Charles Esten shares how his experience as a star on "Nashville" influenced the creation of his first album. While every artist's path is unique, Esten's journey stands out in the country music industry and even in music as a whole.
"Isn't it true?! The singer jokingly acknowledges that it has been a lengthy journey," in a conversation with Taste of Country, discussing his new album Love Ain't Pretty. The album, which is set to be released on Friday (Jan. 26), comes over thirty years after Esten began his career.
Since his initial foray into the entertainment industry in 1988, which involved a successful participation on a game show named Sale of the Century, earning him an impressive sum of over $32,000 worth of prizes, Charles Esten has experienced a remarkable journey. Notably, he portrayed the main character Deacon Claybourne on the immensely popular country-themed television series Nashville. Additionally, he holds the Guinness World Record for releasing an astonishing 54 singles in just as many weeks, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to his craft. In essence, Esten has invested an extensive amount of time, equivalent to approximately 10,000
Certainly, there are drawbacks to releasing a first album at a later stage in life, as is the case for Esten at the age of 58. He understands that Love Ain't Pretty may not have the same level of impact on radio as other debut albums. However, he also recognizes the significance of having a unique backstory and identity that sets him apart from others. No one else can claim to have a character like Deacon Claybourne integrated into their own musical persona. Moreover, very few individuals have experienced the advantage of achieving country music stardom in fiction and then pursuing it in their real life.
Esten acknowledges that he gained valuable lessons not only from playing the character Deacon, but also from the fans of the show. Throughout the series, 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.
The person mentioned in the text expresses that many individuals, either due to their own difficult experiences or the hardships their parents have faced, feel the need to convey to him the therapeutic aspect of accompanying someone on their journey. This realization has influenced his own music, making him understand the importance of creating meaningful and connected compositions that serve the purpose of assisting and healing others.
Esten frequently uses the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and it's justified because he put in a lot of effort to ensure that the project is a unified artistic statement that truly represents who he is. This process began by giving priority to the emotional substance of the music, following the guidance of Deacon and his fans. It also involved co-writing all 13 songs on the album and combining a solid foundation of traditional country music with his playful inclination towards a rock 'n' roll sound that he humorously refers to as "going full Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians recruited by Altman as being instrumental in refining 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 unfortunately, it had to be put on hold. When restrictions were lifted, Esten eagerly resumed his work, and his determination to create his debut album was even stronger and more defined than before.
The singer believes that the COVID pandemic has emphasized the idea that life is tough and sometimes cruel, but it can still have moments of beauty. When asked about their purpose, the singer explains that love is closely connected to all the hardships one may experience. Whether it is the loss of a relationship or the death of a loved one, the pain is felt deeply because of the love that was present. However, it is this same love that also makes life so beautiful.
The album gained more popularity as songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" were released, and these songs played a crucial role in developing the album's theme. However, even though the artist 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, which was also the final addition to the list of tracks.
After completing the song, before leaving the room, Esten exclaimed, "This will be the title and the first song!" He recalls the day when he collaborated with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary to write this song. It encapsulated the essence of the entire album, conveying the idea that love may not always be pleasant, but it is undoubtedly beautiful.
After he finished writing the words, he was confident that he had conveyed the message accurately. This self-assurance, which comes from years of dedicated effort, adds significance to Esten's long journey towards releasing his first album.
"I have another point to make regarding the experience of waiting for a long time. Back when I was attending college, I decided to take up a job in construction. Specifically, I worked as a carpenter's assistant," explains the vocalist. "During this time, I acquired a toolbox which became a source of great pride for me. I had purchased a hammer, screwdrivers, a drill, and various other tools, all of which looked impeccably new and shiny."
"And when I arrived, I noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and battered tools, and I couldn't help but feel envious," he says with a laugh. "My own tools appeared meticulously clean and unused. They jokingly exclaimed, 'This guy has never even held a hammer before.' The advantage of being my age is that I can look at my toolbox and see that it's no longer brand new. I've swung that hammer countless times, if you catch my drift."
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Credit for the Gallery: Billy Dukes
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