Dierks Bentley’s Focus: Family, Not Fame

Dierks Bentley is currently seeking a reliable phone signal while on a brief family vacation in Florida. This temporary inconvenience is a minor setback compared to the joy of spending quality time with his loved ones during a break from his extensive tour.

The 49-year-old artist values his family—his wife and three children—above his illustrious 20-plus-year career in country music. His commitment to his family is so strong that he even pilots his own plane to transport his band, ensuring efficient travel and maximizing time at home.

Bentley explains that integrating family time into his touring schedule is a significant challenge, especially when compared to the ease of focusing solely on career advancement. He attributes his success to his commitment to his family responsibilities.

However, Bentley’s latest album, *Broken Branches*, explores a different period in his life. This eleventh album delves into the experiences and motivations of young people who relocate to Nashville to pursue their musical dreams.

Since relocating from Arizona to Nashville in the mid-1990s, Bentley has achieved considerable success, including eight number-one albums and 22 number-one singles. His unique musical style blends traditional bluegrass and anthemic rock influences. Although he hasn’t achieved widespread mainstream recognition, *Billboard* magazine recently acknowledged him as one of the top 20 country artists of the 21st century.

The album’s themes inspired Bentley to establish the Broken Branches Fund, which provides mental health resources to the music industry in collaboration with the Music Health Alliance. He emphasizes the importance of providing healthcare for his touring crew and aims to increase awareness and support in the industry.

Before concluding his interview, Bentley discussed aspiring country musicians, the emotional demands of a musical career, and his personal definition of success. He highlighted the significance of work-life balance as the cornerstone of a fulfilling life.

An Interview with Dierks Bentley

Esquire: Did you have a specific goal for this album?

Dierks Bentley: The songs guided the creative process. The song “Broken Branches,” discovered after a year of work, served as the album’s core concept—the idea that every Nashville musician is a metaphorical offshoot from their family tree. I built the album around this idea.

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Esquire: How did this concept influence the album’s direction?

DB: I reflected on my own move to Nashville at 19, exploring the city’s highs and lows, heartbreak, and spiritual searching. These themes are prevalent in country music, but I focused on the idea of leaving family to pursue a dream.

Esquire: You wrote fewer songs on this album than usual. Was this intentional?

DB: I’ve always prioritized the overall album’s structure. While I write many songs, I also seek out others, valuing quality over quantity. My focus is on selecting the best songs, regardless of authorship.

Esquire: You’re known for clever lyrics. How do you feel when you create memorable phrases?

DB: Nashville songwriting involves meticulous craft and wordplay. I admire well-crafted songs and am happy to showcase them, even if I didn’t write them personally.

Esquire: What inspired the mental health initiative?

DB: It’s connected to the “broken branches” theme. Pursuing a career in country music can be isolating, requiring sacrifices and creating potential challenges.

Esquire: Is the country music community open to discussing mental health?

DB: Yes, especially among younger artists who openly share their struggles on social media. They’ve destigmatized mental health issues, leading the way for positive change.

Esquire: *Billboard* recently listed you among the top 20 country artists of the century.

DB: I appreciate the recognition but don’t focus on legacy. My priorities are fan experience and family; their opinions matter most to me.

Esquire: You don’t think about your legacy?

DB: Not at all. I’m content with my career. I’m happy for the new generation of artists. I enjoy making music and don’t plan to stop anytime soon.