Dierks & Miranda Unleash Locked & Reloaded Tour!

Bad Angel buddies, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert unleashed dozens of tour dates to their fans yesterday.  The two are teaming up again, co-headlining what promises to be a "must see" show!

From Dierks.com:

We're excited to announce that Dierks and Miranda Lambert will be heading out on tour together next year for the Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley: Locked & Reloaded Tour, which will kick-off on January 17th. Stay tuned to Dierks.com for all of the latest info on tickets and tour dates.

“Making music for our fans is the best job in the world,” said Miranda. “It’s especially great being able to take to that music on the road with someone I respect as an artist and human being. This will be a tour of ‘epic badassery,’” she laughed.

Dierks added, “Some of my favorite times on tour over the years were with Miranda and her crew. We have a lot in common musically and our fans do too. It's going to be a killer year.”

Dierks and Miranda last toured together in 2007!

We hope you're as pumped as we are!




Miranda posted cities on her website:

2013 Headline Tour Kicks-off January 17
Columbia, SC
Knoxville, TN
Roanoke, VA
Baltimore, MD
Reading, PA
Atlantic City, NJ (AC Boardwalk Hall) Jan. 26, 2013
Dekalb, IL
Dayton, OH
Huntington, WV
Ames, IA
Champaign, IL
E Lansing, MI
Rochester, NY
Albany, NY
Portland, ME
Wichita Falls, TX
Oklahoma City, OK
Kansas City, MO
Macon, GA
Jacksonville, FL
Estero, FL
Bossier City, LA
Springfield, MO
Tulsa, OK
Syracuse, NY
Hershey, PA
Uniondale, NY
San Diego, CA
Irvine, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Phoenix, AZ
Albuquerque, NM
Denver, CO

Stay tuned for dates and venues!  Pre sale for Atlantic City, NJ are today, October 24, 2012, on mirandalambert.com at 10 am eastern and on dierks.com at 11 am eastern.

CMA Close Up: Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley Returns to CMA Songwriters Series in New York By Bob Doerschuk - 10/16/12 News Service (via email) © 2012 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc. On Sept. 6, former CMA intern Dierks Bentley renewed his ties to the organization during a visit to New York City. Midday was devoted to a visit to PS 103, the Hector Fontanez School, in the Bronx, where a CMA donation of $20,000 enabled the school to open a music program for students for the first time. To commemorate this first outreach beyond the Nashville area of CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program, the artist shared his thoughts with an assembly of fourth-graders about the value of learning about music – and was delighted when they started singing along as he performed “5-1-5-0,” which they had rehearsed prior to his arrival. “It’s a great honor to be a part of this, to get a bunch of musical instruments to the classroom so teachers for the first time can have music as an option for their curriculum,” he reflected while on his way out from Manhattan for this event. “I’m really excited to see how all the money that’s been raised through CMA is being used here.” Hours after receiving his surprise serenade, Bentley was back in Manhattan to participate in that evening’s CMA Songwriters Series show at Joe’s Pub, along with Jim Beavers, Jaren Johnston and host Bob DiPiero. The atmosphere there was a bit different than at PS 103. Certainly the audience was older. But both of these CMA initiatives are about bringing music to people in ways they might not yet have experienced. “The big goal tonight is just to represent Country Music and CMA, to show all the work that goes into Country Music and provide a wide spectrum of what it is,” Bentley said. “What makes Country Music great, what comes out of these writers’ nights, is the song. We pass along, hopefully, some great songs to people, whether they’re Country fans or not. If they weren’t Country fans before, hopefully they’ll walk out as new ones.” Most who take part in the Songwriters Series work behind the scenes, writing words and music that singers might turn into hits. Usually, though, at least one participant is a high-profile performer too. For them, these shows provide an interesting contrast to their usual onstage presentations. “It’s totally different,” Bentley acknowledged. “Before my live shows, I’ll be listening to the Foo Fighters or Van Halen at the loudest possible volume, jumping up and down, going crazy. You have to get ready to go out and fight. Tonight, it’ll be a laid-back hang with the guys. We’ll have some beers, laugh and catch up. Then we’ll go out onstage with that same vibe, sit down on our stools, tell some stories and have fun with the crowd.” Some preparation is involved, but spontaneity characterizes most of what happens in the CMA Songwriters Series. “There are definitely no set lists,” Bentley said. “You keep some songs in the back of your head and pick what you’re going to do by feeding off the guy before you and setting up the guy after you. If the two songs before you are about whiskey or something depressing, you want to pick it up — or vice versa. That’s completely different from what I do every other day.” A key goal is to introduce the unsung heroes of Music Row and spotlight their songs as examples of modern Country craftsmanship. But there are performance elements in this setting too, just as on an arena stage. “This is really Bob DiPiero’s thing,” Bentley said. “He’s the top — the Kenny Chesney of writers’ rounds. He can hold the audience in the palm of his hand. Guys like Bob and Rivers Rutherford, they just smoke me every time in these writers’ nights.” Having played his share of writer nights at the Bluebird Cafe, Douglas Corner Café and elsewhere as a newcomer to Nashville in the mid ‘90s, Bentley more than holds his own in any live situation — including a roomful of young fans at PS 103. That experience stirred memories of his experiences with music education, at Phoenix Country Day School in Arizona. “They didn’t have electric guitars in the school band,” he remembered. “So I wanted to play bass guitar, but a guy named Ryan Fox had already lined that up. So I had to go with the saxophone, which was definitely not my instrument of choice. But it ended up being great. I learned to read music and to play along with other people. It definitely planted a seed and showed me that music could be played rather than just listened to. Bentley thought for a second and then laughed. “I should have brought that saxophone along and donated it today. It might have had more use than it’s getting now.” Upcoming shows in the CMA Songwriters Series will include Oct. 24 at Joe’s Bar in Chicago and Oct. 25 at Joe’s Pub in New York City; both will feature DiPiero as host, with Kendell Marvel, Leslie Satcher and Sunny Sweeney at both shows. And on Wednesday, Oct. 31, the CMA Songwriters Series debuts at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works, with host DiPiero, Kristian Bush of Sugarland and Brantley Gilbert confirmed thus far. For more information on the CMA Songwriters Series, visit www.CMASongwritersSeries.com.

Dierks Bentley's Miles and Music For Kids Makes 12,764 Miles of Memories

Although the threat of severe storms and winds forced Dierks Bentley to make a tough decision to cancel his seventh annual Miles and Music For Kids Charity Ride and concert last weekend in Nashville, our philanthropic DB Congress president still found a way to do "something" for a few hundred fans who had traveled many miles to raise money for sick kids.

"It was a tough call, but we had to make it for everyone's safety," said Bentley. "But, we still had so many fans in town who traveled, sometimes hundreds of miles to help support Vandy's Children's Hospital, I felt like we had to find a way to do something to thank them for their time and donations over the past seven years. We decided to run across the street (Hard Rock Cafe), invite anyone still hanging around and before we knew it, the place was packed out."

Turns out, "hundreds of miles" was more like thousands for DB Congress members, who made the annual trek again this year--to the tune of 12,764 total DRT  (Dierks Road Trip) miles.  We live and breathe Dierks's motto, 'Every Mile A Memory.'

On MM4K Eve (Saturday), DBC held session at Joe's Crab Shack, where 23 members from 10 states signed get well cards for the kids.  Now we know how Dierks must feel signing his autograph for hours on end!

Southern Biker Magazine owners Randy and Kristin Gracy joined us and helped sign cards.  They told us about 3,000 bikers had registered for the event!

Front: Sandra; Sitting: Janet, Ronna, Carrie, Sue, Harriet, Becky, Kathy; Standing: Alicia, Kristin, Emily, Ann, Randy, Kristin, Julie, David, Amanda, and Jane, Joe's Crab Schack, 10/13/12

A HUGE thanks to all who all came out tonight. So fun to see old friends and meet new ones. We gathered and signed a record 363 cards for the kids..amazing! And 206 of them included a db guitar pic. Thanks to those who brought cards and to those who mailed them as well. I'm sure Dierks is proud of his DBC. Ride on!! (Organizer, David Mattingly-KY) 

Sunday morning, we woke up to an overcast sky overlooking the Riverfront stage.  Heavy winds and all day rain storm news dampened our spirits as we followed the unfolding updates on DB's Twitter page:

"we have been watching the weather all week and unfortunately, not looking good. today's weather image... 

Have to postpone Miles & Music today bc of dangerous wind & storms moving into Nashville. Thx to all for ur support...

can't tell you all how disappointed i am and my team is about today. we have been looking forward to this day for a year... 

our fans came a long way to get here, and spent money to do so. and wanted to raise money for #vanderbiltchildrenshospital. thank you guys"

Then Dierks retweeted THE BIG 98 WSIX:

We were ready, but mother nature wasn't. :( #milesandmusicforkids pic.twitter.com/O6Mf78xl

 

We decided to take a ride out to the Harley Dealership anyway, to pick up our T-shirts, and David met the lady from the hospital to drop off the get well cards for the kids. To our surprise and delight, Dierks showed up!  He announced to a crowd of about a hundred he wanted to do something since the event was cancelled and invited everyone to the Hard Rock for an impromptu concert!

Eric Close (Rayna's husband, Teddy on TV's new show, "Nashville"), told me he was looking forward to meeting Dierks and he got his wish!  Later that day, he donated an autographed script for the auction.

Dierks and Eric Close at The Harley-Davidson Dealership, Columbia, TN 10-14-12, Photo Credit: Ronna Clark

Eric Close at The Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, 10-14-12, Photo Credit: Carrie Srebro

Since the Hard Rock only holds about 250 people, we left shortly after to drive the 40 miles back to downtown. We were shocked to already see about 70 people in line! But the Hard Rock Cafe went above and beyond trying to get as many people in the door as possible.  When the upstairs was full, they opened up the doors and let people onto the balcony and downstairs.  Although they couldn't see Dierks, they could hear him and watch on one of the many screens throughout the venue.

This was a first MM4K trip for DB Congress members, Harriett, Sandra, Becky, Janet.  Here are their favorite memories from the weekend:

"I DRT'd about 980 miles. My two favorite memories: first was hearing "Wish It Would Break" live for the first time and the second was standing at the dealership when a limo pulled up. Lots of people in the crowd assumed DB was going to get out of the limo, but the DBC reps were all thinking, "nope probably not how he would choose to travel there!" - Harriett Watkins (NC)

"I believe it was around 1250 miles. My favorite part was creepin' with Carrie and Kathy." -Sandra Grub (NC)

"My miles were 1370 and my favorite memory is asking Dierks about his "old new boots" he was wearing-he said they were from WWII with a man's last name written in them--you know Dierks and his love of old things, even us old fans--and him thanking me for asking because it is a great way to introduce the next song which happened to be one of my favorites, "My Last Name"  Second favorite memory being with all the DBC members at Joe's on Saturday night--feels like family whenever we are all together! - Becky Wierzbicki (DE)

"Total miles 1370. My favorite memories were being first in line at the Hard Rock and second, Dierks handing me a bottle of Bud light during the show." -Janet Lowe (NJ)

Here are more memories from DBC reps who make this an annual trip!

"Fav memory is "Wish It Would Break" for sure!!! Only 40 miles round trip! - Alicia Alarid (TN)

"884 miles. Creepin' w/carrie & Sandra." -Kathy Butler (IN)

"395 miles....walkin around town Sunday night with the Southern Drawl Band and a few other VIPs. Wished you guys could have heard them. (Didn't know about the Hard Rock)" - Randy Gracy-Southern Biker Magazine (TN)

"Won't be home until next week since I'm doing a GSLRT ("Great Southern Loop Road Trip"), but 1020 miles one way to Nashville. At least having a last minute "Plan B" mini-concert." - Jane Sumner (NY)

"Just a measley 400 miles. Memory, seeing 10 State Reps at the pre-party. Just a great weekend. Mood swings up and down capped off with a impromptu fan club like performance...smiles all the way home!" - David Mattingly (KY)

"700 miles. The hug and apology I got from D about the cancellation. He may have been more bummed than we were!" - Kristin Houghland (IN)

"About 550 round trip this time only because I went to Memphis on Sat. morning and then to Nashville and then home. (If didn't go to Memphis then only 380 round trip.) My fav part was probably going to the dealership because we hadn't been down there yet because we usually get in line at Riverfront. - Amanda Morris (MS)

"About 900 miles round trip for me and Sandra. I have 3 favorite memories: 1. Wish it Would Break after Alicia and I yelled for it. 2. Creepin with Kathy and Sandra (& showing Nashville to Sandra for the first time!), and 3. Making Amy feel like she was there. :)" - Carrie Srebro (NC)

"Drove 285 miles and just enjoyed my whole weekend. Met 2 new friends that made me laugh so much. My favorite part though was racing from the Harley bike shop to Hard Rock without killing us all. Dierks was awesome letting us know what was happening so we could be first in line." - Ann Tate (AL)

"About 400 miles round trip and hearing Dierks sing, "My Last Name" and "Wish It Would Break" and seeing James Otto at the dealership and the Hard Rock (where he sat about 15 ft away from me the whole time he was there) and getting to see Sheryl Crow for the first time." - Julie Griffin (IN)

"500 miles round trip. Getting my CW Magazine signed by Dierks at the dealership. He put a :( on it too after Miles & Music 2012. Just happy Amanda got to see him perform after trying to see him the third time this year. LCB cancelled, St. Louis show cancelled and M&M cancelled. Great concert made up for it though! - Debbie Hale (IL)

Dierks Bentley. Photo Credit: Ronna Clark

Dierks Bentley. Photo Credit: Carrie Srebro

Cassady Feasby and Sheryl Crow, Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, 10-14-12, Photo Credit: Ronna Clark

Brian Layson, Cassady Feasby, Dierks, Steve Misamore on drums, Sheryl Crow. Photo Credit: Ronna Clark

Carrie Srebro captured the Set List--Wish It Would Break & My Last Name are not listed--that's when he "stretched"
knowing Sheryl Crow was on her way!

When Sheryl Crow hit the stage she said, "I was with Dierks' wife Cassidy and our kids were playing together when we found out this was happening, I said, 'let's go down there and see what's happening'.  What can I say, I'm a jam whore.'"  Her first song was "If It Makes You Happy."



When Dierks introduced Sheryl and told the crowd, "Look at the smile on my band's faces!" he stepped side stage, but he couldn't hide his own smile either!

Dierks's smiling face watching Sheryl Crow perform

"I still can't believe Sheryl came by... she jumped in her car and came over the minute she heard it was happening."

After the show, Ricky Kelly, @TheHarleyGuy, presented items to bid on to further benefit Vandy's kids.  I think a DB signed motorcycle gas tank raised $3,000!

Ryan interviewed two of our 'shy' (not!) DB Congress Members, Sandra (NC) and Kathy (IN) and included them on this week's DBTV! I love when Dierks says he wanted to do something for his hard core fans!



Me? I flew in from Florida - 1440 round trip.  Favorite memory? How special Dierks made the fan club feel, and experiencing him sing "Wish It Would Break," a rare treat!

Every Mile A Memory...every song another scene...red sun down...out across the western sky...takes me back...

~Ronna Clark
DB Congress Chair
Florida

Dierks Gains New Fans From 'Love For Levon' Benefit To Save The Barn

Levon Helm, a much loved individual in the music industry passed away in April 2012. He was probably most widely known as the drummer for The Band. Mr. Helm also owned a recording studio (the barn) in Woodstock New York, where since 2005 he held Midnight Rambles, where many musicians came to play with him.  More than anything, Levon wanted the music to continue. He wanted the barn to be host to artists from all walks of life, from all genres.

In order to keep the barn running and to honor Mr. Helm, the benefit concert, "Love for Levon" was held on October 3, 2012. Our DB Congress President (Dierks Bentley) was one of the musical luminaries asked to play at this event from extremely varied genres. Dierks told ABC News:

“When the opportunity came up, it was kind of a no brainer even though the schedule’s really pretty packed, I definitely wanted to squeeze that in and find a way to make that happen.”  

He added that he often listens to The Band on the tour bus and appreciated getting the chance to play.

Dierks played during the second half of the event. He was one of only five artists, including Eric Church, Roger Waters and Joe Walsh who performed two songs. He also brought with him his friends Jessie Alexander and Jon Randall to sing back up. The Levon Helm Band provided back up for every performer there that night. 

Dierks' first song was "Rocking Chair." 

The second was "Chest Fever" on which he was accompanied by Garth Hudson, The Band’s keyboardist. American Songwriter called it “one of the most surreal moments of the night.” 

The people sitting around me had no idea who this 'Dierks Bentley' was, but after his songs they only had praise for him as they told me: “that Dierks Bentley was very good,” “I will have to check him out,” and “He impressed me.”

Everyone came out for the finale. Dierks was grouped with Eric Church, Jon Randall and Ray LaMontange. As always, it seemed Dierks was having a fantastic time. Goofing around with friend Eric Church onstage, their good time was contagious. He tweeted a picture before hand.

"me and @ericchurch hanging out during rehearsal for encore for #loveforlevon. ridiculous line up of folks. " 

I always love a DB concert, but it's experiences like these that impress me and make me proud to be a DB Congress member.

~Tara Toro
DB Congress Rep (NY)