How A Post-it Note That Dierks Bentley Always Keeps In His Truck Led To A John Anderson Collaboration

Never hurts to have a little daily reminder, and for Dierks Bentley, that reminder comes in the form of a Post It note.

Dierks Bentley joined the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast to talk about his new album Broken Branches, some of his favorite songs on the track list, the Hot Country Knights and adding humor to his music, being friends with Cross Canadian Ragweed frontman Cody Canada, having his pilot’s license, being a dad, hangover cures, sports and more.

Weirdly enough, Post-it notes came up more than once in our conversation with the country star, but the story I want to focus in on is the note that he’s Dierks keeps in his truck. Evidently, the “I Hold On” singer heard a line or was told something at some point that stuck with him, and he wrote it down on a Post It so he’d never forget it.

What’s on that small note plastered on his dashboard, you might be asking? Well it’s actually a question that serves as somewhat of a guiding light for any and every moment in life, and it also helps him stay present, as he explained in the interview:

“I actually have a Post-it note in my truck that says, ‘Am I missing a way to make the moment I’m in more special?’ It’s just a reminder that… you know like the Savannah Bananas thing I was at the other day. I went to do a soundcheck there and I didn’t bring (my son) Knox.

We were playing basketball and I left him to go to soundcheck and I got down there and I’m like, ‘I’m down here on the (Nissan Stadium) field with all these baseball players… why did I not bring my son?’ So it’s just a little reminder to always think, ‘Is there anything else I’m missing out on?'”

@whiskeyriff @dierksbentley shares the phrase he keeps on a Post-it note in his car. // Listen to the full Whiskey Riff Raff episode now, available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube. #whiskeyriff #whiskeyriffraff #dierksbentley #countrymusic ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff

Bentley told that story as he was elaborating on the title track of the album: “Broken Branches.” The song features Riley Green and John Anderson, and though two features in one song might seem like a lot, they impressively figured out a way for the three voices to work together seamlessly.

Originally, it was only supposed to be Riley Green that was included as a collaborator on the song… but Dierks thought of the teaching on his Post-it note and decided to call in a country legend:

“That track, I was there with Riley Green, and I was thinking, ‘Man, we could get one more person on here.’ John Anderson was the first person that came to mind. He’s the black sheep of the family. He is the original broken branch. He’s a Hall of Famer. He’s such a legend.”

Safe to say that Dierks didn’t miss out on making the title track more special:

If you liked that Post It note story, there’s a lot more where that came from (there’s actually one more thing involving Post It notes, but you’ll have to listen to the entire episode to hear about the other one). Make sure to download the podcast on Apple Podcasts by searching “Whiskey Riff Raff” or click here.

We’re also available on Spotify and wherever else you can listen to podcasts.

Cheers, y’all.

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