Remembering Andrew's Inspiring Moment At The Taste Of Country

The 2026 25th Anniversary Taste of Country is just days away, and as we get closer, we're remembering some of the incredible shows we've had in the past. Today, we remember the year that our headliner made the dreams of a little boy come true.

The 2015 Taste of Country Lineup

In 2015, we were able to welcome a couple of artists back to the Taste of Country that had already been there before. They'd done such an incredible job in the past that we were pumped to have them back.

Dierks Bentley

Joe Nichols

Frankie Ballard

Craig Campbell

Canaan Smith

A Thousand Horses

Joe Nichols was back again for his third appearance at the show and Dierks Bentley was back for his second stint as our headliner. It was pretty cool that he had recently gotten his pilot's license, so he flew himself to the show. But what he did before the show, and during his set, was even cooler.

Dierks Bentley made a young cancer survivor's dreams come true

Before that night, Dierks Bentley had a little fan who he didn't know yet. This little fan had used one of Dierks' songs as his mantra as he fought his way through a battle with brain cancer. His name was Andrew, and when he was on his way to get his treatments, he used to call the station to request Dierks' song "I Hold On." As often as we could, we would play it for him.

So when the opportunity came for Andrew to actually see Dierks play it live, he took it. Andrew and his parents were in the crowd that night, and they had great news to share. Just days before the show, they found out that Andrew was in remission. You could see how proud he was to be holding his sign with a yellow ribbon on it that said, "I HELD On."

I was so excited when my general manager gave me the ok to bring Andrew backstage to meet Dierks before the show. Dierks was so incredible with him. He crouched right down and talked with Andrew with so much care. It was a moment in time that I'll never forget.

Later that night, as we watched the show, we saw something we'd never seen before. When Dierks began singing "Say You Do," I noticed something happening in the crowd. Andrew was up on his dad's shoulders, while someone behind them held his sign. As the song went on, you could see the crowd split as Andrew and his dad made their way closer and closer to the stage. Eventually, they made it all the way up to the front. Dierks remembered his name from meeting him before the show and actually called to bring him up on the stage.

Not only did Dierks put a hat on him, but he let him hold his guitar. Then he left him to have his moment alone on the stage with the rest of the band.
It is easily one of my favorite memories ever.

This show is all about memories. This year, we invite you to make your own with us. We hope to see you there.

Tickets are on sale for this year's Towne Auto Taste Of Country

A lot has changed over 25 years, but what hasn't is that we are still doing this show, year after year, for you. Every year, we look forward to a chance to get together with you and enjoy some great music. If you'd like to join us this year and make some new memories with us, get your tickets now.