DIERKS BENTLEY (Nominated for Horizon Award)
Playing more than 200 shows this year, Dierks Bentley goes from talented newcomer to chart-topping Nashville mainstay. In 2005, his major label self-titled debut album was certified Platinum; the second album, Modern Day Drifter, with eight of the 11 tracks co-written by Bentley, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and was recently certified Gold becoming his fastest selling album to date; and he was inducted as the youngest current member of the Grand Ole Opry. Bentley's reputation as one of the hardest working men in Country Music began as early as 19 when he moved to Nashville from Phoenix, Ariz., paid his dues at the famous honky tonks of lower Broadway and released on his own, an independent album Don't Leave Me In Love. In 2003, Bentley signed with Capitol Records Nashville and his self-titled album yielded the No. 1 debut single "What Was I Thinkin'?" Both Capitol albums were produced by Bentley's songwriting partner Brett Beavers, and feature hit singles "My Last Name," "How Am I Doin'?," "Lot Of Leavin' Left To Do" and "Come A Little Closer," which is his current single.
CMA Nominations:
2004 Horizon Award
2005 Horizon Award
(Bio and Award Listing courtesy the Country Music Association)