Feature DB Congress Rep of the Week: Shelley From Oklahoma

The first time I heard Dierks on the radio, he was singing, "Come A Little Closer." I thought to myself, "Wow, listen to that gorgeous, raspy voice!" Right then, I was completely hooked! I love how Dierks has that little raspy-ness in his voice, but totally smooth all at the same time!

I've been around music my whole life and there's just something about 'that kind of voice' that will melt me every single time! So, I ran out and bought every CD that Dierks had out on the market! As I listened to more of his music, I realized just how many of his songs related to different situations in my life. An artist can 'sound great' singing/playing music, but a true artist can open others up to 'feel' their story.

For example, when I heard "Come A Little Closer," I could 'feel' what he was singing about because I was missing my husband (of 15 years now) so badly, but due to his occupation, he was having to live more than 4 hours away. But still yet, I could 'feel' the longing to be close to my husband, through this song. There are SO many songs that Dierks has recorded that I can relate like that to. He can speak to you through his lyrics and make you 'feel' his music all at the same time....thus making a true artist.

I was so completely overwhelmed by him and his music that I told myself, next time he's either in Oklahoma or a neighboring state, I've GOT to go see his show! Well, that time finally came and my husband had gotten to move back home. So both of us went! We drove 6-7 hours to Winfield, Kansas to see Dierks! We got lost in OKC and lost time trying to get to his show!

We finally made it but we were still running about 45 minutes later than what we wanted to be! Not only this, but there was a huge mix-up with some meet & greets, so the coordinator said he would make sure we were taken care of! So he tells me if I could make it to a certain area of the show grounds within 15-20 minutes, he would get us in to meet Dierks. We missed him by 5-10 minutes! Talk about heartbreaking! BUT, since we didn't make it in time, the coordinator let us in Dierks show VIP, right next to the catwalk!

I was absolutely star-struck and I was next to Heaven that night! I had my husband back home and we were together watching Dierks in concert for the first time in reach of the stage! WOW! I cried because I had such a dynamic night! Got lots of pics and my husband and I even rode a mechanical bull that night.  So now, every time we hear Dierks singing "Feel That Fire" we get really tickled!

I didn't get a hi-5 from Dierks that night, but I did at the next show we went to in Tulsa at 'The Joint/Hard Rock Cafe" last November! I'll never forget it! Dierks was singing the second chorus of "Settle For A Slowdown" going into the bridge of the song! That might not sound like a big deal to most, but to a girl from the country in southeast Oklahoma, that's a REALLY big deal!

I love being part of the DB Congress because I feel like I'm more in touch of what's going on in Dierks' career. I admire his honesty and respect his family values! I've seen and heard a lot of celebrities 'state their view' on different values & morals, but not very many actually live by them! I can tell, Dierks lives by his values. Just another reason why I truly adore him! Family is everything! I guess that's why "My Last Name" makes me cry every time!

I really hope one day my husband & I will be able to actually meet Dierks! But until then, I will keep jammin' and claiming "Its' a Dierks Day!" and keep on lovin' me some Dierks--Okie-style! Can't wait for the next CD release!

Thanks again DB Congress for listing me on your website as a rep from Oklahoma! I promise to ALWAYS promote Dierks Bentley and keep his music alive!


~Shelley Pryor~
SKPryor/DBC Member-OK Rep

*Thanks Shelley for letting us get to know you, and you're welcome! 

WHITE TANK TOPS GET DB's ATTENTION

After loving Dierks Bentley for years and finally dragging 3 of my friends to see him in Eufaula, OK on July 3, 2009 in 100+ degree temps for 6 hours, I was hooked and had to join the fan club--as did my friend Angela.

Then, we realized that DB was coming to Riverwind Casino, so we bought our tickets ( third row) and signed up for our Meet and Greets! We also had special white tank tops made.

I got a M & G, but Angela didn't. Of course, she was upset. We arrived at Riverwind about 5 pm and as we walked by the buses we of course had to snap a few pics. The green machine was there. (Dierks' Jeep).

Just as we passed the buses, we noticed the "backstage" doors just in time to see Chris (Tour Manager) come out. Dierks was doing sound check. So, we ventured into the casino and picked up my M & G and snapped a few more pics. We were getting lots of compliments on our tanks!

So, about 30 minutes later we ventured back outside and no one was there except a couple security guards, so, one of them told us to hold on a minute (apparently the second guard told Dierks that we were waiting for him) and Dierks came out and told us to come over. So, we all introduced ourselves and he loved our tank tops. We got a quick pic and chatted for a minute, then we let him go to his bus to get rested up and ready! Angela and her mother, Roxanne were pumped.....and freaked!

So, we go back in and eat and I met another girl from the fan club. About 7 pm they lined us up for the M & G and his tour assistant Brittany came and got us. There were other M&G's going on before and after the fan club also, like radio, casino, bud light, etc. I also saw some girls representing with their DB Congress shirts on.

At the M & G we all got our pics taken and I got my tank signed. Dierks said it was good to see me again and told me not to worry, that he wouldn't forget about the "Dierks Girls" during the show.. He then did a Q & A. Everyone was so quiet. He said his family was doing well, and he had actually just gotten in from a few days in Phoenix, mentioned about taking off in Jan. and Feb. and working on some music and a bluegrass album, mentioned maybe doing a small venue tour in March and April and hopefully headlining next fall. He talked about a small bar in Little Rock, Arkansas with low ceilings and how he about took out a ceiling tile during a show. Then we all gathered in for the group pic. Dierks thanked us all for coming and being in his fan club, then gave us hugs!



Show Time!

Dierks came out with Sideways and made it a point to come over to us and point out our tank tops--it was awesome and got quite a rise from the crowd!
Other songs included (in no particular order): Long Trip Alone, Feel That Fire, Come A Little Closer, I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes, Life on the Run, Better Believer (looked up and thanked God when it was over....gave me chills), What Was I Thinking, Free and Easy, My Last Name, Lot of Leavin Left To do, Settle for a Slowdown, How Am I Doin, Every Mile A Memory, and Fulson Prison Blues.

Even though we had third row seats, we didn't sit. We were up close and personal by the stage except for the 1 or 2 songs that they (security) ran us all back to our seats. That didn't last long!


Great Show as usual and many memories! We are now looking at going to see Dierks in Vegas in December!

Here is a link to all the pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/Karissa1977/DierksBentleyConcert#

I also shot a few videos....here is my you tube link:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Karissa1977


Karissa Shields
DB Congress Rep
Oklahoma City, OK