It was the last Friday night of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and I held out hope that Dierks Bentley would exit the stage in a ’94 Chevrolet pickup truck with his full band in tow — all for one and one for all.
Half of that came true. While 64,007 rowdy fans screamed for one more song, Bentley and his band — including Houston native Steve Misamore on drums —piled into the bed of the giant Ford truck that has shuttled many an act from the Rodeo stage. I have a hunch that the Arizona native would have been just as happy riding off in the old Chevy he referenced earlier during his song, “I Hold On.”
The song was chock full of Bentley’s recollections about the things he has held on to before money and fame. Throughout the show, Bentley was full of memories, too.
“I still drive my 1994 Chevy truck and I still play this beat up old guitar,” he said in the middle of the hour-long set. “I played her at my first rodeo and I can’t give her up now. I hope I get to play her for many more.” That first appearance back in 2004 was one of seven and counting for Bentley and his old guitar, and throughout the show he expressed plenty of gratitude about being invited back time and time again.
Houston was happy to have him.
For the band's 15 songs, including three CMA nominees “Drunk on a Plane,” “Different for Girls” and “I Hold On,” Bentley's fans backed him up on the chorus of every one. When it was time for his duet with Elle King on last year’s hit,“Different for Girls,” the singer was overwhelmed by a stadium full of eager ladies ready and willing to fill in for the talented but absent Los Angeles vocalist.
This year’s show is sure to be on every fan’s mind until next time. A Houston stage is a great fit for this Nashville star.
Setlist:
Up on the Ridge
Free and Easy
Tip it on Back
Am I The Only One
5-1-5-0
Say You Do
Different for Girls
I Hold On
Black
Riser
Somewhere on a Beach
What Was I Thinking?
Sideways
Drunk on a Plane
A Houston stage is a great fit for this Nashville star.
