But, it’s not just his music that calls to me. As I found myself listening to these CDs more and more, I realized that I liked what I learned about Mr. Chesney from the music he chooses to record. It’s more than just the tunes though. I started to do some research, watched videos and checked out his website. I read and re-read the liner notes to his live CD.
It’s right there in black and white. No blase attitude. No lip service about how his followers are important while his actions say otherwise. In those notes Kenny Chesney lays it on the line.
He talks about the transition of going from opening act to headliner status. Would the fan base that he’d been building up for five years follow him?
"And come they did...with their grills and their boom boxes, ice chests, inflatable pools, palm trees, tiki bars, and blenders. They showed up that very first night and they haven’t stopped since. In fact, I like to joke that sometimes it’s more fun out there in the parking lot than it is onstage. What the fans don’t realize is: we can hear you. Just about every show, starting from that first night in South Florida, we can hear those parking lot parties back where we are, and that really fires us up, makes us wanna rock even harder, and kicks us into gear, long before the lights go down.”
Recently I had a chance to talk to Kenny Chesney, and found out for myself just how strongly he feels about his legions of fans. In between talking about music, our talk always came back to his devotees.
To Kenny they are “people who have real lives that are not always fun or nice. People who have real jobs that barely pay the bills. People who have broken hearts that hurt. Dreams that seem out of reach. People just like me. That is who I am out here for, the fans.” As for all the hard work that he and the members of the Chesney team do? At the end of the day, it is worth it all?
“It isn't about ticket sales. I try to make people understand that. It is about the lives you touch and that touch yours, the smiles, the laughter; the fact that for two hours I have the chance to make you forget that your life outside the parking lot may very well be hard. But for this two hours, man life is great and there are no problems. And by the way shoes are optional.”
Article comments
1 - Rose Whiteowl
Great article Tink! Very impressive. Thanks for the education and the observations and most of all for sharing the music.
2 - Kimi
Great Job Tink!
I think one of the coolest things about Kenny's music besides he is hot is that it's real. It's not far fetched out there kind of stuff. It's true life adventures or misadventures if you will. It's the stuff that every woman wants to hear and the stuff every guy wishes he knew to say.
"All I want right now is to forget every single thing that I regret and drown out these embers, but I remember." -- I Remember, Kenny Chesney
None of us haven't felt that way and that is about classic Kenny Chesney. He talks about loves found, loves lost, surviving the pain, the loss, and learning to live again. He talks about learning to love yourself, making changes for yourself, and how hard it is to find and hold self esteem. And in the process of reminding us we are not alone, he teaches us to have fun too. How cool is that?
Thanks for sharing this with other people who haven't yet discovered Kenny and his music. It was a great piece from a great writer.
3 - Bobbie Finney
Kenny Chesney is a great guy.HE always looks like he's having fun.Sometimes you get to have fun with him.Going to see him in concert he's the best.fROM THE parking lot to the stage it's fun.I love going to see him live.If you Don't know who he is,and want to see what the fuss is go see him in concert.You want be dissapointed.
4 - tink
Thanks Rose, for your kind words. This was a labor of love for the music and I'm glad that came across.
5 - tink
Kimi...thanks for your imput...you hit it right on the head when you said "It's the stuff that every woman wants to hear and the stuff every guy wishes he knew to say."
Also...thanks for reading and your kind words as well!!!
6 - tink
Hi Bobbie!
Love that you wanted to share with us your impression of seeing Kenny and his band live. I haven't had that honor yet, but I'm really looking forward to that happening soon!!
Thanks for reading and taking the time out to leave a comment...
7 - Pierre A Tedd
Just curious on anyone's thoughts about the common opinion in the Jimmy Buffett camp, is that KC is just copying Buffett's whole act, down to the beach scene videos on the screens during the concerts...
Your thoughts?
8 - Linda
Well, Jimmy hasn't ever tried to be a certain genre (although he has been played on Country stations and CMT) whereas Kenny says he is country. And he can't help it if he likes the beach and the islands and wants to incorporate them in his life. Matter of fact, as soon as he could afford it, he bought a place in the VI. His mother use to take him on beach holidays. I'm sure Jimmy Buffett has been an influence (aren't we all influenced by someone?), but the "Be as You Are" cd ought to let you know that he is the "real McCoy". :>)
9 - Ricardo
I'm a huge Parrot Head and why anyone would want to diss Mr. Chesney is beyond me. I love Kenny's music. It works well with my "Islands Mix" on my iPod which includes Buffett and alot of great steel drum tunes.
Kenny is not parroting Buffett. The "Be As Your Are" CD stands as a classic for true fans of the Buffett style genre. The genre is not owned by anyone. If Kenny were just trying to copy Jimmy he would never have acheived the success he has today.
My ultimate dream? To have Kenny and Buffett perform together at a live concert (obviously with me in attendance) and have it recorded (a'la Alan Jackson and Jimmy's "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," but with a whole lot more tunes) on CD and DVD.
Kenny's number with Uncle Kracker for "When The Sun Goes Down" is an awesome example of what Tink is talking about with the crossover of different genres, in this case, Uncle Kracker's move closer to country from his hip-hop/rap/rock genre. UK was taught by one of the best, Kid Rock, to love all types of music and Kenny was wise enough to see true talent (in production values as well) in UK.
Kenny stands alone in his style and interpretation of his songs just as Jimmy and his gang do with their own. What's amazing is that Kenny is actually getting outstanding airplay while you can barely hear more than three Buffett tunes on the radio (and two are from the late 70's, "Come Monday" and "Margaritaville"). Blame corporate radio for not playing Buffett, but don't try to lay on Kenny that he is parroting someone. Read the liner notes to "Be As You Are" and you'll see, like Buffett and other true songWRITERS, Kenny is writing this magic from his heart, from the collective experiences of the people and the places he has loved.
Go Jimmy and go Kenny!
10 - tink
Pierre--
I admit that, while I'm aware of Jimmy Buffet and have heard his music, I am by no means a Parrothead...so I don't think that I have the background to respond to what is thought of as a common thread of thought within his fan base.
I will say that I feel that Kenny Chesney is real and true to himself and not an imitation of anyone.
I think that we are all influenced by those we respect, BTW. For an example, in the early 60's a lot of British bands were influenced by the American music that they heard, i.e. RnB and blues based acts. Would I consider the Rolling Stones a cookie cutter of their influences?? No.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment...
11 - tink
Hi Linda!
I do agree with you...we all find inspiration from others.
Thanks for reading and taking the time to leave a comment.
12 - tink
Ricardo...thanks for sharing your point of view.
I love the fact that you were able to use my reference of Country and Rock music to add your own opinion. Of course, the fact that what you wrote strengthens my position regarding musical genres crossing over is a big plus...I can't deny that.
I appreciate your reading my article and that you took the time to leave a comment.
13 - Alice
Great article! I was so excited to read something so positive and well written. True and balanced. I like Kenny first because he is a great guy, loves his fans and it shows. His music is true to life. Fun. Uplifting. His concerts are highly anticipated. It's time that someone is willing to state the obvious: that Kenny's success is his own and not dependent on Jimmy Buffett or anyone else. He has worked long and hard and deserves all the kudos. This article will be appreciated by so many Kenny fans for it's honesty and will attract new fans that has not yet discovered him. You "get" Kenny and so now will many others. Thanks
14 - tink
Alice--
I couldn't agree with you more.
Having worked in the industry myself, I know all the hard work and dedication it takes to get to the level that Mr. Chesney has reached. Not only to get to that place, but to stay there year after year...to stretch as an artist, be true to one's self as well as loyal to the fans that put you there. The greats that can achieve all that are able to keep the balance between being humble yet driven. It's a rarer gift than most might think and Kenny certainly has earned the right to be included on such a list.
Thanks for your kind words and for taking the time to leave a comment...