Thirty-four-year-old Kenny Chesney is one of Country music's most-promising stars. His slow but steady rise to fame began in 1993. By 2000, U.S. sales of his six albums totaled eight million copies. Kenny's now making a major development in his career by performing his first headlining tour.
Kenny Chesney's new album, No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems, recently debuted at Number One on both the Country Albums and Top 200 Albums charts. The Top 200 achievement marks his first entrance at the top of that all-inclusive list, and only the eighth time it's been accomplished by a Country artist. Kenny's label, BNA Records, showed their support for the album by shipping one million units its first week of release.
Each of the Tennessee native's last two albums, Everywhere We Go, released in 1999, and his 2000 Greatest Hits CD, sold more than two million copies. But, many in the Nashville music industry maligned the singer. Kenny's reputation wasn't helped by an arrest for disorderly conduct two years ago while on tour with Tim McGraw. Kenny took a ride on a police officer's horse at a concert stop in Buffalo, New York. He was acquitted following a much-publicized trial last year.
Kenny says the songs on No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems are his most personal to date. Many of the tracks are tied to his broken engagement to former fiance Mandy, including Bruce Springsteen's "One Step Up."
Most of the songs on Kenny's new CD are reflective ballads. But, he also included a few of his trademark feel-good, uptempo songs.
Kenny attributes his success in Country music to the relationship he's formed with his fans. Although Kenny is a perfectionist when it comes to his energetic live shows, he says he doesn't take himself too seriously. To keep himself in shape, he takes a personal trainer on the road, and works out for two hours each day.
Kenny is currently promoting his latest album on a U.S tour that runs through October. Shows are selling out in every city. Just how hot are his concert tickets? More than 20,000 tickets were sold for his recent concert in Raleigh, North Carolina. And, even more fans tried to get into the venue by cutting holes in the surrounding fence.
In June, Kenny will be in Nashville for the International Country Music Fan Fair celebration. Before his concert appearance, he'll host a private party for his fan club, and also perform at the inaugural Country Music Television Flameworthy Video Awards.