Dierks Bentley To Release ‘Riser’ Film

Dierks Bentley fans will soon get closer to their favorite singer-songwriter than ever before. Bentley will release Dierks Bentley: Riser, a film that documents the ups and downs following the death of Bentley’s father, through the birth of his first son. This is the story that inspired his upcoming seventh studio album, Riser.

Fans can preview a special edit of the film on CMT on Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. CT, and the full-length premiere the same day on Palladia at 8 p.m. CT.

“The two phrases ‘touring musician’ and ‘family man’ were never meant to go hand-in-hand…it’s just hard. It really hurts your heart to walk out the door on your kids. It’s like the two loves of your life pulling at you – your family and your love of music,” said Bentley. “I wanted this album to be that deeper look at who I am and who I try to be, and so I guess it’s the same with this film too. The first time I watched the rough edit, I actually got physically uncomfortable because it’s all in there…my whole life right there on the screen for the whole world to see.”

Director Wes Edwards and multiple film crews shadowed Bentley over the course of the last two years, logging thousands of hours of tape, which were edited down by The Moving Pictures Boys (Nashville Docujournal, The Country Club Film) to the most pivotal moments. The film covers everything from the most quiet, pensive moments from Bentley’s bunk on the tour bus to the rush of excitement in the delivery room for the birth of his son Knox, and it’s all set to the soundtrack of the album that these events inspired.

“I knew Dierks was a dynamic performer and charismatic guy,” said director Edwards. “But, as a filmmaker it was a challenge to try and capture a portrait of a guy with so many different aspects to his life. He’s a guy who can bring an audience of twenty thousand to their feet and a guy you can have a beer with in a dive bar. He’s a guy that flies his own plane but uses a kitchen trash bag for luggage. I hope this documentary accurately captures the Dierks I’ve had the honor to get to know personally – a guy with serious work ethic, love for his family and genuine respect for the people around him. But most of all, I hope we are able to convey a true artist at work.”

The album Riser will release Feb. 25. To celebrate the album and film, screenings will be hosted in London, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York and Toronto.

Watch a preview below.