Kenny Chesney is a vibe. He is more than a singer, songwriter, and performer. Kenny Chesney has created a lifestyle. And yet, there is so much more to know about the author of Heart. Life. Music.
If you have ever attended one of Chesney’s stadium shows, you know the tone is set in the parking lot hours before the gates open. In Philadelphia, cars, trucks, buses, and RVs start lining up for the lots surrounding the stadium as early as 3 am. And once inside, it’s a community of love. Heart. Life. Music.
Chesney Sings What He Knows
Kenny Chesney is the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz of country music, and I had the chance to talk to Heart. Life. Music. co-author Holly Gleason (see conversation below), who gave me a glimpse behind the curtain. She told me those in the industry who read the book agree that this book is less of a memoir and more of a guide. Heart. Life. Music. takes you through Chesney’s journey, step-by-step, on how he became the mega-star he is today.
To hear Gleason tell it, Chesney grew up in rural Tennessee and writes what he knows.
"Scared to live, scared to die
We ain't perfect but we try"
He spends his time in his safe space, the islands (reminiscent of Myrtle Beach vacations with his mom), surrounded by hard-working people - his kind of people. Chesney stays true to that formula, true to himself, and it’s what makes his music so relatable.
"Sister's got a boyfriend Daddy doesn't like
Now he's sittin' out back, 3030 in his lap
In the blue bug zapper light"
Chesney is also incredibly grateful for those who show up. You can see it in his body language on stage, never bringing attention to himself, but pushing out the love from his heart.
Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Kenny ChesneyChesney is a Champion of Women
It’s no secret that Kenny Chesney is a lover of women, but he is also a champion of women. He writes about them, sings about them, and lifts them up through his lyrics and actions.
So she sings tonight
To twenty-thousand plus
And the young girls scream out loud
"Man, that could be us"
Megan Moroney and Kelsea Ballerini each toured with Chesney and remain his close friends. They both paid tribute to him at his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the love in the photos proves their mutual respect and admiration. Heart. Life. Music.
I am a strong proponent of “you get what you give,” and Kenny Chesney is proof of that. The best part is, with Kenny Chesney, we all win.
