Post by 1kennychesney on Apr 3, 2007 19:37:24 GMT -5
Kenny Chesney is not an "overnight success." It's been a sure steady climb to the top. Here are some highlights, with comments from new and vintage Chesney interviews with the Knoxville News Sentinel:
March 26, 1968:
Kenneth Arnold Chesney is born to Karen and Dave Chesney in Knoxville. The couple will later divorce.
August, 1975:
Chesney enters Gibbs Elementary School. He meets David Farmer and Tim Holt, who will become lifelong friends, and, 22 years later, his tour manager and merchandise manager, respectively.
December, 1987:
Kenny Chesney, by then a student at East Tennessee State University, receives a guitar for Christmas.
April, 1988:
An "open hoot" at Johnson City's legendary Down Home club includes the first public performance by fledgling singer-guitarist Chesney.
"The first time I got in front of an audience I was scared to death. I could sing, but my hands were shaking so bad that I couldn't play guitar."
January, 1991:
With a degree in advertising from under his belt, Chesney moves to Nashville determined to make it in the music business.
Spring, 1992:
Chesney signs deal with Acuff-Rose after an executive at Broadcast Music Incorporated suggests the company should hear him.
"Suddenly I was not a kid on the outside looking in. I was able to write with some of the greatest songwriters in the business, go to lunch with them, sing on their demos. It was great."
June, 1993:
Chesney signs with Capricorn Records. The following year he releases his first album, "In My Wildest Dreams."
"It was a deal, but it didn't work out."
Spring, 1995:
After Capricorn drops its country division, Chesney signs with BNA Records and releases the album "All I Need to Know."
"It worked a little. We got a few records on radio, but nobody bought the albums."
April, 1997:
"When I Close My Eyes," from the year-old album "Me and You," goes to No. 1 on the Radio and Records chart. The album, which also contains the hits "Me and You" and "Back In My Arms Again," is certified gold. A month later, Chesney wins the Top New Male Vocalist award at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
"That's when we started selling albums. It was 5,000 a week, then 10,000 a week, then 15,000 a week."
July, 1997:
"I Will Stand" is released and boosted by the strength of the singles "She's Got It All" and "That's Why I'm Here," achieves gold status in half the time of its predecessor.
"You know, you have to fight your way all the way up the charts."
May, 1999:
"How Forever Feels" from the album "Everywhere We Go" gives Chesney a hit at No. 1 in Billboard and stays there for six weeks. The disc also contains "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy," which makes waves on Country Music Television. The album goes platinum.
"That was a big moment. But even with a platinum album, I still sort of felt in the middle."
September, 2000:
"Kenny Chesney's Greatest Hits" debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Album chart. The album is certified triple platinum before the end of the year.
"I want to be a superstar. I can't help it."
April, 2002:
"No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems." Debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200.
"For a couple of weeks I was the best selling artist in the world. That's when you started seeing people really come to the shows."
Fall, 2002:
Chesney's "Senoritas and Margaritas" tour becomes the top-selling country tour of the year and one of the top tours in all genres.
May, 2003:
Chesney is awarded the Best Male Vocalist at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
June 7, 2003:
Chesney will present the first concert at Neyland Stadium in 20 years.
"This is something I dreamed about, but never thought would happen."
(The timeline and quotes are credited to the Knoxville News Sentinel, June, 2003.)
March 26, 1968:
Kenneth Arnold Chesney is born to Karen and Dave Chesney in Knoxville. The couple will later divorce.
August, 1975:
Chesney enters Gibbs Elementary School. He meets David Farmer and Tim Holt, who will become lifelong friends, and, 22 years later, his tour manager and merchandise manager, respectively.
December, 1987:
Kenny Chesney, by then a student at East Tennessee State University, receives a guitar for Christmas.
April, 1988:
An "open hoot" at Johnson City's legendary Down Home club includes the first public performance by fledgling singer-guitarist Chesney.
"The first time I got in front of an audience I was scared to death. I could sing, but my hands were shaking so bad that I couldn't play guitar."
January, 1991:
With a degree in advertising from under his belt, Chesney moves to Nashville determined to make it in the music business.
Spring, 1992:
Chesney signs deal with Acuff-Rose after an executive at Broadcast Music Incorporated suggests the company should hear him.
"Suddenly I was not a kid on the outside looking in. I was able to write with some of the greatest songwriters in the business, go to lunch with them, sing on their demos. It was great."
June, 1993:
Chesney signs with Capricorn Records. The following year he releases his first album, "In My Wildest Dreams."
"It was a deal, but it didn't work out."
Spring, 1995:
After Capricorn drops its country division, Chesney signs with BNA Records and releases the album "All I Need to Know."
"It worked a little. We got a few records on radio, but nobody bought the albums."
April, 1997:
"When I Close My Eyes," from the year-old album "Me and You," goes to No. 1 on the Radio and Records chart. The album, which also contains the hits "Me and You" and "Back In My Arms Again," is certified gold. A month later, Chesney wins the Top New Male Vocalist award at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
"That's when we started selling albums. It was 5,000 a week, then 10,000 a week, then 15,000 a week."
July, 1997:
"I Will Stand" is released and boosted by the strength of the singles "She's Got It All" and "That's Why I'm Here," achieves gold status in half the time of its predecessor.
"You know, you have to fight your way all the way up the charts."
May, 1999:
"How Forever Feels" from the album "Everywhere We Go" gives Chesney a hit at No. 1 in Billboard and stays there for six weeks. The disc also contains "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy," which makes waves on Country Music Television. The album goes platinum.
"That was a big moment. But even with a platinum album, I still sort of felt in the middle."
September, 2000:
"Kenny Chesney's Greatest Hits" debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Album chart. The album is certified triple platinum before the end of the year.
"I want to be a superstar. I can't help it."
April, 2002:
"No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems." Debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200.
"For a couple of weeks I was the best selling artist in the world. That's when you started seeing people really come to the shows."
Fall, 2002:
Chesney's "Senoritas and Margaritas" tour becomes the top-selling country tour of the year and one of the top tours in all genres.
May, 2003:
Chesney is awarded the Best Male Vocalist at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
June 7, 2003:
Chesney will present the first concert at Neyland Stadium in 20 years.
"This is something I dreamed about, but never thought would happen."
(The timeline and quotes are credited to the Knoxville News Sentinel, June, 2003.)
LOL, I'll say!!!