10 Things You May Not Know About Kenny Chesney

Since dropping his first-ever album in 1994, Kenny Chesney has been an unstoppable force in country music and the music world at large. Known for his relatable songs, massive tours, and close-knit fan base, Chesney has become a household name and will go down in history among the greats in country music. After 26 years of hit songs and countless awards, Chesney is still going — having recently released his new album, Here And Now. While it’s easy to think that know everything about the superstar by now, that may not be the truth.

Here are 10 things you may not know about Kenny Chesney.

1. His Middle Name Is Arnold.

Many artists decline to share their middle names unless it is part of their stage name, and that was true for Chesney for many years. While the general music community just knows him as Kenny Chesney, the eight-time CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year award winner and road warrior, he was actually born Kenneth Arnold Chesney. For many years, Chesney was tight lipped about his middle name, but the truth has now gotten out.

2. He was in a bluegrass troupe in college.

It is well known that Chesney attended East Tennessee State University, which is where he started showing an interest in music. In order to further his musical knowledge, Chesney joined the ETSU Bluegrass Band at the university, where he started writing songs and continued working on his music. He then started playing at bars and fraternity parties and recorded his first demo album in Bristol, VA in 1989.

3. He majored in advertising.

Many fans probably know that Chesney attended ETSU, but the singer doesn’t often talk about what he was learning while at school. He actually studied advertising and graduated with an advertising degree in 1990. He must have already made up his mind about pursuing a career in country music, though, because after receiving that advertising degree, he moved straight to Nashville to begin his journey to stardom.

4. He’s a Springsteen fan.

Chesney may be one of the best entertainers of our generation, and he happens to be a big fan of another legendary entertainer. He told People that the best concert he ever attended was Bruce Springsteen’s acoustic tour. “It inspired me as an artist. He knew I was there that night and dedicated a song to me. That was such a thrill,” he said.

5. He was supposed to be near the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Chesney shared with CMT that he was supposed to be shooting a video one block from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The video shoot was cancelled weeks before, and when Chesney saw what unfolded on that tragic day, he was shocked. “I think we were traveling through Virginia, and I went up to the front of the bus and turned the TV on to CNN and saw what had happened,” he said. “It didn’t hit me at first. I was laying on the couch, just watching this and couldn’t believe what I was seeing, and I thought, ‘Oh, my God.’ I said, ‘We’re supposed to be there.’ And it was a weird feeling. You know, I’ve always believed in guardian angels, but it really makes you believe that there’s something up there.”

6. He has a simple lunch order.

It doesn’t take much for Chesney to have a good meal — he said he’s happy with just a simple grilled cheese with extra salt. That simple sandwich has even inspired a song that fans have yet to hear. “I wrote a song called ‘Red Wine and Grilled Cheese.’ I’ll put it on a record some day,” he said.

7. He wrote his first song to try to get a girl.

The first song Chesney ever wrote was about a girl that he was interested in at school. Unfortunately, the song didn’t help Chesney win the girl, but it did help prepare him for the letdowns of the music business. He told TODAY, “Looking back on it, that was my first taste of rejection with my music. It’s what every entertainer and every songwriter that tries to break into the business feels on a daily basis.”

8. He’s a film director.

Chesney’s talents go far beyond music. In 2010, Kenny released his Boys Of Fall documentary film, which he produced and directed. The film was inspired by his single “Boys Of Fall,” and tells the story of life through football. The hour-long film premiered on ESPN and includes interviews with Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, John Madden, and more.

9. He still goes home quite a bit.

Kenny Chesney maintains a grueling tour schedule every summer, and he’s often singing about his favorite beach hangouts. But between touring and spending time by the ocean, there is another place that is close to Chesney’s heart. He says he still makes time to go back home to East Tennessee whenever he can. “I get back more than people think,” he told Atlanta Magazine in 2017. “I use it as a place to disappear.”

10. He gives back to the places he loves.

It’s obvious that Kenny Chesney loves living the island life, as it is reflected in many of his songs, but he also actively gives back to the islands that he loves and the people who live there. In 2017, Chesney announced his Love For Love City Foundation, which benefited the U.S. and British Virgin Islands following Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. The foundation sent food and supplies directly to the communities that needed them the most and rescued dogs that became homeless after the hurricanes.