Dierks Bentley serves as this generation's Ricky Skaggs —a bluegrass picker and old-school country fan at heart, dwelling in the popular realm. So, it made total sense for Bentley and guest guitarist Vince Gill to appear at the March 27 event "Country Music: Live at the Ryman, a Concert Celebrating the Film by Ken Burns." On that night, Bentley sang Waylon Jennings' "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?"— the title of the eight-part docu-series' seventh episode and a signature tune of a singer whose early recording career included Live at J.D.'s, an album recorded in Bentley's hometown, Phoenix, Ariz.
If you missed that once-in-a-lifetime concert or wish to relive a special night at the Mother Church, don't fret. PBS will air a two-hour concert film on Sept. 8, a week before Burns' Country Music series debuts.
As for the cover, Bentley is nowhere near as gruff, vocally or otherwise, as Jennings. Still, he and Gill pay a fitting tribute to Hoss' self-aware statement about the now-glorified outlaw movement.
Country Music airs across two four-night blocks, Sept. 15-18 and 22-25.
Country Music: Live at the Ryman Set List
"Ruby, Are You Mad at Your Man" - Rhiannon Giddens and Ketch Secor
"In the Jailhouse Now" - Ketch Secor
"Tumbling Tumbleweeds" - Riders in the Sky
"New San Antonio Rose" - Asleep at the Wheel
"Uncle Pen" - Marty Stuart and Ricky Skaggs
"I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" - Holly Williams
"Orange Blossom Special" - Marty Stuart
"Crazy" - Rhiannon Giddens
"Hungry Eyes" - Dwight Yoakam
"Streets of Bakersfield" - Dwight Yoakam and Dierks Bentley
"Coal Miner's Daughter" - Kathy Mattea
"Sunday Morning Coming Down" - Larry Gatlin
"Pancho & Lefty" - Rodney Crowell
"Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way" - Dierks Bentley
"I Will Always Love You" - Vince Gill
"Don't Get Above Your Raisin'" - Ricky Skaggs
"I Still Miss Someone" - Rosanne Cash
"Will the Circle Be Unbroken" - Full Cast
Now Watch: Songs Every Waylon Jennings Fan Knows By Heart
