Free and Easy to the Tattoo Parlor I Go
See how careful Dierks Bentley is being with that Sharpie? That's because he know his autograph will be forever inked onto that fan's leg. Her plan was to go directly from the Meet & Greet to the tattoo parlor. And you know what? She's not alone. At all. Country fans everywhere are vying for skin-o-graphs for this very reason.
Why shouldn't we inject our skin with body art that symbolizes our passion for an artist? Even if it's not an autograph, I think a song lyric, album cover or band logo sends the same message. So does getting the same ink as an artist, like Tim McGraw's right-arm cross or Keith Urban's left-forearm thunderbird. They're like tribute tats. However you ink, it's the ultimate fan gesture. Calling radio request lines may get that artist more spins, but knowing your lower back is stained with the Brooks & Dunn steer is something else entirely. It shows you are willing to suffer for the music. By suffer, I mean mind-numbing, gripping the edge of the chair and sweat rolling down your back kind of pain. Getting a tattoo hurts more than anything I've ever done, childbirth included.
If you know someone who has an artist tattoo, or is thinking about getting one, please spare them the speeches and judgment. Asking them, "How will you explain this to your grandkids?" will get your nowhere. Fans like this are proud of their loyalty, and will show you their ink as if it's their finest accomplishment. Plus, not everyone thinks tattoos are inappropriate. If I saw an older woman on the street with, say, a Merle Haggard tattoo on the back of her neck, peeking out from under her gray hair, I wouldn't think less of her. I'd think, "Wow, she must've really loved Hag."
It's possible, though, that the ink will seem out-of-place when that fan in the picture is 78 and baking apple pies for her grandkids. But it's also possible that she'll just be the cool grandma with the Dierks Bentley tat on her ankle.
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jackie says:
I think you are on to something here… I wouldn’t get an autograph tattoo’d on my body, but I would consider song lyrics. So if you could get the artist to write the song lyrics on your body with a sharpie… count me in!
OutlawSteph says:
In one blog, Chet Flippo wonders why country singers are still stereotyped as rubes, and in the blog on top it someone is reporting that country fans are running off getting tattoos of someone’s autograph. Don’t we see the irony here?
An undergrad professor I respected very much once told us: Most sterotypes are true, they just don’t explain why.
-Stephanie
JDPsmiley says:
Hey just got the message about TAMPA in March…perhaps I might come over there…
Depends on how much those tickets are but I possibly will mark it down in the calendar!
Brody says:
My sister has the Gary Allan logo (pre-skeleton) tattooed on her ankle with the lyrics “Cowboy Take Me Away” circling it, and the inside of her wrist dons the same “Believe” tattoo that Jennifer Nettles has on the outside of her wrist.
Yup, she loves country music.
Nikki says:
I’m all for it! I have Keith Urban’s autograph inked and I love it!
Ann says:
I love the serious look on Dierks face because as a fan club member, I know how important his fans are to him and he knows this takes a serious fan to get a tatoo.
Amy says:
No. No autographs for me. I change favorites too often! But I am thinking about a tat.
Michael J says:
“your lower back is stained with the Brooks & Dunn steer” Funny they should mention that. Ever since I was a kid that similar symbol was imbedded in my head. When I saw the B&D symbol I wanted it. So I had them scan it in and do some custom shading. Now the horns reach out the whole width of my shoulder blades and it goes half-way down my back. The next B&D concert I went to got some shocked looks! For those who have never gotten a tattoo, yes it does hurt, so make sure you really want it.
B. W. LaRoy says:
Well…Big Al…you’ve really done it this time. You have mastered the art of Blogging for Response. I agree with OutlawSteph on this one…and I truly believe I can see the look of terror on Dierks’ face…wondering what the hell ever happened to those days of working for CMT in the Tape Library and playing some crappy haunt in downtown Nashville for the tip jar wage on Friday night.
Nicole says:
No having a tat would not be the thing 4 me.my body is a temple of god and should be used that way.sure it would be cool to have someone as sexy as keith’s signature on u but that just not 4 me
Alice says:
I’m all about getting anything Dierks Bentley draws or
writes tatooed permanently on my body.
Shellie says:
There are several members of the Church Choir with Tats showing support for ECB and several more are inking in the very near future . The First I ever saw was Shrivers in Charlotte NC . These Tats are AWESOME , from forearms to shoulders to ankles ….. We in the Choir will do what it takes to get the word out that Eric Church is ” The Man ” !!!
Janet says:
I was already a grandma when I got my DB logo.
Meg says:
I am one of those proud Church Choir members who is inked up! At fan fair last year, right after the Tree Choir event Eric had, me and my cousin went and got tattoos together. We each got an anklet tattoo of music, with four bars of a dierks song (every mile a memory for both of us) and 4 bars of an eric song (what i almost was for me). Mine also has a bar with the notes, d, b, e, and c, to cite our favorite artists. For us, it was not only a declaration of our love for country and the artists, but also a way to commemorate all the memories we’ve made along the way, our time together on road trips… the great music, the fun times with eric and meeting dierks…and the stronger bond we’ve developed between us and with all of our friends we’ve met along the way. Because of that, I don’t see myself ever regretting getting it even if there comes a time where I don’t like the artist’s music anymore (which let’s face it… won’t happen… ;-) ). It is my one tattoo that I always get comments on too… and I am always happy to use it to promote my favorite artists!
Wende says:
I have Tim McGraws signature on my back. I always said that I would NEVER get a tattoo. Then I said I would never get a tattoo unless Tim McGraw signed me somewhere.
lol, so I guess when I got that chance I had to do it!!
LOVE MY TAT!! And I love it when people come up off the streets to talk to me about it.
Its my only tat. And I have thought long and hard about having a few others to sign me, but its like Tim has a special place on me now that I dont want to share with anybody else.
Angie_is_LuvnECB says:
I am also one of the Eric Church fans with a tatt to commemorate all the good memories I’ve had with him, the band, and the Choir! I have “Livin’ Part of Life” tattooed on my left wrist. It basically sums up exactly how I live my life…one moment at a time and taking ever chance I get to really LIVE it! I love to tell people about it and it helps spread the “gospel” of Eric Church…lol. Ok, that was lame but its true. :)
dierks bentley says:
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Linda says:
I am going for my 1st tattoo in a couple of days and want to get the music note with a heart like Gary Allan has on his hand.. I LOVE music and Gary so what better…. I think if it makes you happy,,, go for it….