Country Mike Blog

Wish I Didn't Know

Mike Sudhalter  |  January 26, 2008

When I first started listening to country music, one of the things that fascinated me was the unknown. I'd hear a song on the radio and used my imagination to think about what the singer looked like. It was the great unknown. Now, I know the appearance and biographical background of just about every major artist. Hearing independent artists is unique because for many of them, I don't know what they look like.

One artist who I wouldn't think was a country singer if I passed him on the street is Dierks Bentley. He actually looks like a family friend from the Boston area, who now works as a financial analyst. It's so cool that Bentley has such a traditional vibe, to complement his Vanderbilt-education and preppy-look.

I'd rather listen to someone who sings traditional country than an artist who dresses the part, but doesn't deliver with real country.