riser.

February 12, 2014

dierks bentley has been a friend of ours for about 9 years now….

i believe this is a story i’ve never told. so let me start at the beginning….

back in 2005, we received a voice mail from dierks bentley. yes, that’s right. a voice mail. from dierks. not his manager. not his assistant. not his stylist or his publicist or any of other member of his village. it was a message from dierks himself.

i still remember the day…it started like any other normal day as we walked into our office that morning…but then amie played the voice messages. and we hear “um hi. this is dierks bentley…”. after that…it was all really a blur. i do know we replayed it approximately 47 times, picked ourselves up off the floor, and then started to listen to the actual purpose on WHY dierks bentley was calling us.

he had been on tour with miranda and loved her logo…he was asking if we would consider helping him with his graphics…with his merch line.

from that phone call, we ended up in nashville, sitting at a cafe and planning our collaboration.

and oh yeah…this is also the time that we were at a super posh restaurant (the name eludes me) for supper and i flicked shrimp and grits across the table and right into amie’s lap. oh yes i did. it was straight outta ‘pretty woman’. slippery little suckers. i know dierks’ people were really impressed.

our partnership with dierks, is much like that with miranda. it’s based on a handshake. it’s a friendship.

it’s involved tee shirt designs, a few “midnight specials” (designs created in the middle of the night through texts)…

 and most recently…an airstream.

so now that you know the past…let me catch you up.

a couple of years ago dierks asked us to revamp an old airstream for him…for the 2 loves of his life – his music and his family.

we tried to accomplish both those things at once…a place to hang out and write with the boys in the band, but yet a place where he and his family could camp out up on the ridge.

in the process we thought about how this should look, how it should feel. and how we, most importantly, create a place that is VERY special and meaningful to him on a personal level. in the end, we incorporated banjos, old iconographic images of Arizona, hatch show prints, an old church pew and of course some vintage 8-tracks. featured here in an HGTV episode….or tune into great american country to catch a rerun!

AND be sureeeeee to click here for the FULL tour of the airstream!

we desperately wanted to incorporate a symbol that meant something profound…we tried elusively texting him questions like “what’s your fave symbol?” to no avail. we looked up Native American symbols and found our answer . . the THUNDERBIRD.

once we found the thunderbird, we looked no further. we knew it was meant to be. symbolizing “sacred bearer of happiness unlimited”…we knew this would resonate with dierks.

amie hand-sketched it…

then painted it big on a piece of poster board, and then dad made a stencil, which we then handpainted on the curtain…

and there it went, emblazoned onto the back curtain for the whole world to see.

we later found out that dierks’ dad had been a lifelong member in a group called the Phoenix Thunderbirds and had recently passed away.

some things are just meant to be. i believe, that’s why they call it destiny. or happenstance. creative visions crashing together…and sometimes, magic happens.

listen here to a radio interview where dierks explains the cosmic connection of the thunderbird symbol on his airstream to his dad…and then, full circle to the symbolic inspiration of his latest album…

so now…this little sketch that we drew here in round top, texas … is now the icon on dierks’ new album and soon to be documentary.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/NQEa1xlV2KU[/youtube]

…turns out there was more to that thunderbird that we just didn’t know…

 

RISER, a special edit of the documentary, airs on CMT february 22nd at 1pm CST.

RiSER, the album, releases Feb 25th!!!

 

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37 Comments

  • Reply Michele Bolton February 12, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    Such a facinating story! Some things are just meant to be! The airstream looks great and so does the line.

    • Reply Jolie February 12, 2014 at 1:23 pm

      THaNKS michele!!!

  • Reply Kelley Ciampa February 12, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    Love the Thunderbird ladies!! My Dad use to crave totem poles and the Thunderbird has always been a favorite. So exited for Dierks Bentley’s new album. Been a fan of his since 2004 when Kenny Chesney introduced him to a crowd in Worcester, Ma. Just a down to earth and amazing artist. Dierks Bentley & his family deserves the best in life!!! Beyond excited for Riser. Hoping he doesn’t forget us in the Boston area. We miss him!!

    • Reply Jolie February 12, 2014 at 1:23 pm

      thanks so much kelley!!! it’s definitely become one of our faves as well!

  • Reply Mariana Bowring February 12, 2014 at 12:55 pm

    LOVE this sooo sooo much!!!!

  • Reply Pam bennetts February 12, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    I believe in divine nudes!

  • Reply Pam bennetts February 12, 2014 at 1:20 pm

    Your black screen is tough to see, make that nudges!

    • Reply Jolie February 12, 2014 at 1:23 pm

      ha haaaaa! pam…i’m still laughing about divine nudes! thanks for the laugh! XOXOOX!

  • Reply Roxann February 12, 2014 at 1:34 pm

    How lucky can you be??? Anyone that can call Dierks a friend is about the luckiest person in the world in my opinion. I have been a devoted, crazy fan of his for years and am always amazed at how genuine he is – nothing “fake” about him. He truly is a really good person! I loved the airstream you did for him —so much of him was incorporated into it! and like everyone else, I cannot wait for “Riser” to be released! I heard some of the new songs from it at his fan club party this past year during CMA Fest week and truly believe it is going to be his best work to date; which is saying alot consideirng how I’ve loved everything he’s done! Anyways thanks for sharing this story!

    • Reply Jolie February 12, 2014 at 2:42 pm

      we can’t wait for RISER to be released either!!! we’re already in loveeee with “i hold on”!!! sooo glad you liked the blog!!!!

  • Reply Renee February 12, 2014 at 1:37 pm

    This is like a perfect love story and makes my heart happy!!!
    Just one other reason to LOVE Junk Gypsy!!

    • Reply Jolie February 12, 2014 at 2:42 pm

      THaNKS renee!!! XOXOXXO!!!!

  • Reply Keshia Sequoyah February 12, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    Love this story. I’m glad things like this happen to other people too… those amazing connections that seem like pure coincidence… I love it when we do something thinking it’s not a big detail, and then it changes the world for somebody else. Love this story, and the design! Awesome work ladies!

  • Reply Brenda Buschmann February 12, 2014 at 2:36 pm

    As I’m responding, I am realizing that he is on the radio right now singing. Shiver. What a great feeling to know your design hit the mark so well and not just by him saying so, but by it now being such a trademark. Oh, and I probably would have listened to the message a few more times. Just sayin…

  • Reply brigitte burke February 12, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    wow! I love that story.. things really do happen for a reason!

  • Reply Traci Dillard February 12, 2014 at 4:03 pm

    Very cool, both the story and the relationship y;all have with Dierks. Thanks for the story, keep up the good stuff!

  • Reply Cary Lyn February 12, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    What an awesome story and magical “happenstance”! Love you ladies and all you stand for.

  • Reply M. Marshall February 12, 2014 at 5:28 pm

    Did you know that there are reports of sightings of Thunderbirds in Illinois? Go to Youtube and type in the History Channel’s show, “MonsterQuest” and you might find the episode “Birdzilla”.

    • Reply Jolie February 14, 2014 at 10:28 am

      i didn’t know that! thanks for the tip!

  • Reply Ronna February 12, 2014 at 7:25 pm

    Love love love this story! Dierks told us some of the thunderbird background at last call ball in June. So cool you girls designed the original! Thanks for posting!

    • Reply Jolie February 14, 2014 at 10:28 am

      THaNKS for sharing the link!!! i’m checking it out nowwww!!!!

  • Reply Ronna February 12, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    Here’s the blog with video of Dierks talking about the thunderbird.

  • Reply Deena February 12, 2014 at 8:18 pm

    It’s a Godwink

  • Reply Alicia February 12, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    Such a great story! It gave me chills! Everything happens for a reason! Love the meaning of the Thunderbird, so perfect for where Dierks is in his life 🙂 and perfect symbol for the album which I know will bring so many of us unlimited happiness! Airstream is amazing too! You girls are awesome!

    • Reply Jolie February 14, 2014 at 10:27 am

      alicia…thanks sooo much! so glad you liked the back story!!!

  • Reply Jenn February 12, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    A few years ago when Dierks 1st cd came out my friends and I won tickets to see him at a saloon in Holiday, Fl. The day of the show he signed CDs at Walmart. One of our friends took her 16 yr old daughter. She met Dierks and he asked if she was coming to the show, but she couldn’t because she was under age. He told her to come and he would get her in. Sure enough he had the manager of the club put big X marks on her hands and she got to go to the show. She, her mom, me and our other friend that went to the show were Dierks fans for life. Such a thoughtful guy.

    • Reply Jolie February 14, 2014 at 10:27 am

      jenn…
      this completely doesn’t suprise me. he really is SUCH a good guy!!! he’s so REAL. and so kind! which, i believe, has a lot to do with his success.

  • Reply Cricket Boyd February 12, 2014 at 10:12 pm

    I love how one find leads to another and in the end it’s pure perfection. The love and fun that y’all have can be seen in every picture that you have taken. Each item that you have used has a new life and purpose . I can see myself going on a Glamping trip and feeling like a queen. Bug

    • Reply Jolie February 14, 2014 at 10:26 am

      crickettttt!!!
      thank you soooo much! i’m soooo glad that the happiness that we have in life and the gratefulness that we share is evident in our pictures and in our stories! thank you! XOXOXO!

  • Reply Kimberly February 13, 2014 at 6:59 am

    I didn’t expect to be bawlin @ 6am in a snowstorm, but there I go! It’s so comforting to know that are parents stay with us in spirit even after they’ve passed on in life. This is proof to me that I will never have to be without my Mamma and that she’ll truly be by my side forever, just like she promises me now! Love this story! You have a great sense of style and what makes a house a home no matter where/what it is. And as for Dierks, I’ve been a fan from the beginning, and I wouldn’t mind havin’ a message to listen to over and over and over and over……

    • Reply Jolie February 14, 2014 at 10:25 am

      this is the best comment! thank you sooo much for taking the time to share with us! i’m so glad this story touched you the way it has touched us! XOOXXOXO!

  • Reply Adrienne @ Midwestern Belle February 13, 2014 at 10:19 pm

    I remember when “What Was I Thinkin'” came out and I’m pretty sure all girls were “thinkin'” about was, who is this hottie?! (Meaning Dierks of course!!) Thanks for sharing this story…it’s also good to know there are still people out there who believe in business on a handshake. Feb 22nd hurry up and get here!

    • Reply Jolie February 14, 2014 at 10:17 am

      ahhhh yes…i sooo remember those days!!! we loved him then and we love him even more now!

  • Reply sAnnie March 4, 2014 at 11:54 am

    Love your story! I am a long time fan of Dierks! I have met him many times and once even mentioned the Junk Gypsies to him – he loves you! He is the greatest guy and I love the new album and sosng -(I hold on) it is soooooo Dierks! I miss seeing him in the small clubs, but happy for his success!

    • Reply Jolie March 7, 2014 at 9:34 am

      thank you soooo much!!!!! dierks is such a GREAT greattttt guy!!! and yes….we loveeeee his new album!!!

  • Reply Anonymous April 27, 2016 at 3:02 pm

    Well to whom it may concern, My name is Angel C. I lived with a pair of gypsys along time ago. They never could conceive children so they tried to adopt me. They were the nicest people and great cooks and my special cake was there home made cheese cake. Anyways I’m here to ask if they were still alive the man was named Jimmy and we use to do driveways and landscaping the lady was named Betsy and she read palms. They lived in Worcester MA 01608 in Chandler street in a Green House with a trailer in the back and a bad ass vehicle that was white outside and wine color inside leather. I just don’t know where they are just wanted to know if you knew them. THANKs

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