Charles Esten discusses the unique way in which his rise to stardom on the TV show "Nashville" influenced the creation of his first album. While each artist's path is distinct, Esten's journey is particularly unparalleled in the country music and music industry as a whole.
"Isn't it true? It has been quite a journey," the singer playfully remarks in an interview with Taste of Country, discussing his new album Love Ain't Pretty. This album, which is set to be released on Friday, January 26th, comes over thirty years after the start of Esten's career.
Starting with his initial opportunity in the entertainment industry in 1988, which involved participating in a game show called Sale of the Century, this individual managed to secure over $32,000 worth of prizes. Subsequently, he went on to play the main character Deacon Claybourne in the successful country-themed television series Nashville. Additionally, he accomplished an impressive feat by releasing 54 singles in 54 consecutive weeks, earning himself a Guinness World Record. Overall, Esten has dedicated a considerable amount of time and effort, equivalent to about 10,000 hours, which is approximately 30 times more than the average person.
Releasing a debut album at a later stage in life, like at the age of 58 as in the case of Esten, does come with certain drawbacks. Esten understands that his album Love Ain't Pretty may not have the same impact on radio as it would have if he had released it earlier. However, he also recognizes the value of having a unique backstory and identity that no one else could possibly have. He has the advantage of embodying a character like Deacon Claybourne in his own musical persona. Additionally, he has experienced the fictional rise to country music stardom and then achieving it in his real life as well.
Esten expresses that he gained more knowledge from the fans of Deacon rather than from Deacon himself. Throughout the show, viewers reached out to Esten to share with him the significant impact and solace they found in Deacon's character, who had a turbulent and resilient life.
The speaker explains that people, who may have experienced difficulties in their own lives or in their parents' lives, wanted to convey to him the therapeutic aspect of embarking on a journey together. As a result, he began to realize the importance of infusing his own music with significance, emotional resonance, and a purpose to aid and bring solace.
Esten frequently uses the term "through line" to describe Love Ain't Pretty, and with good reason. He dedicated a lot of effort to ensure that the project is a unified artistic statement that truly represents his identity. This began by placing a strong emphasis on the emotional depth and substance, just as Deacon and Deacon's fans have taught him. Additionally, Esten co-wrote all 13 tracks on the album and blended traditional country roots with his own playful touch of rock 'n' roll, which he amusingly refers to as going "full Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the musicians recruited by Altman for their exceptional ability to understand and refine his 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, but the project had to be put on hold. When restrictions were finally lifted, Esten was eager to resume work, and his determination to create the exact debut album he had envisioned became even stronger.
When asked about the purpose behind their mission, the singer believes that COVID has emphasized the fundamental truth that life is challenging and can be cruel, but it also has moments of immense beauty. The singer explains that love is deeply intertwined with these experiences of hardship. When you experience loss in a relationship or the death of a loved one, it is because you had a deep love for them. This is why the pain of such losses is so intense, but it is also what makes love so incredibly beautiful.
The momentum of the album increased with the popularity of songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now." These songs helped to develop and expand on the theme of the album, according to Esten. However, even though he had a general idea of what he wanted the overall sentiment to be, he struggled to find the precise words to capture the essence of Love Ain't Pretty. It was only when he wrote the title song, which was added as the final track, that he finally found the perfect expression for the album.
After completing the song, before leaving the room, Esten recalls stating, "This is the title and this is the first song." He wrote the song with Altman and Jimmy Yeary, and it encapsulated the essence of the entire album. The song conveyed the message that love may not always be pretty, but it is undeniably beautiful.
Upon completing the writing, he immediately realized that he had successfully conveyed the intended message. This sense of self-assurance, which is the result of many years of dedication and effort, adds to the significance of Esten's unique journey towards releasing his first album.
There is another aspect I would like to mention about the long waiting period. During my time in college, I had the opportunity to work in the construction industry as a carpenter's assistant. I acquired a toolbox for this role, which made me immensely proud. It contained various tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill, all of which appeared to be in pristine condition.
"When I arrived at the place, I noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and battered tools, and I couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy," he says with a light-hearted laugh. "My own tools looked impeccably new and unused in comparison. They joked, 'This guy has never even held a hammer before.' The wonderful thing about reaching my age is that when I look at my toolbox now, it no longer appears brand new. I've swung that hammer countless times, if you catch my drift."
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