Dierks Bentley Biography

Fast Facts

• Was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry in 2005
• Graduated from Vanderbilt University
• A drive from Phoenix to Nashville, Tenn․, with his father when he was 19 inspired him to forge his own path in the country music industry
• Taught himself how to play the guitar when he was 13 years old
• Quote: "It was important to get out of the studio and sing in different places, and to do it with other people in the room․ That way, you have an audience and you get a sense of what's working, what's not working, when it's feeling good, not feeling good․"
• Quote: "There have always been those moments when we have to get back up and get on our feet․ They are defining moments ․․․ breakthrough moments․"
• His musical style mixes elements of modern country, classic country, bluegrass and rock
• His No․ 1 country singles include "What Was I Thinkin'," "Come a Little Closer," "Every Mile a Memory" and "Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)․"
• During his first year of college, which he spent at the University of Vermont, he was initiated into the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity
• Worked at Nashville Network before becoming a singer