Dierks Bentley Sifts Through The ‘Gravel & Gold’ On New 14-Track Project
Dierks Bentley will release his 10th studio album, Gravel & Gold, on Feb. 24.
The 14-track album offers 20 years of perspective and self-awareness both personally and professionally for the artist, and was four years in the making.
“It’s been four years since I put out an album, and part of the reason for that is that I wrote and recorded two records that I didn’t feel were good enough and had to start over…twice,” explains Bentley. “I’m going to be able look back on it for the rest of my life and be like, ‘Yeah, that was harder than I thought it would be, but zero regrets.’ I had to get it right. That’s the Gravel & Gold of it all.”
Bentley produces the new project himself for the first time, and on the album’s opening track, “Same Ol’ Me,” out today, he recognizes those inescapable midlife adjustments and adaptations while nurturing the inner fire of the 18-year-old country music fanatic who arrived in Nashville in the 1990s.
Other tracks include “Heartbreak Drinking Tour,” which calls on country’s capacity for telling stories, while “Something Real” reasserts the importance of integrity and self in a world of pressures, and “Still” is a meditation on staying grounded through the power of nature. “Cowboy Boots” features Ashley McBryde, while “Beer At My Funeral” offers a shot of Roger Miller humor for the 21st century.
“Gold,” the album’s first single, touches on the theme of perspective with wisdom earned only by putting in the years of work, and “Walking Each Other Home” recognizes gratitude for connection and life’s gentle gifts. The final track gathers some of Music City’s greatest pickers trading licks and laughs on “High Note,” which features Billy Strings alongside Jerry Douglas on dobro, Sam Bush on mandolin, Charlie Worsham on guitar and Bryan Sutton on guitar and banjo.
“Selfishly I’ve always wanted to have my cake and eat it too,” says Bentley. “I’m in the bluegrass space. I’m in the traditional country space. It’s always been important to me to have the love and support of this community in Nashville, particularly the older establishment and the Opry–and to know that I’m able to do that but also get out on the road and play the big venues too? It doesn’t get any better than that for me.”
Gravel & Gold Track List:
1. “Same Ol’ Me”
2. “Sun Sets In Colorado”
3. “Heartbreak Drinking Tour”
4. “Something Real”
5. “Still”
6. “Beer At My Funeral”
7. “Cowboy Boots” (Featuring Ashley McBryde)
8. “Gold”
9. “Walking Each Other Home”
10. “Roll On”
11. “All The Right Places”
12. “Ain’t All Bad”
13. “Old Pickup”
14. “High Note” (Featuring Billy Strings)
