Well, we thought with Kenny Chesney having just ended his summer tour, he'd start to slip out of the spotlight a little bit...but lucky for his fans, he's still around!! Here's a few things that have been on Kenny's mind now that touring isn't... - Charity ~ Earlier this year Kenny became a board member for the Plan!t Now organization and in light of all of the recent hurricanes, Kenny's trying to help put the organization in the spotlight. Plan!t Now "provides people, communities, and companies in high-rish regions the information they need to protect their families, homes, businesses, resources, and documents from the effects of any disaster through public service announcements, information offerings via many forms, and also by providing direct relief through grants and scholarships to hurricane-affected persons." Speaking of the orginization and of the recent hurricanes, Kenny says "Knowledge is your best defense, and putting that knowledge into action can make all the difference. A lot of this stuff is pretty basic, yet when a hurricane hits, there's not a lot of time to get ready. So that's the point of Plan!t Now: being ready, not needing to get ready. The last few weeks of the tour, we had so many people out with us who had homes or family in the eye of these different storms, and it becomes really personal. It really brings the reality of it into focus, and knowing that if you're ready, rather than thinking it can't happen to me, there's a big difference in how you fare." Kenny is urging people to visit Plan!t Now's website for all hurricane related information.
- New music ~ By now you've heard that Kenny will release his new album, "Lucky Old Sun" on October 14th, but what you might now know is that Kenny has some special duet partners included in this project. Mac MacAnally, who wrote the Chesney concert favorite "Back Where I Come From," joins Kenny on another song he penned, "Down That Road." Kenny says "This is one of those songs I've loved forever -- and that really says everything about what we fall in love with, what we value...the things that matter, especially when building a future. Mac told me he wrote it one Christmas morning, waiting for his kids to wake up and open their presents and you can tell that's the kind of heart he writes with." We think it's pretty cool that Kenny is bringing Mac in to sing on the album with him...Kenny's been fortunate enough to duet with country greats like George Jones, Reba McEntire and George Strait, and it's nice to see him pay it forward and bring Mac in on this one! You can listen to a preview of this song here. Other duet partners on this album include Willie Nelson and Dave Matthews.
- His life ~ Kenny reflects back on 2008's Poets & Pirate's tour as the most fun he's had on the road in the last couple of years. Everyone gets into a personal funk from time to time, and even with all of his fame and fortune, the past couple of years Kenny had found himself in one of those funks. Kenny told GAC Nights: Live From Nashville "We're taught as kids, the more you achieve the more money you get and the more success you have, that's supposed to equal happiness, and it's not that way. I mean, if you're not in the right place in your heart or your head, it don't matter how much money you've got, you're miserable." Lucky for Kenny, and for his fans, time spent working with Willie Nelson this past winter helped snap Kenny out of that low time. Willie can be found dueting with Kenny on the title track to the upcoming album "Lucky Old Sun."
- His current radio hit ~ "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven" is a song that Kenny thinks his fans can relate to since he relates so well to it in his own life. Says Chesney, "When I heard that song, I realized there was a lot for me to live for, and I was just wantin' to try to get as much of it as I could, you know? I got a great life, you know, and I've got a unique one. It's a double-edge sword sometimes, but you know, when I heard 'everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to go no,' I mean, it was just a phrase that I felt like that was very common among the people that came to see our show every summer. And the whole groove of it was, you know, like several songs on this record. I felt like it really defined what we do live."
Well it sounds like Kenny is still pretty busy even though he's not touring. Hopefully once his album drops next month, he'll be able to take some time to rest and relax!
Tune in NOW (2pm EST) for exclusive interviews and behind the scenes information LIVE from Farm Aid 2008 in Mansfield, Mass. where Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews Band, Jamey Johnson, John Mellancamp, and Kenny Chesney will soon hit the stage! Starting at 6pm you can hear the actual concert broadcast! Click HERE to tune in.
If you have DIRECTV, you're in luck! They will air this month's Farm Aid concert that will be held in Mansfield, MA on September 20th. The show is sure to be an amazing concert...Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Kenny Chesney, The Pretenders, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jamey Johnson and MANY more will perform for this fabulous cause! Check out the full line-up of the concert here.
While in Nashville last week, Jessica Simpson became a member of the Country Music Association. Along with over 6,000 songwriters, musicians, and other country music personnel, Jessica joins acts such as Willie Nelson, Keith Urban, Faith Hill as members of the CMA.
An onlooker told E! News, "She was very sweet and seemed happy to join the organization," a Simpson source said. "Being a member makes you part of the industry. It’s great for networking."There are many perks that come with being a member, such as special rate health insurance, but a major perk of being part of the CMA means that Jessica is now able to have a say in CMA nominations and awards. Could she have say in this year's awards? We're not sure, but she seems like she is making a point to make country music a major part of her life.
Speaking of Jessica, we just read Natasha Bedingfield's latest MySpace blog. Natasha mentions Jessica's new album as one to look out for. She writes, "I'm not joking, look out for this one. I heard some of her new album and I was blown away. Country music is what jess should have been doing all along. When she sings these songs you feel them."
Jessica's first country album, "Do You Know" hits stores on September 9th- Just 2 weeks away!
Jamey Johnson has just signed on to perform at the annual Farm Aid concert which is being held in Mansfield, MA on September 20th. Jamey joins previously announced performers Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Neil Young, and Kenny Chesney for a day of music to help raise funds and awareness to aid the nations farming industry.
In the grand tradition of country stars helping out great causes, Vince Gill, Big & Rich, Patty Loveless, Randy Travis, Dwight Yoakam, and Willie Nelson have all offered music for the upcoming project "The Imus Ranch Record." The CD will benefit the Imus Ranch, a cattle ranch that plays host to children with cancer and other blood disorders...the ranch is owned by radio personality Don Imus and his wife. The CD is being released by New West Records on September 16th.
Fresh off the heels of his sold out show on Saturday at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA, this morning we wake to news that Kenny Chesney will be returning to New England. On September 20th, Kenny Chesney will pay tribute to the farmers of America by joining the all-star lineup of this years Farm-Aid festival. Kenny says “American family farmers are what this country is built on…and they have fed us and kept us strong and healthy for how many generations? Growing up in a small town outside Knoxville (TN), it was a big part of who we were – and it’s something we as a country shouldn’t lose. If I can help be part of that – whether it’s raising money, or awareness, or just letting those family farmers know someone knows and cares – well, that’s why I’m coming to New England.” Kenny joins Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp on the list of already announced performers, with more announcements expected. Tickets for the show go on sale through all Ticketmaster locations today.
Always one to be busy with new projects, Toby Keith has just announced that the soundtrack for his upcoming movie, Beer For My Horses, will be released on August 12th. The movie stars Toby and comedian, Rodney Carrington (he had his own show on ABC, Rodney ~ it was some seriously funny stuff!) and will be released in theaters on August 8th. Aside from Toby and Rodney, the soundtrack will feature songs by Willie Nelson, Trailer Choir, Mica Roberts, Ted Nugent, Mel Tillis, Mac Davis, Gina Gershon, James McMurtry, and David Allan Coe. While Toby will be busy promoting the movie, you can also catch him out on the road during his "Biggest and Baddest Tour" which runs through September 20th.
Farm Aid co-founder, John Mellencamp announced today that the annual festival will take place in New England this year, a first ever location for the festival. Now in it's 22nd year, Farm Aid has raised over $30 Million in its effort to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. The full line-up of the event is yet to be released, but we do know that the headliners will be Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp. You can receive updates, donate to the cause, or get ticket info by heading to their website or by calling 1-800-FARM-AID. Not only is Farm Aid obviously a great cause to donate to, but the spirit of the festival is something that we should all appreciate. It's all about community and helping our fellow man, all the while getting to participate in a great day of music.
We know we're not the only ones who like to roll down the windows and crank up the radio in the Summertime! Grab your iPod and download these 30 hits if you haven't already...these songs are sure to keep you jamming long after the sun goes down!
- Summertime ~ Kenny Chesney
- All I Want To Do ~ Sugarland
- Summer Girls ~ Jessica Andrews
- Beach Weekend ~ Bailey Grey
- Anything But Mine ~ Kenny Chesney
- All Summer Long ~ Kid Rock
- Lookin' For A Good Time ~ Lady Antebellum
- Worry B Gone ~ Willie Nelson & Kenny Chesney
- Sunshine & Summertime ~ Faith Hill
- I Can Sleep When I'm Dead ~ Jason Michael Carroll
- Good Time ~ Alan Jackson
- Flip Flop Summer ~ Kenny Chesney
- Put A Girl In It ~ Brooks & Dunn
- You Look Good In My Shirt ~ Keith Urban
- Six Pack Summer ~ Phil Vassar
- Cheap Seats ~ Alabama
- Can't Fight The Moonlight ~ Leann Rimes
- Whiskey Girl ~ Toby Keith
- Settlin' ~ Sugarland
- All My Friends Say ~ Luke Bryan
- No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems ~ Kenny Chesney
- Chattahoochie ~ Alan Jackson
- Johnny Cash ~ Jason Aldean
- That Summer ~ Garth Brooks
- Fishin' In The Dark ~ Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- Good Directions ~ Billy Currington
- Stays In Mexico ~ Toby Keith
- Wild Ride ~ Kenny Chesney
- Toes ~ Zac Brown Band
- Something Like That ~ Tim McGraw
Well, we thought with Kenny Chesney having just ended his summer tour, he'd start to slip out of the spotlight a little bit...but lucky for his fans, he's still around!! Here's a few things that have been on Kenny's mind now that touring isn't... 
