Kenny Chesney is officially a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Tennessee native was inducted on Sunday, October 19, by Joe Galante, after Kelsea Ballerini, Megan Moroney, and Eric Church performed in tribute to Chesney.
Chesney was joined by both of his parents, who sat one either side of him for the induction ceremony. He became a member alongside producer Tony Brown and the late June Carter Cash.
“It’s just overwhelming to be up here,” Chesney said. “Joe told me it was going to be overwhelming, and you’re right. It’s overwhelming.”
Chesney went on to thank numerous people who have helped his career, which has spanned more than 30 years, including Galante, who was once the head of Chesney’s record label. The 57-year-old also reflected on his journey, revealing how he always wants to look ahead instead of behind, at least until now.
“Last year on the road … Megan asked me a really smart question,” Chesney recalls. “She asked me if I ever let myself feel accomplished. I remember we were outside the Pittsburgh Steelers football stadium, just hanging out by the bus after a show. And I thought that was a very smart question for someone that’s just now getting into the business. And the truth is, I’ve never really let myself sit in accomplishment very much. I’ve always been very creative, very driven.
“But tonight, I can tell you, walking into that rotunda and taking that group shot with a lot of my heroes and a lot of my friends, it was the first time that I’ve ever felt accomplished in my life,” he continues. “This is an unbelievable feeling to stand here in this moment, and with every cell in my body, I feel the gravity of this moment.”
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Kenny Chesney Reflects On His Country Music Hall of Fame Induction
Kenny Chesney continues his heartfelt speech by thanking those who have inspired him, including George Strait, who performed in tribute to Brown.
“This has just been an unbelievable night for me,” Chesney says. “What an honor. … I see George Strait here tonight. George took me on the road with him for two years in a row. And those two summers changed my life, George. Changed it, and I just want to thank you. It’s an honor to go in with June Carter Cash. I’m friends with her kids since the announcement…But the thing that I am very thankful for is that I got to do this with so many people. I’m standing up here tonight because of all of the people I got to play music with, and all the people I got to live this life with.”
Chesney concludes his heartfelt speech by reading the lyrics to a song, “I Didn’t Get Here Alone,” which he wrote with Neal Thrasher and Michael Dulaney. The song is on the deluxe version of Chesney’s 2010 Hemingway’s Whiskey record.
“Several years ago, I wrote a song called ‘I Didn’t Get Here Alone,’ and I’m going to leave you guys with this,” Chesney says. “It goes, ‘To everyone who helped paved my way / If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here today / To all my friends, the girls, the broken hearts / All the critics, cynics and doubters, you all know who you are / I didn’t get here alone / This road’s just too rough alone / I might be the one that spotlight’s on / But I didn’t get here alone / I know I didn’t get here alone.’ And I’m honored tonight, to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame.”
Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Lyle Lovett, and Steve Earle performed in tribute to Brown. Kacey Musgraves with Daniel Tashian, Keb’ Mo’ with Ruby Amanfu, and Lukas Nelson performed in tribute to Cash. John Anderson closed the evening by singing “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”