1. Kenny Chesney
By Toni Bell

2. Early Life Born in 1968 Mother was a hair stylist
Father was an elementary school teacher
He only has one sister
Wide receiver for High School football team
Kenny Chesney was born March 26, 1968 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He grew up in Luttrell, Tennessee, with his mother Karen, his father David, and his only sister Jennifer. He played football at Gibbs High School where he was the wide receiver on the school’s football team. He graduated in 1986 and then enrolled in East Tennessee State University so he can earn an advertising degree.

3. How he got started…
Loved Country music and Rock & Roll throughout high school
He received a guitar for Christmas in college
He joined a college bluegrass band
Throughout high school, Kenny’s music of choice was Country and Rock & Roll. However, he hadn’t considered going professional with his singing career until college. He had received a guitar for Christmas one year and began practicing. He eventually joined a college bluegrass band. He began writing his own songs and played at local bars every chance he could get. He also managed to sell 1,000 of a self-released demo album on his own. He graduated college in 1991 with a degree in marketing and moved to Nashville to begin a career in music.

4. Getting Discovered Resident performer at The Turf
Landed a record contract with Capricorn
“In My Wildest Dreams” was his first album
After Capricorn, he signed with RCA subsidiary BNA
After Kenny moved to Nashville, he became the resident performer for The Turf. He played 5 or 6 nights a week, if he could get it, for at least 4 hours a night making 5 dollars an hour, plus tips. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the place to get “discovered.” However, it did give him enough experience to move on to a publishing deal with Acuff-Rose and then eventually landed a record contract with Capricorn. Despite the label doing very little to promote his album, he sold 100,000 copies of his album “In My Wildest Dreams” in Capricorn closed down its country division, leaving Kenny Chesney with no where to go. But luckily for him, his high quantity of albums sold got the attention of some big-time labels and he ended up signing with RCA subsidiary BNA.

5. Personal Life Married Renee Zellweger in 2005
Divorced Renee Zellweger seven months later
Dated Miss Tennessee USA
Kenny Chesney had met Renee Zellweger at a tsunami relief benefit concert. On May 9, 2005, the two were married. His composition of “You Had Me at Hello” was actually written after watching Zellweger in the 1996 film Jerry Maguire. They divorced seven months later because of “irreconcilable differences.” Zellweger said the divorce had not been reflected upon Chesney’s character.
Kenny began dating then 24-year-old Amy Colley, who was Miss Tennessee USA. They were introduced by a mutual friend, but then broke up 2009.

6. Success 21 number one hits, and counting Won 16 industry awards
Headlined 5 tours since 2005
Fourth biggest tour of the year in 2008
Kenny Chesney has had 21 number one hits. His first number one hit was “She’s Got It All,” which was on his third album I Will Stand. Some of his other number one hits include “How Forever Feels,” “The Good Stuff,” “When the Sun Goes Down,” “Beer in Mexico,” and his 21st number one being “Live a Little,” which is on his most recent album Hemingway’s Whiskey.
Kenny won 16 industry awards, including 8 ACM/CMA/AMA Entertainer of the Year, CMA album of the Year, and ACM Vocal Event of the Year from 1997 to 2008.
He has headlined 5 tours since He went back on the road again since 2009 for his Goin’ Coastal Tour in I actually attended that one, and it was amazing. He is also on the road again this year for the Brothers of the Sun Tour with Tim McGraw for 2012.
In 2008, Kenny’s Poets and Pirates tour sold over 1 million tickets to fans across the country. He had the fourth-biggest tour in 2008 behind Madonna, Celine Dion, and The Eagles.

7. Album Success Me and You went Gold I Will Stand went Platinum
Everywhere We Go went Double Platinum
Greatest Hits went Double Platinum
No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem was his best album yet
It took a couple years for Kenny Chesney to really make himself really get up there, but finally in 1996, his album Me and It took a couple years for Kenny Chesney to really make himself really get up there, but finally in 1996, his album Me and You went gold. I Will Stand went platinum in 1997, which had his first number one hit “She Got it All.” Everywhere We Go went double platinum in 1999 and sold over two million copies and had two number one hits, which were “You Had Me at Hello” and “How Forever Feels.” This album also had “What I Need to Do” and “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” that were top ten singles. He made his first Greatest Hits album in 2000, which included “I Lost It” and “Don’t Happen Twice” that were at the top of billboard charts. That album became Chesney’s double-platinum release. However, in 2002, No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem gave him his strongest commercial performance yet, with four Top Ten singles.

8. Composition History Beer in Mexico I Go Back Out Last Night Reality
Kenny Chesney has recorded over 200 songs in his music career for the passed 20 years. He hasn’t written all of his songs, but he has written and helped write many of them. However, he can relate to almost all of them. He has always been the type of man to tell it how it is and hope that his songs have made somewhat of an impact on his fans.
There are four of his songs that have stuck out to me that Kenny Chesney has written himself. “Beer in Mexico,” “I Go Back,” “Out Last Night,” and “Reality.” Three out of the four songs are more upbeat and partying songs, but that is how Kenny Chesney is. He is all about giving everyone a good time with his music.

9. I Go Back
Released May 3, 2004
Produced by Kenny Chesney and Buddy Cannon
Spent 7 weeks at number 2 on U.S. Billboard country charts in 2004
“I Go Back” was released on May 3, 2004 and produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney. This song was Kenny’s third single from his 2004 album When the Sun Goes Down. Throughout the song, Kenny recalls various moments in his life and how he is reminded of each moment in his song. In the song, he explains times such as being on the football line, driving around with his first love, and losing a good friend at the age of 16. At the end of this music video, it states: “In memory of Lance Wilson and all the summers I shared with him.” This single spent 7 weeks at the number 2 position on the U.S. Billboard country charts in 2004.

10. Beer In Mexico Released January 7, 2008
Produced by Kenny Chesney and Buddy Cannon
Fifth and final single on The Road and the Radio album
First song written by himself that reached number 1
“Beer in Mexico” was released on January 8, 2007 and produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney. This was his fifth and final single from the 2005 album The Road and the Radio. This was Kenny Chesney’s first song written by himself that reached number one on the charts. Kenny wrote it while vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for Sammy Hagar’s birthday party. It talks about being at a crossroads in life and not knowing what decisions to make, so just sit back, relax, and have a beer in Mexico. The song was rated 108 on the 201 Greatest Singles of the Decade.

11. Out Last Night Released April 6, 2009
Produced by Kenny Chesney and Buddy Cannon
Only new track on his 2009 Greatest Hits II album
“Out Last Night” was released on April 6, 2009 and produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney. Kenny was the co-writer of this song along with Brett James. This song was the only new track on his 2009 Greatest Hits II album. It was Chesney’s 42nd single-release and his 38th Top 40 hit on the U.S. country single charts. The song is about someone who is recalling a party that he attended the night before. He recalls people he met there, such as “girls from Argentina and Arkansas,” as well as actions he did, like telling people he was a “doctor, lawyer, a senator’s son, Brad Pitts brother, and a man on the run.”

12. Reality Released October 3, 2011
Produced by Kenny Chesney and Buddy Cannon
Fifth single off of Hemingway’s Whiskey album
“Reality” was released on October 3, 2011 and was produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney. Kenny also co-wrote this song along with Brett James. This song was the fifth single off of his Hemingway’s Whiskey album. Just like his “Beer in Mexico” song, this single has a “take a break from life” message. Kenny thought of this song while lying in a dentist chair with a mask on while getting his “laughing gas.” He thought “Wow, I haven’t been this relaxed in a long time. This is my escape from reality.” He says everyone should be able to have a break and escape from their everyday lives to do something they enjoy.

13. Listening Guide

14. I Go Back
0.00 The rhythm repeats with the same notes four times. Slow tempo.
0:10 More instruments break in at this point and create a new texture. More upbeat.
0:21 Vocals enter at this point with the same melody in the background as in 0:00.
0:38 The timbre of the instruments go to a lower pitch, however the vocals stay the same timbre.
0:44 The tempo speeds up and the vocals then make a slightly higher pitch. The rhythm stays the same as it was in the first verse.
1:11 Vocals are at a higher timbre towards the end of the verse with prominent percussion in the background to make the beat.
1:15 Vocals end temporarily and the rhythm of the instruments speed up then go into soft dynamics until vocals reenter.
Introduction
0.00 The rhythm repeats with the same notes four times. Slow tempo.
0:10 More instruments break in at this point and create a new texture. More upbeat.
0:21 Vocals enter at this point with the same melody in the background as in 0:00.
First Verse
0:38 The timbre of the instruments go to a lower pitch, however the vocals stay the same timbre.
Chorus
0:44 The tempo speeds up and the vocals then make a slightly higher pitch. The rhythm stays the same as it was in the first verse.
1:11 Vocals are at a higher timbre towards the end of the verse with prominent percussion in the background to make the beat.
1:15 Vocals end temporarily and the rhythm of the instruments speed up then go into soft dynamics until vocals reenter.

15. Continued…
1:20 Vocals come in again. The tempo isn’t as fast for the instruments in the background and the instruments combine to a certain form where the percussion is a disjunctive melody and the string instruments have a conjunct melody.
1:40 Vocals have a higher pitch and the tempo goes quicker. The melody moves step by step throughout the chorus, with an organized form for what the notes are.
2:10 Guitar has a quick tempo and a higher pitch while the vocals finish up the chorus.
2:19 Slower tempo from the instruments. The dynamics go quieter.
2:31 Three higher notes with a medium tempo are used for the transformation from the Bridge to the Chorus again.
2:32 Dynamics go quieter for the final Chorus. The rhythm is kept the same with the same beat, just not as many chords in harmony. Vocals have softer dynamics. Little accompaniment for the texture.
2:44 More harmony is added to make a louder timbre. The texture involves more instruments with the vocals.
2:58 Tempo speeds up slightly. Harmony is increased with the more chords used while vocals repeat “I Go Back” with variations in the melody.
3:50 The song begins to fade out and get quieter as it ends.
Second Verse
1:20 Vocals come in again. The tempo isn’t as fast for the instruments in the background and the instruments combine to a certain form where the percussion is a disjunctive melody and the string instruments have a conjunct melody.
Chorus
1:40 Vocals have a higher pitch and the tempo goes quicker. The melody moves step by step throughout the chorus, with an organized form for what the notes are.
2:10 Guitar has a quick tempo and a higher pitch while the vocals finish up the chorus.
Bridge
2:19 Slower tempo from the instruments. The dynamics go quieter.
2:31 Three higher notes with a medium tempo are used for the transformation from the Bridge to the Chorus again.
2:32 Dynamics go quieter for the final Chorus. The rhythm is kept the same with the same beat, just not as many chords in harmony. Vocals have softer dynamics. Little accompaniment for the texture.
2:44 More harmony is added to make a louder timbre. The texture involves more instruments with the vocals.
2:58 Tempo speeds up slightly. Harmony is increased with the more chords used while vocals repeat “I Go Back” with variations in the melody.
End
3:50 The song begins to fade out and get quieter as it ends.

16. Beer in Mexico
0:00 Begins with a quick tempo. The texture involves different instruments as it approaches the first verse. The rhythm is somewhat fast with a quick jump from melody to melody.
0:14 The tempo slows down and has quiet dynamics, then harmony is added with more melody from the guitar again.
0:19 Fast tempo of notes right before first verse starts
0:21 Vocals come in. The rhythm is medium paced. Vocals have medium dynamics. There isn’t much texture between the vocals and instruments. There is accompaniment from percussion and a low pitch of guitar.
0:48 High timbre with vocals. Tempo speeds up. Rhythm stays the same. Harmony is assisted with more guitar chords. Between each line of the chorus, there is a burst of guitar notes separating the lines with a high pitch and fast tempo.
1:10 Timbre lowers with instruments and vocals, but keeps tempo quick.
1:13 Texture of drums, guitar, and bass moving with a fast tempo and a constant rhythm.
Introduction
0:00 Begins with a quick tempo. The texture involves different instruments as it approaches the first verse. The rhythm is somewhat fast with a quick jump from melody to melody.
0:14 The tempo slows down and has quiet dynamics, then harmony is added with more melody from the guitar again.
0:19 Fast tempo of notes right before first verse starts
First Verse
0:21 Vocals come in. The rhythm is medium paced. Vocals have medium dynamics. There isn’t much texture between the vocals and instruments. There is accompaniment from percussion and a low pitch of guitar.
Chorus
0:48 High timbre with vocals. Tempo speeds up. Rhythm stays the same. Harmony is assisted with more guitar chords. Between each line of the chorus, there is a burst of guitar notes separating the lines with a high pitch and fast tempo.
1:10 Timbre lowers with instruments and vocals, but keeps tempo quick.
1:13 Texture of drums, guitar, and bass moving with a fast tempo and a constant rhythm.

17. Continued…
1:20 Rhythm remains the same with vocals and instruments. The form of the instruments has repetition within this part of the song.
1:47 Timbre goes higher. Tempo speeds up, but keeps constant rhythm throughout chorus.
2:08 Timbre gets lower and tempo slows down as the instruments slightly go quieter.
2:13 Vocals stop temporarily. Guitar has a solo that has a conjunct melody. The notes vary from high to low throughout the solo.
2:25 Vocals reenter and have a lower dynamics. The voice moves slower from note to note, but the tempo of the instruments have the same melody as before, keeping the rhythm.
2:41 Harmony has fewer instruments with the vocals. Vocals are at a slow tempo and the instruments don’t have as much texture at this point.
3:20 Guitar solo plays with a quick tempo and is combined with drums and trumpets. High timbre of the guitar.
4:08 Fades out with guitar playing to the end.
Second Verse
1:20 Rhythm remains the same with vocals and instruments. The form of the instruments has repetition within this part of the song.
Chorus
1:47 Timbre goes higher. Tempo speeds up, but keeps constant rhythm throughout chorus.
2:08 Timbre gets lower and tempo slows down as the instruments slightly go quieter.
2:13 Vocals stop temporarily. Guitar has a solo that has a conjunct melody. The notes vary from high to low throughout the solo.
Bridge
2:25 Vocals reenter and have a lower dynamics. The voice moves slower from note to note, but the tempo of the instruments have the same melody as before, keeping the rhythm.
2:41 Harmony has fewer instruments with the vocals. Vocals are at a slow tempo and the instruments don’t have as much texture at this point.
3:20 Guitar solo plays with a quick tempo and is combined with drums and trumpets. High timbre of the guitar.
End
4:08 Fades out with guitar playing to the end.

18. Out Last Night
0:00 Immediate medium tempo at the beginning. The form is organized into a more disjunct melody.
0:14 Vocals have a low timbre. The dynamics of this part of the song are softer with a medium tempo.
0:28 Vocals raise pitch and more harmony is added to create a higher pitch.
0:40 Drums are played with a fact tempo to lead up to the chorus. Higher timbre with instruments and vocals. Quicker, but organized tempo throughout chorus. Rhythm remains the same.
1:05 Chorus ends. Instruments are brought in with softer dynamics. Same melody is used throughout this part of the song.
1:10 Lower timbre of vocals and a medium tempo.
1:24 Timbre went higher and tempo sped up.
Introduction
0:00 Immediate medium tempo at the beginning. The form is organized into a more disjunct melody.
First Verse
0:14 Vocals have a low timbre. The dynamics of this part of the song are softer with a medium tempo.
0:28 Vocals raise pitch and more harmony is added to create a higher pitch.
Chorus
0:40 Drums are played with a fact tempo to lead up to the chorus. Higher timbre with instruments and vocals. Quicker, but organized tempo throughout chorus. Rhythm remains the same.
1:05 Chorus ends. Instruments are brought in with softer dynamics. Same melody is used throughout this part of the song.
Second Verse
1:10 Lower timbre of vocals and a medium tempo.
1:24 Timbre went higher and tempo sped up.

19. Continued…
1:35 Tempo speeds up. Pitch is higher. Melody is conjunct throughout the chorus. The harmony of more instruments made it a higher timbre.
2:03 The tempo slowed down slightly. Vocals went slower, thus making a different melody. Dynamics were slightly quieter than chorus
2:18 Tempo speeds up. Dynamics went louder. Harmony added with more instruments.
2:44 Vocals ended. The rhythm held a fast beat.
3:07 Faded out to the end with a faster rhythm.
Chorus
1:35 Tempo speeds up. Pitch is higher. Melody is conjunct throughout the chorus. The harmony of more instruments made it a higher timbre.
Bridge
2:03 The tempo slowed down slightly. Vocals went slower, thus making a different melody. Dynamics were slightly quieter than chorus
2:18 Tempo speeds up. Dynamics went louder. Harmony added with more instruments.
End
2:44 Vocals ended. The rhythm held a fast beat.
3:07 Faded out to the end with a faster rhythm.

20. Reality
0:00 Beginning notes were fast in tempo, but then the notes had a slow rhythm.
0:05 More instruments were added for the harmony of the song. Tempo sped up drastically. However, the form was organized and repeated.
0:32 Vocals enter. Low dynamics. Rhythm remained the same.
0:43 Vocals raise timbre. Instruments begin to combine for more harmony.
0:50 More chords are used to lead up to chorus. Higher pitch is used. Melody is conjunct. The form of the vocals and instruments have a distinct pattern.
1:13 Vocals end. Instruments have a higher timbre and a fast tempo.
Introduction
0:00 Beginning notes were fast in tempo, but then the notes had a slow rhythm.
0:05 More instruments were added for the harmony of the song. Tempo sped up drastically. However, the form was organized and repeated.
First Verse
0:32 Vocals enter. Low dynamics. Rhythm remained the same.
0:43 Vocals raise timbre. Instruments begin to combine for more harmony.
Chorus
0:50 More chords are used to lead up to chorus. Higher pitch is used. Melody is conjunct. The form of the vocals and instruments have a distinct pattern.
1:13 Vocals end. Instruments have a higher timbre and a fast tempo.

21. Continued… 1:24 Timbre lowers. Tempo gets slightly slower.
1:35 Timbre of the vocals rise while the harmony of instruments get louder with dynamics.
1:44 Tempo increases. Vocals have a higher pitch. Texture of vocals and instruments are used together as accompaniment.
2:05 Pitch lowers but tempo stays the same.
2:18 Guitar solo takes place right now with a fast tempo, but keeps a constant rhythm.
2:38 Timbre is high. Harmony is decreased with less instruments for a moment.
3:00 Guitar breaks in and adds a quick paced melody as vocals finish the chorus.
3:23 Fades out and ends with an abrupt guitar chord.
Second Verse
1:24 Timbre lowers. Tempo gets slightly slower.
1:35 Timbre of the vocals rise while the harmony of instruments get louder with dynamics.
Chorus
1:44 Tempo increases. Vocals have a higher pitch. Texture of vocals and instruments are used together as accompaniment.
Bridge
2:05 Pitch lowers but tempo stays the same.
2:18 Guitar solo takes place right now with a fast tempo, but keeps a constant rhythm.
2:38 Timbre is high. Harmony is decreased with less instruments for a moment.
3:00 Guitar breaks in and adds a quick paced melody as vocals finish the chorus.
End
3:23 Fades out and ends with an abrupt guitar chord.

22. Bibliography
Bio.True Story. Kenny Chesney.biography A&E Television Networks. 19 Feb Web.
CMT Get country. Kenny Chesney Biography Country Music Television, Inc. 19 Feb Web.
OnlineTickets.com. Kenny Chesney Interesting Facts OnlineTickets.com. 19 Feb Web. l
YouTube.com. 19 Feb Web.
Kenny Chesney Feb Web.
About.com. Kenny Chesney – Biography. 26 Mar Web.

23. Image References