Dierks Bentley Looks Forward to ‘Bigger and Better’ Miles & Music

Dierks Bentley's annual Miles & Music for Kids in Nashville is only a few weeks away, but the country singer is already counting the days. Eager to bring a few of his celebrity friends to the star-studded event, Dierks says next month's lineup is only a taste of what his fans can expect in the years to come. "Every year it gets to be a little bigger and better," he tells The Boot. "This year Miranda Lambert and Luke Bryan are coming out, and Jerrod Niemann's gonna be there."

Dierks acknowledges his busy schedule allows him limited free time, but he feels that this cause -- which has so far raised more than $1.2 million for children's hospitals across the country -- is worth the effort. "It started awhile back as a way to give back to the community," he says. "For all the fans you build up, to find a way to use that to raise money for a good cause and raise awareness is important."

This year's October 17 event will include an hour-long motorcycle ride in the afternoon that will kick off at a Harley Davidson shop in Columbia, Tenn., and end at Riverfront Park in downtown Nashville, where Dierks will headline a concert that will extend well into the evening.

The happily married father of one, with another baby due in December, surprised fans and industry insiders alike when he followed up his No.1 album, 'Feel That Fire,' with his bluegrass project, 'Up on the Ridge.' But while he stands by his decision to embrace the style of music that he's passionate about, he admits his next CD will drift back to the genre that made him famous. "I'm working on a country record that will have some bluegrass stuff in it," he reveals. "It will still be pretty country."

Dierks, who is nominated for three upcoming CMA Awards, was recently honored by ASCAP as their Songwriter-Artist of the Year. Tickets for Nashville's 'Miles & Music' event are currently on sale, and can be purchased here. October 18, Dierks will head to the Big Apple, where he will perform four shows at various venues in the city. His schedule can be found here.