New track leads into Bentley’s 10th studio album
With the recent announcement of his upcoming 10th studio album Gravel & Gold out February 24th, multi-Platinum singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley also shares a performance video of the record’s opening track “Same Ol’ Me.” Shot at the end of December 2022 with the same inner fire of the 18-year-old country music fanatic who first arrived in Nashville in the 1990s, Bentley performed the last notes of a historic era at Music City’s iconic Exit/In.
“My first time playing Exit/In was just as meaningful to me as playing the Ryman and Bridgestone Arena,” states Bentley. “I opened for Asleep at the Wheel before I had a record deal or anything. A manager was supposed to come watch me play, but they didn’t show up. I had a few too many Busch Lights and passed out under a bench. The last thing I remember hearing was Ray Benson’s booming voice. I woke up around 4 am and realized I was all alone! It was bittersweet to be in there during the last days of December as they were closing it down. I felt honored to take a shot with the guys and toast to the history there and turn the lights off.”
Gravel & Gold is a diverse, 14-track album about perspective and self-awareness at many levels from the personal to the professional. It’s also a testament to the many strains of country music Bentley has mastered and cultivated in his career, from the arena shaker to the barroom weeper to the bluegrass fireballer. Gravel & Gold is a story of renewal, family, persistence and devotion to making the music as authentic and lasting as it can possibly be. Previously released songs on the album include the first single, “Gold” and “High Note” featuring Billy Strings.
The 10th album landmark speaks to how time has flown in Bentley’s unique, 21st century career. He landed his first publishing deal in 2001 and released his debut album in 2003, producing an instant No. 1 single. The years since have revealed a rare consistency that’s fueled longevity – eight more albums that reached the top of the country sales charts, resulting in 21 No. 1 songs, eight billion streams, three CMA Awards, 14 Grammy nominations and membership into the Grand Ole Opry. Trendy sounds have ebbed and flowed around him over these two decades, but fans have relied on Bentley for something more nourishing and individual. He also has created professional endeavors outside of the music with his Flag & Anthem lifestyle collection Desert Son, along with his Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row franchise hosting four locations.
