It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment it happened. Maybe it was the first time I saw that trucker crying in his beer while the Blues Brothers sang “Stand By Your Man,” but on occasion I like to run the dial through the XM country music channels and have a listen.
And I don’t think I’ve heard any song more than Dierks Bentley “Free and Easy Down The Road I Go” on country radio. It bridges the old and new and takes you back to the country of yore, yet is still fresh with a sound that’s modern. Listen to it HERE. You might say that REAL country music became extinct somewhere around the early 80’s in favor of horrendously polished and confectionery, factory-churned “hits.” To that I say you’re correct in large part and long live Jimmie, Merle, Johnny, Willie, Waylon, etc.
If you haven’t been to Nashville, you haven’t been to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. And you’re the worse for it. You might think you don’t care about boot-kickers, and if so you’re missing out on the history of America. From slaves to the Dust Bowl to the Elvis solid gold Cadillac and the history/tragedy of the Williams family. To see the old footage of people fiddlin’ and dancin’ and watching Jimmie Rodgers sing you become an instant believer and a fan.
My point? To help evangelize that Dierks Bentley will host his Miles & Music for Kids celebrity motorcycle ride and concert series in Seattle on Sept. 18th. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Seattle Children’s Hospital. The approximately 45-minute ride will depart from Destination Harley-Davidson of Tacoma and travel to the Puyallup Fair. Tickets go on sale March 27th.
Should be fun!
Photo courtesy of Dierks Bentley.
Northwest Harley Blog 
I was at the Nashville Miles & Music for Kids – what a blast. All kinds of bikes, all kinds of people – everyone having a good time with plenty of terrific music. And to top it off- for a good cause. Go, Enjoy!