As threatened, Bentley goes bluegrass

Bentley will work with the Del McCoury Band and Chris Thile and the Punch Brothers on the release. The disc also features vocal and instrumental contributions ranging from Alison Krauss and Miranda Lambert to Tim O'Brien and Sam Bush.

Bentley previously has been involved in recording bluegrass music. On "Feel the Fire," the final track is Last Call, a Ronnie McCoury song.

"This album won't come as a surprise to my hard core fans," said Bentley. "They've asked me: 'when are you going to make a bluegrass record?' And I was just waiting for the right time."

With touring behind him, Bentley felt the time was right. And for his career home, Capitol Nashville, "Up On The Ridge" represents the chance for an artist to follow his muse. "I didn't want this to be 'Dierks Bentley and friends' or a 'Dierks does bluegrass' kind of album. I wanted each song to have something special about it, and in the end I think each song really does have its own thing going on."

Bentley wrong songs for the album, although he also covers an unannounced Bob Dylan song. Bentley worked with singer/songwriter/producer Jon Randall Stewart and recording engineer Gary Paczosa. "It's my version of bluegrass music," he said. "It's not just banjos cranked up to 11. It throws out a big net."