If you’ve been to a Dierks Bentley show, you’re already familiar with his opening act, Hot Country Knights, who seem to share some similarities to to main act. Well, more than similarities as the group is made up Dierks’ band members representing their 90’s alter-egos: band leader Douglas “Doug” Douglason, Trevor Travis (lead bass), Marty Ray (“Rayro”) Roburn (lead guitar), Terotej (“Terry”) Dvoraczekynski (keytar/fiddle), Barry Van Ricky (steel guitar) and Monte Montgomery (percussion).
Debuting at Country Radio Seminar (CRS) in 2015 wearing vintage 90’s clothing – from high waist, tight fitting jeans, animal print and leather to neon and nylon, and signature mullets – HCK proudly spoofed, or paid homage if you will, to 90’s era music of acts such as Clint Black and Terri Clark. The guys were then joined onstage by Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, Miranda Lambert (covering a Shania Twain tune), and Randy Houser – all of whom had their own alter egos also. While they covered beloved classics then, HCK set out with a recording contract and an album of their own.
This new eclectic, fun loving band’s first album THE K IS SILENT, released Friday, May 1, is a delight to fans and is destined to create new ones. With 10 tracks, half written by Bentley and featuring a few duets, THE K IS SILENT is full of well written, well produced tunes riding along the comedic route that the band is known for. The album is complete with all new tunes, not the covers the band is known for and its comedic innuendos are crafty and perfect for the style of the band.
First track, “Hot Country Knights”, is going old school. The singing/spelling of the song title was reminiscent of 70’s Bay City Rollers “Saturday Night”, when the band shouts out in a synchronized pattern the letters spelling the title song, making a new aged fan favorite. One of of the album’s two duets is Pick Her Up featuring Travis Tritt. This playful number, with steady drum beat and electric guitar, has the band educating a guy how to impress a country girl for a night out on the town. Choosing a pick up truck over a BMW and taking her to a Honky Tonk bar for a beer and dancing rather than fine dining and wine, is detailed humorously throughout. The harmonies between Doug and Travis is perfect, and with the revved up beat it creates an electric atmosphere.
Among the upbeat tunes that will have fans moving, perhaps none more than “Moose Knuckle Shuffle” which has possibly created its newest dance craze. It’s fun and as cheesy as it gets. Every line dancing fan will be learning this in no time, making this a must at any HCK show.
THE K IS SILENT does feature a few slower, more moving tunes like “Asphalt,” “Mull It Over” and “You Make It Hard.” In this “love song” featuring Terri Clark, Doug laments on how leaving his love after a night of passion would be hard, cleverly written lyrics with innuendos directing ones mind elsewhere is an example of comedic genius at its finest.
Last track on the album has a distinctive message: “The USA Begins With US” is a goofy comedic patriotic battle hymn of HCK and all they stand for and believe in. Seemingly produced in live show fashion has Doug proclaiming his love for his country and all it stands for, comically, touting American made, division of its populace with crafty songwriting.
This album is fun, fresh, and fabulous. The guys have started their repertoire of comedic songwriting with great gusto and will have future country artists trying to assimilate what they’ve done.
THE K IS SILENT Track List
Hot Country Knights
Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Cassady Feasby, Ben Helson, Dan Hochhalter, Chase McGill, Steve Misamore, Jon Nite, Jon Randall, Tim Sergent, Brett Tyler and Dierks Bentley
Pick Her Up (Featuring Travis Tritt)
Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers
Asphalt
Jim Beavers, Jon Nite and Brett Tyler
Moose Knuckle Shuffle
Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Buddy Brock, Dan Hochalter, Chase McGill, Zach Turner and Brett Tyler
Then It Rained
Brett Beavers, Jon Nite and Jon Randall
Wrangler Danger
Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers
Mull It Over
Dierks Bentley, Jim Beavers and Jon Randall
Kings Of Neon
Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Chase McGill
You Make It Hard (Featuring Terri Clark)
Dierks Bentley, Brett Beaver, Jim Beavers, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Jon Randall and Luke Wooten
The USA Begins With US
Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers