Give the people what they want. Dierks Bentley took that marketing mantra to extremes with his next album, a hits project in which he sought the advice of his fans as he determined the package and the contents.
Due May 6, the album will be titled Greatest Hits//Every Mile A Memory 2003-2008. The CD will feature his 10 Top 10 singles, plus two new songs, four live recordings and artwork that was voted on by fans through his website. The first 3,000 people who took part will also be listed on the album's liner notes as executive producers.
"I think we are kind of the first ones to do it," he told The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin. "I know if I were a fan of a band, to have my name in the liner notes would be really cool. I know people are psyched because the 3,000 slots went pretty quickly."
In addition to picking the album's name, the fans chose concert versions of "So So Long," "Lot Of Leavin' Left To Do," "Wish It Would Break" and "Free & Easy (Down The Road I Go)" as the bonus live selections. In addition, the CD will introduce two new tracks: "With The Band" and "Sweet & Wild," the latter a collaboration with "Stupid Boy" songwriter Sarah Buxton.