Dierks Bentley Shares Goal for Kris Kristofferson Tribute Show

On March 16, Dierks Bentley will join more than a dozen other artists to pay tribute to Kris Kristofferson in a star-studded tribute concert, The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson. For Bentley, the chance to recognize the musical legend is an opportunity he doesn't take lightly.

"I think all of us who are a part of it are just honored to be there," Bentley told The Boot and other reporters at a recent media event. "I’ve had a chance to meet him a few times and been a fan of his music for a long time."

Kristofferson sings on "Bottle to the Bottom," a song from Bentley's 2010 bluegrass album, Up on the Ridge. It's a collaboration Bentley says he'll never forget.

"[To] be in the studio with him, he’s great," Bentley recalls. "He’s facing some illness, but when we were in the studio with him, he sang great, and it was so much fun to be around him. I’m honored to be there."

Bentley won't reveal which song he'll sing during the tribute concert, but he does hint that he will have a few special guests join him onstage.

"I think our performance will be cool," he says. "I’m bringing some friends from the Station Inn world to help me take a unique spin on a song.

"I just want to see him smile," Bentley adds. "I just want him to appreciate what we’ve done with the song.

Other artists scheduled to perform during The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson include Lady Antebellum, Ryan Bingham, Rosanne Cash, Eric Church, Emmylou Harris, Jamey Johnson, Willie Nelson, Darius Rucker, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Shooter Jennings, Jennifer Nettles, Reba McEntire, Buddy Miller, Toby Keith and more. The concert will be held at Nashville Bridgestone Arena. Tickets are available on the venue's website.