Charles Esten discusses how his experience as a star on the TV show "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, as well as the music industry as a whole.
"Isn't it true? It has been a very long journey," the singer playfully remarks while discussing his new album Love Ain't Pretty with Taste of Country. The album, which is set to be released on Friday, January 26th, comes more than thirty years after Esten's career began.
Starting in 1988 with his initial appearance on a game show called Sale of the Century, where he managed to win over $32,000 worth of prizes, Esten has been involved in the entertainment industry. He later gained popularity for his role as Deacon Claybourne in the successful country-themed TV series Nashville. Additionally, he holds the impressive achievement of releasing 54 singles in 54 consecutive weeks, which earned him a Guinness World Record. Esten has dedicated a significant amount of time and effort, equivalent to approximately 10,000 hours, to his various endeavors, repeating this process approximately 30 times.
Releasing a debut album later in life, like in the case of Esten who is 58 years old, does have some drawbacks. Esten understands that his album, Love Ain't Pretty, may not have the same impact on radio as it would if he had released it earlier. However, he also recognizes the value of having a unique backstory and identity that no one else can replicate. Esten has the advantage of incorporating his character, Deacon Claybourne, into his own musical identity. Additionally, he has experienced the fictional rise to country music stardom and now has the opportunity to achieve it again in his real life career.
According to Esten, the lessons he learned from the character Deacon were surpassed by the lessons he learned from Deacon's fans. Throughout the show, viewers reached out to Esten to express how much solace they found in the character of Deacon, who lived a difficult life but remained strong and resilient.
The speaker notes that some individuals, due to the difficulties they have faced in their own lives, or the challenging experiences their parents have had, feel a strong need to express to him the therapeutic aspect of going through a journey with someone. This realization has influenced the speaker's own music, as he now understands that his music needs to have significance, a sense of connection, and a purpose to aid and promote healing.
Esten frequently refers to the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and it's not without reason: He dedicated significant effort to ensure that the project is a unified artistic expression that authentically represents his identity from beginning to end. This process began by placing importance on delivering emotionally impactful songs, following the example set by Deacon and Deacon's fans. Additionally, Esten collaborated on writing all 13 tracks on the project and blended a foundation of traditional country music with his playful inclination towards rock and roll, which he jokingly describes as embracing the spirit of "full Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians he brought on board for their skill in refining his artistic vision. The unexpected occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in this process. Just before the initial lockdowns were implemented, Esten had begun working on an album, but the project was put on hold. Once restrictions were lifted, Esten was extremely eager to resume his work, and his determination to create the exact debut album he envisioned was stronger than ever before.
When asked about the purpose behind their mission, the singer explains that COVID has reminded us of the fundamental truth that life is filled with difficulties and can be incredibly challenging. However, amidst the hardships, life also has the capacity to be incredibly beautiful. The singer believes that love is intricately connected to this concept. They emphasize that the pain experienced from losing a relationship or a loved one is a result of the deep love that was present. This intense love is what makes the loss so painful, but it also highlights the inherent beauty of love itself.
The momentum of the album increased as more songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" were released, which Esten believes helped to fully develop the album's theme. Despite having a general idea of the sentiment he wanted to convey, Esten struggled to find the right words to capture the essence of Love Ain't Pretty until he wrote the title track, which was also the final addition to the list of songs.
After completing the song, right before leaving the room, Esten recalls saying, "This will be the title and the first track of the album." He wrote the song in collaboration with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary, and it encapsulated the essence of the album, which was about the complexities of love – it may not always be pretty, but it is still beautiful.
Upon completing the writing, he immediately realized that he had effectively conveyed the intended message. The fact that this clear and self-assured confidence was developed through years of dedication and effort is yet another factor that makes Esten's journey towards releasing his first album so significant.
Another point I would like to mention about waiting for a long time is a memory I have from my college days. During that time, I took up a job in construction where I worked as a helper to a carpenter. As part of my job, I had my own toolbox which I was extremely proud of. It contained various tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill, all of which had a shiny, new appearance that made me even more proud.
"And when I arrived, I noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and old tools, and I couldn't help but feel envious," he adds with a laugh. "My tools, on the other hand, appeared brand new and unused. They jokingly exclaimed, 'This guy has never even held a hammer before.' The advantage of being my age now is that when I look at my toolbox, it no longer looks new. I've swung that hammer countless times, if you catch my drift."
Twenty country artists who achieved their highest level of success with their debut album. Gallery credited to Billy Dukes.
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