Kenneth "Kenny" Arnold Chesney (born March 26, 1968) is an American
country musicCountry music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer and songwriter. Chesney has recorded 15 albums, 14 of which have been certified gold or higher by the RIAA. He has also produced more than 30 Top Ten singles on the U.S.
BillboardBillboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Country SongsHot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
charts, 20 of which climbed to the top of the charts.
Over the life of his career, Chesney has been honored with numerous awards from the
Academy of Country MusicThe Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
(ACM),
Country Music AssociationThe Country Music Association was founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee. It originally consisted of only 233 members and was the first trade organization formed to promote a music genre...
(CMA),
American Music Awards-Conception:The AMAs were created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete with the Grammys after the move of that year's show to Nashville, Tennessee led to CBS picking up the Grammy telecasts after its first two in 1971 and 1972 were broadcast on ABC...
(AMA),
Country Music TelevisionCountry Music Television, or CMT, is an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming includes music videos, taped concerts, movies, biographies of country music stars, game shows, and reality programs...
(CMT), Billboard Music Awards (BMA),
People's Choice AwardsThe People's Choice Awards is an American awards show recognizing the people and the work of popular culture. The show has been held annually since 1975 and is voted on by the general public. The People's Choice Awards air on CBS and are produced by Procter & Gamble and Survivor magnate Mark Burnett...
(PCA), and the French Country Music Awards (FCMA).
Chesney recently produced and co-directed a film for ESPN, "The Boys Of Fall".
Chesney has received six Academy of Country Music awards (including four consecutive Entertainer of the Year Awards from 2005 to 2008), as well as six Country Music Association awards. He is one of the most popular touring acts in country music, regularly selling out the venues at which he performs. His 2007 Flip-Flop Summer Tour was the highest-grossing country road trip of the year.
The Country Music Association honored Chesney with the Entertainer of the Year award in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Other notable awards include the Academy of Country Music's 1997 New Male Vocalist of the Year, 2002 Top Male Vocalist of the Year, and the Triple Crown Award in 2005. He was awarded his fourth consecutive Entertainer of the Year award from the Academy of Country Music on May 18, 2008.
Early life
Chesney was born on March 26, 1968, in
Knoxville, TennesseeFounded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
at St. Mary's Medical Center and raised in
Luttrell, TennesseeLuttrell is a city in Union County, Tennessee, United States, with a population of 915 as of the 2000 census. It is included in the Knoxville, Tennessee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, better known as the home of
Chet AtkinsChester Burton Atkins , known as Chet Atkins, was an American guitarist and record producer who, along with Owen Bradley, created the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country's appeal to adult pop music fans as well.Atkins's picking style, inspired by Merle...
. He is the son of David Chesney, a former elementary school teacher, and Karen Chandler, a hair stylist in the Knoxville area. Chesney has one sibling, a younger sister named Jennifer Chandler. In 1986 Chesney graduated from
Gibbs High SchoolGibbs High School is a public high school located in Corryton, Tennessee located at 7628 Tazewell Pike. The school was founded in 1913 in a two story brick building built on 12 acres which burned down in 1937. The second building burned down 13 years later in 1950. The third and current school...
where he played baseball and football. Chesney received his first guitar for Christmas and began teaching himself to play. Chesney studied advertising at
East Tennessee State UniversityEast Tennessee State University is an accredited American university located in Johnson City, Tennessee. It is part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system of colleges and universities, the nation's sixth largest system of public education, and is the fourth largest university in the state...
in Johnson City TN, where he was a member of the ETSU Bluegrass Program and the
Lambda Chi AlphaLambda Chi Alpha is one of the largest men's secret general fraternities in North America, having initiated more than 280,000 members and held chapters at more than 300 universities. It is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference and was founded by Warren A. Cole, while he was a...
fraternity. In 1989 Chesney recorded a self-released demo album at Classic Recording Studio in
Bristol, VirginiaBristol is an independent city in Virginia, United States, bounded by Washington County, Virginia, Bristol, Tennessee, and Sullivan County, Tennessee....
. He sold 1,000 copies while performing at the local clubs in Johnson City and used the money from album sales to help buy a new guitar. Chesney graduated from East Tennessee State in December 1990 with a degree in advertising. After graduation he headed to Nashville and performed at several local clubs. He became the resident performer at The Turf, a
honky tonkA honky-tonk is a type of bar that provides musical entertainment to its patrons...
bar in the city's historic district.
Signing first publishing and record deals
In 1992, the head of writer relations at
BMIBroadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
, Clay Bradley, recommended Chesney to his friend at Opryland Music Group, Troy Tomlinson, by saying: "I met this kid today from East Tennessee. He’s a good singer, a good songwriter, and more than anything, I think you’re going to really like him as a person.” For the audition for Tomlinson, Chesney performed five songs. Tomlinson's reaction was enthusiastic, later telling
HitQuartersHitQuarters is an international music industry publication and contact database founded in 1999. It is noted for in-depth interviews with industry figures, with past subjects including Simon Cowell, Martin Kierszenbaum, Jason Flom, Diane Warren, Peter Edge, Ron Fair and RedOne, as well as its A&R...
:
"First of all I was attracted to the songs, because I thought that he painted great pictures in his lyrics, particularly for someone who had not been around the typical Music Row co-writes. I thought that he sang very well too. But more than anything there was a kind of this ‘I-will-do-it’ look in his eyes - I was really drawn in by the fact that he was so set on being successful in this business."
Chesney left the audition with a songwriter’s contract. An appearance at a songwriter’s showcase the following year led to a contract with
Capricorn RecordsCapricorn Records was an independent record label which was launched by Phil Walden, Alan Walden, and Frank Fenter in 1969 in Macon, Georgia.-First Incarnation:...
which had recently started a country division. He released his debut album In My Wildest Dreams in April 1994. When Capricorn closed its country music division in Nashville and moved to
Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
Chesney signed with
BNA RecordsBNA Records, formerly known as BNA Entertainment, is a label group that shares ties with Arista Nashville and RCA Nashville from parent company Sony Music Nashville, which itself is a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, BNA features country music acts on its roster...
.
In My Wildest Dreams (1994)
Chesney's first album,
In My Wildest Dreams-Album:-Singles:...
, was released on the independent
Capricorn RecordsCapricorn Records was an independent record label which was launched by Phil Walden, Alan Walden, and Frank Fenter in 1969 in Macon, Georgia.-First Incarnation:...
label in 1994. The album's lead-off singles, "The Tin Man" and "Whatever It Takes", both reached the lower regions of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. The album sold approximately 10,000 copies before Capricorn Records closed its country music division later that year.
All I Need to Know (1995)
After Capricorn's closure, Chesney signed with BNA Records, which released his album
All I Need to Know- Album :-Singles:-Certifications:...
in 1995. The album produced three hit singles. "Fall in Love" and "All I Need to Know" both reached the Top Ten, while "Grandpa Told Me So" peaked at #23. "The Tin Man" was also included on this album, although it was not released as a single at the time.
Me and You (1996-1997)
Released in 1996, Chesney's second major-label album was Me and You. Although its lead-off single peaked just outside the Top 40 on the country charts, the album's
title track"Me and You" is the title of a country music song co-written by Skip Ewing and Ray Herndon, the latter of whom was formerly the guitarist of the band McBride & the Ride. It was recorded by singer Kenny Chesney, who included it on two albums: 1995's All I Need to Know and 1996's Me and You...
(which was reprised from All I Need to Know) and the single "When I Close My Eyes" (which was previously recorded by
Larry StewartLarry Stewart is an American country music singer, best known for his role as lead singer of the country pop band Restless Heart...
on his 1993 debut album Down the Road) both peaked at #2 on the
BillboardBillboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
country charts. Me and You was also Chesney's first gold-certified album. A cover of
Mac McAnallyLyman Corbitt "Mac" McAnally, Jr. is an American country music singer-songwriter, session musician and record producer. In his career, he has recorded ten studio albums and eight singles. Two of his singles were hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and six more on the Hot Country Songs charts...
's 1990 single "Back Where I Come From" was also included on this album. Although Chesney's version was never released as a single, it has become a regular song played during his concerts. In recognition of his successful year, Chesney was honored with the 1997 Academy of Country Music's New Male Vocalist of the Year award.
I Will Stand (1997-1998)
I Will Stand-Personnel:As listed in liner notes.*Eddie Bayers – drums*Kenny Bell – acoustic guitar*Shannon Brown – background vocals*Larry Byrom – acoustic guitar*Melonie Cannon – background vocals*Glen Duncan – fiddle, mandolin*Sonny Garrish – Dobro, steel guitar...
, Chesney's third album for BNA, was released in 1997. "
She's Got It All"She's Got It All" is the title of a song recorded by American country music artist Kenny Chesney that reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart...
" was the album's lead-off single, becoming Chesney's first #1 single, spending three weeks at the top of the Billboard country charts. The album's second single, "A Chance", peaked just shy of the Top Ten. In 1998, "That's Why I'm Here" went to #2 on Billboard and reached the top of the charts on Radio & Records, giving Chesney his third #1 single overall.
Everywhere We Go (1999)
Everywhere We GoEverywhere We Go is the fifth album of country music singer Kenny Chesney. It was released on March 2, 1999 on BNA Records. The first in his career to receive 2× Platinum certification for sales of two million copies, it produced four singles: "How Forever Feels", "You Had Me from Hello", "She...
, released in 1999, was Chesney's fourth album for BNA. The album produced two consecutive #1 singles in "
How Forever Feels"How Forever Feels" is the title of a song written by Wendell Mobley and Tony Mullins, and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released in December 1998 as the first single released from his album, Everywhere We Go. The song reached the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot...
" and "
You Had Me from Hello"You Had Me from Hello" is a song performed by Kenny Chesney. Released in 1999, it was the second single from Chesney's album, Everywhere We Go. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart....
" (the latter inspired by a line in the movie
Jerry MaguireJerry Maguire is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama film starring Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding, Jr. It was written, co-produced, and directed by Cameron Crowe...
). The album also produced two more hits, including "
She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy"She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" is the title of a country music song written by Jim Collins and Paul Overstreet. It was recorded by Kenny Chesney for his 1999 album Everywhere We Go, from which it was released as the album's third single...
" and "
What I Need to Do"What I Need To Do" is a song recorded by country music artist Kenny Chesney. It is the fourth and final single released from Kenny Chesney's 1999 album Everywhere We Go...
", which peaked at #11 and #8 on the country charts, respectively. Everywhere We Go was Chesney's first platinum-selling album.
Greatest Hits (2000)
By 2000, Chesney released his
Greatest Hits-Album:-Singles:-Certifications:-References:...
compilation album. It included four new tracks, as well as updated versions of "Fall in Love", "The Tin Man", and "Back Where I Come From". The new version of "The Tin Man" was one of the disc's three singles, along with two of the new tracks, "
I Lost It"I Lost It" is the first single released from Kenny Chesney's Greatest Hits album. It peaked at #3 in late-2000. It was co-written by Neil Thrasher and Jimmy Olander, lead guitarist of the band Diamond Rio. Pam Tillis provides background vocals for the song....
" and "
Don't Happen Twice"Don't Happen Twice" is a song performed by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. Released in January 2001, it was the second single from Chesney's Greatest Hits. The song reached Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts.-Music video:The music video was co-directed by...
".
No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems (2002-2003)
The album
No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems- Album :- Singles :- Certifications :...
was released in 2002. The lead-off single, "
Young"Young" is the title of a song recorded by American country music singer Kenny Chesney. It was released in December 2001 as the lead single from his 2002 album "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems". It peaked at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and at number 35 on the...
", peaked at #2, while the follow-up "
The Good Stuff"The Good Stuff" is a single, released in May 2002, by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was the second single from his 2002 album No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems....
" spent seven weeks at #1, becoming Billboard's #1 country song of the year for 2002. The video for "Young" was honored by CMT with the Video of the Year and Male Video of the Year awards for 2002. In 2003, ACM honored Chesney as Top Male Vocalist of the Year, while "The Good Stuff" received the award for Single Record of the Year. The following year, CMT recognized the video produced for "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" as the Hottest Video of the Year.
All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan (2003)
In 2003, Chesney recorded
All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good TanAll I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan is the eighth album of country music singer Kenny Chesney. It was released on October 7, 2003. His first album of Christmas music, it was certified gold in the U.S....
. The album's title track peaked at #30 on the country charts from holiday airplay.
When the Sun Goes Down (2004-2005)
2004 saw the release of Chesney's album When the Sun Goes Down. Its lead-off single, "
There Goes My Life"There Goes My Life" is the name of a song by country music singer Kenny Chesney. It is the first single released from his 2004 album When the Sun Goes Down. The song spent seven consecutive weeks at number one in late December 2003 and January 2004....
", spent seven weeks at the top of the Billboard country charts. On April 21, 2004, the accompanying video was honored by CMT with the Male Video of the Year award. The album's title track, "When the Sun Goes Down", a duet with
Uncle KrackerMatthew Shafer is an American rock musician known as Uncle Kracker. His singles include "Follow Me", "Smile", and "Drift Away". His music was more rap rock-based at the start of his career before turning in a more rock and Top 40 style music direction on later releases.-Biography:Shafer was born...
, was also a #1 single. The video from the third single from the album, "
I Go Back"I Go Back" is the title of a song written and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released in May 2004 as the third single from his 2004 album When the Sun Goes Down. The song is a mid-tempo in which the narrator recalls various moments in his life, and how he is...
", was honored on April 11, 2005, with the Male Video of the Year by Country Music Television.
When the Sun Goes Down was honored with the 2004 CMA award for Album of the Year, while Chesney was honored as the Entertainer of the Year. He was also presented with the American Music Award's 2004 Artist of the Year award.
Be as You Are and The Road and the Radio (2005-2006)
In January 2005, Chesney released the album
Be as You Are (Songs from an Old Blue Chair)- Chart performance :- Certifications :...
, supporting the album with his Somewhere in the Sun Tour.
In the spring of 2005, Chesney was honored with the prestigious Triple-Crown Award presented by the Academy of Country Music. This award was presented after Chesney's 2004 Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year award was combined with 1997's New Male Vocalist of the Year award and 2003's Top Male Vocalist of the Year award. The following year, on May 23, 2006, Chesney was honored with his second Entertainer of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Chesney released his second album of the year in November,
The Road and the RadioThe Road and the Radio is the eleventh album released by country music singer and guitarist Kenny Chesney. It was released on November 8, 2005. The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 on November 26, 2005....
, producing three #1 singles. "
Living in Fast Forward"Living In Fast Forward" is a single by American country music singer Kenny Chesney that reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It was the second single from Chesney's 2005 album The Road and the Radio.-Background and content:...
", "
Summertime"Summertime" is the title of a song written by Craig Wiseman and Steve McEwan, and recorded by American country music singer Kenny Chesney. It was released in April 2006 as the third single from Chesney's 2005 album The Road and the Radio...
", and "Beer in Mexico" all hit #1, while "
Who You'd Be Today"Who You'd Be Today" is a single by American country music singer Kenny Chesney. It was the first single from Chesney's 2005 album The Road and the Radio. It was also Chesney's highest-debuting single at the time, having entered the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart at #26...
" and "
You Save Me"You Save Me" is a single by American country music singer Kenny Chesney, written by Brett James and Troy Verges. It was the fourth single from Chesney's 2005 album The Road and the Radio.-Reception:...
" broke the Top Five.
Live: Live Those Songs Again (2006)
Live: Live Those Songs Again is Chesney's first live album. Released on September 19, 2006 on
BNA RecordsBNA Records, formerly known as BNA Entertainment, is a label group that shares ties with Arista Nashville and RCA Nashville from parent company Sony Music Nashville, which itself is a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, BNA features country music acts on its roster...
, the album includes live renditions of 15 songs, including 11 singles. "Live Those Songs", "Never Gonna Feel Like That Again", "On the Coast of Somewhere Beautiful", and "Back Where I Come From" were never released by Chesney as singles, while "Back Where I Come From" had been released as a single from
Mac McAnallyLyman Corbitt "Mac" McAnally, Jr. is an American country music singer-songwriter, session musician and record producer. In his career, he has recorded ten studio albums and eight singles. Two of his singles were hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and six more on the Hot Country Songs charts...
's 1990 album Simple Life.
Collaborations
Chesney, along with
Tim McGrawSamuel Timothy "Tim" McGraw is an American country singer and actor. Many of McGraw's albums and singles have topped the country music charts with total album sales in excess of 40 million units in the US, making him the eighth best-selling artist, and the third best-selling country singer, in the...
, contributed to a version of
Tracy LawrenceTracy Lawrence is an American country music artist. He started at a country music restaurant called "Live At Libby's" where owner Libby Knight would help local talent find their way into country music...
's single "
Find Out Who Your Friends Are"Find Out Who Your Friends Are" is the title of a song written by Casey Beathard and Ed Hill, and recorded by American country music artist Tracy Lawrence. It was the lead-off single for his album For the Love, which was released in early 2007 on Rocky Comfort Records, a label which Lawrence owns...
", which can be found on Lawrence's album
For the LoveFor the Love is a studio album by country music artist Tracy Lawrence, released on January 30, 2007 through his personal label Rocky Comfort Records. It debuted at #53 on the Billboard 200...
. The official single version, featuring only Lawrence's vocals, was released in August 2006, but did not reach the Top 40 on the country charts until January 2007, when For the Love was released. After the album's release, the version with McGraw and Chesney began receiving significant airplay, helping to boost the single to #1 on the country charts. The song became Lawrence's first #1 single in 11 years, as well as the second-slowest climbing #1 single in the history of the Billboard music charts.
Chesney also co-wrote
Rascal FlattsRascal Flatts is an American country music band that originated in Columbus, Ohio, United States of America. Since its inception, Rascal Flatts has been composed of three members: Gary LeVox , Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney...
' 2007 single along with Neil Thrasher and Wendell Mobley, "
Take Me There"Take Me There" is a single by country music group Rascal Flatts, released on August 17, 2007. It is the first single from their album Still Feels Good. The song became their eighth number-one hit on the Hot Country Songs Chart the week of September 16, 2007...
", which served as the lead-off single to their album
Still Feels Good-Rascal Flatts:*Jay DeMarcus – bass guitar on all tracks, piano on "Better Now", background vocals on all tracks*Gary LeVox – lead vocals*Joe Don Rooney – electric and acoustic guitars, background vocals-Additional musicians:*Bruce Bouton – steel guitar...
.
Chesney also recorded a duet with
Reba McEntireReba Nell McEntire is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. As a solo act, she was invited to perform at a rodeo in Oklahoma...
on her #1 2007 album,
Reba: DuetsReba: Duets is the twenty fourth studio album by American country music artist, Reba McEntire. The album was released September 18, 2007 on MCA Nashville Records and September 24, 2007 on Humphead Records in the UK, and was produced by Tony Brown, Dann Huff, McEntire, and Justin Timberlake.Reba:...
. "
Every Other Weekend"Every Other Weekend" is a duet by American country music artists Reba McEntire and Kenny Chesney, recorded on the former's 2007 album Reba: Duets. The song, written by Skip Ewing and Connie Harrington, is the third and final single from the album...
" peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and #104 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. The album has sold 2.1 million copies world-wide and is certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales of over 1 million. "Every Other Weekend" was the final single from the album.
Super Hits (2007)
On November 7, 2007 Chesney was named the CMA Entertainer of the Year for the third time in four years. The following week, on November 15, 2007, the compilation Super Hits album was released as part of Sony BMG's Super Hits series.
Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates (2007-2008)
On September 11, 2007, Chesney released the album
Just Who I Am: Poets & PiratesJust Who I Am: Poets & Pirates is the twelfth studio album by country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released in the United States on September 11, 2007. The CD was leaked on the Internet on September 5, 2007, almost a week before its release....
. The album represented a move to a more gulf and western sound with a number of "breezy, steel-drum island songs."
Kanye WestKanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
's album
GraduationGraduation is the third studio album by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released September 11, 2007 on Roc-A-Fella Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2005 to 2007 at Chung King Studios and Sony Music Studios in New York City and at Chalice Studios and The Record Plant...
, as well as
50 CentCurtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
's album
CurtisCurtis is the third studio album by American rapper 50 Cent, released September 11, 2007, on Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album features production from Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Timbaland, among others...
, were released on the same day. Kanye West and 50 Cent were in the midst of a competitive sales war, with 50 Cent claiming he would end his solo rap career if West sold more albums than he did (remarks he later retracted as terms with of contract conflicted with the promise). Kenny Chesney, however, decided he would give country music a place in the competition, claiming country artists were just as popular as rap artists. Chesney came in third place in the number of record sales between the three musical artists.
The album's lead-off single, "
Never Wanted Nothing More"Never Wanted Nothing More" is the title of a song written by Ronnie Bowman and Chris Stapleton, and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released in June 2007 as the lead-off single to his album Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates. To date, it is his fastest-climbing Number...
", became Chesney's 12th song to hit the top of the Billboard country charts. On the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated for the week ending September 15, 2007, Chesney's single "
Don't Blink"Don't Blink" is a # 1 Billboard country, top 40 hot 100 single by country music artist Kenny Chesney. It is the second single from his 2007 album Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates, and Chesney's thirteenth Number One single on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.The song debuted at #16 on the...
" debuted at #16, setting a new record for the highest debut on that chart since the inception of SoundScan electronic tabulation in 1990. This record was broken one week later by
Garth BrooksTroyal Garth Brooks , best known as Garth Brooks, is an American country music artist who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart...
' song "
More Than a Memory"More Than a Memory" is a song written by Lee Brice, Billy Montana and Kyle Jacobs. It was recorded by country music singer Garth Brooks and released in 2007 as his 51st single. It is the first single from his 2007 compilation The Ultimate Hits. On the U.S...
", which debuted at #1 on the same chart, making it the first song ever to do so. The third single off of Just Who I Am album, "
Shiftwork"Shiftwork" is a single by country music artists Kenny Chesney and George Strait. It is the third single from Kenny Chesney's 2007 album Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates....
", a duet with George Strait peaked at #2 on the Billboard country chart. During the week of June 28, 2008, the fourth single, "
Better as a Memory"Better as a Memory" is a single by American country music singer Kenny Chesney. It is the fourth and final single released from his 2007 CD Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates. Produced by Buddy Cannon, the tune was voted one of NSAI’s “Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written” in November 2008...
", became Chesney's 14th single to hit the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Chesney started his Poets and Pirates Tour on April 26, 2008 at
Williams-Brice StadiumWilliams-Brice Stadium is the home football stadium for the South Carolina Gamecocks, the college football team representing the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina...
in
Columbia, South CarolinaColumbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
. During the introduction of his set, his boot was caught between a hydraulic lift and the lip of the stage surface, crushing his foot and causing a severe
hematomaA hematoma, or haematoma, is a localized collection of blood outside the blood vessels, usually in liquid form within the tissue. This distinguishes it from an ecchymosis, which is the spread of blood under the skin in a thin layer, commonly called a bruise...
from the ankle down, with most of the damage centering in his toes. It took approximately 30 seconds to pry his foot loose as he squatted down on the stage while the band continued to play an extended introduction of the song. When Chesney finally freed himself, he stood up and kept holding his hand on his knee as he began to sing.
Chesney did not acknowledge the injury during the early part of his performance. However, he was visibly limping and seemed to rest near a drum riser while leaning over and holding his knee during the instrumental breaks of his hit songs. As he came offstage, a doctor from the University of South Carolina cut off Chesney’s cowboy boot and immediately began treating the foot injury. X-rays taken later revealed several crushed bones in his right foot.
The injury did not cause him to postpone any shows, saying "He (the doctor) told me it's going to hurt – though nothing could hurt worse than Saturday, I don't think – and they can give me something to deaden the pain when I get out there. I also have to have a doctor standing by should something give, but I'm going to tape it up, and I'm going to get out there."
On May 19, 2008, just a day after being honored as the ACM Entertainer of the Year at the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, Chesney criticized the lack of choice in the producers' awarding the honor based on fan votes. "The entertainer of the year trophy is supposed to represent heart and passion and an amazing amount of sacrifice, commitment and focus," he said. "That's the way Garth won it four times, that's the way I won it, that's the way
StraitGeorge Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
won it,
RebaReba Nell McEntire is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. As a solo act, she was invited to perform at a rodeo in Oklahoma...
,
AlabamaAlabama is a country music and southern rock band from Fort Payne, Alabama, United States. The band was founded in 1969 by Randy Owen and his cousin Teddy Gentry , soon joined by Jeff Cook...
all those years. That's what it's supposed to represent."
Lucky Old Sun (2008-2009)
On July 24, 2008, Chesney announced that he would be releasing a new single off an upcoming album entitled
Lucky Old SunLucky Old Sun is the thirteenth studio album released by country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released on October 14, 2008 as the first release for Blue Chair Records, Chesney's personal division of the BNA Records label...
. The song was titled "
Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven"Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" is a country music song co-written by American songwriters Jim Collins and Marty Dodson. The song was initially to have been recorded by singer George Strait for his 2008 album Troubadour, but after Strait decided not to include the song on this album, it was...
", and for the chart week of August 16, 2008, it debuted at #22 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The album was released on October 14, 2008. "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" became a #1 hit. It was followed by a cover of
Mac McAnallyLyman Corbitt "Mac" McAnally, Jr. is an American country music singer-songwriter, session musician and record producer. In his career, he has recorded ten studio albums and eight singles. Two of his singles were hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and six more on the Hot Country Songs charts...
's 1990 single "
Down the Road"Down the Road" is the title of a song written and recorded by American country music artist Mac McAnally. McAnally has charted with the song on two separate occasions. The first of these two versions was released as the second single from his 1990 album Simple Life, and was a minor chart single...
".
Chesney's 2009 tour was titled the Sun City Carnival Tour and featured both small and large venues in order to keep his ticket prices down. The tour included a performance at
Gillette StadiumGillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
again, marking the fifth year in a row that he played at the Foxboro, Massachusetts football field.
Greatest Hits II (2010)
On May 19, 2010, Greatest Hits II was released with two new tracks. In February, "
Ain't Back Yet"Ain't Back Yet" is the title of a song written by Craig Wiseman and Chris Tompkins, and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. The song is included on a re-issue of Chesney's Greatest Hits II. The song is also played during the end credits to Chesney's 2010 film Summer in...
" was sent to country music radio stations. The #1 hit "
Out Last Night"Out Last Night" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Kenny Chesney. Released on April 6, 2009, it is the only new track on his 2009 album Greatest Hits II. The song is Chesney's forty-second single release, and his thirty-eighth Top 40 hit on the U.S...
" was the lead single.
Hemingway's Whiskey (2010-present)
In July 2010, Chesney released "
The Boys of Fall"The Boys of Fall" is the title of a song written by Casey Beathard, Dave Turnbull, and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released in July 2010 as the lead single from his 12th studio album Hemingway's Whiskey, which was released September 28, 2010.-Content:The song...
" as the lead-off single from his album
Hemingway's WhiskeyUpon its release, Hemingway’s Whiskey received generally positive reviews from most music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 67, based on 6 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable...
, which was released in September 2010. The song hit #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart for the week of October 9, 2010, marking Chesney's eighteenth number one hit.
He then appeared at the 44th Annual Country Music Awards on November 10, 2010.
The second single from Hemingway's Whiskey, "
Somewhere with You"Somewhere with You" is the title of a song written by Shane McAnally and J.T. Harding, and recorded by American country music singer Kenny Chesney. It is the second single from his 2010 album Hemingway's Whiskey.-Background and content:...
", was released in November 2010. The song debuted at #35 on the country chart for the week of November 6, 2010. It then hit #1 in January 2011.
Chesney produced and narrated a biographical film, The Color Orange, on his favorite football player growing up,
University of TennesseeThe Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
quarterback and
Canadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
hall-of-fame
Condredge HollowayCondredge Holloway Jr. was a star quarterback for the University of Tennessee and later in the Canadian Football League.-Early years and College:...
. The film was produced for
ESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's "Year of the Quarterback" series, and premiered on February 20, 2011.
Personal life
Chesney owns a 60' Sea Ray yacht and also has a home in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He spends time in the Caribbean and includes island-themed songs in some of his work, such as those on his 2005 album Be As You Are.
On May 9, 2005, Kenny Chesney married actress
Renee ZellwegerRenée Kathleen Zellweger is an American actress and producer. Zellweger first gained widespread attention for her role in the film Jerry Maguire , and subsequently received two nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her roles as Bridget Jones in the comedy Bridget Jones's Diary ...
in a ceremony on the island of
St. JohnSaint John is an island in the Caribbean Sea and a constituent district of the United States Virgin Islands , an unincorporated territory of the United States. St...
. They had met in January at a
tsunami reliefThe humanitarian response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was prompted by one of the worst natural disasters of modern times. On 26 December 2004, the earthquake, which struck off the northwest coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, generated a tsunami that wreaked havoc along much of the...
benefit concert. On September 15 of that same year, after only four months of marriage, they announced their plans for an annulment. Zellweger cited fraud as the reason in the related papers, but after media scrutiny of her use of the word "fraud", she qualified the use of the term, stating it was "simply legal language and not a reflection of Kenny's character" (as it was assumed it meant he was homosexual.) Chesney later suggested the failure of his marriage was due to "panic" from the intense media scrutiny surrounding it. In an interview by 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper, Chesney commented on the failed marriage. "The only fraud that was committed was me thinking that I knew what it was like…that I really understood what it was like to be married, and I really didn't." The annulment was finalized in late December 2005. Kenny Chesney's family still resides in east Tennessee.
Philanthropy
Chesney's most recent charity work includes working with the V Foundation. Founded by the late
Jim ValvanoJames Thomas Anthony "Jim" Valvano , nicknamed Jimmy V, was an American college basketball coach.While the head basketball coach at North Carolina State University, he won the 1983 NCAA Basketball Tournament against high odds...
, the V Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to saving lives by helping to find a cure for cancer. Valvano, former coach of the North Carolina State Wolfpack Basketball team, died on April 28, 1993 following a year-long battle with cancer.
In 1998, Chesney recorded a limited-edition single titled "Touchdown Tennessee". The single was a tribute to
John WardJohn Ward is a former radio broadcaster at the University of Tennessee from 1965 until 1999. Ward received a law degree in 1954 at the University of Tennessee's main campus in Knoxville. Shortly after, he decided to go into radio and advertising. Ward's first broadcast of a UT basketball game came...
, a former broadcaster for the
University of TennesseeThe University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
Volunteers'
footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team;
St. Jude Children's Research HospitalSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded in 1962, is a leading pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children's catastrophic diseases. It is located in Memphis, Tennessee. It is a nonprofit medical corporation chartered as a 501 tax-exempt organization under IRS regulations.In...
and the John Ward Scholarship Fund r
Tours
Chesney has won the Billboard Touring Award for Top Package Tour four consecutive years between 2005 and 2008.
- Greatest Hits Tour 2001
- No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems Tour 2002
- Margaritas N' Senorita's Tour 2003
- Guitars, Tiki Bars & A Whole Lotta Love Tour 2004(w/Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts is an American country music band that originated in Columbus, Ohio, United States of America. Since its inception, Rascal Flatts has been composed of three members: Gary LeVox , Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney...
)
- Somewhere In The Sun Tour 2005 (w/Gretchen Wilson
Gretchen Frances Wilson is an American country music artist. She made her debut in 2004 with the Grammy Award-winning single "Redneck Woman," a number-one hit on the Billboard country charts. The song served as the lead-off single of her debut album, Here for the Party...
, Uncle KrackerMatthew Shafer is an American rock musician known as Uncle Kracker. His singles include "Follow Me", "Smile", and "Drift Away". His music was more rap rock-based at the start of his career before turning in a more rock and Top 40 style music direction on later releases.-Biography:Shafer was born...
, Pat GreenPatrick Craven "Pat" Green is an American Texas Country artist. Active since 1995, he has recorded a total of ten studio albums, including several independent works, three for Republic Records and two for BNA...
)
- The Road & The Radio Tour 2006 (w/ Dierks Bentley
Dierks Bentley is an American country music artist who has been signed to Capitol Records Nashville since 2003. That year, he released his self-titled debut album. Both it and its follow-up, 2005's Modern Day Drifter, are certified platinum in the United States. A third album, 2006's Long Trip...
& others)
- Flip-Flop Summer Tour 2007 (w/ Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn was an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, who were both vocalists and songwriters. They were paired by record producer Tim DuBois in 1990. Before the duo's foundation, both members of the duo were solo recording artists...
, Sugarland, Sara EvansSara Lynn Evans is an American country singer and songwriter.Evans was one of the few traditional-styled singers to emerge from Nashville in the late 1990s, according to Allmusic. Since emerging in the late 1990s, Evans has made five No. 1 Country hits and Gold and Platinum-certified albums by...
& Pat GreenPatrick Craven "Pat" Green is an American Texas Country artist. Active since 1995, he has recorded a total of ten studio albums, including several independent works, three for Republic Records and two for BNA...
)
- The Poets & Pirates Tour 2008 (w/ Keith Urban
Keith Lionel Urban is a New Zealand-born Australian, country music singer, songwriter and guitarist whose commercial success has been mainly in the United States and Australia. Urban was born in New Zealand and began his career in Australia at an early age...
, LeAnn RimesLeAnn Rimes is an American country/pop singer. She is known for her rich vocals and her rise to fame as an eight-year-old champion on the original Ed McMahon version of Star Search, followed by the release of the Patsy Cline-intended single "Blue" when Rimes was only age 13, resulting in her...
, Gary AllanGary Allan Herzberg is an American country music artist, known professionally as Gary Allan.Signed to Decca Records in 1996, Allan made his debut on the United States country music scene with the release of his single "Her Man", the lead-off to his gold-certified debut album Used Heart for Sale,...
& Sammy HagarSam Roy "Sammy" Hagar , also known as The Red Rocker, is an American rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Also sings Country Music....
)
- Sun City Carnival Tour 2009 (w/ Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert is an American country music artist who gained fame as a finalist on the 2003 season of Nashville Star, where she finished in third place and later signed to Epic Records. Lambert made her debut with the release of "Me and Charlie Talking", the first single from her 2005 debut...
, Sugarland, Lady AntebellumLady Antebellum is an American country pop music group formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2006. The trio is composed of Charles Kelley , Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott .The group made its debut in 2007 as guest vocalists on Jim Brickman's single "Never Alone", before signing to Capitol...
& Montgomery GentryMontgomery Gentry is an American country music duo composed of vocalists Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry. The two began performing in the 1990s as part of a band which also included Eddie Montgomery's brother John Michael Montgomery, and founded the existing duo in 1999.Signed to Columbia Records,...
)
- 2010 With A Two Tour 2010 (Festivels)
- Goin' Coastal Tour 2011 (w/ Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown Band is an American country music, southern rock, and folk band based in Atlanta, Georgia. The lineup consists of Zac Brown , Jimmy De Martini , John Driskell Hopkins , Coy Bowles , Chris Fryar and Clay Cook...
, Uncle KrackerMatthew Shafer is an American rock musician known as Uncle Kracker. His singles include "Follow Me", "Smile", and "Drift Away". His music was more rap rock-based at the start of his career before turning in a more rock and Top 40 style music direction on later releases.-Biography:Shafer was born...
& Billy CurringtonWilliam Matthew "Billy" Currington is an American country music artist. Signed to Mercury Nashville Records in 2003, he has released four studio albums for the label: 2003's Billy Currington, 2005's Doin' Somethin' Right, 2008's Little Bit of Everything, and 2010's Enjoy Yourself...
)
- Brothers Of The Sun Tour 2012 (w/ Tim McGraw
Samuel Timothy "Tim" McGraw is an American country singer and actor. Many of McGraw's albums and singles have topped the country music charts with total album sales in excess of 40 million units in the US, making him the eighth best-selling artist, and the third best-selling country singer, in the...
, Grace Potter and the NocturnalsGrace Potter and the Nocturnals is an American rock band from Waitsfield, Vermont.-Career:Grace Potter and the Nocturnals' lead vocalist is multi-instrumentalist Grace Potter, who attended St. Lawrence University for two years before pursuing music professionally...
& Jake OwenJoshua Ryan "Jake" Owen is an American country music artist. Signed to RCA Records Nashville in 2005, he released his debut album Startin' with Me that year. The album produced three singles, all of which reached Top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: "Yee Haw", "Startin' with Me", and...
)
Discography
Studio Albums
- 1994: In My Wildest Dreams
-Album:-Singles:...
- 1995: All I Need to Know
- Album :-Singles:-Certifications:...
- 1996: Me and You
- 1997: I Will Stand
-Personnel:As listed in liner notes.*Eddie Bayers – drums*Kenny Bell – acoustic guitar*Shannon Brown – background vocals*Larry Byrom – acoustic guitar*Melonie Cannon – background vocals*Glen Duncan – fiddle, mandolin*Sonny Garrish – Dobro, steel guitar...
- 1999: Everywhere We Go
Everywhere We Go is the fifth album of country music singer Kenny Chesney. It was released on March 2, 1999 on BNA Records. The first in his career to receive 2× Platinum certification for sales of two million copies, it produced four singles: "How Forever Feels", "You Had Me from Hello", "She...
- 2002: No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems
- Album :- Singles :- Certifications :...
- 2003: All I Want for Christmas Is a Real Good Tan
All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan is the eighth album of country music singer Kenny Chesney. It was released on October 7, 2003. His first album of Christmas music, it was certified gold in the U.S....
- 2004: When the Sun Goes Down
- 2005: Be as You Are (Songs from an Old Blue Chair)
- Chart performance :- Certifications :...
- 2005: The Road and the Radio
The Road and the Radio is the eleventh album released by country music singer and guitarist Kenny Chesney. It was released on November 8, 2005. The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 on November 26, 2005....
- 2007: Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates
Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates is the twelfth studio album by country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released in the United States on September 11, 2007. The CD was leaked on the Internet on September 5, 2007, almost a week before its release....
- 2008: Lucky Old Sun
Lucky Old Sun is the thirteenth studio album released by country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released on October 14, 2008 as the first release for Blue Chair Records, Chesney's personal division of the BNA Records label...
- 2010: Hemingway's Whiskey
Upon its release, Hemingway’s Whiskey received generally positive reviews from most music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 67, based on 6 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable...
Compilation albums
- 2000: Greatest Hits
-Album:-Singles:-Certifications:-References:...
- 2006: Live: Live Those Songs Again
Live: Live Those Songs Again is the twelfth album of country music singer Kenny Chesney. His first live album, it was released on September 19, 2006 via BNA Records. The album includes live renditions of fifteen songs, of which eleven were singles...
- 2008: Super Hits
Super Hits is a compilation album by country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released on November 15, 2007 as part of Sony BMG's Super Hits series.-Track listing:-Chart performance:...
- 2009: Greatest Hits II
Greatest Hits II is a compilation album by country music artist Kenny Chesney. It was released on May 19, 2009, and it is his second greatest hits album since Greatest Hits in 2000...
Awards
- 1997 ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year
- 2002 CMT Male Video of the Year: Young
- 2002 CMT Video of the Year: Young
- 2003 ACM Single Record of the Year: The Good Stuff
- 2003 ACM Top Male Vocalist of the Year
- 2004 AMA Artist of the Year
- 2004 CMA Entertainer of the Year
- 2004 CMA Album of the Year: When The Sun Goes Down
- 2004 CMT Hottest Video of the Year: No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems
- 2004 CMT Male Video of the Year: There Goes My Life
- 2005 ACM Entertainer of the Year
- 2005 ACM Triple Crown Winner
- 2005 CMT Male Video of the Year: I Go Back
- 2006 CMA Entertainer of the Year
- 2006 ACM Entertainer of the Year
- 2006 CMT Male Video of the Year: Who You Be Today
- 2006 BMA Best Male Country Artist
- 2006 BMA Best Country Artist
- 2007 CMT Male Video of the Year: You Save Me
- 2007 PCA Favorite Male Singer
- 2007 ACM Entertainer of the Year
- 2007 CMA Musical Event of the Year: Find Out Who Your Friends Are
- 2007 CMA Entertainer of the Year
- 2008 ACM Entertainer of the Year
- 2008 ACM Vocal Event of the Year: Find Out Who Your Friends Are
- 2008 FACM Best Duo of the Year: Every Other Weekend
- 2008 CMA Entertainer of the Year
- 2011 CMA Music Video of the Year: You and Tequila
External links