Dierks Bentley Hints at Hot Country Knights Reunion During 2018 Mountain High Tour
Dierks Bentley's '90s cover band may make a return this year during his Mountain High Tour, the "Woman, Amen" singer says.
Dierks Bentley recently announced his summer plans for 2018, which include headlining the Mountain High Tour with Brothers Osborne and LANCO. The singer also hinted that a rare appearance from his ’90s country cover band, Hot Country Knights, might also occur.
During a press event on Monday (Jan. 22) at his newly opened bar Whiskey Row located on Nashville’s Lower Broadway, Bentley was joined by tourmates Brothers Osborne and LANCO to discuss the upcoming tour. Since Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne is a founding member of Hot Country Knights, Bentley mused that they might get the band back together.
“Now that we have the whole band together on tour, there might be some extra shows lined up post performances,” he hints. “The Knights are coming to a city near you. It’s their first national tour.”
Hot Country Knights made their debut at the 2015 Country Radio Seminar at The Stage. During their memorable performance, Bentley, donning a mullet and ’90s attire, assumed the alter ego of Douglas “Big Rhythm Doug” Douglason. He was joined by Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, Miranda Lambert, Randy Houser and TJ Osborne, all in their best vintage getup, to perform some of the biggest country hits from the decade. The band once again united during this year’s Country Radio Seminar for a comeback with a special performance at Whiskey Row.
The ’90s country throwback band isn’t the only other side act Bentley has, though. Last year, Bentley surprised fans when he served as an incognito opening act for himself. During several tour stops, he assumed the role of a bluegrass group named Bolo Boys Bluegrass Band to unsuspecting concertgoers. A few fans eventually caught on and filmed some of the performances.
Regardless of whether the Hot Country Knights or the Bolo Boys Bluegrass Band make an appearance this summer, Bentley’s Mountain High Tour promises to be a fun one. His fourth year of headlining, Bentley says it still feels fresh and new to him. He’ll be hard at work making sure he gives fans a different show, and each night will likely include collaborations with Brothers Osborne and LANCO.
“I’ve got some ideas,” he tells Sounds Like Nashville. “That’s what’s fun. You watch the show and seeing everyone come back out in some way, that’s really important. I’ve been on tours where it has happened or hasn’t happened. [I’m] trying to create unique moments with everybody.”
Bentley recalls early days opening up for Kenny Chesney and says he was always grateful that the country superstar invited him to perform “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” each night.
“That was such an amazing opportunity to come back out and be in front of his crowd and have this fun moment. As a fan, it’s really fun to have that,” he adds. “I’ve got some ideas going. We’re thinking about ways to do things different. I want these guys to walk away and go the rest of our lives, ‘That was the best tour. I’ve never had more fun opening for somebody.’ I want this to be the one where they talk about me the same way I would talk about Kenny.”
Bentley’s 2018 Mountain High Tour with Brothers Osborne and LANCO kicks off on May 17.
