Photo by James Minchin III
OXFORD, Miss.– Award-winning singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley will perform Aug. 22 in the Grove at the University of Mississippi as part of Welcome Week.
Admission is free and open to the public. Start time for the concert, which also includes opening act The Cadillac Black, will be announced at a later date. The event is sponsored by the Student Programming Board, Ole Miss Athletics Department, Ole Miss Alumni Association and Department of Campus Programming
With the help of college students, Bentley will kickoff tailgating season at three SEC campuses to celebrate his new music in a limited Country and Cold Cans: Back to College Tour. The tour begins Aug. 20 at the University of Georgia and continues to the University of South Carolina on Aug. 21 before culminating at Ole Miss.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to bring Dierks Bentley to the Ole Miss campus,” said Wil Yerger, director of the Student Programming Board. “The concert will be a great addition to Welcome Week and a fun way to start the fall semester.”
“What a great way to start the year,” said Ross Bjork, athletics director. “It’s wonderful to provide the Ole Miss community, our students and fans with free, big-time entertainment such as Dierks Bentley, and we hope it warms up the Grove for an exciting fall sports season.”
“For our students and alumni, this is the perfect kickoff to the fall semester,” said Tim Walsh, alumni association executive director. “The Alumni Association is elated to help offer these types of events, and we hope it draws a large number of alumni and friends back to campus.”
Bentley will release a four-song EP titled “Country and Cold Cans” Aug. 21 on iTunes. Produced by Jaren Johnston, the EP was inspired by the crowd-favorite title track and tour of the same name that recently wrapped legs in the U.S., Canada and Australia.
“We thought we’d celebrate the end of summer and back-to-school with an EP of new material that’s about cutting loose,” Bentley said. “I’m really happy with the tracks, and I think our crowd will dig it.”
Bentley’s sixth studio album, “Home,” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard Country Albums chart earlier this year and has already earned three No. 1 hits on country radio: “Am I The Only One,” “Home” and “5-1-5-0.” That gives Bentley a career total of 10 No. 1 hits as an artist and songwriter. For more information and for a full list of upcoming tour dates, visit http://www.dierks.com.
For more information, please contact the Department of Campus Programming at 662-915-1044 or uofmdcp@olemiss.edu.