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Kenny Chesney
Total fans: 400,186
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Aug 25, 08:15 AMKenny Chesney's Two Suns Deluxe Fan Pack Drops 10/14Nashville: It's not just one Lucky Old Sun when you're country music's biggest superstar. For known islander Kenny Chesney, it's two great big suns rollin' around heaven all day. With so much music being made this year, Chesney knew it wouldn't fit on his upcoming Lucky Old Sun - and yet, with its carefree attitude, he wanted to find a way to not leave it behind.
"Sometimes I go back and listen to the shows, to just remember," says the singer/songwriter whose "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven" is currently #15 in its 2nd week on the Billboard Country Singles chart, "and you get thinking about those nights that are just so perfect. You know, that's a lot of what Lucky Old Sun is about in a whole other way... So I wondered if there was an alternative way to share these memories from Gillette Stadium and our taking over Margaritaville down in Key West.
"Thankfully, the record label totally gets that my hardcore fans are so much a part of this, and that it's something they may want... beyond our studio release. So, they're allowing me to do a first week deluxe CD that will have 'Boston' (a song Chesney wrote with his tour production assistant Mark Tamburino) and 'Got A Little Crazy' from our Boston show and 'Soul of a Sailor' and 'Guitars And Tiki Bars' from the Hogs Breath' as something a little extra."
Those little extras sure add up. Beyond the four tracks, fans will be able to access downloads of the wildly animated opening from this year's Corona Extra Poets & Pirates Tour as well as the "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven" video featuring the Wailers, which was filmed in Jamaica earlier this summer. In addition, two lucky winners and a guest will be flown to the opening of Chesney's 2009 tour, wherever in the world that might be, in a contest called "Kick It Off With Kenny." Full details will be available soon. The music-only edition, which does not include the extra content or contest, will be released October 21.
"Lucky Old Sun is a really personal record," allows the man who's sold more concert tickets this century than any other act in any genre. "It comes from some pretty deep places, and it looks at my life, how I've evolved and the way the ocean can take you places beyond location. There are a bunch of fun songs on the record, for sure, but nothing quite as immediate as these live tracks, so in some ways, it's the very best of what we do in the studio and what we do in people's hometowns.
"In reflecting that, it seems only right that a couple fans who helped us close out this year with our new music will be in the front row at the first show of our next year. When you're trying to find new ways to engage the people who love your music, I think the more direct the better... and what could be better for us than having two winners who're that into the music we make front and center when next year kicks off?"
With Poets & Pirates: Just Who I Am still enjoying space in the Top 10 nearly a year after release, hunger for Chesney's distinctive brand of country remains high. Having his 15th #1 with the multiple week chart-topper "Better As A Memory," Chesney soundtracked the past year with the 6-week #1 "Never Wanted Nothing More," the 5 week #1 "Don't Blink" and the ACM Vocal Event nominated "Shiftwork" with George Strait. Given his track record, both versions of Lucky Old Sun should be lucky, indeed.
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Aug 04, 09:52 AMEverybody Wants To Go To… JamaicaJamaica: As "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven," the first single from Kenny Chesney's upcoming Lucky Old Sun, landing at #22 on the Country Singles chart after a mere 12 hours of airplay, the 4-straight Academy of Country Music and 3-time and current Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year is putting finishing touches on the Shaun Silva-directed video for the salvation song with the decidedly tropical feel. Long a demi-regular in the waters of the Caribbean, Chesney chose Jamaica as the site for his upcoming clip.
"There is a real soul to that island," Chesney allows. "When you're in Jamaica, it is so real... and so alive, you know there's more to life than just what you see. When you're singing about the notion of wanting to go to heaven, it is pretty much a bit of heaven on earth, but it's also a place where you get the sense there's more to life than just what we experience here."
Certainly that reality is manifested in his guest band for the clip. Given the shoot location, Chesney and Silva reached out to Bob Marley's legendary Wailers Band to see if they'd have any interest in being a part of the video - and to their delight, the Wailers Band signed on for the video.
"I can't even begin to tell you how great it was to work with them," Chesney enthuses. "They were so generous with us in terms of their time and the stories they'd tell us. We sat up one night on the beach, and they shared the whole history of the band, the struggles they had... I got to interview them for something we may do later.
"Those guys are a huge part of history, whether people realize it or not. The music they had a hand in creating is so universal. It doesn't matter where you go, you can hear the Wailers drifting out of some club or shop or car or boat... and they are so humble for everything they've been a part of."
And the Wailers history just expanded, as they became a part of Chesney's fall Lucky Old Sun. Though they don't actually sing on the version of "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven" that's currently on country radio, brothers Carlton and Ashton "Family Man" Barrett both sing on the CD version of the song about the timing of one's transformation.
"To have them in the studio... To hear them sing...," Chesney says. "You listen to that, and you know it's real. For me to be able to make them a part of this record... and to turn my fans onto the source of this sort of music... well, that's just one more thing that makes me really glad we're gonna be able to get this record out this year."
Currently in the midst of his Corona Extra sponsored Poets & Pirates Tour - which was the 4th highest grossing tour in any genre in spite of its low prices and later start for the 1st half of 2008 according to Pollstar, Chesney is plenty busy. Having launched his No Shoes Radio channel on XM, been part of the initial Farm Aid Concert line-up announcement and finishing Lucky Old Sun, Chesney has work and his music more than cut out for him.
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Jul 28, 09:57 AMKenny Chesney Plays Farm Aid Joins Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews + Neil Young for Sept. 20 Concert
Mansfield, MA: With his completely sold out New England Patriot's Gillette Stadium show now behind him, Kenny Chesney is already thinking about his return to Boston. And it will be sooner than later, as he joins Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews as part of the 23rd Farm Aid. Slated for the Comcast Center on Sept. 20, it marks Chesney's second appearance at the concert for America's family farmers."Any time you can do something to help out what Willie, Dave, John or even Neil, who I don't really know, are involved with, you want to because you can bet it's a good cause," Chesney explains. "Seeing artists from different kinds of music coming together for something as basic as this makes you realize how far-reaching what the family farmers are facing is."
Though Chesney will have just wrapped his 2008 Poets & Pirates Tour in Indianapolis at the Colts' Stadium a week prior, the opportunity to help call attention to the plight of family farmers was strong enough to lure him back to the concert stage.
"American family farmers are what this country's built on... they've fed us and kept us strong and healthy for how many generations?" says Chesney. "Growing up in a small town outside Knoxville, it was a big part of who we were -- and it's something we shouldn't lose. If I can help be part of that -- whether it's raising money, or awareness, or just letting those family farmers know someone knows and cares -- well, that's why I'm coming to Boston. It' a small thing, but a big deal."
Having co-produced Nelson's critically-acclaimed Moment of Forever, filmed a CMT "Crossroads" with Mellencamp and been joined onstage by Matthews, Chesney's association with the Farm Aid core is well-demonstrated And to honor the organic nature of the show, rather than bring his full-tilt production, this will be a rare acoustic appearance with only a few musicians, heightening the intimacy of his performance.
"To me, if you can make an appearance like this something different, something a little bit special, then you're really honoring the fact that is special. I think stripping it back... really putting the songs out front is a way to give the fans a whole different experience, since they've just seen us... and I also think taking it back to the most basic way we can do this says a lot about what this event is trying to focus on," said Chesney.
As the top ticket seller of the 21st century - surpassing the million ticket mark in each of the past 6 years and on track to do it again this year - Chesney has built his audience on good shows at a fair price. In spite of the fewest number of shows and lowest mean prices, he's also the 4th biggest tour - right behind Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and Van Halen.
"It's been a big summer for us," Chesney smiles. "This is a little thing that can make a big difference. I'm honored to be able to be a part of it."
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Jul 18, 09:06 AMTake Him Out To The Ball Game -- Kenny Chesney Hits All-Star Game, Sings for Baseball Hall of FamersNYC/DC: It may've started in Chicago when he sang "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" at Chicago's legendary Wrigley Field during the 7th inning stretch, but Kenny Chesney's baseball passion is hitting a new intensity. After playing to nearly 43,000 fans at the Atlanta Braves' Turner Field, Chesney headed to New York City for Major League Baseball's annual All Star Game.
"I always say me and my guys are a lot like a baseball team: 6 months on, 6 months off," Chesney says. "Because it's a long season... and you start gearing up for it a long time before. It's funny, too, we've made a lot of friends at a lot of teams over the years - because I think they can sense that about us. We've got lots of players who come out to our shows when they're not on the road, some even come up and sing with us. It's pretty amazing."
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game - held at the soon-to-be-no-longer Yankee Stadium - honors the best of the current players, but the high energy performer and soul searching songwriter recognizes that everything comes from the roots. Whether it's baseball or music, so that was why in between stadium shows, Chesney took time to fly to Washington, DC to sing "The National Anthem" at the White House for the Baseball Hall of Fame T-Ball Game.
"Those guys made the sport what it is," Chesney says of the athletes being celebrated. "They have a lot of heart... and discipline... and hard work. A lot of what we do is based on that, and it's an honor to be asked to do something like this for them."
Chesney will also play an acoustic-based 20-minute set as part of the dinner. Because for the men who've long been considered "the boys of summer," what artist would be more fitting than the man who has become the nation's touchstone for making the season official?
Having hit the halfway point on this year's Corona Extra sponsored Poets & Pirates Tour playing to 50,422 at Nashville's LP Field, it has been a whirl of football stadiums, amphitheatres and even the occasional festival. With his two week #1 "Better As A Memory" - the third multiple week #1 from his platinum Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates - becoming his 15th chart-topper and giving him the longest string of Top 10 country singles this century, it's nice to see the man so wholly consumed by music take a break. Given his childhood aspirations to be "a ball player when I grow up," what could be better than following a trip to Major League Baseball's All-Star Game than heading being a part of something so special to the Baseball Hall of Fame?
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Jul 01, 09:35 AMKenny's Chesney Is Priceless! Joins Jon Bon Jovi & Eric Clapton for MasterCard's Roots of RockNew York: Kenny Chesney, the biggest ticket seller of the 21st century in any genre, may have written a big hit record about the way songs indelibly stamp moments and memories called "I Go Back," but now the 4-straight Academy of Country Music and 3-time and reigning Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year is going to let a few lucky fans do just that - go back to the places where Chesney's musical destiny was forged - by joining the legendary Eric Clapton and rocker Jon Bon Jovi as part of the MasterCard Priceless.com Roots of Rock Sweepstakes.
"Being a part of this contest with two artist I've listened to coming up gives me a way to put a few fans right up at the beginning of my journey," says the high energy singer/songwriter. "And even the ones who don't win can learn a whole lot about where this music comes from by going to Priceless.com and taking a virtual tour of my early years chasing this dream."
MasterCard's Roots of Rock Sweepstakes allows cardholders to register to win a trip to Chesney's Nashville, Bon Jovi's New York and Clapton's London to see the significant stops of their early career. In addition, the winner and three guests will be treated to an intimate performance in each artist's hometown.
Just as importantly, though, fans of the soft-spoken Chesney can learn a lot more about the almost reserved musician at the priceless.com website, where they can also register for their chance to see Chesney in a very intimate setting, as well as tour the milestone locations of his first years in Nashville.
"Consumers passion for their music is unmatched," says Amy Fuller, Group Executive, Americas Marketing MasterCard Worldwide. "Music is something consumers love to experience. With Roots of Rock, we've created an unparalleled music experience with three of the world's most popular artists, providing consumers with an intimate perspective on these icons that few fans will ever have."
"It was an honor to be considered with this company," says the man who notched his 14th #1 with the plaintive "Better As A Memory" last week. "At this level, it's hard to bring people into your music on this kind of level. But whether you go to the website, where there's exclusive photos and videos to obviously winning the sweepstakes and experiencing the Nashville I came to, that will put you not just inside the songs, but inside how the dream happened."
With his Poets & Pirates Tour, sponsored by Corona Extra, hitting the halfway point this weekend at Nashville's LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans Field on July 5, it has certainly been an exciting ride filled with football stadiums, world class athletes, iconic rockers ranging from Sammy Hagar to Steve Miller and more tail-gaiting than the SEC at the height of their season. What happens next is anybody's guess, but with MasterCard helping the man who co-produced Willie Nelson and duetted with George Strait, putting down roots just got a whole lot easier.
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Apr 25, 09:24 AMKenny's Columbia, SC Next Big Star Is Jumbo Tailgate
Kenny's Columbia, SC Next Big Star Is Jumbo Tailgate
4 Finalists from 30 Entries Compete for Stadium Opening Slot TonightColumbia, SC: The Kenny Chesney tailgate nation comes together in Columbia, SC for the first of 15 stadium shows on the 2008 Poets & Pirates Tour - and while “officially” kicking off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, look for the good times to start at 6 pm Friday as the Next Big Star Competition kicks into full gear at the Fairgrounds where a whole Pirates Island community of two stages is being set up.
“The radio people have really blown it out,” says Chesney with a laugh. “And one of the local affiliates, too. They tell me there's a South Kennylina (South Carolina) being built… and the judges aren't just from the radio station, but the anchor from the CBS affiliate, the entertainment editor of the paper AND Miss South Carolina USA.
“I think these folks are setting the bar pretty high for the cities that're comin' after them on this year's tour - and I love how fired up they are that we're coming. This year's tour to me is a 'Wild Ride,' just like that Dwight Yoakam song on my album. If you're coming out, get ready 'cause it's coming at you fast! That was the one thing we realized last weekend, this show rocks.”
The Next Big Star is another of this year's innovations - a way to get the music back into the hands of the fans. Not only is fan response a significant factor in who is going to open Chesney's show at Williams-Brice Stadium - a show that includes 3-time Entertainers of the Year Brooks & Dunn, Grammy winner LeAnn Rimes, Southern California hipster Gary Allan and good time newcomer Luke Bryan.
“I think our vibe is so laidback and our fans are so great, whoever connects with the fans the night before at the Fairgrounds is gonna have the time of their life onstage with us on Saturday,’ says Chesney of the winner of the Next Big Star.
In addition to the high tech video, the blazing sound system and the full-tilt band, Chesney is introducing another staging element: the Double T. Expanding upon his normal notion of stage extension, there will be a second T emerging from the first T, doubling the amount of standing room, up close access.
“The more we do, the closer we wanna get,” Chesney says. “We started talking about it last year, and we figured out a way to do it. So now, there's not one, but two sets of sand bars for the fans to be in. I think it's really gonna up the already insane energy level at our stadiums this summer.”
With 11 nominations at this year's Academy of Country Music Awards - including Entertainer, Male, Album for Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates, Song, Single and Video for the 5 week #1 “Don't Blink” and a pair of Vocal Events for Who I Am's “Shiftwork” with George Strait and “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” with Tracy Lawrence and Tim McGraw, there's a lot of great music to be heard on his Corona Extra sponsored tour.
“Two ballads, a couple songs that weren't singles and a whole lotta hits,” the 6-time Entertainer of the Year says. “A hundred minutes fly by… we cant believe it. It's everything I ever dreamed; for some lucky band, it's their first taste of this dream. I can't wait for whoever it is to get to experience it.”# # #