Charles Esten discusses how his experience as a star on the television show "Nashville" influenced the creation of his first album. While every artist's journey is unique, Esten's path to releasing his debut album stands out in the country music industry, as well as in the overall music scene.
"Isn't it true? It has certainly been a lengthy journey," the singer humorously remarks in an interview with Taste of Country, discussing his new album Love Ain't Pretty. This album, set to be released on Friday, January 26th, marks over thirty years since Esten first started his career.
Starting with his initial appearance on the game show Sale of the Century in 1988, where he managed to win over $32,000 worth of prizes, to his notable portrayal as the main character Deacon Claybourne on the popular country-themed show Nashville, and even his impressive achievement of releasing 54 singles in 54 weeks, which earned him a Guinness World Record, Esten has dedicated a significant amount of time and effort, equivalent to approximately 10,000 hours, which is around 30 times over.
Naturally, there are certain drawbacks to releasing a first album at a later stage in life, as is the case for Esten who is 58 years old. He understands that Love Ain't Pretty may not have the same level of impact on radio as it would if he were younger. However, he also recognizes the value of having a unique backstory and identity that no one else could possibly possess. After all, who else can claim to have a character like Deacon Claybourne integrated into their own musical persona? Who else has had the advantage of fictional country music stardom and then experiencing it again in their real life?
According to Esten, he gained more knowledge from Deacon's fans than he did from Deacon himself. Throughout the show, viewers reached out to Esten to express how much solace they found in the character of Deacon, who lived a challenging life but remained strong and resilient.
Due to the difficulties they faced in life, whether it was their own struggles or those of their parents, people felt the need to express to me the therapeutic aspect of going through the journey with someone. This realization made me recognize the importance of infusing meaning, connection, and a purpose to assist and bring healing in my own music.
Esten frequently mentions the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty because he made a conscious effort to create a cohesive artistic statement that truly represents his identity from beginning to end. This process involved focusing on the emotional core of the songs, following the guidance of Deacon and his fans. Additionally, he collaborated with others to write all 13 tracks on the project and combined a solid foundation of authentic country music with his playful inclination towards rock and roll, which he humorously refers to as embracing his inner "Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians hired by Altman for their exceptional ability to understand and enhance his artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in shaping Esten's debut album. Just before the initial lockdowns were implemented, he began working on the album, but the project had to be put on hold. As soon as the restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume work, and his vision for his debut album became even more defined and focused.
When asked about the purpose of their mission, the singer expresses their belief that COVID-19 has emphasized the enduring truth that life can be challenging and merciless, but also incredibly exquisite. They explain that love is intricately connected to the hardships individuals face, such as the loss of a relationship or a loved one. The intensity of the pain experienced in these situations is a testament to the depth of the love that was present, making it both agonizing and remarkably beautiful.
The momentum of the album increased with popular songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now," according to Esten. He believes that these songs helped to develop the overall theme of the album. However, even though he had a general idea of what he wanted the album to express, Esten didn't have the specific words to capture the essence of Love Ain't Pretty until he wrote the title song. Interestingly, this song was also the last addition to the list of tracks on the album.
After completing the song, before leaving the room, Esten recalls saying, "This will be the title and the first track." He remembers the day when he, Altman, and songwriter Jimmy Yeary wrote the song. The song captured the essence of the album, portraying love as something that may not always be attractive, but is still captivating and wonderful.
Once he had finished writing the words, he was confident that he had conveyed the message accurately. This sense of assurance, acquired through years of dedication and effort, is another significant factor that makes Esten's journey towards his first album so meaningful.
There is another aspect I would like to mention regarding the prolonged wait. During my time in college, I decided to join the construction industry as a carpenter's assistant. As a result, I acquired a toolbox which brought me great joy and pride. Inside the toolbox, I had a hammer, various screwdrivers, a drill, and other useful tools. The reason for my pride stemmed from the fact that all these tools appeared to be in impeccable condition, as if they were brand new.
"And when I arrived, I noticed that all the carpenters had worn-out and battered tools, but I couldn't help but envy them," he says with a laugh. "My own tools looked so perfectly new and untouched. They exclaimed, 'This guy has never even held a hammer before.' But now, the advantage of being as old as I am is that when I look at my toolbox, it's no longer brand new. I've used that hammer countless times, if you know what I mean."
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