Dierks Bentley photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Even before Dierks Bentley had his first hit, he made it a point to pay homage to his roots. He made a passionate plea to take part in a bluegrass tribute album, and his enthusiasm won out: Even though he was unknown, Dierks showed up alongside Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Marty Stuart on Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’: The Songs Of The Louvin Brothers.

Seven years later, Dierks is playing up his musical influences again in several different efforts. He debuts his own one-hour radio show Monday afternoon on classic-country WSM, the station that introduced the Grand Ole Opry. He’s got a roots-referencing album, Up On The Ridge, coming out this summer. And next month he launches a 30-date Up On The Ridge Tour with a couple of appropriate opening acts: bluegrass icons the Del McCoury Band and award-winning Americana singer-songwriter Hayes Carll.

“The only way I know to explain what this new album is to all the fans is to just get out on the road and play it for them,” Dierks says. “I’ve been rehearsing and working on set lists already. Every show is going to be different and really special. There aren’t any better acoustic musicians in the world than the Travelin’ McCourys, period. And I’ve been a big fan of Hayes for a long time. It’ll be a total blast. I’m already plotting and planning on how to fit more dates into the schedule.”

The itinerary kicks off with an April 21 show in Portland, Ore., and concludes with a May 22 gig at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium. The McCourys provide an important link to the Up On The Ridge album: They guest on the project along with Alison Krauss, Jon Randall, Miranda Lambert, Chris Thile, Tim O’Brien, Sam Bush and the Punch Brothers.

Meanwhile, Dierks’ radio show, “Threads,” can be heard at wsmonline.com at 2 p.m. CT. It’s also being made available as a podcast via iTunes. He’s not the only artist debuting a WSM radio show this week. Pam Tillis debuts “Lettin’ My Roots Show” on Tuesday, and “The Jim Lauderdale Show” launches Wednesday.

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