Dierks Bentley surprised a stadium full of fans with his “Different for Girls” duet partner, Elle King on Thursday (June 9th).  The pair performed the new single during CMA Music Fest (as well as on the CMT Awards), and the pop singer with country sensibilities said she never wants to leave.

“I was talking to someone outside, and I was saying how I just don’t ever want to go back to pop or rock, and I think country is way more rock ‘n roll than the rock ‘n roll world anyways. I can barely keep up with everyone, and like that is really saying something,” says Elle, as Dierks laughs. “So, I have had so much fun, and I have had such a warm welcome. I think maybe because everyone is drunker than me, and that’s great.”

Dierks, who Elle calls “dreamy,” has been having fun introducing her to the country music community. “It’s been fun having Elle King, introducing her to this audience, ‘cause I don’t think, people who come from outside this genre just don’t know what Nashville’s like, what y’all are like, what the fans are like, how appreciative they are of people,” he says. “Like Minnie Pearl said, ‘Love ‘em, and they’ll love you back,’ and that still holds true to today. So, it’s been fun watching her be around all this, and I don’t think she can believe it, how cool everyone is.”

Dierks and Elle are making their way up the country charts with “Different for Girls.”