Charles Esten discusses how his experience as a star on the TV show "Nashville" influenced his first album. While each artist has their own unique path, Esten's journey stands out in the world of country music and even in the broader music industry.
"Can you believe it? It's been quite a journey," the singer playfully remarks while talking to Taste of Country about his latest album Love Ain't Pretty. The album, which is set to be released on Friday, January 26th, marks a significant milestone as it comes more than thirty years after the start of Esten's career.
Starting in 1988, Esten began his career in the entertainment industry with a successful appearance on a game show called Sale of the Century. He managed to win an impressive amount of over $32,000 worth of prizes. Following this, he went on to play the lead role of Deacon Claybourne in the popular country-themed television series Nashville. Additionally, Esten achieved a remarkable accomplishment by releasing 54 singles in 54 consecutive weeks, earning him a Guinness World Record. It is evident that Esten has dedicated a substantial amount of time and effort, equivalent to approximately 10,000 hours, to his craft,
Naturally, there are a few drawbacks to releasing a first 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 impact on radio as other debut albums. However, he also recognizes the unique advantage of having a backstory and personal identity that no one else can possess. After all, who else can claim to have a character like Deacon Claybourne embedded in their own musical identity? Who else has experienced the fictional rise to stardom in country music and then achieved it again in their real-life journey?
According to Esten, 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 tenacious character of Deacon, who lived a challenging and troubled life.
They expressed to me that going through difficult experiences in life or witnessing their parents' struggles made them realize the therapeutic effect of taking a journey with someone. This realization influenced me to see the importance of infusing meaning, connection, and the intention to aid and heal in my own music.
Esten frequently uses the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and there's a valid reason for it: He dedicated considerable effort to ensure that the project is a unified artistic expression that truly represents who he is. This process began by giving utmost importance to the emotional depth and substance, inspired by Deacon and his fans. Additionally, it involved collaborating with others to co-write all 13 tracks on the album, and combining a base 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 chosen by Altman for their ability to perfectly understand and focus on Esten's artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in shaping this vision. Just before the initial lockdowns were implemented, Esten began working on an album, but unfortunately, it had to be put on hold. However, as soon as restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume work and had a stronger sense of clarity regarding his desired direction for his debut album.
When asked about the purpose of her mission, the singer believes that COVID has emphasized the general idea that life is difficult and can be harsh, but it can also be incredibly beautiful. She believes that love is closely connected to the hardships in life. When you experience the loss of a relationship or a loved one, it is because you loved them deeply. This is why the pain is so intense, but it is also what makes love so extraordinary and breathtaking.
The momentum of the album increased with popular songs such as "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now," which Esten believes helped to develop the album's theme. However, even though he had a general idea of what he wanted the overall feeling of the album to be, he struggled to find the precise words to capture it until he wrote the title song, which he added as the final track.
After completing the song, Esten recalls the moment when he, Altman, and songwriter Jimmy Yeary decided on the title and the first song for the album. He expressed, "Before leaving the room, I firmly stated, 'This is the title, and this will be the first song.' The song encapsulated the theme of the album, emphasizing that love may not always be pretty, but it possesses its own unique beauty."
After finishing writing the words, he immediately realized that he had successfully conveyed the intended message. This unwavering assurance, developed through years of dedication and effort, is another significant aspect that makes Esten's long and unpredictable journey towards releasing his first album extremely meaningful.
An individual recalls their experience of waiting for a long time and shares a story from their college days. During that time, they worked in construction as a carpenter's assistant. They vividly remember receiving a toolbox and feeling a great sense of pride. The toolbox contained various tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill, all of which appeared to be brand new, adding to their excitement and satisfaction.
When I arrived at the place, I noticed a group of carpenters. Their tools were worn out and damaged, but I couldn't help but admire that. On the other hand, my tools looked brand new and untouched. People even exclaimed, "This guy has never even held a hammer before." However, the advantage of being as old as I am now is that when I look at my toolbox, it doesn't appear new anymore. I have used that hammer countless times, if you understand what I'm saying.
Here are 20 country music artists who achieved great success with their debut albums.
Additional content from Taste of Country can be found here. Find out more about what