the 52^nd annual ACM Awards with Luke Bryan.

“It’s a great opportunity and a lot of fun,” Dierks said of hosting the ACMs. “Being in Las Vegas gives it a party atmosphere. I had a great time working on the show [last year], from the jokes and the opening monologue to being creative in a different way. And I love Luke!”

In addition to hosting, Dierks is scheduled to perform live at the show (he hinted at performing “Black” in a recent interview!) PLUS he’s nominated for three (deserved—can we say that?!) awards:

• Male Vocalist of the Year
• Album of the Year, Black
• Vocal Event of the Year, Different for Girls, featuring Elle King

The Black album, a risk for Dierks, has earned numerous accolades, including nine nominations between the ACM, CMA and Grammy awards. It received a GOLD certification in February; it’s the only album in the ACM “Album of the Year” category to have reached this mark.

“Different For Girls” was named the CMA Musical Event of the Year at the 2016 awards show. The song Dierks “lost sleep about” has reached people on a relatable level. He believes having Elle as the female vocal lead helped with that success.

“She took a song that was a great song and made it a Grammy-worthy song!”

While, according to Dierks, hosting the show makes performing at it easier, running the show has its own stressors. On the heels of the Oscars flub earlier this year, Dierks had a realization about hosting this year's ACM Awards.

“The [Oscars] taught us that no matter how prepared we are or how great we do up there, as long as there’s a huge screw up at the end, that’s all they’re going to talk about."

So, they came up with a plan to prevent mishaps.

If something goes wrong, they decided Luke will have a wardrobe malfunction.

“At least that way everyone talks about that and not the show,” Dierks joked.

With a night full of fun, talent and recognition, next Sunday is guaranteed to be a memorable night (for Dierks, especially) as country music takes over Las Vegas.

The ACM Awards are Sunday, April 2, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on CBS.

Jessica Borrelli
DB Congress Rep, WA
@AllTheWayToMe

First a Co-Host, Now a Nominee! Dierks Bentley Nominated for Two ACM Awards

For the first time ever, Dierks Bentley will co-host the ACM Awards with buddy Luke Bryan. But this isn't his first nomination.  In fact, he's been given the nod but not the win for Male Vocalist of the Year so many times over the last ten+ years, fans are referring to Dierks as the Susan Lucci of the awards shows.

Let's hope the hosting gig gives him good luck to break that spell!

Dierks is also nominated for Video of the Year for his heart-wrenching story of a homeless mom and her kids, "rising" above the adversity.

The 51st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards airs Sunday, April 3, 2016 on CBS at 8 pm Eastern.

Best of luck to our president--we know you'll do a great job co-hosting and thousands of fingers are crossed that the ACM members agreed with us and voted for you!  We can't wait to hear/see your acceptance speech!  Don't forget to mention your DB Congress!

27 Dierks Bentley Memories of 2015

Dierks Bentley and his fans have a lot to celebrate looking back on 2015!  We remember 27 (as in '27 days I've been out on the road'... from Heart Of A Lonely Girl, Dierks' "Home" album) special memories and accomplishments throughout the year by Country's Hottest Guy, according to People.  Let us know if we missed any!

1. On Super Bowl Sunday, Bentley’s performance from the official NFL Tailgate was televised as part of NBC’s pre-game show in his home town of Phoenix, AZ.
   
   
2. Bentley Announces 2015 Sounds Of Summer Tour With a Polar Plunge Boot Camp for his tour mates - Kip Moore, Maddie and Tae, and Canaan Smith.
   
   
3. Dierks Bentley Nominated for Lucky 7 Academy of Country Music Awards! Wins Video of the Year for Drunk On A Plane (27 million views on YouTube).  DOAP catapults our prez to a career-high, replacing "What Was I Thinkin'" as the last song in the set list each night.
   
   
   
   
4. ACM Awards Live performance of "Riser."
   
   
   
5. DBCongress.com turns 6! On February 1, 2009, our welcome post proclaimed our mission: to actively campaign to make and keep Dierks Bentley #1! That remains our daily Dierks duty today, now with 802 DBC representatives in all 50 states and 12 countries, 1,288 Facebook Likes and 5,300 Twitter followers!
   
   
6. Dierks launches the sexy ‪#‎SayYouDo‬ music video, featuring all his favorite things--flying, motorcycles, wine and the woods.
     
   
   
   
7. Feb 8: Dierks nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Album ("Riser")! Miranda Lambert takes the win for "Platinum."
   
   
8. Feb 27 - Hot Country Knights debuted - a little side project for Dierks and the guys playing as a 90's country cover band, starring DB's alter ego 'Big Rhythm Doug.'  One song in particular earned recognition from Shania Twain!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. May 4 - Say You Do becomes third consecutive multi-week #1 single (following I Hold On and Drunk On A Plane)--historic in that it is the first single Dierks had ever released that he did not write.  Country Weekly featured ‪#‎SayYouDo‬ as a story behind the song article --writers Shane McAnally, and Old Dominion members Matt Ramsey and Trevor Rosen.
   
   
10. Dierks Bentley Kicks Off "HOT" Sounds Of Summer Tour in Raleigh; DB Congress "Pyro Patrol" Fans The Flames.
     
11. June 29: "Riser"‬ was released as a single and went for radio adds!
    
    
12. Whoa! @DierksBentley is THE cover of People magazine and Country's Hottest Guy‬! Sort of.  He was the cover of a 32-page special country insert in the June 15 issue.
    
    
13. Dierks named a 2015 Nashville Power Player and lands on the cover of Billboard magazine!
    
    
    
    
14. Dierks kicks off Macy's 4th of July Spectacular:  "That flag represents the things that a lot of folks don't have...freedom first and foremost. There are so many folks around the world that see that flag and they just want a little piece, a little taste of that freedom that we have here, so to me it's the greatest country in the world."
    
    
15. Riser music video released in August.  The treatment, directed by Wes Edwards, features a homeless mom and her kids who rise above adversity with they help of Nashville-based, Safe Haven.
    
    
16. We posted exclusive DB Congress Interviews: Behind the Scenes with "The Mom" and "The Daughter" in Dierks Bentley's "Riser" Music Video.
    
    
    
    
    
17. Dierks Bentley Nominated for CMA Male Vocalist of the Year 2015.  Chris Stapleton had a clean sweep, taking Male Vocalist, New Artist and Album of the Year.
    
    
18. Dierks Bentley Celebrated a Decade as a Grand Ole Opry Member.
    
    
    
    
19. Date night for @DierksBentley and wife Cass lands him on stage with Taylor Swift.
    
    
    
    
    
    
20. Dierks Bentley Featured as "the singer" in Charles Kelley's "The Driver."  The song--sang as a trio with Charles, Dierks and Eric Paslay, was nominated for a Grammy--Best Country Duo/Group Performance. 
    
    
    
21. Dierks Bentley's 10th Annual Miles and Music For Kids: A Weekend of Caring Breaks All Records!  Raises $636,479 for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital--double last year's amount!
    
    
22. Last Call Ball 10 - presented with special commemorative "derby" from his congress!
    
    
    
    
23. Dierks was featured as a key note speaker and tells his aviation story at the #NBAA15 National Business Aviation Association Opening General Session https://amp.twimg.com/v/2ccc4254-8efc-4339-9716-1f62bf95ddb3 …"I fly to work and I work to fly."
    
    
24. Thank you @countryweekly for picking @DierksBentley to be the WordSearch! And "Congress" is a word!
    
    
    
    
25. Dierks Bentley and more honor Veterans ‪#‎StarsandStrings‬ benefit show in Chicago.
    
    
    
    
    
26. Celebrates his 40th birthday in "the woods" with Luke Bryan, and gets an "old" gift from his congress.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
27. Dierks announces his first live television hosting gig - The 2016 ACM Awards with Luke Bryan!
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Stay tuned for 2015 highlights from fan experiences in an upcoming blog.

Dierks Bentley Hosts Tige and Daniel's Second Annual Birthday Bash

Dierks Bentley Hosts Tige and Daniel's Birthday Bash 

by  Guest Blogger Adrian Taylor

When it comes to hosting a birthday party, who makes the best host? Dierks Bentley does! On June 23, 2014, Dierks Bentley literally flew himself to Winston Salem, North Carolina to host 104.1 WTQR morning show radio DJs Tige and Daniel’s second annual Birthday Bash. 

Now I don’t know what Tige and Daniel did to get Dierks to host their party, but as a diehard Dierks fan, I am so glad that they were able to get him.

The stage was set up with four stools for the acoustic performance. In the front was Brian Layson (lead guitar), Dierks Bentley (guitar/host), Dan Hochhalter (fiddle/banjo) and hiding behind Brian was Cassady Feasby (bass guitar). I must say I was sad when I didn’t see Steve Misamore or Tim Sergent, but Dierks, Cassady, Brian and Dan did an amazing job on stage. And before I go on, it was good to see Jay & Carlos running back and forth from backstage to the stage.

Dierks took the center stool and began by talking to the audience. He first thanked Tige and Daniel for allowing him to perform at their birthday and thanked all of us for attending (granted the majority of the people there won tickets via the radio station). Dierks, being the jokester that he can be, told a few jokes and changed Tige & Daniel’s name so many times I lost count. A few times during  the set, Dierks would be telling stories, and getting the crowd laughing so much, that he had to look to Brian and say, “what key does this song begin in?” And Brian would have to say “dude, how many times have we done this song?”

About half way through the performance, Tige & Daniel’s birthday cake was brought out and Dierks led the crowd in singing “happy birthday” to them. Afterwards, Dierks took a picture with Tige and Daniel and he put his backside to the audience, and said he was going to pull a LukeBryan. With us being in North Carolina, the first thought I had was “no Dierks, don’t fall off the stage!” Instead, Dierks said, he wore the tightest jeans he owned. 

Dierks performed a few more songs, then talked about how he was honored to be at the birthday bash this year, and that he didn’t know how Tige and Daniel got the hosts they did, but that since they had Luke Bryan last year, and him this year, it would be hard to top next year, but if they couldn’t find anyone next year, that he would come back. Personally I think that is a great idea!  

After performing 10 songs, Dierks finished the night off with Home. He dedicated it to all the service men and women. When Dierks finished Home, he looked at me and tossed me one of his new guitar picks. Afterwards, the radio station thanked Dierks again for coming out, and invited everyone to celebrate with the cake and other food. 

As everyone was walking away, I yelled up at Brian, and asked for his set list. He picked it up, and said “here ya go.” I told him thanks, and my friend Jessica and I began to walk away. Several other people there tried to get the other set lists from Dierks, Dan and Cassady, but they had no luck. So I have to say I was happy I got one. Several people then asked me how I knew the band, and before I could say much, my friend Jessica replied, those guys are like her extended family. And I have to agree with her. 

So after getting my set list and guitar pick, Jessica and I were on two missions. One of which was to get our own individual photos with Tige and Daniel (we got pictures with them together as we walked in) but we wanted solo pictures. And mission number two was to try to say hey to Dierks and the guys and try to chat with them for a few minutes. We found out that Dierks was having to jet off to another show for the next day, and wasn’t going to be able to meet with anyone after the show. Of course this made me sad, but I know that Dierks has a very busy schedule. 

Jessica and I left the venue, and walked down the sidewalk in hopes of getting a picture of Dierks leaving. We saw his jeep and the tour bus (unfortunately it was not Goldie). Then we saw the guys get into a white SUV. As they were pulling out, they exited through a gate that was near where Jessica and I was standing. I had brought Dierks a card, and he had the driver stop and he reached for it. He told Jessica and I both hey. And said, see y’all girls again soon. 

So despite not getting to hang with Dierks and the guys after the show, it was amazing to have been there and get to see the guys perform literally five minutes from my house.

So Dierks may have been hosting Tige and Daniel’s birthday party, but it felt like another great Dierks concert!

If you want to see photos from the event, check out the album here:

Watch the tiny couch interview with Dierks, Tige and Daniel below.

Adrian Taylor

NC-DBC