Dierks Joins Johnny Football on KILT's Ten Man Jam

Dierks Bentley shared the stage with Heisman Trophy winner, Johnny Manziel last week at KILT's Ten Man Jam in Houston, TX.  The 20 year-old freshman Texas A&M quarterback signed guitars and boots while jamming with Dierks, Kevin Fowler and Roger Creager.

Watch to see what Dierks tries to pick up with his guitar:

Video -

See all photos at KILT's website.

One Dierks Bentley Show Spurs Texas Fan to Join his First Fan Club Ever!

Our two newest Texas DB Congress reps, Dallas and John Olthoff, just received their DBC T-Shirts and are excited to spread the word about Dierks Bentley!  John was happy to tell us about their most recent Dierks experience!

"Dallas joined the fan club in late April, found out she would be off June 16th, so on May 4th, I was online at 10 am to buy tickets (I have internet access at work, she doesn't) to the show at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, TX (outside Houston).

I told Dallas the tickets would be at will call, and we would probably be pretty close to front.  I sent her a copy of the map for seats and told her I had no idea where the seats really were.

Dallas had won a Meet & Greet with Dierks through the fan club, so day of show we drove down as the email said to be there an hour before gates opened to pick up her M & G pass. We got there around 11, but the people at the ticket booth told us no passes as yet. So we got our tickets, opened up the envelope and found Pit Row 1 Seats 29 & 30.

She was excited that for the first time ever she had front row seats.  We kept checking back and they had no idea when the M&G passes would show up. So we checked into the hotel and kept calling the box office until they said passes were finally there and we could get them.

We got some lunch and headed back to the pavilion. Dallas got her pass and put it on. The show was being put on by Houston country station 93Q "A Day in the Country," and we decided to go find our seats after Dallas got a Dierks T-shirt.

The guy at the pit gate told Dallas we had the worst seats in the place.  He led us to front row..."see the mic stand? You guys are right in front of it."  We listened to a couple of artists until time for M & Gers to go back.  Dallas went over what she wanted to say to Dierks (she gets nervous and forgets).  She went back and got in line.

During Ronnie Dunn's set she came back to her seat.  I asked what she had said.   "I told him I was sorry for his losing his dad, that this was my birthday present (June 1st) and was thrilled to be in front row and would he mind waving to me during show."

Dierks came out and sang one song, then during "I Want To Make You Close Your Eyes" he came to the front of the stage and held out his hand. He took Dallas' hand and sang a couple of lines to her.  Both of us were kind of stunned (I was taking a bunch of pictures but I was too close and didn't get both of them in the shot--just him kneeling with his arm out...still, wish I hadn't messed up a once in a lifetime shot).

During "Free And Easy Down The Road I Go", he was having people sing along and held the mic down so Dallas could sing the chorus.  He even held it to me. She says how he treated her, meeting him backstage, front row seats made it one of the best experiences in her life.

Later in the show he pretended to take off his sweaty t-shirt (of course thunderous female screams), he asked "so y'all want a t-shirt?" He got out a hockey stick and one of the crew was throwing out rubber banded t-shirts and he kept smacking them out into audience. We waved hands and he sent one towards us. Unfortunately, it got a little sideways and hit her chin and landed on her arm. Dierks immediately ran down front asked if she was alright and was very apologetic. I teased her that he was playing up to her.

I liked Dierks songs and videos before, but wasn't what you would call a fan. Two things during that show impressed me that nigh.  Normally a star will walk off stage and come back for what I call a fake encore (they're going to sing a couple more songs anyway). Dierks stopped and said he was going to go offstage, but if you don't mind we will just keep playing on.

Another thing is his energy and audience interaction.  You see artists point out into the crowd to connect with people. Dierks shook hands, sat on the edge of the stage and talked to people.

I only remember one other guy that treated the stage like the entire thing was his playground as Dierks did that night...Chris LeDoux.

Dierks was going from side to side, no part of the stage was off limits to him or his band. He and his band gave that audience everything they had, and they got it back in equal measure.  You left feeling you had seen a show...not just a concert.

A couple of days later, I was looking up Dierks on the internet. I saw where he had told an interviewer how he was a rock/pop/country guy.  He said when he moved out of an apartment he left everything 'not country' on the counter. That impressed me greatly.  

As a country fan of over 40 years, many of today's artists don't like looking back at country that came before. Dierks on the other hands acknowledges it and respects it.  He has said he does a bluegrass song on every album (something I picked up on when we listened to his CDs when we went to Nashville in May).

It's his respect for country music, the stars who came before, his appreciation of his fans and what it takes (cost) to go to a show.  He knows it costs his fans and so he gives 100% while he is on stage. That is why within a week of the show, I joined my first fan club ever--the Dierks Bentley Fan Club (DB Congress).

Dierks Bentley is what every country fan wishes for.  Not a celebrity who sings to make money or anything else. But a performer who goes out with the idea that  it takes a lot for fans to be there.  They deserve to be entertained and to get their money's worth.  I can tell you I have a great deal of respect for him  not only as an artist but as a person and a man."

DBTV- Episode 36: Target Practice!

To blow off some steam in the heart of Texas, the guys get their hands on some guns.  Check out their unique selection of targets.... and we thought wasting bullets was Luke Bryan's thing....   ;-)

Dierks Inspires From Big White to Bad Angel

In August 2007, DB Congress rep Shelly, was seven months pregnant, "...sweating my booty off at an outdoor Dierks Bentley concert in Texas--anything for Dierks!"  She met Dierks that day and shared her photo with us.

Shelly had a girl and named her Kinley.  "I used to put headphones over my belly and let her listen to Dierks (and Miranda).  And now when we get in the car she usually requests Dierks...these days it’s, 'Mommy, I want Bad Angel.'  So cute coming from a three-year-old!"  "Dierks is the best!", Shelly says.

Thanks for sharing, Shelly!

DBC MEMBER OF THE WEEK - Katsnhouston(Linda)

Linda just joined the Congress from Houston, Tx. She has been a fan ever since "What Was I Thinkin'" came out in 2003. When Dierks is in her area, Linda carries her very own "Fake Jake" to the show! Here is Linda's story on how she got a "Fake Jake!":

"In 2003, I met Dierks in Spring Texas - he was promoting his debut album. At the time we discussed a conversation that he had with a lady bank employee regarding an overdraft at his bank while awaiting the release of "What Was I Thinkin'"". I conveyed to Dierks at the time not to worry, that he was going to do just fine, and he would make it, no doubt. Well, Dierks has MORE than arrived!! I have been raised around country music, with my deceased brother being a singer, songwriter, and published artist. I know talent when I see and hear it, and that day I saw it. Before I even walked in my front door after meeting Dierks, I received a call saying that I had won the drawing for the autographed cut-out of Jake. That helped push me over the edge, and I have been a loyal ever since."

Here's a picture of Linda's "Fake Jake!"

Linda's favorite album is Dierks' self titled album and her favorite song is "How Am I Doin'".

Thanks for joining us Linda!

Here are other members who have recently joined us making our total to be 510:
newb from Georgia
FFAGrlLvsDierks from California
dierksgirll from North Carolina
CHILLFACTOR867 from Minnesota
Stormer23 from Iowa
Congressman-Bud and MOM-NOS from New Hampshire

Thanks to all of you as well!


-Amanda Morris (DBC Secretary, Mississippi Rep.)

HOUSTON GIRL FINDS ADVENTURE IN PHILLY

DB Congress rep, Lynne (NJ), never thought she'd live anywhere but Texas. So when her husband got a promotion three years ago with his company located in Philadephia, PA, moving to New Jersey (a short commute) made her feel a little out of her element. She chose her Dierks Bentley Fan Club name--BabEb00mer--"because I feel like Dierks' music brings back a very familiar sound to any of us having been in high school and college in the 70's." She looks at life as an adventure. Below Lynne shares three of her favorite "Dierks Bentley" adventures!

Philly Concert
"The first concert my husband took me to here in the Philly area to get me through being homesick [for Houston] was Kenny Chesney with Dierks and Sugarland. Our seats were on the side not on the floor but almost right next to the stage. I fell in love with Dierks' music right then and there--it was magical! We were in the 3rd row and I was standing up through his entire performance although there were so many people around us who obviously were only there for Kenny.

Towards the end of Dierks' set, he points in our direction and I wave back. Dierks tossed a guitar pick my way and the people in front of me caught it. I was a little embarrassed since I figured he must have been pointing at them not me. I'm not one to make signs or make a scene so of course my husband is laughing at me. But then Dierks comes back over our way again, points in my direction and tosses another pick. I'm so not coordinated when it comes to catching anything mid air, but this time the pick hits me right in the chest. Dierks laughs and says in the mic that he at least has good aim. Now I'm very red in the face and honestly have no idea where the pick ended up but it didn't end up in my hands.

Dierks made me feel so special that he was actually pointing at me and I appreciated the way he really took care of getting as many fans involved in the concert as possible from that personal side he shows to all of us. I loved every minute of his performance, loved his music, the passion he has for his craft and how humble he comes across to everyone. All great qualities. I joined the fan club the next day and have been a die-hard fan from that point.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo concert
We had planned a trip back to Houston to see friends and to get me through that "home sick for Texas" feeling and realized that we would be there when Dierks would be performing at the HLS&R which is one of the largest fund raising events in Houston. We purchased tickets and I signed up for a meet and greet never thinking for one minute I'd be selected since I had signed up so many times in the past and had never been lucky enough to be selected. When I received the e-mail notification I think I went into shock. I was so excited but also worried I'd make a fool of myself as soon as I came face to face with the man. The guitar pick incident was a reminder that I could be easily embarrassed!

When we arrived at the event and I went to the designated location, I ended up being the first in line to meet him. I wasn't as prepared as I thought I'd be, shaking like a leaf, he took my hands and told me it was great to meet me. When he asked me my name I swear my mind went blank and he asked me again so he could sign the CD I handed to him for his autograph. He did impress me by asking me if Lynne was spelled with or without an 'E' which for me it's with an 'E'.

When he asked me where I was from and I said NJ he stopped writing and looked me straight in the face and said, "New Jersey?" I told him that I came a long way to see him and he said, "you have no idea how much that means to me for you to make such a long trip." I didn't tell him that I was actually from Houston and had come back to get over a little homesickness but that he was just the bonus on top of everything.


Seeing firsthand how he interacted with each fan in that room like it was just the two of them made me realize even more how he values his fan base. He actually knew several of the people in line and called them by name. When we all gathered in a circle around him for any questions after he spent one on one with each person, he went back around to every person and gave us another hug, thanked us for our support and told us again how much he appreciated us. This was just another affirmation of why I love everything about Dierks. He is still grounded and works hard to get to where he wants to be in his career.

I can appreciate the hard work and see this is not just a job to him, it's a career, a passion, what he is meant to be doing with this life.

Philly Last Call Ball
When the announcement was made that he was taking the Last Call Ball on the road and the Philly date was announced I again signed up and was completely in shock I had been selected to attend. When I arrived, it was fairly obvious that it is more than a bit disorganized.

Dierks stepped up and made sure his fan club was taken care of after finding out that while we were all with him in the meet and greet the venue did not section off any seating for his fan club. There were no seats available to us for the concert and we all ended up way in the back standing room only. Dierks made an announcement to his fan club members not to leave after the event that he would be giving a private performance just for us.

You know he did not have to do that at all and we knew he still had time commitments for a back yard barbeque someone had won and then had to get back on the road to the next Last Call Ball event. While most of us stood in the very back of the event, most fans didn't complain because we support him regardless of what happened. Just being there seeing him in person was such a wonderful experience for me. I know most people never get the opportunity to see him up close and have a photo taken with him, and I feel very blessed for just getting that experience of a lifetime.

Dierks doing everything he could to make it the best Last Call Ball experience for his fan club members and everyone attending the event was no surprise, given his generosity and appreciation to his fan base. I know everyone who stood in line to get a photo and an autograph after the event became a fan for life that day.

Promoting.
As for promoting Dierks, I have links on my facebook page, give his CD's as Christmas Cards to family and friends and wear the Dierks.com bracelets all the time. I currently have 'Sideways as my ringtone and if I'm in a location where I can let it ring more than once I do, so I can make comments like - "Don't you just love Dierks Bentley's new CD?"

How can anyone be in a bad mood when you hear Dierks music blasting in the car or on my iPod?"

Welcome to the DB Congress, Lynne! Thanks for all you do to support Dierks!

~Ronna
DBC Chair