Dierks Bentley went into this month's Grammy awards with four nominations, but he walked away empty-handed. Was Dierks bothered by that? Not in the least. The awards are just icing on the cake for him, plus he has nothing but respect for the guy who beat him for Best Country Album.

"I make records for me," Dierks told The South Bend Tribune. "I make them for our fans. I never go in there saying this album has to win a Grammy to justify it being a great album. Of course, when you are at an award show, you want to win, but I lost to Vince Gill, who is a hero of mine and a friend of mine, and he made a great record."

Dierks' last album, Long Trip Alone, is already in his rear-view mirror. He's looking forward to the release of a greatest-hits album this spring, which will feature past singles and some live material as well. Dierks is allowing fans to vote on his website for artwork, specific tracks and for a title for the album. In a presidential election year, it's a perfect expression of democracy.

"I'm excited to see what they choose musically and artistically," Dierks said. "By popular votes, whatever wins, wins — no superdelegates here!"