Feb 032014
 

db

Dierks Bentley has had a film crew shadowing him for the past two years, and the culmination of their efforts has resulted in Dierks Bentley:  Riser, a documentary that will show the ups and downs of him dealing with the death of his father then the birth of his son, both of which inspired his new album, Riser, due out February 25th.  There will be a sneak preview of the film on CMT on February 22nd, and film screenings are scheduled for Toronto, Nashville, Los Angeles, New York, and London.

“The two phrases ‘touring musician’ and ‘family man’ were never meant to go hand-in-hand…it’s just hard. It really hurts your heart to walk out the door on your kids. It’s like the two loves of your life pulling at you – your family and your love of music,” said Bentley. “I wanted this album to be that deeper look at who I am and who I try to be, and so I guess it’s the same with this film too.   The first time I watched the rough edit, I actually got physically uncomfortable because it’s all in there…my whole life right there on the screen for the whole world to see.”

The film covers everything from the most quiet, pensive moments from Bentley’s bunk on the tour bus to the rush of excitement in the delivery room for the birth of his son Knox, and it’s all set to the soundtrack of the album that these events inspired.

“I knew Dierks was a dynamic performer and charismatic guy,” said director Wes Edwards.  “But, as a filmmaker it was a challenge to try and capture a portrait of a guy with so many different aspects to his life.  He’s a guy who can bring an audience of twenty thousand to their feet and a guy you can have a beer with in a dive bar.  He’s a guy that flies his own plane but uses a kitchen trash bag for luggage.  I hope this documentary accurately captures the Dierks I’ve had the honor to get to know personally – a guy with serious work ethic, love for his family and genuine respect for the people around him.  But most of all, I hope we are able to convey a true artist at work.”

People has the first look of the film and fans can watch the trailer here:  http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20782894,00.html