In May 2021, Dierks Bentley shared the story of a private concert he played for a young fan named Baylee Barradas, who was battling cancer. Exactly one month later, the singer is sharing a tragic update on the story.
“Up until a month ago, I thought that the free gigs led to the gigs where I got paid in beer, and then tips on Lower Broadway, to the clubs and theaters…working my way up towards bigger crowds and the biggest shows at msg and Bridgestone Arena and my hometown arena in PHX,” he wrote. “Seeing now that I had it upside down…
those big shows were all just preparation for my most important show, for an audience of one.”
“The phrase honored and humbled gets used a lot but it is the only one appropriate for how it felt to be included by this family and be able to spend this past weekend with them, Baylee, her friends, and her dogs Arlo and Arnie.”
“Thankful to my friends Luke Bryan, Kelsea Ballerini, Tyler Hubbard, and Cole Swindell for making videos for this big time country music fan. grateful to Country Radio for the hits and having a chance to use those songs in a way that brought a lot of joy, comfort, peace and love to an unbelievably sad situation.
Bentley concluded his note by sharing a small part of the conversation he had with Baylee’s dad. “Baylee’s father said to me, ‘it’s never too late to make a lifelong friend.’ Nothing could be more true for me and my friend Baylee. God bless.”
When Bentley first met Baylee in May, he noted that the time they spend together was incredible special. The two chatted and sang his uplifting song, “Riser,” and even FaceTimed a few of Bentley’s famous friends, as referenced in his recent thank yous.
According to Baylee’s Instagram bio, she was battling sarcoma. According to the American Cancer Society, sarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in tissues like bone and muscle. In an interview with 12News in Phoenix, Baylee revealed that the cancer was found in her leg in December 2020. When found, the tumor was the size of a softball and had grown to the size of a football.
Bentley’s impromptu concert at her home allowed the girl, and her family, to forget the battle they were taking part in for just a little while. “The whole time through him playing I had no jolts in my leg, which is when my leg shakes,” she told the news outlet. “I had no pain, I was just very relaxed.”