Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert Grammy Performance Puts Country Music Center Stage
Dierks Bentley is set to perform on the Grammy Awards telecast awards with Locked & Reloaded tour mate Miranda Lambert and, naturally, he's pretty stoked about the impending experience.
"To perform on the Grammys will be one of the coolest things ever," says the singer. "I am thrilled beyond belief."
Although the song the two will perform together has not been announced, Dierks has had a huge year with his hit "Home," which is nominated for Best Country Solo Performance. Miranda's nomination this year comes for Best Country Album for Four the Record.
This will mark Miranda's second Grammy show performance. She made the announcement on "The View," saying, "It means the world to have a nomination and perform. It's awesome and I'm so thankful to be a part of it."
In addition to his performance, Dierks expects you'll see him on stage whether he wins his own Grammy or not. "I wrote a bluegrass song on the Grascals' album Life Finds a Way, and I think they will win this year," Dierks tells The Boot. "If those guys win I'm going to rush up there on stage with them, so I can say I did it!"
Jamie Johnson of the Grascals says he would be honored for Dierks to come up with them, but bandmate Terry Eldridge is not so sure. "Who are we talking about?" he asks, tongue-in-cheek, to which Jamie replies, "Johnny Bentley with the Reds."
"Oh him," Terry affirms. "Sure, he could come up with us."
Dierks, who was unaware of this exchange between his pals, says he really has a good feeling about the band he has toured and recorded with in the past. "It's a good year for them. Del McCoury is not nominated, Steve Martin and Ralph Stanley are not nominated. So I am pretty sure they have a good chance at taking this one home."
Jamie feels like it's a good year for the band as well. "It's our third nomination and we're honored. We can't wait to get back out there. Our last nomination was six years ago."
Although a multiple Grammy nominee, Dierks has thus far become accustomed to clapping for someone else at this point. "I have that down pretty good," he says with a laugh. "It is always cool to be nominated."
Dierks and Miranda are among several country artists who will represent the genre during the show. Also performing are Taylor Swift, who will open the live broadcast, and Carrie Underwood. The 55th Annual Grammy Awards will air live from Los Angeles, Sunday, Feb. 10, at 8:00 PM ET on CBS.
Watch Dierks Bentley's 'Tip It on Back' Video