Charles Esten's path towards creating his debut album is unique and stands out among other artists in country music, as well as in the music industry as a whole.
Isn't it true? The singer playfully comments during a conversation with Taste of Country, discussing his latest album Love Ain't Pretty. This album, which is set to be released on Friday, January 26th, comes after more than thirty years since Esten first started his career.
Since his initial foray into the entertainment industry in 1988, which involved winning over $32,000 worth of prizes on a game show called Sale of the Century, Charles Esten has had a successful career. He gained popularity as the main character, Deacon Claybourne, on the popular country-themed television series Nashville. Additionally, Esten achieved a remarkable feat by releasing 54 singles in 54 consecutive weeks, earning himself a Guinness World Record. Clearly, Esten has dedicated an extensive amount of time and effort to his craft, accumulating approximately 10,000 hours of experience, which is equivalent to around 30
Although releasing a debut album later in life may have its drawbacks, such as not expecting it to have a significant impact on radio, the advantage lies in the unique backstory and identity that no one else could possibly have. In the case of Esten, at 58 years old, he brings the advantage of having a character like Deacon Claybourne integrated into his own musical identity. Additionally, he has experienced the fictional rise to country music stardom and now has the opportunity to do it again in his real life.
Esten acknowledges that while he learned valuable lessons from portraying Deacon, he gained even more insights from the fans of the show who reached out to him. Throughout the series, many viewers expressed their gratitude to Esten, sharing how much solace they found in the complex and enduring character of Deacon.
The speaker explains that some people, due to the difficulties they faced in their own lives or the hardships their parents experienced, feel the need to express to him the therapeutic nature of embarking on a journey with someone. This realization made the speaker recognize the importance of incorporating depth and significance into his own music. He understood that his music should have a purpose, a connection with others, and an intention to provide assistance and healing.
Esten frequently mentions the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and there is a valid reason for that: he dedicated himself to creating a unified artistic expression that represents his true self from beginning to end. This process began by emphasizing the emotional core, inspired by Deacon and Deacon's fans. It also involved co-writing all 13 tracks on the project and combining traditional country music 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 Altman gathered for the recordings, for skillfully focusing on Esten's artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in this process. Just before the initial lockdowns were implemented, Esten began working on an album which had to be put on hold. However, once restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume work, and his determination to create the perfect debut album was stronger than ever.
When asked about the purpose behind their music, the singer believes that the COVID pandemic has served as a reminder of the harshness and brutality of life. However, amidst all the difficulties, there is also beauty to be found. The singer emphasizes that love is closely intertwined with this concept. The pain experienced from losing a relationship or a loved one is a direct result of the love we had for them. This is what makes the pain so intense, but it also highlights the incredible beauty of love.
The momentum of the album increased as more songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" were released. These songs were seen by Esten as important in developing the theme of the album. However, even though he had a general idea of the sentiment he wanted to convey, he couldn't find the precise words to capture the essence of Love Ain't Pretty until he wrote the title song. Interestingly, this song was added to the tracklist as the final addition.
Esten recalls the day when he, Altman, and songwriter Jimmy Yeary came up with the title and first song for their album. As they were wrapping up their work in the room, Esten exclaimed, "This is the essence of the album. Love may not always be pleasant, but it is truly remarkable and magnificent."
Once he had finished writing the words, he was certain that he had conveyed the message effectively. Esten's unwavering assurance, developed over many years of diligent effort, adds further significance to his long and intricate journey towards his first album.
I want to mention another aspect of waiting for a long time: during my college years, I had a job in construction where I worked as a carpenter's assistant. As part of my job, I acquired a toolbox that I was extremely proud of. It contained various tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill, all of which appeared brand new and shiny. I took great pride in owning and using these tools.
"And when I arrived, I noticed that all the carpenters had worn-out tools, which made me feel envious," he says with a laugh. "My tools, on the other hand, appeared perfectly new and unused. They exclaimed, 'This guy has never even held a hammer before.' The wonderful thing about being my age now is that when I look at my toolbox, it no longer looks brand new. I have used that hammer countless times, if you catch my drift."
Here is a collection of 20 country artists who achieved their greatest success with their debut albums. This gallery is credited to Billy
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