Charles Esten's path to creating his debut album is unique and unlike any other artist in country music or any genre.
"Isn't it true?! It has been quite a journey," the singer playfully remarks while chatting with Taste of Country. They are discussing his new album Love Ain't Pretty, which is set to be released on Friday, January 26th. This album marks a significant milestone in Esten's career, as it comes over thirty years after he first started.
Starting in 1988, with his debut on a game show called Sale of the Century, where he managed to accumulate over $32,000 worth of prizes, Charles Esten has had a remarkable journey in the entertainment industry. He gained significant recognition for his portrayal of the lead character Deacon Claybourne in the popular country-themed television series Nashville. Additionally, he achieved a remarkable feat by releasing 54 singles in just as many weeks, earning him a prestigious Guinness World Record. Throughout his career, Esten has dedicated countless hours of hard work and practice, amounting to approximately 10,000 hours, which is equivalent to
There are certainly drawbacks to releasing a debut album at a later stage in life, as in the case of Esten who is 58 years old. He understands that Love Ain't Pretty may not have the same level of success on the radio as other albums. However, he also recognizes the unique advantage of having a personal backstory and identity that no one else can replicate. Who else can claim to have internalized a character like Deacon Claybourne into their own musical persona? And who else has had the opportunity to experience fictional fame in country music and then achieve it again in their real life, off-screen?
Esten states that while he learned valuable lessons from portraying the character of Deacon, he actually gained even more insights from the fans of the show who reached out to him. Throughout the series, viewers contacted Esten to express how much solace and inspiration they found in the complex and enduring character of Deacon.
Due to the difficult experiences they had endured in their own lives or the challenging lives their parents had faced, these individuals simply wanted to convey to me the therapeutic nature of embarking on this journey with him," he adds. "Upon realizing this, I began to notice a similar aspect in my own music. It became clear to me that my music had to hold significance, establish a connection, and possess the intention to provide support and healing."
Esten frequently uses the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and this is because he dedicated a lot of effort to ensuring that the project is a coherent artistic expression that truly represents him from beginning to end. He began this process by placing importance on the emotional core of the songs, inspired by Deacon and Deacon's fans. Additionally, Esten co-wrote all 13 tracks on the album and combined a foundation of authentic country music with his playful inclination towards rock 'n' roll, which he humorously describes as embracing his inner "Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians selected by Altman for their skillful focus on his artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in shaping this vision. Just before the initial lockdowns were implemented, Esten embarked on an album project, which was abruptly put on hold. However, once restrictions were lifted, Esten eagerly resumed his work, with a renewed clarity and determination to create the debut album he had always envisioned.
When asked about the purpose behind their mission, the singer expresses their belief that the COVID pandemic has served as a reminder of the harsh and challenging aspects of life. Despite these difficulties, the singer acknowledges that there is also great beauty to be found. They explain that love plays a significant role in this dichotomy, as the pain experienced from losing a relationship or a loved one is a testament to the depth of one's love for them. This is what makes it both incredibly painful and remarkably beautiful.
The album gained more popularity as songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" were released. According to Esten, these songs helped to further develop the theme of the album. However, even though he had an idea of the overall sentiment he wanted to convey, he struggled to find the right words to capture it until he wrote the title song. Interestingly, this song was also the last one to be added to the tracklist.
After completing the song, before leaving the room, Esten recalls announcing, "This will be the title and the opening track." He is reminiscing about the day when he, Altman, and songwriter Jimmy Yeary wrote that particular song. The song conveyed the message that love may not always be pleasant, but it is still something beautiful.
Once he finished writing the words, he immediately realized that he had conveyed the message effectively. The fact that Esten has developed a strong and unwavering belief in himself through years of dedication and effort is another significant aspect that makes his journey towards releasing his first album highly meaningful.
Another point I want to mention about waiting for a long time is a personal experience I had in college. During that time, I decided to work in construction, specifically 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 were in pristine condition and appeared brand new to me.
When I arrived at the place, I noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out tools. I found myself being envious of them, despite the fact that my own tools were in perfect and unused condition. The carpenters jokingly commented that I must have never held a hammer before. However, now that I am older, I appreciate the fact that my toolbox doesn't look brand new anymore. I have used that hammer countless times, if you catch my drift.
Here are 20 country artists who achieved their highest level of success with their debut album. Image credits go to Billy Dukes
Additional content from the website Taste of Country can be found here. For more details