Dierks Donates Handwritten Lyrics to eBay Charity Auction For Japan Relief Efforts

Now through April 15, Dierks Bentley and other artists are participating in an eBay charity auction to aide the Red Cross earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan, supporting victims of the devastation.

Dierks donated handwritten lyrics to his song, ‘Beautiful World,’ from the Feel That Fire album, plus a signed 'Up On The Ridge' CD, a signed photograph, Meet & Greet and concert tickets for four, and a signed football.

If you want to bid on these Dierks items and others, go to the official auction site. EMI has also generously pledged to match every donation up to $1 million Euros.

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!

GRAMMY RECOGNITION BEATS BARACK, FORBES

When asked, DB Congress reps felt a Grammy nomination for Dierks Bentley's Beautiful World was the most note-worthy accomplishment of the country music artist's year of great achievements in 2009, with a 43% voting result. And that's just a nomination--he hasn't even won yet! Watch the Grammy Awards on CBS, January 31, 2010 · 8PM ET/PT.

Even though U.S. President Barack Obama quoted Dierks in a speech ("Dierks Bentley said country music is the best shrink $15 can buy"), and Forbes named him 1 of 10 of the next breakout stars, fans still feel passionately that a Grammy would speak volumes about Bentley's basically under-recognized talent.

Not even awards such as an ASCAP Award for Most Performed Songs, CMT's International Artist Achievement Award and a CMT Music Award for the "Country Boy" video garnered enough votes to trump the Grammy nod.

Three solo magazine covers in 2009 - Country Weekly (2) and an American Songwriter cover were not the highest vote-getters, either. The next highest percentage of votes went to the kids: Miles & Music For Kids (Dierks' motorcycle ride/concert benefiting Children's Miracle Network) expanded to 6 cities, with 17% of the vote, followed by Feel That Fire & Sideways - two number one singles in one year, obtaining 10%.

Dierks had a tremendous 2009 and I look forward to even more accomplishments in 2010 as he continues to grow in name-recognition, and talent. With two new albums planned (the first is a bluegrass CD), he is sure to surpass last year's feats.

Who knows? I am hoping this is the year he is nominated for Male Vocalist for both the ACM's and the CMA Awards!

~Ronna

DB Congress Chair

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.

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."

=================

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!!)

A ROSE WHISPERS A PRAYER

Wisconsin rep, Alicia (aroseluvsdierks), met up with fellow Dierks Bentley fan-clubbers, Jenny & Stacy (IL), and Tracie & Tina (MI), for a double DRT (Dierks Road Trip) in Harris, Michigan Oct. 30 and 31 (Halloween).

Alicia starts her review out with her Meet and Greet experience. Here We Go!

"So my M&G was Friday night at 7:15. I figured it would be a quick one because there were radio people after us and the show started at 8 pm with no opener. It was so small backstage and we had to just have the M&G in a hallway. It was really rushed, of course this is no fault of Dierks and I’m always grateful for the opportunity to talk with him even if it’s only for 30 seconds.

I brought my picture from the Tinley M&G for him to sign. He looked at it and said “I remember this, it was recently.” I said,”Yeah, it’s from Tinley Park, IL” and he remembered that we (Ronna, Mona, Jenny and I) went to Indy the next night as well. (Great memory, Dierks!) He answered a few quick questions and I asked if he was going to do Better Believer that night and he said yes. I was thrilled! I am NOT posting my M&G pic because I look horrible but here’s a beautiful pic of Dierks during it.

Dierks hit the stage around 8:10. Tracie and I had 4th row seats, but Tracie ditched me (LOL). Just kidding Tracie. Awesome show! It was so great to see a full Dierks set. Lot’s of songs I’ve never had the chance to hear live, like, Wish It Would Break (YAY…finally I hear that live, it’s one of my favs), Little Heartwrecker, Life on the Run, and Better Believer. I made my concert calls…Ronna [*Thank you!], David and Heather! He played about an hour and 40 min.

Tracie and Tina (Tracie’s twin sister) arrived after the show and we all hit the bars! We were just having a great time! Jay and a few of the DB crew were in the bar. Then Rod and Dierks showed up. We didn’t bother Dierks; he was surrounded and he saw us so we figured if he wanted to come over he would. He ended up going to play Blackjack.

We did hang out with Rod for quite awhile. He sat down at our table and we were just chatting and drinking. We all ended up going into the 2nd bar where there was a live band and danced and had a blast. I even danced with Rod when the band ended and Lot a Leavin' Left to Do came on! Totally fun! I wish we had a pic of that but Tracie’s camera battery died and I didn’t have mine downstairs. Then it was last call and time to wind down for the night.

On Saturday, we went down to the box office to get Tina a ticket for the show. She was joking around with the box office lady and said, I’ll take 1st row please. We all started laughing. Then the lady goes “Sure, I have Section B, Row 1, Seat 13, 14, 15.” So here we are staring at this women like she’s from another planet because we cannot believe what we are hearing. So needless to say we jumped all over that! I did feel really bad because there were only 3 seats and four of us and Jenny didn’t end up with one, she had 5th row. Next time Jenny, I swear!

So Jenny and Tracie had their M&G’s and then we all went in for the show. We had front row center! We got the low down from the security guys on which song they were allowing us to go right up to the stage so we were prepared. Dierks came out to Sideways and we were singing and dancing and having a blast. Rod was wearing a Pimp costume! He was the only one dressed up.

We were getting all kinds of love from Dierks! He motioned for Tracie to come up to the stage (I think she was in shock, I had to push her…LOL) during How Am I Doin’ and did a little spin from the stage with her to 'I danced along.' It was awesome! So we get another song I’ve never heard live--Sweet and Wild--and that’s when we get the all clear to hit the stage. We were front and center! We got lots of handholding and life was great!

Then Dierks and Rod bring out the stools and did Wish it Would Break, so we call Erin for her concert call. When the song was over Tracie and I yelled “Dierks!” and he looks down. I say “Say Hi to Erin.” He takes my phone and says “Hi Erin, where are you in the back?” Tracie and I say, “She’s in Florida.” So then he says something about Rod wearing leopard panties and hands me back the phone. Erin will have to blog her reaction because it’s so great!

So they start to play You Hold Me Together acoustically. Dierks was literally singing and looking right into my eyes and I was just smiling and singing back! It was seriously an awesome moment. Little did I know it wouldn’t be the biggest moment of my night.

Dierks decides to sing Beautiful World so he tells a little about the song and he starts to sing. Ummm…totally WRONG words. LOL. He starts laughing and says “I don’t even remember the words,” so he looks down at us and I start to help him out by singing the words to him. So he starts to play and sing again and then all of a sudden stops, hands me the mic and says “You sing it from the beginning.” OMG!!! I’m still getting a stomach ache just thinking about it. I was like “from the beginning?” and literally my mind went totally blank.

I was in major panic mode! For those of you who know me well I know this is hard for you to believe because A.) I LOVE TO SING, B.) I know every Dierks lyric ever recorded, C.) I am NEVER at a loss for words! Well guess what people? I totally choked! I looked over at Tracie and she says “I don’t know it, sing Row Your Boat.” Now all I can think is Row Row Row Your Boat, Gently Down the Stream. AHHHHHH… so I look to Stage Dive (Stacy) and she gives me this look like don’t even think of giving me that mic and starts shaking her head no (she’s got a great story of her own but I’ll let her tell ya). Finally this like 15 year old goes “I’ll do it” so I handed over the mic. She didn’t really know the words very well but at least she was able to sing something. I can’t believe I blanked!

It was still a totally awesome night and one for the Dierks history books! Maybe someday I’ll get to redeem myself!

P.S. Thanks Ronna for your Facebook comment, it made me feel so much better… 'and sometimes the best we can do is just to whisper a prayer,' that’s exactly how I felt! "

[You're welcome!]

DIERKS AND MICHELLE SING BEAUTIFUL WORLD

Last night in Libertyville, Illinois, Dierks Bentley belted out his Beautiful World duet with Michelle Branch. Enjoy!

BEAUTIFUL WORLD ON VIDEO

Finally! Dierks Bentley's Beautiful World video is available to the public! It's posted on CMT.com. Enjoy!

YOU VOTED: DIERKS' MOST MEMORABLE PERFORMACE

Results are in for last week's poll, What is the most memorable Dierks Bentley performance? It was close but Hey Jordan pulled it off! Dierks, you REALLY need to record that song, dude! People need to hear you sing that song! It will touch so many hearts and souls!

Beautiful World: Nobel Peace Prize concert 16%

Blue Clear Sky: George Strait Tribute 16%

Country Boy: Alan Jackson Special (BP, AJ, GS, DB) 13%

Hey Jordan: Last Call Ball V 29%

Sideways: CMT Awards 26%


Don't forget to vote in this week's poll!

DB CONGRESS EXCLUSIVE: BEAUTIFUL WORLD VIDEO

DB CONGRESS EXCLUSIVE: "BEAUTIFUL WORLD" VIDEO PREMIERE Dierks Bentley

Shared via AddThis

MILES & MUSIC FOR KIDS PSA

As you may know, Dierks is teaming up with CMT One Country and the Children's Miracle Network to bring Miles and Music for Kids to people all over the US. Check out this PSA to learn more information.



(If the video won't work, you can watch it HERE).

And don't forget, 'Beautiful World' is available for free download over the next 3 months. You can find it and other information by clicking HERE!


To everyone headed to Nashville this weekend for M&M, have fun and safe travels!

-Stephanie
DBC Historian

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

DBC VOTES FAVORITE DIERKS DUET

You may have noticed a new voting box on the right of the DBC Blog page. The first questions was: "Which is your favorite Dierks duet partner song?" And the results are in! Exactly half of the voters like Sweet and Wild, the duet with Sarah Buxton, from Dierks' Greatest Hits CD! The next biggest favorite is Beautiful World, which could very well be the fourth single to be released from Dierks' current Feel That Fire CD!

Sweet And Wild - Sarah Buxton 50%
Beautiful World - Patty Griffin 26%
Last Call - Ronnie McCoury 7%
Good Things Happen - Alison Krauss 12%
Barbie Doll - Jack Ingram 5%

Be sure to vote is this week's poll: "What type of DB contest (if offered) would you most like to win?"

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!

DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT--DIERKS!

In preparation for the show tomorrow night, Cleveland.com published a glowing feature article about Dierks Bentley, authored by Chuck Yarborough. I was really impressed by many of his literary rhetorics used to describe D's lyrical genius. Like this one:

But the atypical, unconventional, "distinctly different'' songs like "Beautiful World,'' "Pray'' and "Last Call'' could be grouped together in a subset called "The Evolution of Dierks Bentley.'' Part of that is his ever-increasing maturation as a songwriter, musician and singer. The other part, and perhaps the most impressive part, is his ability to soak up and meld his own talent with a "distinctly different'' cadre of co-writers.

And then when Dierks said the only way Beautiful World could be better is if Patty sang the whole thing, Mr. Yarborough responded adamantly:

DB: "That's a highlight of the record for me (Beautiful World),'' Bentley said. "Hopefully we'll get that song out there to country radio as the fourth single, right after 'I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes,' '' he said. "She's (Patty Griffin) iconic for so many people,'' Bentley said. "I really got into her music through Cassidy, my wife, who is a huge Patty Griffin fan. Once I got on it, I was majorly hooked and wanted to get her on the record. It's a good song to begin with. The only way it could be better is if she sang the whole thing,'' he said, laughing.

CY: Not so. Their voices are each "distinctly different,'' but they mesh in a way that makes that "good song'' a great song. Few who hear it will be able to avoid being "majorly hooked.''

And my favorite Dierks quote:

"I walk on the stage dry and walk off soaking wet,'' he said. "I go for more of trying to get an emotional response rather than just applause, and try to break down that fourth wall and get people really engaged.''

But that's when Yarborough goes haywire.

"Why? Because his goal is "to not make it me or them, just us together.'' So in the end, it's all of us, not just that little white tee shirt, sittin' right there in the middle by him."

What? Dude, it's "Little White TANK TOP!" But thanks for a great story!

DIERKS PODCAST ON US 99.5 CHICAGO

Listen in as Chicago's US 99.5 Ramblin' Ray and Lisa talk with Dierks about his Twitter entries, "The Hangover," who he's gonna see in concert Sept 13, hockey, girls ruling the world, psycho fans, Forbes Top 10 list, Mom sending newspaper clippings of her son, the next single--Beautiful World or 'Close Your Eyes, the CMT Awards, Brad's American Saturday Night tour, and Jake.

DIERKS PARTICIPATES IN NASHVILLE4AFRICA

Country Music Is Love, one of my favorite websites, and run by our fellow DB Ccongress reps Lauren and Erin, posted a few blogs about the Nashville4Africa event April 22 at the Schermerhorn Symphany Center. Various artists (including Dierks!) joined forces for the inaugural benefit concert. Hosted by Kenny Alphin (Big Kenny of Big & Rich), the concert raised money for charities in Uganda, Sudan and other areas of Africa in need. A portion of the proceeds will go toward building a new school for the African Children's Choir, who also performed that evening.

The image above and more photos from the event are from Brad Schmitt's Flickr page.

Here is a video from YouTube, taken from backstage, of Dierks singing Beautiful World with the Africa Children's Choir and Free and Easy:


Additionally, Dierks recorded a yet to be named song in the Ocean Way Studio with the children, according to theboot.com.

"I think it was the first time they'd ever been in a studio like Ocean Way," Dierks told The Boot. "We did a song that I've been holding onto for awhile, waiting for the right time to record it. I'm not really working on my next album yet but I'm thinking about it, and I had to get these kids in the studio while they were here."