Dierks Bentley Hopes to Put New Single on the ‘Map’

Dierks Bentley is asking for directions on the second single from his critically-acclaimed 'Up on the Ridge' album. 'Draw Me a Map' will be released to country radio on August 23, following the bluegrass-infused title track. The new tune is a poignant ballad featuring the angelic-voiced Alison Krauss singing harmony. It has been a staple in Dierks' live show, and he recently performed it on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.' [Watch him perform the song live below.]

"The fans have been asking for 'Draw Me a Map' ever since we released the album," Dierks says. "I can't wait to hear it through my truck speakers!"

Since the release of the 'Up on the Ridge' album in June, country radio and fans have embraced the slight musical detour Dierks decided to take, embracing his bluegrass roots. The Arizona native explains it was a direction he didn't exactly set out to take on this project, but he's certainly glad he did.

"Once I started working with [producer] Jon Randall, these ideas started coming out of left field," Dierks tells The Boot. "I realized right away we were breaking rules, putting drums and electric bass on stuff that was bluegrass. We were cutting a Kris Kristofferson song, one by U2 and one written by Bob Dylan. Then we wrote 'Up on the Ridge,' and we were like, is it country or bluegrass? We didn't know, so we said let's stop worrying about genre description, and just do a great record. Once I got past that, I had the freedom to make this record I'm really proud of. I didn't know if there would be a single for country radio on this album, and I live and die for country radio. I've always got it cranked up. But the only way I could be true to myself and have an honest record was to tell myself that I might not have a song on country radio for a while."

But country radio did indeed take a liking to 'Up on the Ridge,' as it rose to the Top 20 on the country singles charts. 'Draw Me a Map' is sure to follow suit.

Look for Dierks on the TV special 'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock' airing on ABC September 1. Dierks performs 'Bad Angel,' the recording of which features Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson.

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