Senor Dierks Bentley Joins Bob Dylan Compilation CD

Am I the only one who, after hearing "Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)" on Dierks Bentley's Up On The Ridge CD, had to know more about the meaning behind the Bob Dylan lyrics?

It seems there are a few possible interpretative themes--patriotic, religious, love or drugs--to name a few.

Whatever your take, be sure to give special attention to your calendars for January 24, 2012--when a live version of the song by Dierks will be available as one of the tracks on the forthcoming Bob Dylan tribute compilation CD.

The title of the 4-CD compilation is Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International.  The human rights organization fights against censorship and activities on behalf of free speech.

Other artists include, Sugarland, who will contribute a live version of  "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You," and Dylan himself singing the title track.

Given the title of the CD, I'm going with the patriotic theme.  How about you?

~Ronna

DIERKS DESIGNS GUITAR, BENEFITS OPRY TRUST FUND

If you're going to be in Nashville for the 2009 CMA Music Fest, be sure to schedule the Guitars of the Stars Benefit into your plans for Friday, June 12 at 2 p.m. Fans will be able to to bid on Epiphone acoustic guitars decorated by some of country music’s hottest stars at the inaugural auction at the Ryman Auditorium.

In addition to Grand Ole Opry member Dierks Bentley, other stars confirmed to contribute guitars are Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Craig Morgan, Dolly Parton, Kellie Pickler, Sugarland, Pam Tillis, Steve Wariner, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. These artists have designed the guitars in celebration of their current singles, hobbies, favorite country songs, or country music heroes.

All proceeds benefit the Opry Trust Fund, which has for more than 40 years assisted members of the country music community in need of help with medical bills, living expenses, utilities, rent, and food.

CMA and GRAMMY award-winning singer, songwriter, and guitarist Wariner will kick off the event with a number from his upcoming project, STEVE WARINER, C.G.P., MY TRIBUTE TO CHET ATKINS, followed by auction fun. The Opry star will serve as Celebrity Auctioneer, and GAC-TV and 650 WSM radio personality Bill Cody will be on hand as emcee.

I can't wait to see what Dierks' guitar looks like! I am envisioning a Feel That Fire theme of sorts, or hockey, or Harleys or blue-grass...or all of the above! What do you think his design will be? I am even more excited to see how much money his artistic endeavor brings in for the Opry Trust Fund!

BENTLEY PERFORMS FOR KING GEORGE

The 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards is honoring George Strait as the "Artist of the Decade." The ACM Awards will be telecast live on Sunday, April 5, 2009 (8 pm Eastern), and Dierks will be presenting an award (which one is yet to be named).

The next day (April 6), a special concert will be filmed with a live audience from the Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The show will air on CBS on May 27.

Dierks (whom George Strait secured as his supporting artist during his 2004 and 2005 tours) will perform during the show and will be joined by an amazing lineup of country music superstars, including scheduled performances by Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, LeAnn Rimes, Blake Shelton, Lee Ann Womack, John Rich, Jack Ingram, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and more-paying tribute to "The King of Country" George Strait and his legendary 25-year career.

If you live close enough to drive, or you can hop on a plane last minute, tickets are still available to the public for the April 6 event for $200, $150 and $100 through Ticketmaster.com for the all star country concert television taping. Proceeds of all sales benefit the Academy of Country Music Charitable Fund (ACMCF).

Strait is the fifth to receive the artist of the decade honor, after Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn, Alabama and Garth Brooks.