“It’s something to check off the bucket list so I don’t take it for granted,” he said. “I’m getting excited just talking about it now. I can feel my heart rate go up.”
After eight albums, 15 No. 1 singles and a string of sold-out tours, Bentley’s bucket list is filling up — but he remains driven to perform. His latest album, “Black,” debuted at No. 2 on the country charts in May 2016. It yielded the No. 1 hit, “Somewhere on a Beach,” and the No. 3 follow-up, “Different for Girls.”
“The album has done great,” Bentley said. “It was a great year and everything worked out well. We had some songs do well and the tour went well so we don’t have to worry about making another album right away. It’s nice to be able to go on the road and not to worry about that. The only thing that matters is each individual show.
“It’s definitely a lofty goal, but I want to make each show the best night of my life,” he said. “The past doesn’t matter and the future is unknown, so this has to be the best show of my life. I’m able to focus on that completely when there’s no added pressure about album sales. I’m able to go out there and do my thing the best I can.”
For this tour, Bentley is keeping himself sharp by touring with rising young acts Jon Pardi and Cole Swindell.
“These guys remind me of myself when I was 30 and single and partying and crazy, so we’re excited to have them on the road,” Bentley said. “It’s cool to watch these new acts and how they respond to the tour, the crowd and being able to get on stage at places like the Nutter Center. That keeps it exciting for me, my band and my crew. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
WANT TO GO?
What: Dierks Bentley's What the Hell World Tour with Cole Swindell and Jon Pardi
Where: Nutter Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Fairborn
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19
Cost: $34.75 and $54.75
Info: Call 937-775-4789 or visit www.nuttercenter.com
Artist info: www.dierks.com
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