More than twenty years since his debut self-titled album, Dierks Bentley has entered a stage in his career where he’s no longer the young, fresh face of Nashville focused on chasing #1 singles on country radio and doesn’t mind lending a hand to younger acts on the rise. Fans have been flocking to his summer tours for nearly two decades and have watched him develop and grow as an individual, a family man, and an artist in front of their own eyes. With so many iconic hits throughout his storied career, this latest record is a deep dive into the community of songwriters in Nashville.
Now on his 11th studio album through Capitol Records, Broken Branches, it’s hard to believe that Bentley has come so far since his early days making bluegrass records and eventually coming into his own in the contemporary country scene. Having spent so much time across different parts of the country, this record serves as a homecoming for Dierks as he settles back into Nashville and the community of musicians and songwriters all over town. “I never wanted to come back from Colorado, but this album has more of an appreciation for Tennessee than I ever have. This is a state that so many people are trying to get to, and I’m so glad to have roots here,” Bentley explained.
The collaborations on this record harken back to all the amazing people he’s met on Lower Broadway, as people from all over the world come to try and make their name in music. “It’s more of a reflection, comes from a lot of gratitude for being in Nashville and all the broken branches that made me who I am,” Bentley said.
The title track, “Broken Branches,” features John Anderson and Riley Green, with the inspiration for the song coming from a very organic place, Bentley said as the idea came from a little note that he keeps in his car and reads, “Am I missing a chance to make the moment I’m in more special” which sparked the idea to invite Anderson onto the song. Sharing the microphone on this record with legends like Miranda Lambert and John Anderson, as well as younger stars like Riley Green and Stephen Wilson Jr., is something that Bentley takes great pride in. The album tries to shine a light on such a creative and diverse community that music brings together and has driven much of the record.
The album was produced by Jon Randall, a relationship that Bentley holds very close to his heart. First producing Up on the Ridge in 2010, the pair has developed a sound that fans instantly know as Dierks Bentley. “He knows me so well. We can speak a language that doesn’t require any words, which is what music honestly is to me,” Bentley said. He’s a Nashville and Texas legend.”
Both came from their own paths in life and when they finally came together in the studio, it was a match that worked seamlessly. Both having kids around the same time, they bonded over the grind of being in music while supporting a family, and the two learned immensely from each other over the years.
Concerts have long been a staple in country music, and few artists have nailed down their shows like Bentley has over the years. With a deep love for the stage, he’s been able to craft a show for first-timers and seasoned veterans of his summer concerts. It’s one thing for an opening act to share a stage, but Bentley has stressed the importance of sharing life on the road with the people he invites on tour.
While it may not be his intention, he’s acted as a mentor figure for so many people in the past years, like Ella Langley, Chase Rice, The Red Clay Strays, and this year, Zach Top and The Band Loula. “I’ve always chosen everyone that’s been out there for a particular reason, and that’s because I want to hang out with them and spend time with these people,” Bentley said.
However, Dierks has never been interested in becoming a mentor. After touring with Kenny Chesney for many years, he modeled what he learned.
Creating a welcoming environment for younger acts to learn has always been a priority; it goes for all facets of the show. Whether it’s the sound team, the lighting team, or Dierks himself, his door is always open for someone to pick his brain and learn about what works or what doesn’t. “My lighting guy gives them full access to the board, and his mentality is ‘if you can beat me at my own game, then you should be doing the headlining portion of the show,’ which helps so many people learn,” he said.
With every show, Bentley tries to “pass a lot of what Kenny passed on to me, and that’s to have the best summer ever. I want to get the win on stage with the fans, but I also want to get the win backstage with the band and everyone we have.”
Teaming up with longtime collaborators, Dierks Bentley looks to deepen the creative relationships that he’s grown to cherish in Nashville. While it may not be the same bluegrass sound that kick-started his career, it’s full of heart and commitment to his craft as a musician and a songwriter. “I love the writers here; no one writes songs like Nashville songwriters, and I tried to find the ‘broken branches’ as songs. The weird ones, the ones that were sent to me as a guitar vocal or just a working tape,” he shared. “If the album took off and had great success, awesome. If it failed to launch, awesome. I have no regrets.” Regardless of the outcome, each album will always hold a special place in his heart and act as a moment of reflection at that point in his life.
