Dierks Bentley Reveals Private Meeting With President Obama

Dierks Bentley shared a secret with the sold-out crowd at his May 20 Washington, D.C. concert. He met with President Barack Obama earlier that day.

"Where were we walking again? Down a street called Pittsburgh?," Dierks jokingly remarked to the Travelin' McCourys and the Punch Brothers, who backed him during the show. "No, it was called Pennsylvania ... I went in and dropped off a copy of my latest CD at the Oval Office."

Of course Dierks was talking about his 'Up On the Ridge' disc that will be officially released on June 8. No further details about the private meeting are available, says Dierks' publicist. But just the mention of the musician's visit to the White House elicited whoops and cheers from his fans.

Dierks told the story after he thanked the crowd for buying tickets to his show despite the tough economic times caused by the ongoing recession. He also mentioned sitting in a bar last July when his cell phone "lit up" with messages. The first, from Miranda Lambert's tour manager, told the whole story: President Obama had quoted Dierks during the White House music series.

"I said country music was the best shrink $15 can buy," Dierks repeated to the crowd. Those who doubt the statement need only watch the video of the exuberant concert audience filmed for an upcoming television special.

Dierks' next show -- which is sold out -- is Saturday, May 22, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Special guests joining him will include Del McCoury and the Punch Brothers.

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