Kenny Chesney Dishes on Delayed Album Release and Future Tour Plans
Throughout his chaotic year, Chesney's focus has been on his music and what his future for 2017 and 2018 looks like.
Kenny Chesney has been throwing quite the shock factor to fans over 2016 with the surprise months-long delay of his next studio album and the announcement that he would not be embarking on a 2017 tour.
But as the end of 2016 is nearing, Chesney is being celebrated by the country music industry in grand ways from earning the BMI President’s Award at the 64th BMI Country Awards and the CMA Pinnacle Award during the 50th Annual CMA Awards.
Throughout his chaotic year, Chesney still keeps his mind set on the future and what’s next for the country star. His album is the definition of that perspective and he hopes fans will respond positively to the message his album speaks to.
“But I wanted my album to be released on a human emotion rather than a social statement. It was a gut feeling that the fans would respond better to that human element, of being in that moment when like turns into love,” he told Rolling Stone Country in an interview recently.
Known for always playing his huge stadium tours year after year whether or not he releases new music, Chesney has decided to step back for a change and take time to himself for the majority of 2017. But he’s already got his eye on what’s happening in 2018 for his fans and concerts.
“I’m pretty sure we’re going to do a big tour in 2018 and you just can’t wait until February of 2018 to set that up,” he said to the publication. “The second half of the year I’ll be mentally busy prepping for ’18, but the first half I’m going to be doing some shows and I’m hoping to be creative in some way. Hopefully, I’ll get to spend some more time with my family and reconnect with the people you’re not supposed to have to get reconnected to, but that is my life and that is my truth.”
He continued on about how taking some time off from the road will rejuvenate him for the next go-round and give him time to process how much he’s accomplished with his shows over the past couple years.
“It’s going to allow me to take a really authentic deep breath. Because, if you think about it, in 2015 and 2016 we did 150-something shows in an 18-month period, big stadium shows. And that’s a lot of shows at that level. Like my grandmother said, “Chocolate cake is great, but enough will make you sick.” [Laughs] So we’re putting the cake away for just a little bit and then we’ll put it back out on the table,” he explained.
Fans can pick up Chesney’s upcoming studio album, Cosmic Hallelujah, on digital music retailers or in stores now.
