Dierks Bentley burst onto the country music scene in 2003 with his debut single "What Was I Thinkin'," which topped the Billboard country charts. Since then, Bentley has achieved 20 No. 1 hits and released nine studio albums, seven of which reached the top of the U.S. country charts, most of which have been certified gold or platinum. Despite his mainstream success and good looks, Bentley has made bold and unconventional choices, such as his 2010 bluegrass album "Up on the Ridge," which sold nearly 6,000 copies short of gold certification.Bentley moved to Nashville in 1994, seeking authenticity in country music, but found it in bluegrass at the Station Inn. His musical journey began early, influenced by his father and sparked by hearing Hank Williams, Jr. After studying at the University of Vermont and then transferring to Vanderbilt, Bentley graduated in 1997 and worked at The Nashville Network while pursuing music at night. After five years of hard work, he signed with Capitol Records in 2003.Bentley has won multiple awards, including two CMA, two CMT, and two ACM awards, and has been nominated for 14 Grammys. He became the youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2005 and received the ACM's "Merle Haggard Spirit Award" in 2018. His most recent album, "The Mountain," recorded in Colorado, reflects his bluegrass influences. 2018 Bentley also headlined a tribute concert for the Stanley Brothers at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Born on November 20, 1975, in Phoenix, Arizona, Bentley continues to leave a unique mark on the country music scene.