With his seventh album dropping later this month, Dierks Bentley lets the curtain fall on life behind the scenes – and PEOPLE has an exclusive peek. 

Cameras followed the country star over the course of two years, documenting Bentley’s goodbye to his father, hello to his son Knox, and preparation for the release of Riser, out Feb. 25th.  

“I want this album to sum up who I am as a guy going through these different changes in life,” Bentley, 38, says. “You lose your dad, get married and have kids, but you’re on the road rocking and acting like you’re 13 years old on stage with a guitar in your hand.” 

In the hour-long documentary, airing Feb. 22nd on CMT, viewers see Bentley eating breakfastwith daughters Evie, 5, and Jordan, 3, at their mini-me sized table, fly his plane to and from shows and witness his anxiety over the fear of missing Knox’s October birth – as it turns out, he made it in plenty of time. 

“Touring musician and family man were never meant to go hand in hand,” he explains in the clip as wife Cassidy is shown waving goodbye. “It’s just two loves of your life pulling at you.” 

The first single off Riser, entitled “I Hold On,” pays tribute to Bentley’s relationship with his father Leon, who died in June 2012. 

“He’s always been my biggest influence and hero,” says Bentley. “[I’m] trying to come out the other side intact and stronger than ever … the kind of person that’s going to always pick themselves back up and pick up the people around them. This is who I want to be.”

Jon Pardi released his debut album, Write You a Song, a couple of weeks ago. Take a look back at some of the cool things he took part in release week.

Nashville, TN – Feb. 3, 2014 – Over the course of his career, Capitol Records’ award-winning singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley has given fans behind-the-scenes access on the road, in the studio and even at home. But never before have fans seen him like they will in DIERKS BENTLEY: RISER, a film documenting the ups and downs following the death of his father through the birth of his first son – the story that inspired his upcoming seventh studio album RISER.  Fans can preview a special edit of the film exclusively on CMT on Feb. 22nd at 1:00pm CT, and the full length will premiere the same day on Palladia at 8:00pm CT.  The project will also be available for purchase in the coming weeks. 

“The two phrases ‘touring musician’ and ‘family man’ were never meant to go hand-in-hand…it’s just hard. It really hurts your heart to walk out the door on your kids. It’s like the two loves of your life pulling at you – your family and your love of music,” said Bentley. “I wanted this album to be that deeper look at who I am and who I try to be, and so I guess it’s the same with this film too.   The first time I watched the rough edit, I actually got physically uncomfortable because it’s all in there…my whole life right there on the screen for the whole world to see.”

Director Wes Edwards and multiple film crews shadowed Bentley over the course of the last two years, logging thousands of hours of tape, which were edited down by The Moving Pictures Boys (Nashville Docujournal, The Country Club Film) to the most pivotal moments.  The film covers everything from the most quiet, pensive moments from Bentley’s bunk on the tour bus to the rush of excitement in the delivery room for the birth of his son Knox, and it’s all set to the soundtrack of the album that these events inspired. 

“I knew Dierks was a dynamic performer and charismatic guy,” said director Wes Edwards.  “But, as a filmmaker it was a challenge to try and capture a portrait of a guy with so many different aspects to his life.  He’s a guy who can bring an audience of twenty thousand to their feet and a guy you can have a beer with in a dive bar.  He’s a guy that flies his own plane but uses a kitchen trash bag for luggage.  I hope this documentary accurately captures the Dierks I’ve had the honor to get to know personally – a guy with serious work ethic, love for his family and genuine respect for the people around him.  But most of all, I hope we are able to convey a true artist at work.”

People has the first look of the film and fans can watch the trailer here:  http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20782894,00.html

Bentley will release his seventh studio album RISER on Feb. 25. To celebrate both the new album and film, he will host screenings over the course of the next few weeks in London, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York and Toronto. For more information on the film and the new album, visit www.dierks.com.

Nashville, TN – Feb. 3, 2014 – GRAMMY winning trio Lady Antebellum’s North American TAKE ME DOWNTOWN TOUR visited Boston’s TD Garden this weekend with a sold out crowd. Boston Herald noted “having the time of their lives…the Nashville-based trio delivered a 90-minute, high-energy show that was chockfull of golden moments.”
 
“And when their voices locked into pristine harmony on such tunes as foot-stomping opener ‘Compass,’ wistful ‘Just a Kiss,’ and propulsive ‘I Run to You’…a sold-out crowd at the TD Garden Friday night was happy to take the ride.” – Boston Globe
 
“Compass” is driving through the Top 10 on the country radio charts as the trio recently received news of their four ACM nominations including a nod for “Vocal Group of the Year.” This weekend, the TAKE ME DOWNTOWN TOUR will stop in Minneapolis, MN and Grand Rapids, MI with special guests Kip Moore and Kacey Musgraves. For a full list of tour dates and for ticket information, visit www.ladyantebellum.com.

Newtown, CT, February 3, 2014 . . . Joining the charitable efforts emanating from Newtown, CT, to employ the performing arts as a healing mechanism in the wake of the horrific shooting tragedy which occurred there, the 12.14 Foundation announced today the selection of platinum-selling country music singer-songwriter Scotty McCreery as its first “National Goodwill Ambassador.” McCreery will play an active role in promoting the foundation’s arts programming, supporting its fundraising efforts, and building awareness for the organization’s plans to build a world-class performing arts and education center in Newtown.

McCreery, who visited with families and school children in Newtown on December 12, 2013, just two days before the first anniversary of the tragedy, is internationally recognized as the winner of Season 10 of American Idol and who has since become one of the top new artists on the country music landscape.

“I’m honored to support the 12.14 Foundation, and greatly admire both the mission and work of this remarkable organization,” said McCreery.  “As a songwriter and performer, I know that music can bring hope and inspiration to those struggling to overcome great adversity.  The foundation’s vision of helping children and others heal through the performing arts really hits home for me as an entertainer.  I will do everything I can to help communities affected by tragedy to heal and gain strength through the work of the 12.14 Foundation.”

As a goodwill ambassador, McCreery will promote the foundation’s mission and fundraising efforts through personal appearances and social media.  For details about McCreery’s involvement with the 12.14 Foundation, please visit: http://www.1214foundation.org/scotty-mccreery.

“Scotty is a terrific young man, and his support of the foundation’s work will be pivotal in raising national awareness for our arts programming and, ultimately, construction of a state-of-the-art performing arts center in Newtown,” said Dr. Michael Baroody, a Newtown resident who founded the organization shortly after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School which took the lives of 26 victims.  “Our mission is to provide healing through the arts as a way forward — not just for those affected in Newtown but for people everywhere who have endured tragedy and trauma.  Scotty provides joy, hope and inspiration through music, has a genuine compassion for others, and is an excellent role-model for perseverance and achievement at a young age.”

About the 12.14 Foundation
The 12.14 Foundation’s long-range goal is to build a landmark, multi-purpose performing arts and education center of historical significance in Newtown as a beacon of hope and positive change for use by and to benefit people everywhere.  To be designed by a team of world-class professionals, the center is intended to attract top tier performers and will incorporate advanced multi-media capabilities to extend the foundation’s reach to a worldwide audience.

Near-term and in advance of construction, the foundation provides arts programming in other venues, such as its recent production of “Seussical: the Musical,” which garnered national attention and included the participation of more than 100 children from the Newtown area in collaboration with award-winning Broadway leaders such as Michael Unger, Van Dean, John Tartaglia, Jeffrey Saver and Jennifer Paulson Lee.

For more information and to make donations, visit http://www.1214foundation.org/.  Mobile phone users can make a $10 tax-deductible donation to 12.14 Foundation by texting CTKIDS to 80077*. 

About Scotty McCreery
Since his 2011 debut, Mercury Nashville / 19 / Interscope Records artist Scotty McCreery has become one of country music’s hottest new stars, with album sales topping 1.6 million.  He was named the winner of Season 10 of American Idol after a record-setting 122.4 million votes were cast in the show’s finale.  His platinum-selling debut album, Clear As Day, made Billboard history and helped McCreery earn “Best New Artist” recognition from the Academy of Country Music, American Country Awards and CMT Music Awards.  In addition to his numerous concerts, McCreery has played for President Barack Obama, sang the national anthem at the World Series and performed in the Macy’s Day Parade.

On his latest album, See You Tonight, McCreery showcases his bass voice while blending contemporary and traditional country to create a sound unique to the college sophomore. With more than 150 live shows under his belt across the United States, Canada and the Philippines, McCreery has become a favorite of all ages.  McCreery is currently crossing the U.S. on his See You Tonight Tour.  For more information, visit www.ScottyMcCreery.com

Eric Paslay releases his self-titled debut album on Tuesday (February 4th), and he couldn’t be more thrilled, especially since he just hit the top of the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart with “Friday Night,” which appears on the album. He moved to Nashville more than 10 years ago, and he says timing is everything when putting together an album of songs.

“They’re all, all the way from 10 years ago to probably a year ago between the 11 songs. I believe every song could be played on the radio and be a hit, you know, but it is wild when you think about how do all these songs get to be on a record,” says the Texas native. “There’s a lot of songs that deserve to be heard, and they will be eventually, but these are the 11 on the album, and I think they fit together really well to kinda at least introduce people to me about what I like singing about.”

Eric is traveling around the country performing his own dates, but will hit the road in March with Brantley Gilbert and Thomas Rhett on the Let It Ride 2014 Tour.

Eric Paslay (debut album) OC: …singing about. :46
“They’re all, all the way from 10 years ago to probably a year ago between the 11 songs. I believe every song could be played on the radio and be a hit, you know, but it is wild when you think about how do all these songs get to be on a record. And it is – it’s about timing…I wrote this song, ‘Song About a Girl,’ it’s a pretty new song and went in the studio and cut it, and it’s like, ‘Holy crap! This is a fun song. It needs to be on the record.’ The bummer thing is you knock off a song that was on the record before it. There’s a lot of songs that deserve to be heard, and they will be eventually, but these are the 11 on the album, and I think they fit together really well to kinda at least introduce people to me about what I like singing about.”

Eric Paslay’s “Friday Night” jumps two spots to land at No. 1 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart, marking the Texas native’s first chart-topper…as an artist! He’s previously had three songs top the charts for others, including Jake Owen (“Barefoot Blue Jean Night”), Eli Young Band (“Even If It Breaks Your Heart”) and Love & Theft (“Angel Eyes”). Eric says his perfect “Friday Night” would include riding around in a hot muscle car, going dancing, having a good burger and “being with people you love and having a honey, that’s a good Friday night.” He laughingly adds (from a line in the song), “and having money in your pocket,  ‘cause you just got paid.” “Friday Night” is featured on Eric’s self-titled debut album arriving in stores and online tomorrow (February 4th).

Luke Bryan’s “Drink a Beer” switches places with Eric to land at No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart. The tune, which features and was co-written by Chris Stapleton, has spent a mere 14 weeks on the chart. Luke says folks are moved by the song when he performs it live on his That’s My Kind of Night Tour. “I’m always able to look through the crowd and see people really overwhelmed with emotion by it, and that means so much to me. It means that the song is affecting people and helping people,” says the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year. “When you’re grieving the loss of someone and you’re remembering them, it’s helping you, whether you’re hurting while it’s helping you, it’s still helping you. And this song helps people remember special people to them.” “Drink a Beer” is the third single from Luke’s Crash My Party album.

Eric Paslay (perfect Friday Night) OC: …got paid. [laughs] :26
“A perfect ‘Friday Night’ would be cruising in an old ’68 Mustang or something old or a ’74 candy apple ragtop, going dancing, having a good burger, maybe getting a poppy seed kolaches (it’s a Czech pastry). For all you foodies out there, it’s really good. Being with people you love and having a honey, that’s a good Friday night, and having money in your pocket,  ‘cause you just got paid.” [laughs]

Luke Bryan (Drink a Beer live) OC: …like they do. :45
“Performing ‘Drink a Beer’ in front of a live audience, I’m always able to look through the crowd and see people really overwhelmed with emotion by it, and that means so much to me. It means that the song is affecting people and helping people. When you’re grieving the loss of someone and you’re remembering them, it’s helping you, whether you’re hurting while it’s helping you, it’s still helping you. And this song helps people remember special people to them. When I turn to the audience and let them sing it back, it’s the highlight of the night for me, and I’m so honored to have the song in my set now and so honored that the fans sing it like they do.”

Keith Urban took time before the last show of the Light The Fuse Tour in Nashville last night to thank EVERYONE who made this the BEST tour of his life! Check out his thoughts on the tour, Grammys, Beatles Tribute Concert, ACM Nominations and more!

You can catch Keith on the airwaves with his latest single, “Cop Car,” and on the tube with the new season of American Idol on FOX.

Kip Moore has a new album on the way, and fans are getting their first taste of it from his new single, “Young Love.” “It’s a story about a couple being [up] against the world, and feeling like they’re having to fight every inch to be together,” Kip says. He believes people of all ages can find themselves in the words and music – from “people that are 13…experiencing love for the first time…to somebody that’s 80, and they’ve gone through all the trials and tribulations to stay together.”

When he’s not in the studio putting the finishing touches on his new album, he’s been hanging out with Lady Antebellum on theirTake Me Downtown Tour.

Kip Moore (Young Love) :19
“It’s a story about a couple being [up] against the world, you know, and feeling like they’re having to fight every inch to be together. It’s going to relate to people that are 13 that are, you know – feel like they’re experiencing love for the first time, and their parents don’t want them to be together…to somebody that’s 80, and they’ve gone through all the trials and tribulations to stay together. So, it’s going to speak a lot of people’s story.”