Exclusive: Kenny Chesney Opens Up on Life, Friends, and New Album 'Born'

Kenny Chesney has become one of the most iconic superstars in music over the course of the last 30 years. During that course, Chesney has transcended musical lines where he has been able to reach those who call the fly over states home, to the coasts of somewhere beautiful and to those who may not call country music home. 

His 20 studio albums are uniquely different in terms of sound, but all share one thing in common: Chesney's life story.  

"Born" is the latest in his storied journey, an album all about living life with the throttle wide open while also taking a moment to ponder the internal struggles that every human, no matter their walk of life, socioeconomic status or geography will experience.

As always, there is something in "Born" that everyone can relate to, whether it be the message, the sound, or the feeling you get when you understand that Chesney is experiencing something that you yourself have either experienced or battled through.

It's a quality unique to Chesney, it's why No Shoes Nation came about and is so strong. It's relatable. Chesney is relatable. 

Chesney was kind enough to take the time and speak with Men's Journal about "Born," his life, and what he hopes to achieve with his latest studio album.

Enjoy!

Kade Kistner, Men’s Journal: Twenty albums in, is it possible to keep the creative process fresh?

You’ve had an unprecedented run of hits that cut through what was on the radio, but more importantly spoke to the hearts of actual people who’re happy living in the fly over. “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” then “Young” and “No Shoes, No Shirt,” then “When The Sun Goes Down” and “Anything But Mine,” “Boys of Fall”… later “Noise,” “American Kids,” “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” “Get Along,” even “You & Tequila.”

Kenny Chesney: What a great question, looking at the process – and how we seek. And it’s funny, because in some ways, it’s always the same: write with your friends who know you, write with new people to make discoveries, do song camp where you can have fun and just enjoy creativity – and listen to every song someone you respect hands you.

But the truth is it’s always fresh, because you’re always looking for that next incredible song... that moment when you’re going, “Wow!” Someone emailed me “You & Tequila” in the middle of the night, and I woke up, and called Matraca Berg, who wrote it.

When we started writing “Guilty Pleasure,” I laughed. I’d never heard a song like it, never heard one tackle that idea before. We all laughed about that, but I think it’s one of those songs you’re gonna remember once you hear it.

“Just To Say We Did” literally started from us not landing on anything that day. We were down in the islands, and I said, “Well, I’m gonna jump in the pool... just to say I did.” Everybody laughed. When I got out, David Lee {Murphy) had a big ole grin and said, “I think we’re gonna write it this way...” and we were off.

Creativity is like a puzzle. You never know, so you keep moving the pieces around.

Kistner, MJ: A lot of people are really responding to “Wherever You Are Tonight.” That leans into that idea of never tackling a topic that way.

Kenny Chesney: I loved that idea of “you’re not gone, just out of sight...” Because I don’t know about you, but I’ve lost people who I loved so much, I can’t accept they’re gone. They stepped away, but they haven’t left. “Wherever You Are” captures that idea so perfectly, and it lets you believe they’re still with you.

In a way, they kind of are. People who are that much a part of your life stay in your heart. You look up and see something you know they’d love, and you smile. Or someone laughs a certain way, and you turn around. The beauty of people like that, even if they are gone, they live on through all the memories, the knowing what they’d say.

And what’s really amazing, I almost didn’t put “Wherever You Are” on the record. I thought it was one of those things that makes people uncomfortable, makes them feel awkward. Instead “Wherever You Are” turned out to be one of people’s favorites; almost every radio station – ever – has mentioned it in their interviews. It shows how much people want somewhere to talk about these things, but they don’t always know where to begin.

Kistner, MJ: You really try to open the world up for people, don’t you?

Kenny Chesney: I don’t know, but I try to create a space where people can come together in love and joy, just to be together and have fun. A lot of my songs are about shaking off tough stuff you can’t control, the moments that define a life or create a memory that will last forever.

If you’ve ever been out in a parking lot in No Shoes Nation, people are grilling, hanging out, making friends and playing music. It’s a giant block party, but it’s also celebrating how great being alive is. “Just To Say We Did” is all about that: shoot your shot, take the chance, do something crazy, chase your dream. Why not? If nothing else, you’ll make a memory with people you love.

Kistner, MJ: How did No Shoes Nation come about?

Kenny Chesney: Over time. We kept doing shows, singing these songs that talked about small town life and values, escape, but knowing what mattered, tearing it up but also songs like “There Goes My Life,” or “Who You’d Be Today.” Between the fun we had onstage and seeing people for who they were in the songs, it kept growing. But it was a friendly place: people talked to the ones parked next to them, share some margaritas or what you were grilling – people made friends.

When we moved to stadiums, people started flying into shows – and we’d always had people who’d follow us, but this was different – they’d talk to each other and make plans beforehand. They’d get parking passes for the same lot or sit in the same sections. We’d have high school or college friends meeting up after their got their first jobs, and they’d come together at one or a few of our shows. It went from being a rite of passage to a time for celebration.

I think the people who came knew I not only saw them, I understood them because I grew up like they did. I loved the things they did, knew the rhythms of their life. So, yes, we work hard to put on a great show, to try to give them as much energy as they give us. But maybe... maybe they also know these songs come from my spirit, the things I value and they do, too. That’s harder and harder to find, but people know when it’s authentic, and it matters.

Kistner, MJ: Is that why you decided to go deep on this record? BORN sets the album up as a pretty wide look at what life is made of – tricky stuff in relationships, chasing memories, kicking back, losing friends.

Kenny Chesney: I wish I were that premeditated. There wasn’t a masterplan, only time to be creative, to write songs and listen, go into the studio with great musicians and enjoy the process. We didn’t cut anything for a reason, except we wanted to know what it would sound like!

Then I had a lot of music that went a lot of places. When we started listening, I realized this album wasn’t going to be about any one thing, but everything. (laughter) It would’ve been too much to set out to do, but once it was all there, well, there it was. Listening to “Born,” all the juxtapositions and questions in that, it really set up this collection of songs.

All the questions, these songs explored them. It was interesting to look at things like “One Lonely Island,” with all that mystery and loneliness, or “Thinkin’ Bout,” which is the real beginning of the end, even though you’re not quite ready to let go. Those things have nuance, they get into the reality of how those things are, not the notion of what it is.

And writing with Mike Reid, who wrote “I Can’t Make You Love Me” for Bonnie Raitt and “Wherever You Are,” he’s such a deep, serious soul, he makes you think about life and the turns you take. He recognizes that we evolve and learn, and if we can’t go back, we can be better and grow. It’s what made writing “The Way I Love You Now” an incredible experience.

When you throw out the rules of “how” to make a record, anything can happen. You may create something you didn’t realize you had in you, and go places you wouldn’t have as an album. So, it wasn’t a decision that was made, it happened. But in picking the songs and setting the sequence, maybe that’s where it came together.

"Born" is out now and can be found on all major streaming platforms.