Charles Esten has a unique story when it comes to his journey in the music industry. His path towards creating his first album is unlike any other artist in country music or any other genre.
"Isn't it true? It has been a lengthy journey," the singer humorously remarks during a discussion with Taste of Country, referring to his new album Love Ain't Pretty. This album, which is set to be released on Friday, January 26th, comes more than thirty years after Esten first started his career.
Starting with his initial appearance on a game show called Sale of the Century in 1988, where he managed to secure prizes worth over $32,000, to his successful portrayal of the main character Deacon Claybourne on the popular country-based show Nashville, and even to his remarkable accomplishment of releasing 54 singles within 54 weeks, Esten has dedicated an extensive amount of time and effort, equivalent to approximately 10,000 hours, which is around 30 times the standard measure.
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 have earlier in his career. However, he also recognizes the unique advantage of having a backstory and personal identity that is exclusive to him. No one else has the privilege of embodying a character like Deacon Claybourne and incorporating it into their own musical identity. Additionally, no one else has experienced fictional success in country music and then gone on to achieve real-life stardom in the same genre.
Esten states that he gained more knowledge from Deacon's fans than from Deacon himself. Throughout the show, viewers reached out to Esten to express how much solace they found in the character of Deacon, who faced a tumultuous life but showed determination and resilience.
The speaker explains that some people, perhaps due to the difficulties they have faced in their own lives or the hardships their parents have experienced, feel a strong desire to share with him the therapeutic aspect of going through life's challenges. This realization has had an impact on the speaker's own music, as they now understand the importance of creating meaningful and impactful songs that can connect with others and serve as a source of support and healing.
Esten frequently mentions the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and with good reason: he put in a lot of effort to ensure that the project is a unified artistic expression that truly represents him. This began by giving priority to heartfelt and meaningful content, influenced by Deacon and Deacon's fans. Additionally, Esten co-wrote all 13 tracks on the album, combining traditional country elements with his playful inclination towards rock and roll, which he humorously refers to as "going full Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians he brought on board for their skill in capturing Esten's artistic vision. The unexpected occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in shaping Esten's album. Just before the initial lockdowns were imposed, Esten had begun working on an album, but had to put it on hold. Once restrictions were eased, Esten was eager to resume his work, and he had a more defined vision for his debut album than ever before.
When asked about the purpose behind their mission, the singer expresses their belief that COVID has reminded us of the fundamental truth that life is filled with challenges and hardships, yet it can also be incredibly beautiful. They emphasize that love is intricately connected to the most profound sufferings we experience. Whether it is the loss of a relationship or the passing of a loved one, the intensity of the pain stems from the depth of our love for them. This is also what makes these experiences so remarkable and precious.
The album gained more popularity due to songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now," which Esten believes helped to develop the overall theme of the album. However, even though he had an idea of what he wanted the sentiment of the album to be, he struggled to find the right words to capture it until he wrote the title song, which was also the final addition to the list of tracks.
After completing the song, before leaving the room, Esten recalls saying, "This will be the title and the first song." He wrote this song with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary, and it reflected the theme of their album. Esten described the album as showcasing the raw and complex nature of love, stating, "Love may not always be pretty, but it is undeniably beautiful."
After finishing writing the words, he was certain that he had conveyed the message effectively. This self-assuredness, gained from years of dedicated effort, adds significance to Esten's unconventional journey towards releasing his first album.
Another point I want to mention about the long wait is a memory from my college days. During that time, I took up a job in construction and worked as a carpenter's assistant. I recall receiving a toolbox which brought me immense pride. It was filled with a hammer, screwdrivers, a drill, and various other tools, all of which appeared brand new and in excellent condition.
"When I arrived at the location, I noticed that all the carpenters had worn-out tools, and I couldn't help but feel envious," he says with a laugh. "My tools, on the other hand, appeared brand new and unused. They jokingly exclaimed, 'This guy has never even touched a hammer before.' The advantage of being at my age now is that when I glance at my toolbox, it no longer looks new. I have used that hammer countless times, if you know what I mean."
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