Charles Esten shares his unique experience of how his stardom on the hit show 'Nashville' influenced the creation of his first album. While every artist has their own path, Esten's journey stands out in the country music industry, and even across all genres of music.
"Isn't it true? It has been a very long journey," the singer playfully remarks while talking to Taste of Country about his new album Love Ain't Pretty. The album, which is set to release on Friday (Jan. 26), marks the culmination of Esten's career, which began over three decades ago.
Starting in 1988 with his debut on a game show named Sale of the Century, where he achieved a remarkable victory and received over $32,000 worth of prizes, Esten has had a diverse career. He gained recognition for his portrayal of Deacon Claybourne, the main character in the popular country-themed TV series Nashville. Additionally, he holds the impressive achievement of releasing 54 singles in just as many weeks, earning himself a spot in the Guinness World Records. Esten has undoubtedly dedicated a significant amount of time and effort, accumulating approximately 10,000 hours of experience, which is equivalent to around 30 times
There are certainly some drawbacks to releasing a first album at an older age, as is the case for Esten who is 58. He understands that Love Ain't Pretty may not have the same impact on radio as it would if he were younger. However, he also recognizes the advantage of having a unique backstory and identity that nobody else could possess. Only he can embody a character like Deacon Claybourne and integrate it into his own musical identity. Additionally, he has had the privilege of achieving country music fame in fiction and then experiencing it again in his real life outside of the screen.
Esten states that he gained more knowledge from the fans of Deacon than from Deacon himself. Throughout the show, viewers reached out to Esten to express how much solace they found in the complex and enduring character of Deacon, who faced numerous challenges and hardships in his life.
The speaker explains that some individuals, perhaps due to the difficulties they have faced in their own lives or the hardships experienced by their parents, have a strong desire to convey the therapeutic nature of their journey. This realization has influenced the speaker's own approach to music, as they now understand the importance of infusing their music with meaning, connection, and a purpose of aiding and healing others.
Esten frequently uses the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and there's a valid reason for it: he dedicated a lot of effort to ensure that the project is a unified artistic expression that truly represents his identity. This began by placing importance on the emotional depth and substance, inspired by Deacon and his fans. Furthermore, it involved collaborating on all 13 tracks of the project and combining a solid foundation of authentic country music with his playful inclination towards rock and roll, which he humorously refers to as embracing the spirit of "full Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians recruited by Altman for their exceptional ability to focus on Esten's artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in shaping this vision. Just before the initial lockdowns were imposed, Esten had begun working on an 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 determination to create his ideal debut album was more defined than ever before.
When asked about the purpose of their mission, the singer expresses that COVID has highlighted an important aspect of life: its hardships and brutality, but also its beauty. They believe that love is strongly intertwined with the most intense sufferings one experiences. Losing a relationship or a loved one hurts deeply because it is a result of the love that was once shared, but this is also what makes it incredibly beautiful.
The album gained more popularity as songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" were released, and these songs were important in developing the album's theme, according to Esten. Although he had a general idea of what he wanted the album to convey, he couldn't find the right words to capture the essence of Love Ain't Pretty until he wrote the title track, which was also the final addition to the list of songs.
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 this song together with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary. The song conveyed the message that love may not always be pretty, but it is still beautiful.
After he finished writing the words, he immediately realized that he had conveyed the message accurately. This self-assuredness, which comes from years of dedication and perseverance, is another factor that makes Esten's journey towards his first album so significant.
There is another aspect I would like to mention about waiting for a long time. During my college years, I decided to work in the construction industry as a carpenter's assistant. As part of my new role, I acquired a toolbox which I felt immensely proud of. It contained various tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill, all of which appeared brand new and in excellent condition.
"When I arrived at the place, I noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and battered tools. Surprisingly, I felt a sense of envy towards them," he shares with a laugh. "My own tools appeared pristine and untouched. They joked, saying that I had never held a hammer before. The advantage of being my age now is that when I look at my toolbox, it no longer looks brand new. I've swung that hammer countless times, if you catch my drift."
Here are 20 country artists who experienced the highest level of success with their debut albums. The gallery credit goes to Billy D
Additional content from Taste of Country can be found here. For more updates and details