DIERKS AND PATTY'S BEAUTIFUL WORLD, GRAMMY NOD, BUT NO WIN

Dierks Bentley and Patty Griffin were nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for their awesome harmonies in Beautiful World. But the competition was tough.

Photo credit: Steve Granitz / WireImage.com Dierks Bentley arrives at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on Jan. 31 at Staples Center in Los Angeles

The category was part of the pre-telecast show on Grammy.com instead of in the primetime evening televised show. About an hour before the nominees were read, Dierks posted on FaceBook/Twitter:

@DierksBentley at the Grammys! fingers crossed. #fb

That caused a flood of fans replying with their good luck wishes, but all to no avail.

The award was to recognize the best collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.

The Grammy Winner was Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis for I Told You So. And they were not even there to accepte the award! And, I believe the recorded version was not so much a "collaboration" as a studio stunt, dubbing their two voices together.

The other nominees included Down The Road (Kenny Chesney & Mac McAnally), Start A Band (Brad Paisley & Keith Urban), and Everything But Quits (Lee Ann Womack & George Strait). Some heavy hitters against Dierks' everday struggle to be recognized with the cream of the crop group.

Although I am very disappointed, I am very proud of our DB Congress president. This song will stand the test of time and become a classic! I know we'll press on because there's so much to live for and so much to love in this beautiful world! Say what you will, but I still believe it's a beautiful world and Dierks will be nominated for many for Grammys for years to come! And I know he will win, eventually!

Ronna
DB Congress Chair

WILL DIERKS' LUCKY #7 HELP HIM WIN A GRAMMY?

Seven is Dierks Bentley's lucky number. Do you think placing the song "Beautiful World" as the #7 cut on the Feel That Fire album was a coincidence? I think it was probably purposeful. Dierks has said many times how special the song is to him. And the non-single grabbed the attention of The Grammy's to make it his 7th nomination in three years.

Up for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for the "Beautiful World," duet with Patty Griffin, Dierks tells cjdccountry.com's Margy Hollad that working with Patty was a dream come true, not to mention sharing a Grammy nomination.

"Just looking at my album and seeing her name on the back of the album, that we did a song together, is really special to me, so just to hear that our name will be called out as a nomination, especially for a song that wasn't even a single. All the other songs that we're goin'up against -- well, most of 'em -- were singles. It's just an album cut, but it's a powerful song and I'll save whatever nomination card I get. Whether we win or not, I'll save that as some sort of plaque somewhere cause it means just as much to me as winning would be."

Dierks shares his thoughts on the whole Grammy experience:

"This is my third time going to the Grammys, I think, and I enjoy it every time more and more cause I really do enjoy the whole circus that it is and enjoy being part of it and appreciate it more every time cause you never know when it's gonna be your last time, so I enjoy lookin'around at everything that there is. On the country scene, we're a pretty tight-knit community and you know everybody. It's a different kind of deal. This is more like a spectacle, with all the rock and pop and craziness. I love soakin' it in and all the parties and all the free beer and food. I love it!"

Watch the 52nd Anual Grammy Awards Sunday, January 31st on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern. Be sure to cross your fingers, rub your rabbit's foot, pick a four leaf clover...whatever lucky charm you have and remember, sometimes the best we can do is just to whisper a prayer!

Dierks and Patty deserve to bring home the Grammy!

DIERKS' BEAUTIFUL WORLD INSPIRES UNICEF

As if Dierks Bentley wasn't already doing enough for kids in the U.S. (you may recall his WQYK Benefit for St. Jude's, Nashville4Africa to help build a school, and his own Miles and Music For Kids initiative benefiting Children's Miracle Network of hospitals), now he's uniting with UNICEF. What a perfect fit for his Grammy-nominated song, "Beautiful World" to try to bring awareness to this world-wide organization who's mission it is to further children's rights across the globe.

UNICEF was so inspired by the duet with Patty, they partnered with Dierks to post a 30 second PSA video on You Tube to share his commitment to advancing the fundamental rights of children everywhere.



Rodeo Attitude posted this article on their site yesterday:

NASHVILLE, TN – Dec. 16, 2009 – Award-winning country singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley is supporting UNICEF with a public service announcement featuring his recently GRAMMY nominated song “Beautiful World” with special guest Patty Griffin. The 30-second video is available worldwide in support of UNICEF’s mission to further children’s rights across the globe.

“We are grateful to Dierks Bentley for his generosity in volunteering the use of “Beautiful World” for the PSA,” said UNICEF’s Chief of Celebrity Relationships and Partnerships Marissa Buckanoff. “We believe it will help raise awareness of our mission to help children around the world lead happier, healthier lives and develop to their full potential.”

UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and government.

DIERKS TAKES LA

Country Music fan Stephanie Stiefel shared her story of Dierks Bentley and Eric Church in Los Angeles on Thursday, December 10 with Country Music Tattle Tale:

Last night country music superstar Dierks Bentley graced the Wiltern Theatre stage in Los Angeles. His opening guest was no less of an amazing artist, Eric Church.

Eric and his band rocked the crowd with their true to the bone lyrics, guitars, and banjos. The crowd was already going crazy even before Dierks hit the stage. In the middle of his set Eric said tot he crowd, ‘We came here to party with ya’ll tonight, drink beer, play our guitars, and sing songs that are true.’ The comment made me realize that is what country music is all about and why there are so many dedicated fans. Once Eric finished his set, he humbly thanked the crowd and left everyone in anticipation for Dierks.

The lights brightened and the stage crews bustled about the stage recreating the set for the superstar. A short agonizing wait later, the lights went down and a video shows up of Dierks, he then comes on the mic and asks ‘Hope ya’ll are ready for a party?’ The crowd went crazy as he and his band-mates appeared on stage and cranked up the sound. The entire show was upbeat, in your face and pure Dierks Bentley. He made a comment about his recent recording with long-time song-writer, Patty Griffin. The song ‘Beautiful World’ has had a grammy nod recently, and the duet performed the song the night before on the ‘George Lopez Show’. No one was expecting it but Dierks introduced the talented Ms. Griffin and she gracefully walked out to join him for a Johnny Cash song, they later performed their recent recording of ‘Beautiful World’.

Towards the end of his set Dierks invited Eric back out onstage, and it was clear he had been having a good time backstage. They sang a few more songs for the crowd and obviously, unwillingly exited the stage. The ambiance of the Wiltern, the talented musicians and of course the raw voices that make country so real made the entire night an unforgettable event.



Dierks Bentley, Eric Church & Patty Griffin Take LA Head On-A Fan Review

SHARING AND CELEBRATING BEAUTIFUL TEARS

Dierks Bentley and his wife Cassidy were watching a sad movie when they learned that 'Beautiful World' was nominated for a Grammy. So there were tears of joy for the recognition and tears of sadness from the movie. The fact that Dierks was more concerned about getting his $16 worth and not being wasteful just validates his strong character as a person. That's why we love him! He's a down-home dude! Here's an excerpt from the interview with Dierks from The Boot:

"I was on the couch, watching the saddest movie in the world with my wife. We were watching 'My Sister's Keeper.' My wife is bawling and my phone keeps ringing."He finally answers, gets the news and delivers the good word to his wife. They share a celebratory drink (beer for him, wine for her) and "partied for about 30 minutes," he recalls before his fiduciary sense kicked in. "The practical side of me goes, 'This movie is costing us $16 on demand and it's going to expire in [a few] hours, so we need to go back to watching it.' As soon as we pressed play, she starts crying. So there's really this sad moment to this intensely happy moment right down to tears again. It was like tears of sadness ... tears of joy ... tears of sadness."

Dierks' show at the Wiltern offered more moments of joy as Patty joined him to perform the nominated song together for the first time in concert. Afterward, the country star was still glowing. "When you die, people talk about what you see. Is it the light in the tunnel? But think about what you hear? [Patty's is] the voice I think you'd hear. That's the way I feel -- her voice is angelic. To have her number in my cell phone, is bad ass."

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Another beautiful moment is Tomi L. Wiley's interesting view of Dierks and Patty's Grammy-nominated Beautiful World (the video):

"The video, simply shot and authentic, matches the organic and easy lyrics, melody, and message of the song. There is nothing contrived about the video setup, alternating between shots of Bentley and Griffin palling around in the kitchen and actually playing and recording, as well as between color and black and white frames, contrasting the balance between work and play. The contrasting color and grayscale shots also reflect the basic highs and lows of life and the message of the song: despite serious issues, wars, health and personal problems, it is a beautiful world, if you choose to see it that way.

But the real beauty here is the blending of Bentley’s and Griffin’s voices together: Griffin’s distinct, pure and clean voice is a warm current beneath Bentley’s signature smooth style. The two have a connection, which seems not so much contrived as a duet but a genuine sharing of the love of a simple song."

INSTANT REPLAY-DIERKS/PATTY SING ON LOPEZ

For those of you who missed it, don't get TBS, or didn't DVR it, here is Dierks and Patty on George Lopez last night. Enjoy!

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL GRAMMY NOMINATION

The 52nd Grammy Awards Nominations were announced tonight and Dierks received one for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for 'Beautiful World,' his duet with Patty Griffin!

Here's the rest of the category:

Category 39

Best Country Collaboration With Vocals
(For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Beautiful World
  Dierks Bentley & Patty Griffin
  Track from: Feel That Fire
  [Capitol Records Nashville]
  
  
• Down The Road
  Kenny Chesney & Mac McAnally
  Track from: Lucky Old Sun
  [BNA Records Label]
  
  
• Start A Band
  Brad Paisley & Keith Urban
  Track from: Play
  [Arista Nashville]
  
  
• I Told You So
  Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis
  [19/Arista Nashville]
  
  
• Everything But Quits
  Lee Ann Womack & George Strait
  Track from: Call Me Crazy
  [MCA Nashville]

From everyone in the DB Congress, we wish you the best of luck Dierks! You truly deserve this award for such an amazing song.

Dierks had this to say in reply to TN Rep Jessica on Twitter:

@DierksBentley I can't think of a more deserving song [or artist!!] Definitely keeping my fingers crossed for you & Patty!! :)

@Jessica4225 thanks! Beautiful World is such a special song for me. Means a lot to see it get a Grammy nom! Got to call patty griffin!!)

BENTLEY'S BEAUTIFUL WORLD IS FREE!

Ever since Dierks Bentley's Feel That Fire CD was released February 3rd of this year, he has been singing his own praises (and rightly so!) for Beautiful World, the duet with Patty Griffin. In March, Dierks was a guest on the Eddie Stubbs, WSM radio show, and I was lucky enough to have Dierks himself answer the phone when I called in to comment on the song:

ME: Hi, This is Ronna, from Tampa, Florida.
DB: Hey, this is Dierks!
ME: You're kidding?! They've got you on the phones?
DB: Yeah, so how ya doin?
ME: Great! We just listened to you on the Opry, you guys sounded great! We are so proud of you!
DB: Thanks! So what do you think of Beautiful World?
ME: You know I love that song...
DB: So do you think between 'close your eyes' and BW, which one should be the next single?
ME: I love both, but I think close your eyes has a better chance of making it to #1 on radio.
DB: I know, that's the cold hard truth (*he said disappointedly).(*I felt bad, cos he had just said on the air that he wanted to be remembered for that song).

Knowing how much that song means to Dierks, I have to admit when I heard Jack Ingram's next single release was 'Seein' Stars,' featuring Patty Griffin, I was a little worried. How will it look if Dierks now releases HIS Patty Griffin song!

But today, I was reminded of how smart Dierks is. In conjunction with CMT One Country and to raise awareness for his Miles & Music For Kids event (this year several events nationwide), Dierks is offering a free download of Beautiful World! Genius, dude!

Now everyone will get to hear the song even if they don't have the album. And what better match than to pair the positivity in the song with the generosity of giving to the worthy Children's Miracle Network charity.

Watch Dierks' messages here.

Miles & Music benefits the Children's Miracle Network and will kick off in Nashville Oct. 11. Download "Beautiful World" and learn more here.

~Ronna

DB Congress Chair

LEVITAN GUIDES BENTLEY'S CAREER

Dierks Bentley signed with Vector Management, the powerhouse company headed by Ken Levitan, back in January 2009. The Capitol Records Nashville artist was previously with Scott Kernahan’s Rogue Music.

Since that time, a swarm of promo events--Jimmy Falon, The Bud Shoot Out in Daytona, The Today Show, Regis & Kelly, Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen, Bonnie Hunt, Kathie Lee and Hoda--managed to help Feel That Fire debut in the #1 album slot for Dierks the first week of February.

Ken Levitan will receive the Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement Award for an Executive at the Americana Music Association’s 8th Annual Honors and Awards ceremony, on Thurs., Sept. 17 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

As founder and Co-President of Vector Management, Levitan guides the careers of Americana stalwarts Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, John Hiatt, Buddy Miller and others. Also signed to his powerhouse roster are Kid Rock, Kings of Leon, Hank Williams Jr., Bon Jovi, B-52s, Ben Folds, Michael McDonald, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Trisha Yearwood, Peter Frampton, Trace Adkins, and Dierks Bentley.

Levitan, whose first foray into the music business was as chairman of the Vanderbilt Concert committee, is also a Grammy Award-winning producer for his work on The Apostle soundtrack.
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Pretty impressive! I'd say Dierks is in good hands! Congratulations Ken! Now, if you could just "manage" to get DB a CMA nomination or two, the DB Congress would be eternally grateful!

Thank you!

Ronna
DB Congress Chair

Source: Sara Skates

6 FOR 6 DIERKS CMA NODS TOMORROW?

Don't forget to tune in to Good Morning America to see how many CMA nominations our president will get! I'm hoping for all 6, how about you?

And the categories for your CMA consideration are:
*Male Vocalist of the Year
*Song of the Year: Sideways
*Single of the Year: Sideways
*Music Video of the Year: Sideways
*Album of the Year: Feel That Fire
*Vocal Event of the Year: Beautiful World with Patty Griffin

Well, I'm always optimistic, but realistically, I hope for 3--hopefully Male Vocalist, Album and Vocal Event!