Kenny Chesney (photo from kennychesney.com)
Kenny Chesney has had some big news items recently.
The country star started with humble beginnings. Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, he grew up and attended East Tennessee State where he joined a band. After writing a bunch of songs and playing a bunch of bar concerts, he recorded his own album. After graduation, he headed to Nashville, as most aspiring musicians do.
And from there, you know the rest.
If you’re a Chesney fan, let me break the bad news to you first, then we’ll cover the good news.
Chesney will not tour in 2017
Kenny Chesney (photo from www.soundslikenashville.com)
Rolling Stone Country confirmed that he will not be touring next year. He played to more than 120,000 people at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, finishing up his Spread the Love tour. He’s taking a break from driving around playing people his songs. It’s good timing too, what with his album “Cosmic Hallelujah” coming out October 28.
As of right now, he plans to play just a handful of shows in the coming year.
One of the shows in that handful is the 2017 Tortuga Music Festival in Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida, which is scheduled for April 7th-9th. Chesney is headlining the festival and will be supported by dozens of country, rock, and roots performers.
BMI to honor Chesney with award
Kenny Chesney (photo from www.zimbio.com)
BMI has decided to honor Chesney with the BMI President’s Award at this year’s BMI Country Awards in November.
The awards seek to recognize the country’s top songwriter, songs, and publisher. BMI’s President and CEO, Mike O’Neil, and BMI Vice President of Writer / Publisher Relations in Nashville, Jody Williams, will present Chesney with the award. The honor is for songwriters who “have distinctly and profoundly influenced the entertainment industry,” according to BMI. Chesney will join the likes of Willie Nelson and Brooks & Dunn.
“Kenny Chesney is first and foremost a songwriter,” said Williams. “Not only has he earned the respect of the songwriting community, but he has also developed into a top-notch recording artist who re-wrote the concert touring experience by selling out stadiums year after year. He is a friend to up-and-coming artists and songwriters and is as inspiring as he is talented. It is time to salute him for a career that has brought so much to so many, and is far from over.”
To get the full scope of Chesney’s successes, here’s a list of his highlights:
- 28 No. 1 hits
- 8 Entertainer of the Year Awards
- A CMA Award for Album of the Year
- An ACM Awards for Top Male Vocalist and Single of the Year
- He’s sold more than 30 million albums
- His summer tours sell out huge stadiums on a regular basis
Although Chesney fans will miss seeing him out on the road, he’s surely earned that BMI award.
