Charles Esten shares his unique experience of how his stardom on the hit TV show 'Nashville' influenced the creation of his first album. While every artist's path is distinct, Esten's journey stands out in the world of country music and beyond.
"Isn't it true? It has been a long journey," the singer playfully remarks in an interview with Taste of Country, discussing his new album Love Ain't Pretty. After over thirty years since the start of Esten's career, the album is finally set to be released on Friday, January 26th.
Since starting his career in entertainment in 1988, when he appeared on a game show called Sale of the Century and won over $32,000 worth of prizes, Esten has achieved various milestones. One of his notable accomplishments was playing the lead character Deacon Claybourne on the popular country-themed TV series Nashville. Additionally, he holds the Guinness World Record for releasing 54 singles in 54 consecutive weeks. In total, Esten has dedicated around 10,000 hours to his craft, which is approximately 30 times the recommended amount for mastery.
Releasing a debut album later in life, like at the age of 58 as in the case of Esten, does come with certain disadvantages. One of them is not expecting the same level of impact on radio as a younger artist would. However, there is a unique advantage that comes with it – the ability to bring a personal backstory and identity that no one else can possess. Esten, for instance, has the advantage of embodying a character like Deacon Claybourne in his own musical identity. Additionally, he has the privilege of experiencing fictional success in country music and then replicating it in his real-life career.
Esten states that although he learned valuable lessons from the character of Deacon, he received even more insights from the fans of the show who reached out to him. Throughout the series, viewers took the time to contact Esten and express how much solace they found in the complex and resilient character of Deacon, despite his turbulent and challenging past.
The individuals, who had experienced difficult lives themselves or had parents who had faced hardships, wanted to express that there was something therapeutic about going through life's challenges together. The speaker realizes this and begins to see the same significance in his own music. He understands that his music must have a purpose, a connection, and an intention to assist and provide healing.
Esten frequently uses the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and there's a valid reason for that: he dedicated significant effort to ensure that the project is a unified artistic expression that truly represents who he is. This process began by giving priority to the emotional core, inspired by Deacon and his fans, who taught him the importance of substance. It also involved co-writing all 13 songs on the album and combining a foundation of authentic country music with his playful inclination towards rock and roll, which he jokingly refers to as embracing a "full Springsteen" style.
Esten acknowledges that producer Marshall Altman and the musicians he brought on board played a crucial role in refining his artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a part in this process. Just before the first lockdowns were implemented, Esten began working on an album, but had to put it on hold. Once restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume his work, and his vision for his debut album became even more defined.
When asked about the mission behind their song, the singer expresses that COVID has served as a reminder of the harsh and challenging nature of life, while also acknowledging its incredible beauty. They believe that love, in particular, is deeply intertwined with this concept. When we experience the loss of a relationship or a loved one, it is because we cared for them deeply. This intense connection is what makes the pain so profound, but it also highlights the extraordinary beauty of love.
The momentum of the album increased as songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" gained popularity. According to Esten, these songs played a significant role in developing the theme of the album. However, even though he had a general idea of the sentiment he wanted to convey, he struggled to find the precise words to capture the essence of Love Ain't Pretty. Eventually, he was able to do so when he wrote the title song, which was also the final addition to the tracklist.
After completing the song, before leaving the room, Esten recalls stating, "This is the title and this is the first song." He remembers writing the song alongside Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary, and how it represented the overall theme of the album. The song conveyed the message that love may not always be pleasant, but it holds its own beauty.
After completing the writing, he immediately realized that he had successfully conveyed the intended message. This sense of assurance and certainty, which comes from years of dedicated effort, adds significant value to Esten's journey towards releasing his first album.
Another point I would like to mention about the lengthy wait is a personal anecdote from my college days. During that time, I took up a job in construction where I served as a carpenter's assistant. I vividly recall acquiring a toolbox which I felt incredibly proud of. Inside the toolbox, I had a hammer, screwdrivers, a drill, and various other tools, all of which appeared brand new and pristine to me.
"And when I arrived, I noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out tools, and I couldn't help but feel envious," he adds with a laugh. "My tools appeared so pristine and unused. They jokingly exclaimed, 'This guy has never even held a hammer before.' The wonderful thing about being the age I am now is that when I glance at my toolbox, it no longer looks brand new. I've swung that hammer countless times, if you catch my drift."
Here is a collection of 20 country artists who achieved their highest level of success with their debut album. The credit for the
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