Dierks Bentley Tour 2012

It’s 20 below and I’m standing in the middle of a Canadian winter. The wind is swirling snow directly into my face as I step off the bus. I can barely see where I’m walking, but I know that I’m exactly where I’m suppose to be…

It’s the Dierks Bentley “Country and Cold Cans Tour 2012” and I’m about to open the show in front of a sold out arena. This is the first time playing in a building like this without a sheet of ice in it.

“10 minutes to show time”. This is the moment where butterflies overtake my entire stomach. I pace back and forth, sing a couple lines, and take a few deep breaths. Excitement and anticipation become the theme of my emotions.

“5 minutes”. The band starts to make their way out to the side of the stage.

“2 minutes”. The MC grabs his mic and starts to walk on the stage. The crowd starts to buzz in anticipation as the arena goes dim and the spotlight shines bright.

“30 seconds”. I start to sway side to side like I’m standing on the blue-line in my hockey gear waiting for the National Anthem to finish.

“1,2,3,4.” My drummer Corbett counts in Carried Away….It’s go time!!

I can’t really put into words what happens next. It’s like I step into a different realm and get swept away by the energy and joy that people are giving off. It’s a moment that I try to soak in as much as I can, but I know in 40 minutes it’s all gonna be over. However, it feels more like 4 minutes to me.

I look in the front row to see a girl singing at the top of her lungs like she’s been waiting to sing this song her whole life.

A few rows back I see a guy in a cowboy hat, dip in his bottom lip, raising a beer to the sky in a toast to the melodies my guitar player Hayley is pulling out of her…..amp. The place is alive!!

Here is to all of you that came out to support Dierks and I on this tour! You were nothing less than amazing and made memories out of these last two weeks that I will forever replay in my mind. You’re the reason we do what we do and why we leave home to play our music. Thanks for making all of this so worth it.

Here is a fun video that Dierks and his crew put together after the tour. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to hit the road with.

Ps The prank at the end is amazing….I was completely stunned!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdsjAPW0DV4&feature=youtu.be

~CB

Annually the Stanley Cup Champions are invited to the White House in celebration of their success, an opportunity arguably thousands of individuals would desire.  During the occasion, the President usually picks out a few key players to talk about and then congratulates the team on their achievements. The only glitch this year was that one of those “key players”, for political reasons, decided not to go.

Tim Thomas is one of the NHL’s top goaltenders (to much of the opposing teams chagrin) but also a bit of a political activist.  As an American citizen, he does not stand behind the current administration that is steering his country, nor does he stand behind either party for that matter. He feels the problem is consistent throughout. So, Thomas decided to take the option on this trip. Where the real argument lies is whether or not his actions were disrespectful to his teammates or of a greater movement all together.

Here is his quote, perhaps this will provide you with a better sense of where his heart is at:

“I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People.

This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.

Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an individual.”

Whether you agree with what he said or not, the man makes sense. Thomas obviously feels his fellow citizens are being mistreated and wants to use his voice to make a difference. Shouldn’t this type of behavior be encouraged instead of criticized?

His decision only seems like a big deal because it’s rare to see professional athletes take such action.  If Thomas were noticeably ignorant in his reasons for not attending then I would have a hard time supporting him, but he is not. His quote is professional, calculated, and frankly it makes sense.

However, the argument still remains; did he abandon his team?

If you look at this situation from a traditional sense it would look as if he broke “the code” of hockey ethics and selfishly turned his back on his teammates. But let’s open our minds for a moment and exercise the fact that maybe he was simply being human in a world that’s only beginning to accept this kind of movement.

Anyone who stands his or her ground, in a true belief, for the betterment of humanity is courageously making a difference. So maybe it’s time we all take a step outside the box and evaluate what’s really going on in the world around us. I believe it is in this place, that clarity can be found.

~CB

A lot has happened since my last blog, and I have to apologize for being so absent on here. I promise to post at least once a week to keep you informed on what is going on. I might even post something completely irrelevant to music just to keep you on your toes!

I’ve been using Twitter a lot lately so if you have an account feel free to follow me because I will post these blogs on there to keep everyone in the loop.

It has been a busy summer with touring and I first off have to thank ALL of you that came out to our shows and supported country music in Canada (and of coarse those in the US for my small but mighty following down there!). I’ve said it before and I will say it again; none of us could do what we do without the support of our fans! You guys are the foundation to which we stand on. If you keep coming to shows then I promise to keep bringing you music! Deal? Ok!

Now that I’ve gotten all that off my chest here is an update on what is to come!

Fall is basically here and it is time to get into the studio to finish recording the new album. (Which I am EXTREMELY excited for). It is going to have a bit of a different vibe than the first, but I feel it defines me more as the artist I am evolving into. My latest single off the upcoming album “Love Me Or Leave Me”, is a perfect example of this. You can catch that song on country radio across Canada right now or you can grab it on iTunes tomorrow (October 4th)!!!

Side-note: Thanks to Radio it was the #1 most added song in Canada and #3 across all genres! I’m very humbled and fortunate to be having such amazing support. Thank you Country Radio!!

Well that’s the latest! Keep checking the website for upcoming shows and tour dates so we don’t miss each other the next time we swing through your town!

Cheers!

~Chad