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Dierks Bentley
New Music Friday For June 8: Six Albums You Should Hear Now

Jorja Smith's debut album, Lost & Found, is one of the standouts for June 8 releases. Rashid Babiker/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Rashid Babiker/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday For June 8: Six Albums You Should Hear Now

The best albums of June 8 include the candid, introspective rock of Snail Mail, the jazzy, laid-back R&B of British singer Jorja Smith, the sultry pop of Lykke Li, and more.

New Music Friday For June 8: Six Albums You Should Hear Now

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Think Politics Is Gone From Country Music? Listen Closer

Brad Paisley performs at an inaugural ball for Barack Obama in January 2013. A few months later, Paisley's song "Accidental Racist" would make the country singer the focus of ridicule and satire. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The Record

Think Politics Is Gone From Country Music? Listen Closer

Earlier this decade, it seemed like country's political streak had faded. But in the past five years, a handful of artists have displayed a renewed focus on morality that feels quietly revolutionary.

Concerts

Finale: Blind Alfred Reed's Lament

For the special taping of Mountain Stage in Bristol, Va./Tenn., musical guests Dierks Bentley, Vieux Farka Toure, Joe Ely, Kelly Willis and Roger Rasnake take on a local legend's most famous tune for their joint final number.

Listen Now: Brooke Miller On Mountain Stage

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Mountain Stage

Dierks Bentley, Country Crooner, On Mountain Stage

One of Nashville's biggest stars, Bentley plays the border town of Bristol, Tenn./Va. — the "Birthplace of Country Music" — in a special episode commemorating the 80th anniversary of the first commercial country music recordings.

Listen Now: Dierks Bentley on Mountain Stage

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Dierks Bentley's 'Home' Is Full Of Country Struggles
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Review

Music Reviews

Dierks Bentley's 'Home' Is Full Of Country Struggles

Fresh Air

Bentley has been releasing albums for a decade and has achieved substantial success. Rock critic Ken Tucker says the singer's latest album, Home, is an attempt to raise his profile to a new level, with mixed results.

Dierks Bentley's 'Home' Is Full Of Country Struggles

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Dierks Bentley's Anthem For Troubled Times

Dierks Bentley.

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Music Interviews

Dierks Bentley's Anthem For Troubled Times

The country music star says he was just trying to write a patriotic song that was honest.

Dierks Bentley's Anthem For Troubled Times

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Dierks Bentley On Mountain Stage

Dierks Bentley and The Travelin' McCourys. Brian Blauser hide caption

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Brian Blauser

Mountain Stage

Dierks Bentley On Mountain Stage

The country star is joined by The Travelin' McCourys for a performance of tunes from his recent, bluegrass-inspired album Up on the Ridge. The band also performs special arrangements of Bentley's hit singles.

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Dierks Bentley Leaves Big Country For Bluegrass

One of country music's biggest stars, Dierks Bentley is back with an album that may surprise his fans. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist

Review

Music Reviews

Dierks Bentley Leaves Big Country For Bluegrass

With seven No. 1 country hits, six Grammy nominations and two platinum albums, singer Dierks Bentley is a bona fide star. His fifth album, Up on the Ridge, will be a surprise to some fans: It's entirely acoustic, and finds Bentley digging deep into bluegrass.

Dierks Bentley Leaves Big Country For Bluegrass

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