DIERKS TO SING ON 2010 ACM AWARDS

Just when I was about to boycott the ACM Awards for not nominating Dierks Bentley for anything, they go and add him to the list of performers for the April 18 show on CBC at 8 pm eastern. This is good news, but not great. He will be performing a duet with Jack Ingram. Really? Don't you think he deserves a solo to showcase his new Up On The Ridge single?

You remember Dierks, don't you Academy of Country Music? He was your 2003 Top New Artist of the Year and a 2005 Top Male Vocalist Nominee. Wow, that was five years ago and look at all the ground-breaking music he's created, performed and topped the charts with since then, with no acknowledgement from you! Really?

Dierks Quote of the Day:

"The music I have heard from Dierks Bentley's upcoming bluegrass album Up on the Ridge, is very impressive, and I suspect it may well prove to be a career landmark for him." ~Chet Flippo

Maybe 2011 will be DB's year to be recognized by the ACM!

Now, some of you may recall that Dierks was scheduled to perform on the same day for the Dow Live Earth Run benefit in Minnesota. He's been replaced by Estelle, with a note that due to scheduling conflicts, Dierks Bentley will no longer be able to perform at the Dow Live Earth Run for Water event in Minneapolis.

Sorry, Minnesota! But a TV appearance will reach a wider audience, exposing Dierks Bentley's talent to millions in the comfort of their living rooms! Good move, Academy of Country Music. It could've been great, though! Just sayin'!

~Ronna
DB Congress Chair

DIERKS PLAYS FIRE FOR WATER

Multi-platinum country music star Dierks Bentley will partake in a historical event on April 18. He will perform live at the Dow Live Earth Run for Water--the largest global water initiative ever at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event's purpose is to raise funds to combat the worldwide water crisis.

The largest worldwide water initiative on record to help combat the global water crisis, the Dow Live Earth Run for Water is a series of 6km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day to get water), culminating with water education villages and live musical performances. The events will take place in 100 cities in 50 countries--all simultaneously on Sunday, April 18, 2010.

"I'm looking forward to this event and helping bring attention to the global water crisis," said Bentley. "The run/walks that are happening on the same day across the world are a great reminder that we are all connected and that we are all responsible for helping each other. I've always loved playing in Minneapolis…lots of country music fans there, and I'm excited to be part of this historic event."

Additional support to raise awareness and funds to help solve the global water crisis has been announced by Rob Thomas, Melissa Etheridge, Pete Wentz, Angelique Kidjo, Alexandra Cousteau, Carl Lewis, Kara Goucher and Jenny Fletcher.

Funds raised through the Dow Live Earth Run for Water will benefit Global Water Challenge in its efforts to bring safe drinking water to millions of people around the world.

"The money raised from these events will help thousands of people in the developing world get access to clean drinking water. We look forward to investing these funds and impacting lives," said Paul Faeth, President of Global Water Challenge.

For more information about the Dow Live Earth Run for Water visit liveearth.org.

This is just like Dierks and his caring heart to participate in something that will help the environment. I wonder how the President of Global Water Challenge will react to Dierks singing Feel That Fire on stage? Or should he cover Brad Paisley's "Water" instead?