Over Labor Day weekend at the first ever Seven Peaks Music Festival in Buena Vista, Colo., fest creator Dierks Bentley popped up all over the site before his headlining set on Sunday night. A lucky audience at the more intimate Whiskey Row Stage watching Cody Canada's set caught a cover duet between Canada and Bentley of Merle Haggard's "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" in a heartfelt performance that had the audience singing along to every word.
Released in March 1967, "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" was a big hit, topping off at No. 3 on Billboard's country chart. It appeared as the first track on an album of the same title by Merle Haggard and The Strangers. Though the song sounds like it was written by Haggard, it was originally penned by Liz Anderson and Casey Anderson.
When Bentley and Canada covered the song, The Departed frontman Canada played guitar and took on half of the vocals as Bentley closed his eyes to sing. The inaugural Seven Peaks Music Festival must have felt like a dream to Bentley, who wanted to create a festival to showcase artists he loves in the backdrop of a landscape he's inspired by — the Rocky Mountains.
Read More: The 10 Best Dierks Bentley Songs, Ranked
Running from Aug. 31 - Sept. 2, the Seven Peaks Music Festival was a very successful destination fest where fans could camp on site and even hang out at a man-made beach right in the middle of the mountains. Festival-goers were encouraged to explore their beautiful surroundings with music starting in the late afternoon to allow for morning hikes and time to soak in the mountain air in the small town of Buena Vista.
Headlining alongside Bentley was Miranda Lambert and Brothers Osbourne. Clint Black, Elle King and Terri Clark also played the festival, which was curated by Bentley himself. Keep an eye out for next year's Seven Peaks dates to start planning your own Colorado trip.
