Dierks Bentley goes dark on his new relationship record
KRISTIN M. HALL
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country star Dierks Bentley may be known for his boozy party songs like “Drunk On a Plane” or “5-1-50,” but as a singer, he loves going dark.
He’s even named his new album “Black.”
“Sad country music is way better than happy country music,” the Grammy-nominated Bentley said. “Happy country music is good for the live show. It’s good for driving your car to work. The greatest country music is the sad stuff. That’s where you learn stuff. That’s how you get through stuff.”
The 40-year-old singer named the album, out today, after his wife Cassidy’s maiden name, which he loved so much he tried to convince her to keep it.
“When we got married, I was like, ‘You should just keep the name Cassidy Black, it’s so cool,’” said Bentley, who often takes the stage in a plain black T-shirt. “I’ll change my name to Dierks Black. I just like the color black.”
The title track is one of Bentley’s sexiest songs of his career, a sultry bedroom ballad that allowed him to frame the entire album around the story lines of love, loss and heartache. He explores the self-doubt that comes while watching someone slip out of a relationship on “Why Do I Feel” and cheating lovers meeting in secret on a duet with Maren Morris on “I’ll Be the Moon.”
But Bentley also has learned from previous albums that fans, and radio stations, still want the fun Dierks, too. His first single, the summery “Somewhere on a Beach,” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot country chart, and his next single, “Different for Girls,” features pop-rocker Elle King.
“I just hit it off with her right away,” Bentley said of the “Ex’s and Oh’s” singer. “She’s just really self-deprecating and funny, but a great singer.”
More than a decade into his career, Bentley, who recently hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards with Luke Bryan, is adept at finding the balance on albums now. He is the country joker, the bluegrass picker, the love song singer and the stadium rocker all packaged together.
“If people want to go buy a single and go party to it, that’s great,” Bentley said. “I am trying to make a record for me as much as I am trying to make a record for my fans.”
So he has no regrets about ending the album on a sad note, an acoustic guitar ballad called “Can’t Be Replaced,” in which he sings about his aging 15-year-old dog Jake, who has been with him since before he had a wife and kids and became a star.
“The very first song I ever put out to country radio, ‘What Was I Thinking,’ had a picture of Jake on the cover and had a big dobro solo in that song,” Bentley said. “So it’s kinda like the perfect bookend to the last eight records and really to his life.”
June at Oaklawn Racing & Gaming will be highlighted by a concert with rock legends John Kay & Steppenwolf and the 148th running of the Belmont Stakes.
Oaklawn’s Finish Line Theater series continues with John Kay & Steppenwolf at 7 p.m. June 17. With such enduring hits as “Born to be Wild,” “Magic Carpet Ride,” “Rock Me” and “Monster,” John Kay & Steppenwolf are sure to wow fans when they hit the stage. The band has stood the test of time and is among rock’s most beloved bands with more than 25 million records sold worldwide, a news release said. Their songs remain fixtures on classic rock radio and have been licensed for use in approximately 50 motion pictures and an even greater number of television programs. Tickets go on sale May 31 and are $50 and $60.
There won’t be another horse looking to follow in the footsteps of 2015 Arkansas Derby and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah this year, but racing fans will still have several local rooting interests in this year’s Belmont Stakes on June 11. Arkansas Derby winner Creator and Southwest Stakes winner Suddenbreakingnews are among the horses looking to take on Preakness Stakes winner Exaggerator in this year’s race. Handicappers will have the chance to go head to head in the Oaklawn Handicapping Championship Qualifier June 25. The entry fee is $50 and includes a program and buffet lunch.
Oaklawn has the perfect way to stay cool this summer at the Wild & Wacky Watermelon Wipeout party 5-10 p.m. June 26. Guests will enjoy a $4.99 picnic on Lagniappe Grill’s new outdoor patio, $2 drafts and a $5,000 giveaway.
Guests can join the Fun Squad for $25,000 Bashacadabra every Thursday in June from 6-10 p.m. Bring a Friend returns in June with Free Play up for grabs. When current Winners Circle members bring a new member, both will receive a $10 Free Play offer.
The $50,000 Summer of Champions Reel Tournament continues through the month with qualifying tournaments Sundays at 2 p.m. and Mondays at 7 p.m. The top winners each night will receive an invitation to the Summer of Champions Final Tournament on Aug. 7, when two winners will be sent to Las Vegas to compete for a share of $1.3 million in the TournEvent of Champions on Sept. 28.
Lagniappes Grill offers a southern style catfish special every Wednesday from 5-10 p.m., and every Friday from 5-10 p.m. is steak night where guests can enjoy steak or the catch of the day.
Call 623-4411 for more information or a complete list of promotions.
• June 11 — Belmont Stakes simulcast.
• June 17 — John Kay & Steppenwolf concert.
• June 26 — Wild & Wacky Watermelon Wipeout.
• Sundays — Summer of Champions Reel Tournament, 2 p.m.; Bring a Friend.
• Mondays — Summer of Champions Reel Tournament, 7 p.m.; Bring a Friend.
• Tuesdays — Triple Points; Bring a Friend.
• Wednesdays — Southern Fried Catfish Wednesdays, 5-10 p.m.; Humpday Karaoke, 7-11 p.m.; Bring a Friend.
• Thursdays — $25,000 Bashacadabra, 6-10 p.m.; Bring a Friend.
• Fridays — Steak night; live entertainment in Pop’s Lounge from 5-8 p.m. and Silks Bar and Grill from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Bring a Friend.
• Saturdays — Live entertainment in Pop’s Lounge from 5-8 p.m. and Silks Bar and Grill from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Bring a Friend.
• June 3 — Brian Mullen, 5-8 p.m. in Pop’s Lounge; Sensory, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Silks Bar and Grill.
• June 4 — John Calvin Brewer, 5-8 p.m. in Pop’s Lounge.
• June 10 — Jocko, 5-8 p.m. in Pop’s Lounge
• June 11 — Jocko, 5-8 p.m. in Pop’s Lounge; The Big Dam Horns, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Silks Bar and Grill.
• June 17 — Brent & Tara, 5-8 p.m. in Pop’s Lounge.
• June 18 — Brent & Tara, 5-8 p.m. in Pop’s Lounge; Hwy. 124, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Silks Bar and Grill.
• June 24 — Jeff Hartzell, 5-8 p.m. in Pop’s Lounge.
• June 25 — Jeff Hartzell, 5-8 p.m. in Pop’s Lounge; John Calvin Brewer Band, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Silks Bar and Grill.