kenny chesney
Kenny Chesney was born on March 26, 1968 in Knoxville, Tennesse.
He grew
up in nearby Luttrell (home of Chet Atkins). As a child he listened
to both country and rock n' roll. Surprisingly, unlike many other
musicians, Chesney did not grow up thinking about music. It was
not until he was attending college at East Tennessee State University
that his focus zoomed into country music. While attending school,
he received a guitar for a Christmas gift. Chesney practiced everyday
and eventually joined a blue grass group composed of his fellow
students. He then began writing
his own music and playing at local Mexican restaurants to earn
tips. While at school, he made a self-titled demo album. The album
sold over one thousand units.
After graduation in 1991, Chesney moved to Nashville (country
music's capital). He became a regular at the honky-tonk bar, Turf,
in the broken down historic district of the city. In 1992 he signed
with Acuff-Rose. He then received a recording contract with Capricorn
records. Chesney's debut album, In My Wildest dreams, was released
in 1993. Unfortuantely, Capricorn Records did not focus on country
music much, thus, In My Wildest Dreams, received no publicity.
The album did sell, however, one
hundred thousand units. Chesney then went on to sign a contract
with RCA's
subsidiary company, BNA. In 1995, Chesney released All I Need
to Know. The single, 'Fall In Love, was a top ten hit.
In 1996, Me and You was released. This was Chesney's first album
to go gold. The album contained the singles When I Close My Eyes
and Me and You. Chesney then supported country rock legends,
Alabama, on their tour of the United States. In 1997, I Will Stand,
was released. The album contained Chesney's first number one hit
entitled She's Got It All. I Will Stand also had the top ten
single, That's Why I'm Here. In 1999, Chesney released Everywhere
We Go. The album sold over two million copies. The singles You
Had Me From Hello and How Forever Feels were both number one
hits. Both What I Need to Do and She Thinks My tractors Sexy
were top ten hits.
In 2000, Chesney released his Greatest Hits album. The album
also contained two brand new songs: I Lost It and Don't Happen
Twice. This was Chesney's second album to go double platinum.
In 2002, Chesney released No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem. This
was his biggest commercial success. The album, which is a bit
more rock n' roll than country, contained the singles: The Good
Stuff, Big Star, and Young. Chesney is known in the country
music circuit as being a kind and hard working individual.
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