NASHVILLE, TN. (Capitol Records) - Having already won the hearts of radio listeners and record buyers with hit singles and a gold-selling debut album, ACM's Top New Artist singer-songwriter
Dierks Bentley has taken his show on the road with more than 200 tour dates to earn fans in person. Recent performances are drawing record crowds and garnering rave reviews.
Most recently, Bentley's show at the Mississippi Valley Fair in Davenport, Iowa received high praise. Despite tremendous thunderstorms, Bentley went on with the show. "He's young enough not to scare and he proved, with his electrifying, one hour-delayed performance...that he's talented enough to embolden others," raved the Quad City Times.
"It looks like Woodstock out there," Bentley told the crowd. "Where are all the white tank tops? Where are all the wet tank tops? Be careful you don't catch a cold. You probably should take those off."
Davenport is but one of many recent success stories, however. His June 17 performance at the Sangamon County Fair in New Berlin, IL earned this remark from show promoter Variety Attractions: "The show was great," says the company's Joe Quinn. "It broke attendance records."
The July 29 show at the Cole County (Missouri) Fair had the biggest Thursday night attendance in its history with, according to promoter Dave Maygers, almost more people in attendance than event planners could handle. Several hundred lined up for autographs, with Bentley signing until 2 am.
Evansville, Indiana got a taste of Bentley's magic at the Vanderburgh County Fair on July 28. According to Fair Board President Mike Miller, the show drew a record crowd of 20,000. Bentley's Gage Country (Nebraska) Fair performance was noted by the local Daily Sun. "The largest draw of the five days of entertainment was country star Dierks Bentley," the story says. "'We were really happy with the turnout for the Dierks Bentley show'," Gage County Fair Manager Roxie Richter said.
Bentley became one of country's hottest new artists with the chart-topping success of his debut single "What Was I Thinkin'." He followed with the smash "My Last Name," while his third single "How Am I Doin'" is climbing toward the top 20.
Dierks was named Billboard's No1 Top New Country Artist of 2003, Music Row Magazine's Breakout Artist of 2003, Country Music Poll's 2003 Best New Act, and ACM's 2004 Top New Artist, as well as named one of People Magazine's Hottest Bachelors of 2004 and the only country artist in Access Hollywood's 2003 "Next Big Thing."
His self-titled debut has already certified gold for sales in excess of 500,000 units.
