On the Cover – Dierks Bentley

6/6/2005 – June/July 2005

Label: Capitol
Booking: William Morris Agency
Management: Erv Woolsey Co.
Producers: Brett Beavers
Current Single: “Lot of Leavin’ Left To Do”
Current Album: Modern Day Drifter
Current Video: “Lot of Leavin’ Left To Do”

Birth Date: Nov. 20
Interests: Motorcycles
Interesting Facts: While working at The Nashville Network, Dierks studied country music by watching historic performances and transcribing songs by writers such as Willie Nelson, Harlan Howard and Mel Tillis. Special TV/Film Appearances: Today Show, Tonight Show, Good Morning America, Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, CMA Music Festival Special on CBS, Jimmy Kimmel Live
Awards: 2004 ACM Top New Artist, 2004 Flameworthy Award—Breakthrough Video, 2003 Music Row Breakout Artist, Billboard and R&R 2003 New Artist
Hits: “What Was I Thinkin’?,” “My Last Name,” “How Am I Doin’?”
RIAA Certifications: Platinum—Dierks Bentley (self-titled debut) Musical Influences: George Jones, Hank Williams, Jr., Del McCoury Band

Dierks Bentley is more than a Modern Day Drifter as his latest album title suggests. He thinks of himself as a country music missionary whose work is sharing the music he loves with the people where his tour bus briefly pauses. Bentley often strolls the grounds of the fairs he headlines to meet the townsfolk or check out the prize-winning steers because he understands what he, and the music he brings, means to the residents of these tiny map dots. Though these shows are a far cry from opening for Kenny Chesney and George Strait, Bentley enjoys each concert for its own reasons and appreciates the small town stops as much as the huge arenas.

A teenage fan of rock ‘n’ roll, Bentley remembers the first time he heard Hank Williams, Jr.’s “Man to Man” and how that song led him to wholeheartedly embrace country music. Since then he has honed his craft—spending eight years working the Nashville honky-tonk scene, studying the bluegrass players at the Station Inn, and eventually landing a deal on Capitol. His self-titled debut featured the No. 1 single “What Was I Thinkin’?” and was certified platinum. But finding time to record the follow-up was a challenge for someone who spent 300 days of the last year on the road. A ten day stop was scheduled to lay down some tracks during which Bentley slept in the studio. The result is Modern Day Drifter, an album that has already garnered much praise.

As for that good news he shares on the road, Bentley is still working hard as Nashville’s ambassador. He thinks there is no better way to discover America than from the front seat of his tour bus and from where he sits the view is just fine.