Dierks Bentley plays Europe, works on new CD

"It's great to be going back over again," said Bentley before taking the stage last night at Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, Minn. "It's a chance to see some friends and fans we made the last time we were there, and also hopefully meet and play for some new ones."

Bentley will return to the states on Aug. 2 for a main stage slot at the long-running alternative music festival Lollapalooza in Chicago's Grant Park. "We've always tried to focus on playing new places or spots you maybe wouldn't expect to see a country singer," said Bentley. "Whether it is a gig in France or a rock festival like Lollapalooza, the goal is always the same...to bring some new fans back to Nashville with us."

Following his summer festival stops, Bentley will finally take a long-awaited break from the road when he returns to the studio to put the finishing touches on his fourth studio album for Capitol Nashville. "This is definitely the most time I've ever spent making an album," said Bentley. "I started writing for it in December 2006, and I have put these songs through four different studios, countless soundchecks and dressing room strummings, and a couple have even made it into the live show at some point or another. I've really enjoyed having the time to let the album and the songs develop fully."