Dierks Takes The Ridge To The Station Inn

Dierk Bentley started sneaking in to The Station Inn  (internationally known as the place to go in Nashville, Tennessee to hear Bluegrass and Roots Music), when he was 19 years old.  DB Congress rep, Emily Leisgang (TN), thought that was a cool connection since she was only 19 on her first time to the Station Inn to see Dierks perform.

That was just a few nights ago, when he took Up On The Ridge--his 2010 bluegrass album to the historic venue. "It was just awesome to see him in that kind of setting. As much as I love seeing him on a big stage it was really awesome to see him in a smaller setting and just have a ton of fun with it," Emily tells us.

Dierks teased earlier in the day that he was "just hanging out with some of the best pickers in town/the world. jon randall and @sam_bush. no big deal. ha!"  Later that night they joined him on stage!

"playing the greatest stage in MY world... the world famous @stationinn. got a mad man on my left @sam_bush!"

Emily was joined by fellow DBC rep, Ashley Wardrip (TN) and together they captured some of the special moments on video. (see below).

"We waited a bit after the show and Dan [Hochhalter, Dierks' fiddle player] was waiting on him, too. Dierks came out and talked to Dan for a bit and then came right over to us and asked if we wanted a picture with him. I asked about a Riser release party and he said he hadn't even thought about it because he was so focused on this show and making that night perfect," said Ashley.

Photo Credit: Ashley Wardrip

Draw Me A Map (by Emily)




Down In The Mine (by Ashley)




Senor (by Ashley)





You're Dead To Me (by Ashley)




David Mattingly, DBC rep from Kentucky, made the drive to Nashville and offered his perspective:

"Dierks wanted to do an Up On The Ridge show, so he invited Sam Bush (mandolin) and Jon Randall Stewart (guitar) to play. They both helped write/perform on the Ridge album. Mike Bub (bass) and Scott Vestal (banjo) are known bluegrass musicians with credits a mile long. Jessi Alexander was there also, Jon's wife. She wrote 'The Climb' and 'I Drive Your Truck' (Lee Brice). She helped sing back up on a few songs. Jessi and Jon have a bluegrass band called "18 South" and play The Station Inn often.

Dierks was in a great mood Wednesday night.  He joked from the stage all night and it was fun to hear the other musicians tell stories of Dierks when he first started coming to The Station Inn.

A few of Dierks' regular band members were there as spectators--Tim Sergent and Dan Hochhalter.  We got some good chat time with D afterwards. He's so genuine and thanked us for coming out. They played almost all of Up On The Ridge songs and many other bluegrass tunes as well. Great to talk with Tim and Dan. RISER was the topic and its gonna be great!"

The next day, Dierks tweeted he was donating all the money from the performance to a worthy cause:

"btw, donating all the door money from our @StationInn Up On The Ridge jam last night to @2HarvestMidTN. about $4,000. total blast! thank you"

Sounds like an incredible night, and just like our favorite artist to give it all he has to give! Thanks to Emily, Ashley and David for sharing their experience!

Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival to Feature Dierks Bentley

You don't have to wait until June to visit Nashville, Tennessee, where "it all begins with a song."  For the first time in its 20 year history, Dierks Bentley will perform at the Tin Pan South Songwriter's Festival to be held March 27-31, 2012.

This 5-day festival features hundreds of live performances by some of country music's biggest talents when it come to writing songs, including Dierks and Luke Bryan.

Specifically, Dierks will perform on Wednesday, March 29 at 6 pm at the Hard Rock Cafe on Broadway with buddies Sam Bush and Jon Randall.

Tin Pan South is the world's largest all-songwriter festival, produced annually by NSAI (National Songwriters Association International).

Fast Access Pass holders will take their places in the Fast Access Line at each venue on a first-come, first-served basis. Beginning 30 minutes prior to show time, pass holders will be admitted into the venue first (except at the Bluebird Café and the Listening Room Cafe* shows, where Reservation holders will be admitted first).


Be sure to visit the Tin Pan South website for details on tickets, performers and venue schedules.

Dierks at The Troubadour: DB Congress Rep Review by Beth

"Dierks Bentley and Hollywood seem to be synonymous with a great show and this year was no exception. Hearing about this show I recalled what a great time I had at the 2008 pre-Grammy show [at the Knitting Factory] and was excited to find out what would be in store for us this time around.

The Troubadour is, to me, the essence of a vintage, Hollywood music venue -- intimate, it’s got a good vibe and it holds a fun history. With maybe 20 feet between the stage and the bar at the back of the room we knew it would be a cozy show and a set list packed with great music.

The show started off with a few of Dierks’ own songs but then he began mixing things up for the night with only one rule -- “one for the fans, one for the legends.” Shows like this are always a fun departure from the ‘normal’ show as there are no rules or set lists. With each special guest strolling out on stage, some had a plan and some, like Zac Brown, figured it out once they were out there but that’s what made it fun and kept it interesting. ‘Crossroads’ with Sam Bush was a definite highlight to the night along with the humorous ‘Diamonds Make Babies.’

Zac Brown, Dierks, Miranda Lambert

Brian Layson, Dierks, Sam Bush

I don’t like to sound clichéd; however, Dierks’ guest choice is a testament to the fact that you can bring artists from different genres and not just make it work but make it spectacular. Where else on earth would you find Dierks Bentley on stage with Del McCoury, the Travelin’ McCourys and Dan Auerbach from the Black Keys? It’s a kind of unique thing that only Dierks can seem to pull off and I enjoy it immensely.

Travelin' McCourys and Dierks

Dierks and Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys

Blake Shelton and Dierks: Should Miranda be worried? 

Miranda and Dierks



I will always love these shows because they are random, eclectic and fun. I am grateful Dierks still enjoys doing things like this because they are, in my opinion, some of his best shows and I’d like to think the fans enjoy them just as much as he does."

Blog and Photos by:

~Elizabeth Longnecker

DB Congress Rep, Washington

DBTV - Episode 6 - Troubadour

Dierks Bentley hosted a special pre-Grammy bash with about a dozen of his musically talented friends at The Troubadour in Los Angeles, CA on February 12, 2011.  This week's DBTV includes Miranda Lambert, Lady A, Zac Brown, Hayley Williams of Paramore, Blake Shelton, Garett Hedlund (Country Strong) Del McCoury, Sam Bush  and more. 

Watch all the way to the end when Dierks grabs the camera and shoots the crowd.  You'll see DB Congress reps Michele, Beth, Janet, Tamra, Monica and Debbie all on the front row!  Check back in a few days to see blogs from their perspective of the evening!

Dierks To Open The International Bluegrass Music Awards Show

Since March 31st was the cut-off, Dierks Bentley just missed being considered for the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Awards) Album of the Year Award by 9 weeks. His bluegrass album, "Up On The Ridge" released June 8, has been sitting at the top of the Bluegrass charts ever since--14 consecutive weeks!

But the Bluegrass community definitely took notice, inviting Bentley to kick off the most anticipated night of the bluegrass year! The International Bluegrass Music Awards Show will be held Thursday, September 30, 2010, 7:30 PM Central at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

The event is a salute to the year's outstanding achievements, featuring a fast paced evening of fabulous performances and the music's major awards. Dierks will perform with a band of current and past nominees. Other performers include Allison Krauss, Dan Tyminski, co-hosts Jerry Douglas and Sharon and Cheryl White, Blue Highway with Darrell Scott, Sam Bush, Dailey & Vincent, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Claire Lynch, the Del McCoury Band and Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out.

While Dierks didn't get a nomination, many of his Bluegrass friends and UOTR contributing singers and musicians did!

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
The Del McCoury Band (Del McCoury vocals on Pride)

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Sam Bush Band (Love Grows Wild)
The Infamous Stringdusters (Dierks sings "17 Cents" on the IS album)

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Tim O’Brien (You're Dead To Me, Down In The Mine)

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Sonya Isaacs (Down In The Mine)
Alison Krauss (Up On The Ridge, Draw Me A Map)

FIDDLE
Jason Carter (You're Dead To Me, Down In The Mine)
Stuart Duncan (Up On The Ridge, Fallin' For You, Draw Me A Map, Bad Angel, Fiddlin' Around, You're Dead To Me, Bottle To The Bottom, Down In The Mine)

DOBRO:
Randy Kohrs (Draw Me A Map, Bad Angel, Down In The Mine)

GUITAR:
Bryan Sutton (Up On The Ridge, Fallin' For You, Draw Me A Map, Bad Angel, Fiddlin' Around, You're Dead To Me, Love Grows Wild, Bottle To The Bottom, Down In The Mine)

MANDOLIN: Sam Bush (Up On The Ridge)
Ronnie McCoury (Up On The Ridge, Fallin' For You, Draw Me A Map, Bad Angel, Fiddlin' Around, Bottle To The Bottom)

Tickets for the International Bluegrass Music Awards Show can be purchased by calling the Ryman Auditorium Box Office at 615-889-3060. The show will also be broadcast live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction, Channel 14).

Since the eligibility period for IBMA's is from April 1st through March 31st, Up On The Ridge is sure to be nominated and provide a win in 2011 for our DB Congress president--Dierks Bentley! It's gonna be hard to wait that long!

~Ronna
DB Congress Chair

Cannery Gets Crowd Closer to Bentley for Americana Music Fest

Strum Magazine's Rick Amburgey says the best ever Dierks Bentley performance for him was the September 10 Americana Music Festival at Nashville's Cannery Ballroom. News of the surprise event leaked out just one day before, but that didn't stop the crowd from coming a little closer. Check out Rick's review here.

Dierks Bentley and Sam Bush perform "Gold Heart Locket" Sept. 10:

Dierks Talks to The Boot.com

Dierks Bentley called theboot.com recently to share his thoughts on a number of things including a memorable Opry performance, how the Travelin' McCourys fit into his live show, a special Pearl Jam cover, whose music he's listening to lately and the announcement of the Nashville Miles and Music event (October 17)!


The Boot: You were on the Opry recently and you did a Bill Monroe tune. Do you have any memories of playing the Opry that stand out for you?

Dierks: The first time I played the Opry, Sonny Osborne was right there, listening, and when I came off the stage he looked at me and said, "Could you hear anything at all?" We had it cranked up real loud, and we were loud. It wasn't mean to be a compliment, but it was very helpful to me after I understood later on what he was saying. He was telling me that commercial country songs don't always go on the Opry; you've got to make your songs fit in that environment. He's the best harmony singer of all time. I've tried to learn his parts over and over; of all the singers I've listened to, it's his harmonies that I've tried the most to understand. He's the best to listen to.

The Boot: How have you made the material you played on tour with the Travelin' McCourys fit into your country shows?

Dierks: We expanded on the original vision, doing country and bringing out some of the original bluegrass instruments. There's more to country music than running around on stage and doing loud songs! This is what got me interested in bluegrass and country, were these acoustic instruments, and the power you can get from that type of song and this type of band. After the Travelin' McCourys allowed us to do more in the middle section with songs from 'Up on the Ridge,' and the audience reacted well to that, I added an acoustic set in the middle of my current show. I've heard some people say they like that part of the show the best. I can remember when I would go to shows and I'd walk away and had a good time being entertained, some of my most favorites were when someone did an acoustic set.

The Boot: Any particular artist you remember along those lines?

Dierks: The last time was Pearl Jam. They were playing an amphitheater, and Eddie Vedder came back with a guitar and a string section. That was really cool. I think he had a cello and a couple fiddles, and then him on guitar. It might have been 'Just Breathe.' ... I've been doing that song in my bluegrass show with the Travelin' McCourys. I tell the audience this is one that goes way back with this old bluegrass band [laughs].

The Boot: You've spoken to us in the past about artists who were bridges between genres of music. Do you see yourself as that kind of artist?

Dierks: I think seeing Bill Monroe in Ricky Skaggs' 'Country Boy' video ... if you love Bill Monroe that is coolest thing ever. I think Skaggs has always made a lot of great records that were bluegrass or had elements of bluegrass, and he turned a lot of people on to bluegrass. He is one of those people that was a bridge, bringing people from one area to another in music. Some of the other folks I think of when I talk about bridging musical genres are folks like Marty Stuart, Flatt and Scruggs, the Osborne Brothers. I think Garth Brooks was like that for a lot of people. I definitely have done that in the past a little bit. Some of my fans would make the comment, "I didn't like country until I heard your music." Now I've heard, "I didn't think I'd like that bluegrass music but I heard your record and it's turned me on to some of the more acoustic sounds." But I'd not put myself in that same category with the folks I mentioned. After a while, we will have the chance to tell more about how many folks I really turned on to bluegrass and country through my music.

The Boot: Whose music are you listening to now?

Dierks: Oh gosh, it's so all over the place. Sam Bush has a new record and I've been listening to him. Ryan Bingham, I think his music is great when it comes to country stuff; it's a toughness that doesn't sound manufactured. I've gone back and been listening to some old Billy Idol music; some of his songs might translate to bluegrass. He was the first musical person I really got into, the first posters I ever had on my wall. I've always listened to Flatt & Scruggs, the Osborne Bros, Larry Cordle, the Grascals, Del McCoury ... in the year leading to this record, I was listening to a lot of the old bluegrass.

The Boot: How many more Miles & Music charity events do you have coming up this year? How has it worked to have it in different cities outside of Nashville?

Dierks: It's a lot of work for my team that put them together. It's very difficult to organize. You have to involve a local dealership and get the acts to play. You also have to get the motorcyclists involved and the state police involved. But it's also a lot of fun, and we've raised a lot of money for hospitals around the country. I'm looking forward to Nashville on October 17. We have one in Seattle on September 18 in conjunction with the Puyallup Fair. We're gonna do a motorcycle ride on the afternoon when I'm playing the fair that night. It will support the Seattle Children's Hospital. And we are planning one for Chicago in 2011.

The Boot: Have you ever considered taking on any acting roles now that you have established a career in music?

Dierks: I did read the script for 'Crazy Heart.' It wasn't the part that Jeff Bridges played but another one of the roles. I'm just enjoying playing my music; I enjoy writing and recording and most of all, being out there on the road playing for my fans.

The Boot: Have you and your family settled into the new house?

Dierks: It's a process. I've never been one to get everything perfect. We've been there a little over a year and we've still got a lot of pictures to hang up. We try to enjoy the house, and it's home for sure. Both dogs think they own all the rooms -- every room is Jake's room! We like being this close to town. I like the country, but living closer into town came down to the reality of what is quality of life and that's being here with the girls when I'm home. It's so close to what I do -- which is go to the studio, play hockey, meet the bus when we go on the road. I felt like I needed to be near the city to be close to all that. Being that close does allow me to spend more time with the girls. Our house sits on less than an acre, right in the middle of town ... My daughter does most of the interior designing! She has a blackboard in her room to draw on. We love it.

Dierks Heats Up Louisville, KY!

Loyal Dierks Bentley Congress member Lee Ann from Kentucky is our guest blogger today! Enjoy reading her HullabaLOU experience!

This is my first official blog, so here goes!

The inaugural HullabaLOU in Louisville, KY! My husband, Lloyd, and I got there in the afternoon, I got my M&G credentials, and then we hung out in the A/C! It was HOT! There were screens in there of the 5 stages. Going to the M&G, we ran into David and Heather. They had been there since about 10:30, and had already been on a backstage tour that Heather won! The M&G went fast. There were lots of radio people there. As I stepped up, Dierks said wow, there are some long time fans here! I gave Dierks 2 bones for Jake and George from the Three Dog Bakery with their names on them! I told him congratulations, and he kind of looked at me (I guess there are lots of thing to congratulate him on!), and I said on the new baby, and he said Thanks! It was hot and loud, with the music in the background from all the music stages.


Well, Lloyd and I then went to see The Travelin' McCourys with Dan Tyminski (sp?). We got right next to the stage. They were great! Lloyd said to me that he forgot how fun they were! They asked the crowd who else we were going to see, and we yelled out "Dierks Bentley!", and Alan (upright bassist) grinned, and said "Yeah, we kind of like him! We just did a tour with him." And we said, "Really, we had NO idea!" lol No, we told them that we had seen them at the Ryman! Unfortunately, their set overlapped with Dierks.

So, we go see Dierks (who they had start early! Boo!) Anyway, we had decent seats, but we were able to move closer for Dierks, since some people hadn't arrived yet. Well, those that missed Dierks, all I can say is "Your loss!" He was GREAT, as usual, running and sweating on that big stage. He brought Sam Bush out with him at one point, and they were awesome!! They did Fallin' For You!!! I hadn't seen that one live!


Then, Bon Jovi came out (15 minutes early! What??). Anyway, I hadn't seen them before, and all I can say is they are AWESOME!! I've been a fan since the big-haired 80s, and wow, these guys put on quite the show! And Jon Bon Jovi is adorable and in great shape, too! They had the crowd going! Then, time for the encore, and we were thinking that they hadn't done Wanted Dead Or Alive yet. So they come back out, and start up that song. And then, Dierks comes out to sing it with them! That was such a treat that took a terrific night and just pushed it right over the edge!!! They sounded great together (future Crossroads?)!

It was a heck of a day and night of music. I think Louisville did a pretty good job with the first HullabaLOU. Hopefully, there will be one next year and Dierks'll come back!

Thanks, Lee Ann, for sharing your memories!

BENTLEY'S COLLISION IN LOUISVILLE

Dierks Bentley's most recent tweet from today included a picture of a trio collision. No, not in a car--but musically speaking:

"country, rock and bluegrass collide. hanging out with richie sambora @BonJovi at hullabalou in louisville" Dierks, Richie, and Sam Bush

WHAT'S ALL THE HULLABALOU? WIN TICKETS TO SEE DIERKS!

Want to meet Dierks Bentley at the HullabaLOU Music Festival on July 23, 2010? Enter the CMT Sweepstakes now for your chance to win a Grand Prize package that includes:

*Trip for two (2) to Louisville, Ky.
*Round-trip coach airfare for two (2) to Louisville, Ky.
*Three night (3) hotel stay in Louisville, Ky.
*Two (2) all access VIP passes to the HullabaLOU Music Festival.
*Two (2) meet-and-greet passes for Dierks Bentley.
*One (1) Dierks Bentley prize pack.

Other artists to perform that day include Bon Jovi, Gladys Knight, Doobie Brothers, Gloriana, Sam Bush, and The Travelin' McCourys with Dan Tyminski and more.

Enter to win here. But hurry! Last day to enter is July 8th!

Good luck!

DIERKS AND SAM SING TO A MAC

Dierks Bentley, Sam Bush and the guys performed acoustically on Jimmy Kimmel Live, which aired Tuesday night, June 22. After the power went out, Jimmy held up his Mac computer lap top web-cam to record them singing Up On The Ridge:

DIERKS BENTLEY'S UP ON THE RIDGE PREVIEW LISTENING PARTY

Apparently, a priviliged few were lucky enough to hear a few cuts from Dierks Bentley's upcoming Up on the Ridge Acoustic Album, during a March 30 listening party at Gary Paczosa's studio in Nashville.

CMT.com has the scoop!

Dierks and his producer, Jon Randall Stewart, previewed tracks from Bentley's impending country-bluegrass album, Up on the Ridge, during a Tuesday afternoon (March 30) listening party at engineer Gary Paczosa's studio in Nashville. Although the instrumentation and sensibility of the 12-song album are solidly bluegrass, the project ventures well beyond the traditional sounds of that genre. The title cut, for example, is a rap-flavored, banjo-inflected paean to rural living, which Bentley co-wrote with songwriter-producer Angelo Petraglia, best known for his works with Kings of Leon.

Besides marking a return to the music that influenced Bentley early in his career, the album features guest appearances from such bluegrass luminaries as Del McCoury (one of the artist's regular picking and recording buddies), Alison Krauss, Sam Bush, Sonya Isaacs, the Punch Brothers (mandolinist Chris Thile's current group) and the SteelDrivers' Chris Stapleton.

Stewart has a distinguished bluegrass pedigree, as well, having toured and recorded as the lead guitarist in Emmylou Harris' fabled Nash Ramblers band.

Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson contribute stellar vocal performances on a lyrical exorcism called "Bad Angel," a Verlon Thompson-Suzi Ragsdale tune. Aided by McCoury and the Punch Brothers, Bentley also takes on U2's throbbing and incantatory "Pride (In the Name of Love)."

He resurrects "Rovin' Gambler," the old folk song, and creates a new one with the ancient-sounding coalfields lament, "Down in the Mine," a co-write with Stewart.

According to Esquire Magazine, the album is scheduled for release in May. That's a whole 30 days from now!

What I wouldn't give to have been a fly up on the ridge, uh, wall of that listening party! Congrats to all the DB fans who will get to see him and the Travelin' McCoury's live on the April-May bluegrass tour! Sadly, nothing is scheduled close to me. Guess I'll just have to wait for the album!