Dierks Bentley Hits All the Right Notes Headlining Nashville's Bridgestone Arena

Dierks Bentley

DIERKS BENTLEY had a challenging SATURDAY (1/21) morning, which he willed into a triumphant SATURDAY night, headlining NASHVILLE’s BRIDGESTONE ARENA for the first time in his career. Initially suffering throat problems, and uncertain if he could even sing, BENTLEY – as he borderline over-shared with the crowd – took an afternoon steroid shot in each cheek (not on his face, btw), which fortified him long enough to dazzle the sold out audience.

A familiar voice on Country radio since his 2003 debut, “What Was I Thinking,” BENTLEY has accumulated a large catalog of hits and logged hours of quality stage time in the past 13 years, making him absolutely ready for prime time and up to the task of holding a packed arena's attention. He ran, jumped, slid – and drank – all over the stage between and during songs. BENTLEY is relentlessly likeable – if you can’t, or don’t find him appealing, well, that’s simply a you problem. Audience members were included in BENTLEY’s shenanigans, and a satellite stage in the back of the arena provided some intimate moments – a strong acoustic version of “Riser,” and bringing up his longtime bus driver KEN LYONS for some overdue recognition.

ELLE KING showed up for their duet, “Different For Girls.” Opening acts COLE SWINDELL and JON PARDI joined him for the duet “FLATLINER” and a GEORGE STRAIT cover, respectively. But the night belonged to BENTLEY, who called SATURDAY “The best night of my life,” while recalling how he and his dad drove to NASHVILLE in 1994 in a truck he still owns; how the many honky tonks across the street on Lower Broadway were his first gigs; and how he often played for free beer. Speaking of that …

BENTLEY supplemented his Doctor-prescribed meds with (ahem), over-the-counter help, at one point shot-gunning a beer with an audience member, sipping straight whiskey, then nursing a BUD LIGHT, while dissing MICHELOB ULTRA and wishing BRIDGESTONE would please sell PBR or BUSCH "heavy" instead. By the time of his encore, “Drunk On A Plane,” BENTLEY appeared genuinely – yet not irritatingly – buzzed; a happy and fun imbiber who subbed “I’m Getting Drunk On A Stage” for the usual lyrics. As the show ended and the lights came up, there was no choreographed, dramatic exit. BENTLEY, PARDI, SWINDELL, KING and, spontaneously and seemingly from nowhere, KELSEA BALLERINI, CHASE RICE, and CASSADEE POPE remained, hugging, high-fiving, and bonding with fans. It may have been the best night of BENTLEY’s life, but for anybody who attended the show, it had to have ranked right up there, as well.

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