NEW JERSEY JANET FALLS FOR DIERKS

New Jersey DBC rep, Janet, shares her Dierks Bentley experience with us--her very first DRT!
I had previously meet Dierks at a meet and greet last August in Camden, NJ and saw him in concert for the first time that day. I couldn't wait to see him in concert again and I got my chance to see him on April 9, 2010 in Mansfield, PA. It was my first Dierks Road Trip and fellow DB Fan Club Member Marie from PA came along with me. She and I both where selected to have a meet and greet with Dierks for that day. It was a four hour drive for us to get there so we decided to book a room at the Comfort Inn to make life easy on us.

We got checked in at the Comfort Inn around 3. We decided to take a drive and see where to park and all that good stuff. We knew we were in the right place as we drove right past Dierks' tour bus that was parked on the side of the building. Turns out the road I was driving on was going to be only one way the night of the concert so we found an additional parking lot up the hill. No spotting of Dierks as we drove past his tour bus and into town to get something to eat and then back to the hotel where we met up with Jane, fellow DB Fan Club Member from NY and her friend Fran. Jane didn't get selected for a meet and greet this time but she has one in May when she will see Dierks in Maine.


Marie DB Congress Rep from PA, Janet (Me) DB Congress Rep from NJ and Jane DB Congress Rep from NY

We all decided it would be best to take one car and meet at the car after the concert. We got in line to get our tickets and meet and greet passes. They need to figure out a better system for this--it's very stressfull on a person! Once it got straightend out, we got in line and waited for the doors to open which was to be at 7pm.

Meet and Greet:
The 12 fan club members gathered on the stairwell for the meet and greet to begin. Dierks was meeting with another group first and wanted to spend some extra time with us so our group was last.


The last time we had met, I had given him a picture of my workspace cubicle that I had made a "Dierks collage" on my side file cabinet. I brought a more updated copy with me for Dierks to sign and one to give him. I should have kept one in my pocket because the copy got taken away--not a big deal since I gave it to him later. When it was my turn to meet Dierks he remembered my workspace cubicle pic from the last time. I didn't have any family pics on there the last time I told him, but I had a family picture with my grandfather. I told Dierks that my grandfather had turned 100 years old the day before and Dierks' response was, "Wow, that's amazing."


Now here's the part that nobody in the room will ever forget. As I was walking away from talking to Dierks I totally forgot there was a little step, and what do I do? I tripped and stumbled onto the floor in a big thud. I was ok just very embarrassed. I was helped up by his meet and greet staff person and Dierks asked if I was ok, which I replied I was fine just a little embarassed. His response back was, "don't worry about it...happens to me all the time on stage."
Dierks continued with meeting the rest of the fan club members. His staff members came over to make sure I was ok along with fan club members. I said I was fine just needed a bandaid for my finger.

Once Dierks was done with the last fan club member he walked us all back to his dressing room. I captured the moment of walking down the hallway with Dierks Bentley by taking a little video clip.

He gave us all a preview of his upcoming single, Up On The Ridge, which I really love and took a video clip of that, too. The room itself had a nice vibe to it with candles being used to light the room. Next was the group pic and then one final goodbye to everyone. I said to him, "Well you won't ever forget meeting me now." We both laughed and his response was asking if I was ok. I said I was fine as he gave me a hug goodbye.

I know I won't forget this meet and greet experience for all time along with the rest of the fan club members that were there.

1 night stay at the Comfort Inn... $120.00
Concert T-shirt.................................$30.00
Falling on your face in front of
Dierks Bentley after getting
his autograph..................................priceless

The concert, as I expected it would be, was awesome!

Janet (Wildcat)
DB Congress Member from NJ

PRIMARY CAMPAIGN: VOTE DIERKS FOR CMT NOMINEE

Dierks Bentley has a lot going on! A new single, a new radio show, a new Up On The Ridge bluegrass tour--just to name a few. And the DB Congress has a lot of priorities to help promote our president right now. But let's not lose focus on a primary campaign that needs our attention! We still need to vote for Dierks to get him to the final four round of nominees for "Performance of the Year" for the 2010 CMT Music Awards for his "Sideways" performance on the 2009 CMT Music Awards.

Voting ends May 3, so pull out all the stops! Get all your email addresses, and your friends and family and to gather their email addresses and let's get Dierks Bentley on the list of nominees!

We can do this! WE ARE...DB CONGRESS!

EARLY DEBUT FOR UP ON THE RIDGE

I know it's hard to read those quotes (taken from this week's Billboard Country Update -- front page!), so allow me to share them with you:

Travis Daily, WFUS, Tampa, FL - "I know people were skeptical when they heard 'Bluegrass lean' on the next CD. This is not sitting on a front porch with a Jug and a Washboard. It's taking one of the key roots of this format and making it cool to a generation that has no idea who Del McCoury is ... but will want to after hearing this CD."

John Sebastian, WWQM, Madison, WI - "What a refreshing change for Dierks. I love the feel of this song and it has hooks coming at you from several directions!"

Dave Taft, WBCT, Grand Rapids, MI - "Not only are listeners asking for it ... my DJs are requesting it."

"Up on the Ridge," the debut single from the upcoming album of the same name, was sent to radio stations across the US last Monday, April 12th. Its official "add" date is not until next Monday, the 26th, however enough Program and/or Music Directors liked what they heard to get the song an early debut at #59 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart this week! Not only that, but it was the 4th most-added song at radio this week, and has been in the top 5 for downloads at Country Radio every day since last Tuesday.

So there you go, Congress, we've got a head start for this one. Keep on calling, texting, emailing, and tweeting your radio stations -- the faster the song goes Top 40, the faster more of us will get to hear it, too! Let's prove to everybody that good ole' Country-roots music still has a place on Country radio!

And congrats and good luck to our Prez, Mr. Bentley himself, on the start of his Up on the Ridge Tour tomorrow in Portland! I can't wait to hear the stories from these shows, and will be definitely sharing my own next week after I see him in Greenville, SC!

I'll talk to y'all next week with the next chart update! It's good to be back. :)

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

DBC PREZ LEAVES MESSSAGES FOR DBC REPS, ESPECIALLY PORTLAND

Our DBC president, Dierks Bentley, snuck in here in the middle of the day and left us a surprise! Four posts in a row in our chat box! He has a special message for those of you attending the Portland show tomorrow night! Check it out!

20 Apr 10, 13:46
dierks: hate shiny and new!...thx. cant believe it the start of the up on the ridge tour...

20 Apr 10, 13:45
dierks: in portland today...if their are in congress members coming out, please bring some cool/funny portland bumber stickers...i have a new gtr case and its all shiny and new...and u know how i

20 Apr 10, 13:44
dierks: was really happy for miranda, lady a and luke. like this picture here...charles had just jumped in the pool...we later thru the president of capitol records in there.

20 Apr 10, 13:43
dierks: meant to write from the acms and tell you all that i was thinking about you...didnt really have a chance to get on my computer. had a blast though. singing with jack was a lot of fun and i

Thanks, dude! We love when you stop by! Just makes our day!