Frederick Dierks Bentley, better known by his middle name, is an American country music star known for hits like “What Was I Thinkin,” “Come a Little Closer,” “Every Mile a Memory,” “Woman, Amen,” “I Hold On,” and more. His music combines elements of classic country, as well as rock, bluegrass, and more, and it always rings true with notes of authenticity.
The songwriter has had a wealth of top 10 hits in his career, which started in the early 2000s. Somehow, he’s still a dominant voice in the genre all these years later. In 2005, he won the CMA award for the Horizon Award (which is now the Best New Artist award) and won the Academy of Country Music Awards Top New Artist as well. He’s earned 13 Grammy nominations and is a member of the Grand Ole Opry—the third youngest, besides Carrie Underwood and Josh Turner.
Bentley co-hosted the CMAs in 2016, where he also received nominations for Video of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. He’s also received countless nominations from the ACMs, the CMT Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, and more, including Best Male Country Vocal Performance, Best Country Song, and Best Country Album.
Bentley also has a side project—his country parody band called Hot Country Knights. Outside of acting as a headliner at national festivals and on his own gigs, his professional endeavors include Flag and Anthem lifestyle collection Desert Son and the Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row franchise.