Kenny Chesney Talks to Gibson
And by that I don't mean he talks to his Gibson guitar. I mean that he talked with a writer at the instrument company. They talk crossover appeal ("You can't play a stadium without having a lot of crossover appeal"), what might be next ("I'm still going to make records with a lot of guitars, but I do want to make an acoustic record someday") and what it was like working with Willie Nelson ("That whole experience with Willie was like a big shot of B-12"). It's a pretty nice little story, but then he has to go and dis Garth. In a question about whether he'd ever do something like Garth Brooks did with his short-lived Chris Gaines alter ego , Chesney said, "God, no. If I make a record, it will have my name on it. I'm not going to wear a wig, and I'm not going to use a fake name."
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Redmaz says:
I took some time and checked out this Chesney person’s music, and I can honestly say, he is actually worse than Garth Brooks. I guess it’s not called Pop music for nothing. The title fits.
Tim S. says:
I like Chesney, but his older work appeals to me more. He pushes the beach, partying, vacation themed songs a little too far. A few of them were good, but then it got to where most of his songs were like that. I still like most of his music though.
TxAGG says:
I don’t think he took a “dis” at Garth. That whole Chris Gaines thing was what it was. And it was bad. I don’t think anyone out there thinks that was a good move.
Andrew says:
I am very tired of Kenny Chesney. I grew up with the 80’s and 90’s country music. Garth Brooks, Chris Ledoux, Strait, Jennings, Jones, Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Byrd, Tracey Lawrence, Rhett Akins, Wade Hayes, Daryle Singletary, etc and so on.
Yes country music has it’s phases; TRADITIONAL, NASHVILLE SOUND, POP, ROCK/OUTLAW and so on and so forth. But this Keebler Elf looking dude is NOT country music. He is one of those “artists” who should NOT have creative control in the studio at all! This island themed crap is way way way over used.
And for him to take a stab at a guy who’s show he is now stealing from is horse sh*t! Garth did walk out on a very thin limb, when he did the CHRIS GAINES project. But at least he had the coconuts to do so and try something different musically - BUT, he never called it country.
You can’t take a 4 foot 6 inch guy behind a guitar, throw a “Cowboy” hat on him and wrap his beach music up in the flag of country music and then have him talk crap about the guys he is following and him not expect to get dirty.
He should be cut loose from country music, cause in my opinion, he couldn’t re-string guitars of REAL country music players - ie. Jamey Johnson, Trent Willmon and yes, the wig wearing fake name using guy he eluded too.
Buy an island, we’ve all paid for it. STAY THERE.
countryiscool says:
Andrew, I love your choices of artists too, got tired of Kenny’s beach theme but liked his older stuff, even some of the reminscent themes, but MY party days are long over and his bores me.
S says:
I agree with Tim S about liking his old songs more than his new stuff. A few of the beach, drinking songs are OK but get tiring after a while.
I think Alison stretched it a little when she said he dissed Garth Brooks. All he said was “If I make a record, it will have my name on it. I’m not going to wear a wig, and I’m not going to use a fake name.” How was that dissing Garth? Talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill.
Johanna says:
I am probaly one of kenny chesneys top fans out there owning all of his albums going back to when no one knew who he was to purchasing tons of his merchandise and buying every magazine he is on the cover to. His music is the sound track to my life. He was not dissing garth brooks he was saying that if he would ever make a album it would have his name on it, not some made up name. In fact i think kenny has a lot of respect for garth…you really cant asume things like this, because it’s rude and disrespectful. Kenny Chesney is simply not all about the sun and the sand…if you search deeper through his albums there are songs that cut straight to the heart, to your past and to your future. Those who say he’s all sand dont understand his lyrics. Yes he does have a lot of music from the caribbean but the truth is, through our rough days at work dont we all wish we could escape off to the caribbean and stay there…yes we do and we can do that through his music and through his concerts. Kenny your the best and keep on rockin!!…cant wait for the accoustic album!! and pleeasee kenny…be as you are :)
lisa says:
this article will probably be take out of context by people so before you start criticizing kenny-kenny did NOT dis garth. he was simply being honest and saying that doing something like that was not his thing. i am a garth fan, and was not pleased with the chris gaines thing.there are probably a lot of fans who were’nt. so dont criticize kenny. he was asked a honest question and gave an honest answer.
S says:
Actually he can play guitar. I was at one of his concerts where he was on stage, just him and a guitar, and he played a few songs without his band and he actually plays very well. I know when his band is playing and he has a guitar strapped on he will strum it a few times and stop, then strum a few more times and stop. I don’t think it has anything to do with not being able to play. I think it has more to do with his adrenalin flowing because he’s constantly running and dancing around the stage.
sam says:
All of you i bet are over the age of 30. If you like the old stuff, more power to ya, but don’t dis on the man how has out done all those others hat acts you just named. The genre has changed. Deal with it.
H says:
All of the people saying bad things about an artist need to get a life, I mean he did sell over 1 million tickets each year for the last few tours. So he must be doing something right. How many country singers can you count headlining multiple stadiums? I’m sorry that you guys have no talent, but let Kenny Chesney be who he is whether you like him or not. No one is forcing you to listen to his music.
barbie says:
ok 1st off i can totally see where everyone is coming from on these comments except for those who think he dist on garth. BECAUSE HE DIDN’T! just like what was said, he was asked a question and he gave an honest answer, strait up! 2nd for those who say he’s all island and not country let me ask yall this - have you guys bought and listened to all the songs on his cds? the reason for that question is he may have a lot of “island theme” or “party” songs that are released on radio b/c THAT IS WHATS POPULAR RIGHT NOW! his other songs are not all “island” or “party”. don’t believe me go ahead and take a listen and see for yourselves! KENNY YOUR AWESOME & YES PLEASE KEEP BEING AS YOU ARE!
Brett Dale says:
That was a pretty ill informed, generic comment he made about the Chris Gaines project.
It was more than just about Garth putting on a wig.
The whole Chris Gaines project was a screenplay that Garth had written in 1996 and was going to be turned into a movie in 1999.
It does Garth a disservice to say, he just put on a wig and did a album under another name.
Lynnie says:
I am so sick and tired of people bashing Kenny Chesney…..He is the greatest Entertainer in country music in this century….KENNY ROCKS COUNTRY and I bet the people that posted rude comments about him are over 40 years old and can’t get used to the idea of new country….It was way better than old country!!!!
pat says:
I am over 40 and have followed Kenny since he left Knoxville.
I love his music and his connection with his millions of fans. If you don’t like his music….don’t listen to it.
H says:
Thank you Pat! Just don’t listen or read blogs about him! You obviously have some interest if you listen to him and read blogs about him!
trink says:
I have a tape of Kenny my Niece gave me years ago she went to high school with him.Loved him then and I think he gets better and better.His voice is smooth as silk one of the best voices in country.He sings his music doesn’t talk like all the other guys.
Candice says:
Ummm, I’m only 23 and I really don’t care for Kenny Chesney. 85% of his music is, like previously posted, about drinking, partying, and the islands. He should have had more class than to phrase his answer about Garth and the whole CG thing the way that he did. He is entitled to his opinion, as is everyone else. I just felt he should have thought about how he phrased his response. Before people decide to take stabs at Garth and the career decisions that he made, they need to do some research and find out about the whole Chris Gaines project. Besides, Garth is the best!!
Kathy says:
For those of you implying that anyone “over 40″ is negative about Kenny Chesney, please note that Kenny is OVER 40! And I’ve see him without a hat. He might want to re-think his comment about a wig. LOL!
S says:
Kenny and I are both over 40! ;)
I’m not dissing him for his new music. I have almost every CD he has ever put out including all his new ones. Some of my favorites are The Road And The Radio, When The Sun Goes Down, No Shoes No Shirt No Problems, and Be As You Are, which is more island music. I love listening to Be As You Are when I want to relax and just chill out.
Craig Hillman says:
Kenny didn’t take a stab at Garth. And Kenny, whether you like it or not, is far better than Garth. Everyone in the industry thought what Garth did was a big mistake, he thought he knew his audience and that he could take greater risks. It back-fired.
Kenny Chesney is simply the best.
And the proof is on the tours… he simply sells the most tickets of anyone. If that many people like ya, I think you’re doing just fine.
FRANK”COUNTRY TILL I DIE” says:
TO ANDREW AND EVERYONE OUT THERE,FIRST KNOW YOUR FACTS YOU SAY YOU WERE LISTING TO COUNTY MUSIC ARTIST IN THE EIGHTIES AND EARLY 90′S,WELL WHAT YOU DONT KNOW IS APPARENT,KENNY CHESNEY CAME OUT IN LATE 91 EARLY 92 WITH HIS FIRST ALBUM,KNOW THE FACTS BEFORE YOU RUN YOUR MOUTH..AND AS FOR KENNY TAKING A SHOT AT GARTH,YOU BUNCH OF TIGHT LIPPPED CHICKEN S–TS,QUIT CRYIN ALLS HE SAID IS HE WOULD NEVER DO WHAT GARTH DID,,AND AS FOR REAL COUNTRY MUSIC GOES,GARTH STRAYED OFF THAT PATH MANY YEARS AGO,WHEN HE STARTED THE WHOLE WE SHALL BE FREE SONG,,IS EARLY STUFF ON THE FIRST TWO ALBIMS WERE GOOD SOME STUFF ON HIS THIRD WAS OK,,AFTER HTAT HE LOST HIS ROOTS,HE IS STILL A GREAT PERFORMER,BUT DONT TAKE SHOTS AT KENNY FOR DOIN HIS THING,,HIS MUSIC IT GREAT,HE STICKS TO WHAT HE LIKES,,THE BEACH AND PARTYING,NOTHIN WRONG WITH THAT,YES IT HAS A JIMMY BUFFET FEEL TO IT,,BUT SO BE IT CAUSE WHEN IM OUT ON MY BOAT I CRANK IT UP..THERE ARE REAL TRUE COUNTRY ARTIST, I MEAN TRUE COUNTRY ARTIST REMAINING,THAT GETS PLAYED ON THE RADIO EXCEPT FOR THE MAN HIMSELF,AND THATS ALAN JACKSON ,,WHO ALSO WRITES AND PERFORMS ALL HIS OWN MUSIC,,THERE ARE NOT MANY PEOPLE WHO DO THAT,,NOT EVEN THE KING GEORGE STRAIT,,WHO HAS ONLY WROTE 2 SONGS IN HIS OWN CAREER,,ANYBODY CAN PUT ON A COWBOY HAT STAND ON STAGE WITH A GUITAR AND SING AND LOOK PRETTY,,,,BUT IT TAKES A REAL ARTIST TO WRITE AND PERFORM,,JUST LIKE A.J.AND KENNY,,YES GARTH WROTE SOME STUFF,BUT LETS KEEP IT REAL,IF YOUR GONNA HATE ON SOMEONE AT LEAST MAKE IT WORTH HATING OR A PERSON WORTH HATING,,LIKE KIETH URBAN,OR SOME OF THESE OTHER ARTIST THAT COULDNT MAKE IT IN MAIN STREAM POP OR ROCK WORLD SO THEY COME TO COUNTRY TO MAKE A LIVIN CAUSE COUNRTY MUSIC RADIO STATIONS WILL PLAY THERE POP MUSIC,AND EXCEPT THEM THATS WHY YOU DONT HEAR HANK JR.,,GEORGE JONES,,JOHNNY CASH,,DAVID ALAN COE,,,JERRY REED,JOHNNY PAYCHECK,THE REAL OUT LAWS OF COUNTRY THAT MADE WHAT COUNTRY MUSIC WAS AND IS SUPPOSSED TO BE!!!!!!!!
ctf20 says:
JUST WANT TO REINFORCE THE POINT THE POSTER (Brett Dale) MADE! Garth did not create some alter ego so he could go Pop. It was suppose to be a movie project - why people have such a hard time grasping what it was suppose to be is just beyond me!!
As for Kenny - Didn’t really seem like a dis, not sure what made the person ask that, obviously they have no understanding of what the chris gaines project was. As for Kenny as an artist - I haven’t liked his recent stuff as much as some of his older stuff - but he does have some great songs, and puts on a great show.
And no, Kenny is nowhere close to as good as Garth (that is a matter of opinion of course) - When Garth was touring, it was him that was selling the most tickets of anyone….would of been a good competition between the two, lucky for Kenny, he didnt’ really ever have to compete with Garth. I doubt Kenny draws an estimated million people to central park.
—
Brett Dale:
That was a pretty ill informed, generic comment he made about the Chris Gaines project.
It was more than just about Garth putting on a wig.
The whole Chris Gaines project was a screenplay that Garth had written in 1996 and was going to be turned into a movie in 1999.
It does Garth a disservice to say, he just put on a wig and did a album under another name.
Johanna says:
The way i see it was kenny didn’t want to do something that Garth Brooks had already done.Simply because Garth Brooks is a living country legend, he respects that and doesnt try to take that away from him.Kenny also didn’t want to come up with a fake name(dont know why Garth did)so he could have his real name on his work- makes sense.
I really dont get the hatred towards certain artists, your the one who choses whether or not you listen to them. Both Garth and Kenny have broke records in sales and tours. Amazing…
Does it really matter who writes there own songs? Yes, song writing is a big deal and i applaud it however, isn’t taking a song and touching the hearts of millions just as grand. Yes the style of the two is very different leading to different crowds and interest groups…but wouldn’t it be boring if everyone played the same music and everyone listened to the same music. Both artists have accomplished so much in the entertainment business breaking records and i think they need some more respect than what they have been getting. They’ve accomplished milestones in their lives. Milestones some wish they could accomplish, but may never get the chance to. Congrats guys your both amazing!!
As for the Keith Urban comment, he has always been in the country scene and again he has also accomplished milestones in his life. Congrats to you too Keith!!
Redmaz says:
“living country legend”? Billy Joe Shaver, The Flatlanders, Kris Kristofferson, Dale Watson. Johnny Bush, and Willie are living Country legends. Brooks, along with Chesney are a couple of Pop acts who have sold a lot of CD’s. That’s what they’re supposed to do.
Andrew says:
LOL. #
FRANK”COUNTRY TILL I DIE” says:
Posted: July 20th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
TO ANDREW AND EVERYONE OUT THERE,FIRST KNOW YOUR FACTS YOU SAY YOU WERE LISTING TO COUNTY MUSIC ARTIST IN THE EIGHTIES AND EARLY 90′S,WELL WHAT YOU DONT KNOW IS APPARENT,KENNY CHESNEY CAME OUT IN LATE 91 EARLY 92 WITH HIS FIRST ALBUM,KNOW THE FACTS BEFORE YOU RUN YOUR MOUTH..AND AS FOR KENNY TAKING A SHOT AT GARTH,YOU BUNCH OF TIGHT LIPPPED CHICKEN S–TS,QUIT CRYIN ALLS HE SAID IS HE WOULD NEVER DO WHAT GARTH DID,,AND AS FOR REAL COUNTRY MUSIC GOES,GARTH STRAYED OFF THAT PATH MANY YEARS AGO,WHEN HE STARTED THE WHOLE WE SHALL BE FREE SONG,,IS EARLY STUFF ON THE FIRST TWO ALBIMS WERE GOOD SOME STUFF ON HIS THIRD WAS OK,,AFTER HTAT HE LOST HIS ROOTS,HE IS STILL A GREAT PERFORMER,BUT DONT TAKE SHOTS AT KENNY FOR DOIN HIS THING,,HIS MUSIC IT GREAT,HE STICKS TO WHAT HE LIKES,,THE BEACH AND PARTYING,NOTHIN WRONG WITH THAT,YES IT HAS A JIMMY BUFFET FEEL TO IT,,BUT SO BE IT CAUSE WHEN IM OUT ON MY BOAT I CRANK IT UP..THERE ARE REAL TRUE COUNTRY ARTIST, I MEAN TRUE COUNTRY ARTIST REMAINING,THAT GETS PLAYED ON THE RADIO EXCEPT FOR THE MAN HIMSELF,AND THATS ALAN JACKSON ,,WHO ALSO WRITES AND PERFORMS ALL HIS OWN MUSIC,,THERE ARE NOT MANY PEOPLE WHO DO THAT,,NOT EVEN THE KING GEORGE STRAIT,,WHO HAS ONLY WROTE 2 SONGS IN HIS OWN CAREER,,ANYBODY CAN PUT ON A COWBOY HAT STAND ON STAGE WITH A GUITAR AND SING AND LOOK PRETTY,,,,BUT IT TAKES A REAL ARTIST TO WRITE AND PERFORM,,JUST LIKE A.J.AND KENNY,,YES GARTH WROTE SOME STUFF,BUT LETS KEEP IT REAL,IF YOUR GONNA HATE ON SOMEONE AT LEAST MAKE IT WORTH HATING OR A PERSON WORTH HATING,,LIKE KIETH URBAN,OR SOME OF THESE OTHER ARTIST THAT COULDNT MAKE IT IN MAIN STREAM POP OR ROCK WORLD SO THEY COME TO COUNTRY TO MAKE A LIVIN CAUSE COUNRTY MUSIC RADIO STATIONS WILL PLAY THERE POP MUSIC,AND EXCEPT THEM THATS WHY YOU DONT HEAR HANK JR.,,GEORGE JONES,,JOHNNY CASH,,DAVID ALAN COE,,,JERRY REED,JOHNNY PAYCHECK,THE REAL OUT LAWS OF COUNTRY THAT MADE WHAT COUNTRY MUSIC WAS AND IS SUPPOSSED TO BE!!!!!!!!
dude, kenny sucks. sorry to burst that “big orange ball floatin” in your head. i agree that there are no “outlaw” artists of yesteryear, jamey johnson is the savior for that stuff. but to say that in 91 or 92 when kenny was country he is still the same dude? no way. country music is not country today. rascal flatts, taylor swift, hannah montana, KENNY, darrius rucker, jessica simpson - i mean come on. why do these guys get the radio play they do?????
because of the green that the record execs see when the idea of a “cross over” comes to town.
i loved early kc stuff, i think my favorite album is “I Will Stand”. Hell, even cut a duet with Jones man. bottom line is he ain’t country no more.
GB Fan says:
I realize this is not the actual topic but when “H” says: “I mean he did sell over 1 million tickets each year for the last few tours. So he must be doing something right. How many country singers can you count headlining multiple stadiums?”
Why do people always bring that up?! He does not sell those tickets on his name ONLY. He books 5-6 major country acts to come on before he does. He is NOT the total draw for these stadium shows that sell out. Who wouldn’t pay one ticket price to see all those major acts in one day?!
I give more credit to someone like Brad Paisley that chooses opening acts that are just starting out in order to help get the new artist’s music out there before they hit the big time (Rodney Atkins, Jack Ingram, Taylor Swift, Chuck Wicks, Jimmy Wayne, etc.).