Dierks Bentley's '90s country band, Hot Country Knights, has officially signed a record deal with Universal Music Group Nashville, which happens to be Bentley's longtime label home. The news was confirmed on Thursday (January 2) with a press release.
"The Knights are promising to bring real '90s country music back to a format that's been drowning in male sensitivity, cashmere cardigan sweaters and programmed drum loops," the press release says.
The group has previously opened up for Bentley's concerts in which they perform country music covers from some '90s hit stars like John Michael Montgomery, Clint Black, Alan Jackson and Joe Diffie.
“Twenty years after Y2K nearly killed country music, we are here to give it mouth-to-mouth...” the band tweeted on Thursday. “New decade, and a NEW RECORD DEAL with UMG Nashville for THE KNIGHTS!”
Bentley transforms into lead singer Douglas "Doug" Douglason and is joined by bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray Roburn, keytar and fiddle player Terotej Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and drummer Monte Montgomery. The five men rock mullets on stage while sporting their best '90s fashion pieces.
A video showing the group's signing with UMG Nashville chief Mike Dungan hints at a few original songs, although it's unclear if the future recordings will be original songs or new renditions of '90s country hits. Hot Country Knights guarantees they'll bring real '90s country back to mainstream.
"Some artists out there tried to put the 'O' back in country...but what it's really missing it the 'T,'" Douglason says. "Country music has Low-T right now...it could use a pick-me-up, if you know what I mean."
According to the band's website, there are only two tour dates officially scheduled right now. Both dates are with Bentley at the Chelsea in Las Vegas on February 14 and 15.
Photo: Getty Images