DBC Reps Stand Out In Durant (with a special gift for Dierks, as well!)

For the last 17 Dierks Bentley shows that Cecia Benoit, rep from Louisiana, has attended, she has made a t-shirt to stand out in the crowd. So when she heard a couple dozen DB Congress members planned to attend Dierks' show in Durant, Okla., on Nov. 18, she decided to introduce herself. She never imagined where this offer would take her.

"I was collecting my thoughts to make myself a shirt and I thought I'd like to make myself approachable to other DB Congress members whom I haven't met in person before," she said. "So I decided to put my name and state on it ... adding DB Congress and the Riser bird was a given. I shared my idea with a couple of other ladies who were going, and before I knew it, I was making shirts for ones from every corner of the United States--from Oregon to Maine, from California to Florida."

The shirts were a hit! Cecia ended up making shirts for 12 DB Congress reps from 10 states--all of whom went to Durant for the show. The Dierks Dozen met up at the venue (hours before the velvet rope dropped) and shared their love and passion for "our favorite dude" while standing in line, discussing the "musical gift he has shared with us all."

What started as a 1,200-mile road trip with her friends--Sylvia, rep from Louisiana, and Tracy, rep from Mississippi (who were naturally having Dierks withdrawals)--ended up as a gathering of new friends from across the country. (She even made special sweatshirts for her roadtrip buddies!)

"It made my heart overflow with happiness to have been the brains behind the shirts that all of these beautiful people were rocking."

To top it off, Mary Lou, rep from North Carolina, asked Cecia to make one of the shirts to give to Dierks--just in time for his birthday.

"To see my creation presented to Dierks during the show was icing on the cake. Wow. Just mind blowing!"

Great work, Cecia! Way to represent, ladies!
And Happy Birthday, Dude!

Side note: Did you catch Dierks saying they just finished a new record in that video? Happy birthday TO US!

Jessica Borrelli
DB Congress Rep, WA
@AllTheWayToMe

DIERKS IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE

The first time I saw Dierks in concert was when he came to Oklahoma City with George Strait, Halloween seven years ago. It was when "What Was I Thinking" was brand new. He sang and I thought "Hey this guy has a really unique voice. He's prety good." So I started following him.

Modern Day Drifter is my favorite CD, not that I don't love "Long Trip Alone" and "Feel That Fire", but MDD is the one that got me completely hooked on Dierks' music. "Settle For A Slow Down" is hands down my favorite Dierks song!

In July we went to see him at Chaos At The Cove in Eufaula, OK. It was no less than one hundred degrees and we were packed like sardines in front of the stage. We were all sweaty and people were slinging beer so we were covered in that too. So aside from the heat, sweat, beer and hot bodies it was the craziest, funnest concern I'd seen yet.

I came back to work Monday still totally jazzed up from the weekend. So I got on Dierks' website and saw a new concert was posted for Norman, just down the road, so I called and bought tickets. After my incredible experience at Eufaula I didn't see how I'd ever be able to go to another Dierks concert sitting out rows away from the stage. So I thought if I joined the fan club I'd get better seats. So I joined and signed up for the Norman Meet and Greet. When I receieved the email informing me I'd been chosen, I nearly cried. It was fantastic.

So I arrived at Riverwind Casino last Thursday and picked up my M&G pass. I was the first one in line to meet Dierks. We walked into the back room and there he was finishing up pics with the previous group. They had me stand like three feet away to wait my turn. I really don't get nervous much, but standing three feet away from Dierks Bentley is intimidating!

He finally looked at me and asked if I'd been caught in the rain. I had been at the casino since 5:45 waiting for the M&G and it was now 7:30 so I had no idea it had even been raining so I stuttered a minute trying to think of something more intelligent than that and finally settled on "I didn't even know it was raining. I've been waiting for the M&G." He laughed and said "Well did you do some gambling?" I said "Just a little but I didn't win." I don't think I really scored any WOW points but I didn't make a COMPLETE fool of myself.

So we get our picture taken and I start to walk away and he says, "Do you have something for me to sign?" Of course I did, I was just scatterbrained. I said "Yeah sorry, I'm new." and laughed. He was really nice and probably very used to dealing with star struck fans so he handled it great. He signed my CD and I stood aside and took a dozen more pics of him signing autographs and taking pictures. He gathered us all up and thanked us for being in the fan club and answered our questions. I never quite worked my nerve up for another question but NEXT time hopefully I'll do better.

He was just a nice, normal guy. I enjoyed getting to meet him. I will sign up for every meet and greet that comes through Oklahoma. No matter what I'll keep buying his music and going to every single concert I can. His voice and his music belong in a league of their own and I hope he knows how much his fans support him.

Needless to say the concert was great. My sister and I never sat down. We spent the whole two hours on our feet screaming, singing, cheering, dancing, clapping and more screaming. As usual he blew us away. Neither my sister or I had much of a voice left but that's a small price to pay to get to see Dierks up close and doing what he does best. Thanks a lot.

~Kelly,

Oklahoma DB Congress rep

DBC MEMBER OF THE WEEK - Karissa

Karissa is from Oklahoma City and recently joined the Congress! She's been a Dierks fan ever since he came out with WWIT and says that his deep voice is what drew her in!

"After finally getting the chance to see Dierks in concert - after waiting about five hours in 100+ degree heat - I was not disappointed! I immediately bought tickets for his next show here in OK! Kenny Chesney has been my #1 for many, many, many years, but now, I'm afraid that Dierks is taking his spot!! His energy and genuine personality really make him likeable. I can't wait to see him again in September!"

Move it on over Kenny because Dierks is sliding in! (Had to say that after the little slip at this weekends show) ;)

Karissa said it wasn't easy to choose just one favorite song, but would go with "Feel That Fire."

Favorite album was another toss up and it's between Feel That Fire and Long Trip Alone.

Favorite music video was "What Was I Thinkin'."

New DB Congress members are:
AndreaDBfan from Wisconsin
Melindanc_4 from North Carolina
Whitneytm from Missouri
PattyG from New York
Kellyjo96 from Oklahoma
BLUUBABY25 from Florida
Lovethosejeans from Illinois

Thanks Karissa and all of our new DBC members for joining! Welcome to the Congress!!

-Amanda Morris (DBC Secretary/Mississippi Rep)