Dierks Bentley on THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO, NBC

Country music singer. Born November 20, 1975, in Phoenix, Arizona. Inheriting a love of music from his father, Bentley picked up his first instrument, an electric guitar, at age 13. After graduating from a prestigious East Coast prep school and attending Vanderbilt University, Bentley dropped out of college to pursue a career in music. Discouraged by the Nashville music scene, Bentley turned to bluegrass to help define his own sound. He worked for a time at The Nashville Network and played at local parties and bars before releasing his self-titled debut album for Capitol Nashville in 2003. The album’s single, “What Was I Thinkin’?” topped the country charts. His 2005 effort, Modern Day Drifter, was also certified platinum. Bentley became the youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry when he was inducted on October 1, 2005. That year, he won the CMA Horizon Award. His first DVD, The Dierks Bentley Experience, was filmed in 2006 in Denver, Colorado. In 2009, Bentley released another hit album, Feel That Fire. He had two number one hits from the recording: the title track and “Sideways.” His musical style has been compared to such country legends as Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard. Bentley married Cassidy Black in 2005. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Evie, in October 2008. Tu 4/27: Jessica Simpson, Jackie Earle Haley, Dierks Bentley