Kenny Chesney News

[Rebecca]

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Kenny Chesney Plays To the MOST Fans
Pollstar Says Current ACM/CMA Entertainer of the Year Most Attended Country Tour!


San Jose, CA: There are a million ways of measuring success... Money. Profit Margins. Performance Ratios. For Kenny Chesney, the current Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year, he likes his math a whole lot simpler: boil it down to the total number of fans played to -- and leave it at that.

And for Chesney, whose tour -- according to touring trade Pollstar -- was outdrawn only by Bon Jovi and Madonna, the magic number for total tickets sold was a whopping 1,118,281. Though playing the fewest shows since becoming a bona fide headliner in 2002, Chesney supplemented his summer dates with nine stadium shows -- including a 5 month in advance sell-out in Boston, as well as releasing-held-tickets-and-going-clean again Seattle, Detroit and Tampa -- to be 2006's most attended country tour.

"Every stadium is different," allows the highly-energetic, yet deeply personal performer. "No two are the same -- and you find yourself really having to pay attention in each one, you know, to get the most out of the venue, but especially to make sure you really connect with the crowd. In some ways, playing those football stadiums is a lot of work -- because the people are so far away from you, but the thing is, there's also nothing like the energy of 60,000 people coming right straight at you."

Chesney, who's sold 6 million tickets over the last 5 years, understands the power of cumulative energy. In drawing on the collective response of his fans, he's created a deeper connection with the people who not only see themselves in his songs, but have bought over 25 million albums since the man who spent 6 weeks at #1 with last year's seasonal anthem "Summertime" and 2 weeks at #1 with the fast-paced "Living In Fast Forward," as well as the two seering, soaring ballads "You Save Me" and "Who You'd Be Today" from nearly triple platinum, CMA Album of the year nominee The Road & The Radio hit his stride almost a decade ago.

"I think the songs and the music bring them in," Chesney allows of his ability to attract the same young people who're going to see Dave Matthews, Panic at the Disco, Usher and Gwen Stefani. "They come for that, and then they have a great time -- because that's what we're there to do, too, to have fun and forget about the stuff that's bugging us. So when it's time to decide what shows you wanna see, we're one of those ones, they feel like it's gonna be the big party of the summer... at least, that's what we seemed to have people telling us in the meet & greet this year."

Certainly there is a cultural thing afoot. While they come for the show, Chesney's fans tend to arrive early -- they set up grills, blenders, boom boxes, and the parking lot festivities begin. Like tail-gating at football games or the converging of tribes that is such a part of the jam band scene, the Kenny Chesney nation comes together, hangs out, has fun, blasts the music and then goes into the venue.

"Sometimes, it's almost crazier in the parking lot," he concedes, "which is part of the reason I'm out there on the Gator any time I can make it work. I mean, I'm the guy who's doing the show, but I know where the fun is -- and just because I'm singing that night doesn't mean I wanna miss the party."

[Rebecca]

Kenny Reaches for Another "Beer In Mexico"
Song Written @ Sammy Hagar's Pool Is Next Road & The Radio Single


Nashville, TN: Kenny Chesney might like a frosty cold beer now and then, but he's never been fond of the cold temperatures that come with winter growing up in the Smoky Mountains. So, it makes sense that the next single from the reigning Country Music Association and back-to-back Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year's triple platinum The Road & The Radio is the feverpitched, tropically-drenched "Beer In Mexico," a song destined to hear things up even when the mercury drops.

"That song just feels so good," Chesney enthuses. "At this time of year, I think we all could use a song that makes our blood run a little quicker, our laugh a little louder and, well, you driving be just a little faster... and I think that's what 'Beer In Mexico' is all about."

The driving a little faster part is certainly not lost in the creation. The song's genesis -- almost three years ago -- may come from a decidedly quiet moment, but that quiet moment was spent kicked back at Sammy Hagar's pool in Mexico, where Chesney and his band had gone to play at the Red Rocker's Birthday Bash.

"Everybody'd gone off fishing, I think," Chesney says with a laugh, "and I just decided to stay behind. I didn't even know why -- until suddenly this song started coming to me. Just literally, right there at Sammy's pool... WHAM... here comes this song, which is how it happens sometimes.

"After all, if you listen to the lyrics, there really is no better place to inspire them. You're kicked back, taking it easy, watching the sun move across the sky... In moments like that, you actually realize that you don't always have to do something, make that decision, you can just have another cold beer, enjoy the day and let yourself breathe."

With it's percolating rhythms and punctuating brass section, "Beer In Mexico" takes Chesney's island drift in a whole new direction. But one doesn't need a compass to figure out which way to go for his always free'n'easy good time... though winter is upon us, Chesney still believes in musical cures, and The Road & The Radio has plenty of songs -- including the multiple week #1s "Living In Fast Forward" and "Summertime," as well as the sweeping balladry of "Who You'd Be Today" and "You Save Me." -- has plenty of songs that will heat fans up from the inside out.

"You know, we were talking about a bunch of options, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt what time of year it is, this is obvious! We need something to kick us out of the winter doldrums on our way to work or whatever. I know what kind of songs I like to hear right about now, so I figured that's the best choice possible... and that it reminds me of such a great time me and the guys had, well, that's just a bonus!"

[terrilynn]

very cool. Gotta love Kenny

[Rebecca]

Flip Flop Stadium Summer
Chesney Starts 2007 By Announcing His NFL Stadium Shows


Nashvlle: He had the most attended North American Tour last year, and now Kenny Chesney gets ready to kick off his Flip Flop Summer 2007 Tour by announcing six stadium shows across the country. With an all-star line-up that includes three-time Entertainers of the Year - hailed as "the Rolling Stones of Country" - Brooks & Dunn, triple-platinum new country sensation Sugarland, current Academy of Country Music Top Female Vocalist Sara Evans, and triple Grammy-nominee Pat Green, Chesney will play his first stadium show June 9 at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field, home of the Steelers.

"There is a whole other kind of energy, other kind of dynamic. We're talking the firepower of one of country music's most hardcore, hard-rocking duos," the reining Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year says of his stadium shows. "All the acts really... it's a pretty intense line-up, in what we've found to be a very exciting place to do concerts!"

In addition to Pittsburgh, Chesney will bring the same line-up to Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field, home to the Eagles, on June 23; Seattle's Qwest Field, home of the Seahawks, on July 7; Cleveland, Ohio's Browns Stadium on July 14; Foxboro's Gillette Stadium, home to the Patriots - where he sold out last year's play in less than a week - on July 28; and Detroit's Ford Field, home of the Lions, on August 18.

The on-sale date is set for Feb. 10 - with the exception of Philadelphia (March 3) and Seattle hitting one month later on March 10. Fans can buy their tickets through the normal channels to the Flip Flop Summer Tour, brought to you by Cruzan Rum. Given the response to Chesney's previous stadium plays, each with the stage customized to the field, the all-day shows are a once-in-a-summer experience.

"There's nothing like it," Chesney allows. "You know, getting all those people together for a little party... they start tail-gating, cooking out early, and then we rock straight through the night. Anyone who's ever been knows it's a helluva good time."

Having sold out Boston well in advance the past two years, Seattle and Detroit last year, and Pittsburgh the year before, sales are anticipated to be so brisk, some of the markets are putting on extra operators to handle demand. This year's new stadium markets are Cleveland and Philadelphia, traditionally strong markets for the man who spent 6 weeks at #1 last year with "Summertime" from his well-past triple-platinum The Road & The Radio when it comes to bringing the summer alive.

As the season heats up and rehearsls for Flip Flop Summer kick into gear, the man who spends his time living in fast forward is gearing up for his biggest year ever. "We've got a few surprises, some new tricks, a few different songs - and we're gonna be making it the summer of our lives. Hopefully, the fans'll be out there raising Hell and having a good time with us... because we believe, and we always have, the more the merrier with shows like this."

[Rebecca]

Kenny Chesney Is The People's Choice
Fan-Voted Favorite Male Singer @ Annual Awards


Los Angeles: "It wasn't that long ago that I was sitting on a stool, singing for tips," Kenny Chesney said, taking the stage at the Shrine Auditorium. "This award represents the dream -- and everyone who voted for me is a piece of that dream."

For Kenny Chesney, the reigning Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year, his first People's Choice nomination also marked his first People's Choice Award. The award was presented to him by "CSI: Miami" star and buddy Emily Proctor, who also presented Chesney's 2004 CMA Album of the Year Award at the Opryhouse.

"She's kinda lucky for me," Chesney said with a laugh. "I think we're two for two..."

On hand to perform "Young" to an all-star audience that included Eva Longoria, LL Cool J, Ellen Degeneres, Robin Williams, Halle Berry, the casts of "Heroes" and "Grey's Anatomy," Kiefer Sutherland, and Cameron Diaz, Chesney recognized the power of building a dream one fan at a time. With a mosh-pit full of fans, Chesney tore through the lead single from No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems with abandon.

"This was about the best show we've ever done," says the man who was the top ticket-seller in North America in 2006. "To have people from all the different kinds of entertainment is pretty great, you know. I'm always fascinated by how other people do what they do..."

Sammy Hagar, just inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, had a case of his Cabo Wabo Tequila delivered to Chesney backstage to celebrate the win. Given that Chesney's "Beer In Mexico," the current single from Chesney's nearly quadruple platinum The Road & The Radio, was written at Hagar's pool, there's a simpatico-bility to the pair that can't be missed.

"What a cool thing to do," Chesney said of the gift, "especially on the day the inductees were announced. But then that's just the kind of guy Sammy is."

Chesney's award -- which reflects all genres, not just country -- is reflective of the musician's appeal beyond obvious genres. Having out-sold both the Dave Matthews Band and the Rolling Stones last year, the singer/songwriter has connected the dots in a way that defies traditional genre boundaries.

Having returned from the islands after his traditional winter holiday, Chesney's been hard at work finishing the Willie Nelson album he's been co-producing -- and gearing up for this year's Flip Flop Summer Tour. In addition, he's been mixing a bluegrass album by band member Tim Hensley for his own Blue Chair Records imprint.

[Rebecca]

In North American Tickets, He's #1...
Bad Math Puts Chesney Tour on Top of All Genres for 2006


Nashvlle: It started at the label -- Chris Melancon, who proofs and researches everything, noticed the glitch. But looking closer at Pollstar's Ticket number for North America -- which the touring magazine ranks according to gross, something which directly reflects ticket prices not the number of people coming to see you -- Kenny Chesney had in fact had the most attended tour in North America with 1, 130, 529 million tickets sold.

"With those kinds of numbers, I'm glad I don't have to do the math," says Chesney with a laugh. "And I don't know who's #1 or #31, what I know is we had a big year out there... and we saw a lot of faces, and we had a lot of fun. Even though we played fewer shows than we have since people started actually wanting to see us, it felt like we sure did see a lot of people."

It helps when you're the only country star playing stadiums -- selling-out in Boston for the second straight year at the New England Patriots' field more than 5 months in advance -- and going clean at New York's famed Madison Square Garden in 20 minutes. The Dave Matthews Band was second in North American attendance, notching 1, 100, 038 tickets sold -- and even the Rolling Stones came in at 1, 013, 616 on this continent

But for Chesney, who has been all about tearing up the road for the past 5 years, it comes down to one thing: the show and making sure he can keep tickets as affordable as possible. Having always kept the notion of working people as a guiding force, it's not about how much he can make -- but how many people can he get to sing along.

"Look, we do a lot of show," Chesney allows. "We have a pretty cool stage, a lot of lights... but in the end, it still comes to down the songs, my band, the way we play. And the energy the crowd throws back at us! You know, I've said it before: I know what it's like to want to bring a date to a show and not know if I can afford to do it... I understand what tickets cost when you're working a part time job, going to school... and I don't want someone to not be able to come because it was too much money.

"I think when people come see us, they think it's great. But I also think they leaving having had a lot of fun... having had one of those nights where whatever was bugging you, you realize on the way out, you'd forgotten it. To do that for the fans, well, that's kind of why we do it."

With "Beer In Mexico," written poolside at Sammy Hagar's Cabo San Lucas retreat, arriving at radio with a bang, a performance on tomorrow night's People's Choice Awards, finishing up work on Willie Nelson's next album and continuing work on the follow-up to his seriouly triple-platinum The Road & The Radio, Chesney would seem plenty busy. But as the spring thaw hits, the reigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year can't help himself - and his thoughts naturally return to touring.

"Yeah," he says with a smile., "it's getting to be that time of year, where we get ready to make some announcement. I just hope people are ready, 'cause we've definitely got some stuff in store."

[terrilynn]

Cool! Sis is really loking foward to seeing him this year. I'm staying home almst got trampled when he told the audience to come up.

[Rebecca]

I saw him at the CMA Festival. He was entertaining but I don't know if it's worth high ticket prices.

[terrilynn]

How much are tickets this year?