Kenny Chesney is opening up a lot these days about himself. He's promoting his buzzy new memoir, HEART LIFE MUSIC. Per Country Now, the beloved leader of No Shoes Nation stopped in Nashville and talked frankly about his life and career. Amazingly, there was a time, Chesney said, when he was tempted to pivot away from being a professional artist. He also spoke about the importance being authentic.
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A Song Made Chesney Rethink His Choices
Per the outlet, "Leading up to 2009, I thought I was going to quit. I mean, I was really scared. My band didn't know. My crew didn't know. Nobody knew but me and that internal voice inside of you. And so when I heard 'The Life,' I went, 'Oh my God, that's how I really feel in a lot of ways.'"
"The Life" is a powerful track about a man named Jose. He lives and values a laid-back existence, minus the fancy trappings many of us ardently pursue. Its potent lyrics made Chesney stop and reconsider his own priorities. According to Country Now, "The message resonated deeply with Chesney, who at the time was living his dreams but running hard and constantly on the road."
Authenticity Is More Than a Word to Him
The singer said, "I think that authenticity is the thing when you're creating, especially because I don't write every song. I really don't. But finding commonality in people as a songwriter is one of the hardest things. And authenticity, because I feel like people, at the end of the day, are truly suckers for the truth. And that's something that I've learned as an artist over the years and my audience for sure."
He's Down on Duets
Chesney isn't apparently a fan of teaming up with other singers. He explained in detail his thinking on that issue. "That's why I don't do a lot of duets. I mean, I've done several over the years, but I get asked a lot to do it. But that leans more into marketing than it does authenticity. A lot of people do duets now because it gives them... maybe a chance to get nominated at an award show. And that's the only reason they do itt. Sometimes they don't even sound good together. It's just the marketing of it. But for me, that's never worked."
He also mentioned that duets he did with artists like Willie Nelson, George Strait, and Grace Potter "have all been rooted in genuine connection," in the words of the outlet.
