REPRESENT:

Dierks Bentley, Country Crooner, On Mountain Stage (NPR.org, July 7, 2008, Mountain Stage)

In 1927, the Victor Talking Machine Company sent record producer Ralph Peer from New Jersey to Bristol to make what came to be known as the first commercial country music recordings. Peer captured the music on tape just a few blocks from where the now-restored Paramount stands. Bentley's concert was recorded in celebration of the 80th anniversary of those first recordings.

A native of Phoenix, Ariz., the country singer has cultivated a cult-like following, in part by playing on the road nearly 300 days a year. While researching country music for The Nashville Network by day and performing at night, Bentley signed a deal with Capitol Records. His 2003 self-titled debut showed a genuine love for artists like Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings, and spawned the hit single "What Was I Thinkin'."

MORE:
-Dierks Bentley (MySpace)
-REVIEW ARCHIVES: Long Trip Alone by Dierks Bentley (Metacritic)
Bentley had them up and dancing (Erin Harde, 7/14/08, The Leader-Post)

Dierks Bentley demands a lot from his fans. If his Sunday evening performance at Craven was any indication, audience members had better be prepared to dance and sing -- in front of 23,500 people.

During an energetic and interactive 85-minute set under a hot sun and blue sky, Bentley worked up a lather as he raced around the stage, slapped hands and even hauled up one cowgirl to teach him how to dance. [...]

Bentley often showcased his musicians and easily chatted with them in between songs. The tight-knit group gathered close for one bluegrass ditty that featured a banjo and upright bass. Bentley also brought one guitarist out to the catwalk with him for "My Last Name," which Bentley preceded by thanking the men and women who serve in the military, including the men in his own family. "Bless Those Guys," he said after finishing the song.

Posted by Orrin Judd at July 18, 2008 6:44 AM