VOA常速英语:Dierks Bentley Takes Listeners 'Home'

Country star Dierks Bentley has a diverse range of musical influences which listeners will hear on his new album, “Home.”

The title track to “Home” recently became the ninth Number One Country single of Bentley's career. The 36-year-old Arizona native was performing in Australia when he got the news. 

“It’s been so cool to see fans reacting to this song on the road…the idea of ‘Home’ and what that means to different people has been really inspiring,” Bentley said.

The song's patriotic message of togetherness has especially touched soldiers returning to their loved ones after long deployments overseas. President Obama is also a fan of the song, which is nominated for an upcoming Academy of Country Music Award. According to reports, the president has “Home” on his personal campaign playlist.

“Am I The Only One” was the lead single from “Home.”  The Number One song placed in the Top 10 on Billboard’s 2011 year-end Country chart.

Bentley spent 18 months working on the album. He felt the first version lacked the Country, bluegrass and rock mix he’s known for, so he tossed the tracks and re-recorded the entire record. Guests on “Home” include award-winning bluegrass musicians Sam Bush and Tim O’Brien. And, the song “When You Gonna Come Around” features Bentley with Karen Fairchild of the popular Country group Little Big Town.

Bentley is promoting the album on his “Country and Cold Cans Tour,” which is expected to be one of the most popular Country tours of 2012.