Dierks Bentley, born on November 20, 1975, is a country music singer and songwriter from the United States. He signed with Capitol Nashville in 2003 and released his self-titled debut album. In the United States, it and its follow-up, 2005’s “Modern Day Drifter,” were both certified platinum. A third album, “Long Trip Alone,” was certified gold in 2006. Bentley’s eighth studio album, “Black,” was released in May 2016. In 2021, he released a compilation E.P. named “Make My World Go Black.” Let us celebrate him and his talent today.
Fast Facts
Full Name:
Frederick Dierks Bentley
Nickname:
Dierks
Birth date:
November 20, 1975
Age:
49
Zodiac Sign:
Scorpio
Height:
6' 0"
Relationship Status:
Married
Net Worth:
$30 million
Background
Frederick Dierks Bentley, popularly known as Dierks Bentley, was born in Phoenix on November 20, 1975, and is the son of Leon Fife Bentley and Catherine Childs. He attended Culver Academies in Indiana and The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, where he graduated in 1993. He then attended the University of Vermont for a year before moving to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he graduated in 1997. In 1994, he went to Nashville and enrolled at Vanderbilt University, where he studied English since it was the closest thing he could find to songwriting. He spent the following few years immersing himself in the music scene of the country music capital.
He sang at open mic nights and showcases, frequently for free, and sometimes for beer or tips. His country music training came from a job at the now-defunct Nashville Network. Bentley’s role as a researcher for the cable T.V. station was to screen old country material. Bentley’s profession allowed him to witness historic performances from the 1940s to the 1980s. 2003 was a watershed moment for Bentley. His debut major-label record, simply titled “Dierks Bentley,” went platinum and sold one million copies. The straight-up country album featured three chart-topping country singles, including the number-one single ‘What Was I Thinkin.’ In 2004, he won the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Artist Award for the album. Bentley co-wrote eight of the eleven songs on his 2005 sophomore album, “Modern Day Drifter.” The album established him as a rising star in the music industry. Bentley slipped away to Mexico in December 2005 to marry his high school sweetheart Cassidy Black. They have three kids.
Bentley’s success can be credited to his continuous touring, in addition to his compositions. In 2005, he played 41 gigs on 45 nights in a row. Bentley even sold his Nashville house due to his extensive travel. Despite giving almost 300 appearances in 2005, he found time to record another energetic, yet neo-traditional oriented album, “Long Trip Alone,” which was released in 2006. All eleven songs were written by him. The album also topped the Billboard album chart, thanks to the No. 1 single ‘Every Mile a Memory.’ He went on to create several more popular albums over the years. He released a compilation E.P. called “Make My World Go Black” in 2021. He also collaborated with James Barker Band on the track ‘New Old Trucks.’
Career timeline
His debut album titled “Dierks Bentley,” goes platinum-selling one million copies.
He wins the Academy of Country Music’s ‘Top New Artist Award’ for his debut album.
Bentley co-writes eight of the 11 songs on his 2005 album, “Modern Day Drifter.”
He goes on the ‘High Times and Hangovers Tour.’
The E.P. “Country & Cold Cans” launches on August 21 on the Capitol Nashville label.
He is nominated for ‘Best Country Solo Performance’ for ‘Home.’
He appears on the American singing show “The Voice,” in the season 15 finale results.
His song ‘Burning Man’ feat. Brothers Osborne wins ‘Music Event of the Year.
Why We Love Dierks Bentley
His songwriting skills
Bentley credits his success to his songwriting abilities. He leans on his honky tonk roots with songs about forbidden love, drunkenness, and cheating, accompanied by fiddle, steel guitar, and velvety blues. Country music to him is just about great songwriting — songs that tell stories, songs that we listen to when we're down and you want to find something to pick us back up.
He loves his fans
Bentley takes delight in growing his fan base one show at a time. He's the type of singer who shakes hands and signs autographs after his performances.
He doesn’t like to show off
Bentley favors low-key self-promotion over showy commercial promotion. Other celebrities would leap at the chance to promote the sexy cowboy with the tousled blond curls and scruffy beard. He declined a "People" cover story in 2006 because he thought the magazine was more interested in his personal life than his music. He also declined an interview with "Vanity Fair."
5 Surprising Facts
His favorite sport
His favorite sport is hockey.
He went to boarding school
He discovered his love for country music at boarding school.
He is a skilled instrumentalist
He can play the guitar and banjo.
He has a pilot’s license
He holds a private pilot's license and owns a plane — a Cirrus SR22, to be precise.
His favorite singer
His favorite singer of all time is George Jones.
Dierks Bentley FAQs
Who did Dierks Bentley say inspired the song ‘Woman Amen?’
Cassidy Black inspired the song.
What song is Dierks Bentley famous for?
He’s most famous for ‘What Was I Thinkin.’
Why is Dierks Bentley so thin?
He lost weight and had a hernia because he was working out too hard during a heartache.
Dierks Bentley’s birthday dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | November 20 | Thursday |
2026 | November 20 | Friday |
2027 | November 20 | Saturday |
2028 | November 20 | Monday |
2029 | November 20 | Tuesday |