College Times

Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Calendar

Media Credit: Jim Wright

Local boy Dierks Bentley has taken Nashville by storm, topping the country music charts three times this year. It's quite the accomplishment for the laid-back singer/songwriter. Now, he's realized his success has given him more power to do good than ever. It's time for him to give back.

For the fourth year in a row, Bentley has taken part in a charity motorcycle ride with fans to benefit the Children's Miracle Network, an organization with thousands of children's hospitals under its wing, including Phoenix Children's Hospital. This year, he's taking it on the road through Phoenix to get up close and personal with fans for a great cause, closing the ride out with a concert at Tempe Marketplace.

College Times: How did you first get involved with the Children's Miracle Network?
Bentley: We've been doing this ride, this event in Nashville, for the past four years. It's just an idea that we had to get involved with the local hospital. My manager at the time had a child who had to use the services at the hospital. I was looking to do something to get as close as possible to the community I live in, so we put it together and the first year was a success. I mean, country bands come out and there's a lot of crossover there, so it's just a chance for people to come out and ride bikes and then sit back and listen to some country music. So that's how it started. Every year was strong and we've had a lot of success. We've raised close to a million dollars for the hospitals just doing that. This year, we decided to take it on the road to kind of get other people involved with helping us out. This is a great partnership out ours and this is the first event outside of the [Nashville] area, so we'll see how that goes. It should be exciting.

I know you're a local guy, but why did you choose Phoenix this time around?
I've done Nashville already this year. I just did it in October. But Phoenix is the first city we're doing it outside of Nashville. We're going to do Phoenix and a couple other cities next year. The whole idea is getting on the road to help the Phoenix Children's Hospital, which is why we kind of chose that one.

So do you consider yourself a motorcycle enthusiast?
Yeah, I love riding bikes. I've got a Harley and I carry it on the road with me sometimes just so I can get on the road, get out and get a little movement.

What other celebrities do you have signed up for the ride?
This year in Phoenix I think Michelle Branch is on there, Jimmy Wayne, a Nashville artist who's coming out. Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. [Clyne] is a buddy of mine, they're huge in the Valley. Jessi Colter is going to come out and sing, which is great. [She's] the late Waylon Jennings' wife. A lot of local things and a lot of country stuff. I mean, we've played everywhere in the Valley, but the idea behind this was for it to be a more down-home kind of concert. It's not meant to have a lot of lights or video. It's more like an enjoy the day, good weather and motorcycles, good people thing to come out and see us play. The whole idea, it's a southern expression, is 'down-home.' It's just more relaxed and not so choreographed.

What's it like to share an experience like that with your fans?
Oh, it's fun! For me, it's a chance to get on the road and away from the stress of the tour and enjoy our beautiful country we live in.

You released an album this year. What can fans expect to see from your live show this time around, besides a more down-home feel?
Yeah, we've had a lot of hits with this one. Fortunately, we've had three this year, which is great. I think they'll just see a show that's a lot different than the show we just did at … Cricket Pavilion. It won't be as flashy. We're just going out there, having fun with a laid back vibe and just really get up close and personal with things and sing our songs.

Dierks Bentley w/Michelle Branch, Jessi Colter, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Tempe Marketplace, Saturday, Sept. 21, $20, combo ride & concert $45

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