Dierks Bentley has 'more respect' for first responders after Only the Brave

Country star Dierks Bentley has developed a whole new level of respect for first responders after spending time with emergency workers while promoting new film Only The Brave.

The singer wrote his new ballad Hold the Light for the real-life drama, which chronicles the tragedy which struck Dierks' home state of Arizona in 2013, when 19 firefighters were killed in a wildfire near Yarnell.

Dierks has been enjoying meeting with first responders as part of the publicity tour for the film, which included a stop in Las Vegas in the aftermath of the deadly music festival massacre on 1 October (17), and he admits the timing of the movie's U.S. release this week (20Oct17) couldn't be more poignant as firefighters in California continue to also battle raging wildfires.

"I've been around so many first responders this week... so just being around these guys and these women, I have more respect for them now than ever," he shared on U.S. breakfast show Good Morning America.

"We in country music elevate our military, rightly so, but we need to make sure we take care of and really recognizing these hometown heroes that we have... right amongst us (sic)... They're more important now than ever."

And the Drunk on a Plane hitmaker is proud to be a part of the retelling of such a moving story: "(I'm) so honored to have a song in this movie and just to be a part of this movie in any way...," he said. "It's been really enjoyable to be part of the premieres and just promoting this great story."

Only the Brave stars Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Taylor Kitsch, Jennifer Connelly, and Jeff Bridges, and hits theaters from Friday (20Oct17).