Charles Esten's path to creating his debut album is unique and unlike any other artist in the country music industry.
"Isn't it true? It's been quite a journey," the singer humorously remarks in an interview with Taste of Country, discussing his latest album Love Ain't Pretty. The album, set to be released on Friday, January 26th, marks over thirty years since the start of Esten's career.
Starting with his initial venture into the entertainment industry in 1988, when he made an appearance on a game show called Sale of the Century and emerged victorious with prizes worth over $32,000, Charles Esten's career has been nothing short of remarkable. From his notable role as Deacon Claybourne on the popular country-themed show Nashville, to his impressive achievement of releasing 54 singles in as many weeks, which earned him a place in the Guinness World Records, Esten has undoubtedly dedicated a significant amount of time and effort to his craft, amounting to approximately 10,000 hours, or roughly 30 times over
Releasing a debut album later in life certainly has its drawbacks, as is the case for Esten who is currently 58 years old. He understands that Love Ain't Pretty may not have as much success on the radio compared to younger artists. However, he recognizes the unique advantage of having a backstory and identity that no one else can replicate. After all, who else can incorporate a character like Deacon Claybourne into their own musical identity? Who else has the experience of achieving country music stardom in fiction and then doing it again in their actual life?
According to Esten, he gained more knowledge and insight from the fans of Deacon than from the character himself. Throughout the show, Esten received messages from viewers expressing how much they related to the troubled and resilient character of Deacon, finding comfort in his portrayal.
The people who shared their stories with me wanted to express that going through difficult experiences, either in their own lives or their parents' lives, had a therapeutic effect. They emphasized the importance of finding meaning and connection in music, and how it can be used as a tool for helping and healing others.
Esten frequently refers to the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and there's a valid explanation for it: he dedicated significant effort to ensure that the project is a coherent artistic representation of his identity from beginning to end. This involved placing emotional depth and substance as a priority, following the guidance of Deacon and Deacon's fans. It also involved co-writing all 13 songs on the album and combining a base of traditional country music with the playful incorporation of rock and roll influences that he humorously describes as being reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen.
Esten acknowledges the producer Marshall Altman and the musicians he brought in to play on the recording sessions, attributing their expertise to honing in on his artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in shaping his debut album. Just before the initial lockdowns were enforced, Esten had begun working on the album, but it was put on hold. Once restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume his work, and his determination to create exactly what he envisioned for his debut album became even stronger.
When asked about the purpose behind their mission, the singer expresses that COVID has further emphasized the universal understanding that life can be challenging and cruel, but it also possesses moments of immense beauty. They believe that love, in particular, is closely intertwined with this concept. The pain experienced from losing a relationship or a loved one is a result of the deep love that was once present. This is also what makes it so poignant and magnificent.
Esten noticed an increase in momentum as more songs, such as "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now," were added to the album. He believes these songs helped to develop the overall theme of the album. However, even though he had a general idea of the sentiment he wanted to convey, he struggled to find the perfect words to capture the essence of Love Ain't Pretty. It wasn't until he wrote the title song, which was also the final addition to the tracklist, that he finally found the words he had been searching for.
After completing the song, before leaving the room, Esten recalls saying, "This will be the title and the first song of the album." He wrote the song with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary, and it represented the overall theme of the album: Love may not always be pleasant, but it is still something beautiful.
After completing the writing, he immediately realized that he had conveyed the message accurately. This sense of assurance, which comes from years of dedicated effort, is one of the reasons why Esten's unconventional journey to his first album holds great significance.
There is another aspect to waiting for a long time that I want to mention. Back when I was in college, I decided to take up a job in construction. Specifically, I became a helper to a carpenter. As part of my new role, I acquired a toolbox, which I was extremely proud of. Inside the toolbox, I had items like a hammer, screwdrivers, a drill, and various other tools. What made me particularly proud was the fact that all these tools looked brand new and in perfect condition.
When I arrived, I noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and battered tools. Surprisingly, I felt a sense of envy towards them. My own tools looked incredibly pristine and unused. The carpenters jokingly exclaimed, "This guy has never even held a hammer before!" However, one advantage of my age is that my toolbox no longer appears new. I have swung that hammer countless times, if you catch my drift.
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Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
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