b. 20 November 1975, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. This country singer-songwriter grew up in Arizona but relocated to the home of country music, Nashville, Tennessee, like countless budding performers before him. He paid his dues playing small venues and bars on Lower Broadway, while holding down a day job with TNN (The Nashville Network). A publishing contract was finally secured with Sony/Tree Publishing, following which Bentley teamed up with local musician Brett Beavers to record demo material. Signing a recording contract with Capitol Records, the duo began work on Bentley’s self-titled major label debut. Veteran bluegrass musician Del McCoury and his band helped out on the track ‘Train Travelin’’. Promoted by the country chart-topper ‘What Was I Thinkin’’, the album was released in August 2003 and immediately hit the bestsellers.
The 2005 follow-up Modern Day Drifter was another commercial success, boosted by the extensive radio play for the singles ‘Lot Of Leavin’ Left To Do’, ‘Come A Little Closer’ and ‘Settle For A Slowdown’. The latter two songs both reached the top of the US country charts. Bentley was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry the same October.
