Kenny Chesney is officially the best country artist of the 21st century. Chesney is in the No. 1 spot on Billboard's list of Top Country Artists of the 21st Century.
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Chesney admits he was stunned by the recognition.
"No one gets up to go the gym and expects to see news like this on their phone," the country music superstar says of the accolade. "All I was ever trying to do was find the best possible songs, things that spoke to the heart of how No Shoes Nation lives - and then taking that music, those albums that were slices of my life out to everyone who wanted to come out, be a part of the shows, the moments and the memories we made in every city we played."
Also on the list is Tim McGraw in the No. 2 spot, followed by Taylor Swift in third, Toby Keith in fourth, and Keith Urban rounding out the Top 5.
Kenny Chesney Entering The Country Music Hall Of Fame
Being at the top of Billboard's prestigious list isn't the only honor Chesney is receiving this year. The East Tennessee native will become a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year. Chesney is being inducted alongside the late June Carter Cash and producer Tony Brown.
"That's just something you don't dare to imagine," Chesney says of the honor. "I would never have even thought about being here, because it's almost too much. Just walking past so many of these bronzes, realizing how many are friends or whose music I've listened to my whole life, this is an honor that extends beyond anything my heart would dare think."
By his own admission, Chesney never imagined he would one day be part of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
"My grandparents lived on the same street that Chet Atkins grew up on," Chesney says. "I rode my bicycle past that property all the time. To know that I'm going in with Dolly Parton is a huge deal for me."
The Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony is closed to the general public.
Chesney is currently headlining his Live at Sphere Las Vegas residency. He has a hit single at radio with "You Had To Be There," a duet with Megan Moroney.
