It’s hard to beat Kenny Chesney. The country music superstar was just named Billboard‘s Top Country Artist of the 21st century. He beats out Tim McGraw, who came in second, followed by Taylor Swift in third, Toby Keith in fourth, and Keith Urban rounding out the Top 5.
“No one gets up to go the gym and expects to see news like this on their phone,” a surprised Chesney says of the honor. “All I was ever trying to do was find the best possible songs, things that spoke to the heart of how No Shoes Nation lives – and then taking that music, those albums that were slices of my life out to everyone who wanted to come out, be a part of the shows, the moments and the memories we made in every city we played.”
The news comes as Chesney just wrapped up the opening weekend of his Live at Sphere Las Vegas residency. Ahead of the first show, the East Tennessee native revealed how much hard work he was putting into making each show one fans would never, ever forget.
“It’s just a different animal,” Chesney says. “Normally, when we rehearse, we know what the stadium environment is. We know what an arena environment is, and we know what an amphitheater environment is. And so, over the years, we’ve gotten pretty good at rehearsing for those environments. This has really pushed us as a touring group, as a touring family, to think differently. And that’s been really good, to get us out of the monotony of rehearsing, out of preparing for the show … We have to prepare in a completely different way, because we’re not only preparing for a show, we’re preparing for an experience, and that is really unique for me and everyone.
“I think that’s one of the things that’s going to be really interesting about these shows,” he continues. “And is the curiosity of people that have been coming to our shows forever, and just being curious about what this is and the shared experience. I think for people that have been coming to our shows forever that have been to a lot of my shows, they’re going to see this in a completely different, new exciting, immersive way, and that’s what’s made it the planning stages of it so unique to me.”
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For someone who has been selling out stadiums for years, the ability to perform at The Sphere is an entirely new experience, and a challenge unlike anything Chesney has faced in the past.
“It’s overwhelming a little,” admits the singer. “Beyond the visuals, which build and move, the fans are so close – even in the 400 section – that you’re consumed by all of it when you look up. But it makes you feel so alive to have everyone right there, rocking, singing and almost beyond being in the moment.”
Chesney may be performing in the same venue each night, but the 57-year-ol says almost everything else will be different with each show.
“We have the ability to add things in, change it up,” Chesney reveals. “Even with this 4-D production, we can keep the spontaneity and in the moment magic that have made our shows a revival and right of summer for the last twenty years.”
Others in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Country Artists list are Rascal Flatts in sixth place, Luke Combs in seventh, Jason Aldean in eighth place, Blake Shelton in ninth, and Carrie Underwood rounding out the Top 10.
In addition to headlining Live at Sphere, Chesney will also become a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame this year. His Heart Life Music book will be released on November 4. It is currently available for preorder here. Find all of Chesney’s music and upcoming shows at KennyChesney.com.
Photo Credit: Allister Ann