Dierks Bentley

Growing up in a nonmusical family in Phoenix, AZ, country singer Dierks Bentley got his country music education on his own, listening to recordings. A love of the music inspired him to move to Nashville at the age of 19, but he quickly grew discouraged by lack of public and professional interest coming his way. It all changed when he walked into the Station Inn, a bar where the bluegrass faithful hang out. An all-night jam session recharged his batteries and he restarted pursuing gigs.

He landed a job at the TNN television doing research on classic country music and by night he worked on his demos. Capitol Records heard the artist, signed him, and released his self-titled debut in 2003. Bringing his love of Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings to the forefront, Modern Day Drifter followed two years later and became a Top Ten hit. In 2006, he returned with Long Trip Alone, a more polished effort that was commercial but not crass.