Charles Esten discusses how his experience on the television show "Nashville" influenced the creation of his first album. While each artist's path is unique, Esten's journey stands out in the country music industry and beyond.
"Isn't it true? It has been quite a journey," the musician playfully remarks in an interview with Taste of Country, discussing his latest album Love Ain't Pretty. After over thirty years since the start of Esten's career, the album is set to be released on Friday, January 26th.
Starting with his debut in the entertainment industry in 1988, when he made an appearance on a game show called Sale of the Century and managed to win over $32,000 worth of prizes, Charles Esten has had quite the journey. He then went on to play the lead role of Deacon Claybourne in the popular country-themed TV series Nashville. Additionally, Esten achieved a remarkable feat by releasing 54 singles in 54 consecutive weeks, earning himself a Guinness World Record. Through his dedication and hard work, Esten has accumulated an impressive amount of experience, equivalent to approximately 10,000 hours, which is
Releasing a debut album later in life, like in the case of Esten who is 58, does come with some drawbacks. Esten is aware that Love Ain't Pretty may not have a significant impact on radio, for instance. However, he also recognizes the advantage of having a unique backstory and identity that no one else can possess. Only he has the advantage of embodying a character like Deacon Claybourne in his own musical persona. Moreover, he has experienced the fictional rise to country music stardom and is now doing it again in his real life outside of the screen.
Esten expresses that he gained more knowledge and insight from the fans of Deacon than he did from the character himself. Throughout the show, Esten received messages from viewers who shared how much solace they found in the complex and resilient persona of Deacon.
The individuals I spoke to emphasized the hardships they had experienced in their own lives or the challenging lives their parents had faced. They wanted to express to me that there was a therapeutic aspect to going through those experiences with someone else. This realization made me recognize the importance of incorporating meaning, connection, and the intention to assist and heal in my own music.
Esten frequently mentions the phrase "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and it's not without reason: he put in a lot of effort to ensure that the project is a unified artistic expression that truly represents him from beginning to end. This process began by giving priority to the emotional core and substance, taking inspiration from Deacon and Deacon's fans. It also involved co-writing all 13 tracks on the project and combining a solid foundation of traditional country music with his playful inclination towards rock and roll, which he humorously refers to as going "full Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians Altman brought on board for their skill in perfectly capturing his artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in shaping this vision. Just before the initial lockdowns were implemented, Esten had begun working on an album, but it had to be put on hold. When restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume his work, and his aspirations for his first album became even more defined.
When asked about the purpose behind their music, the singer explains that COVID has emphasized the idea that life is challenging and can be harsh, but it also has moments of incredible beauty. They believe that love is deeply connected to the hardships we endure in life. Losing a relationship or a loved one hurts because it is a reflection of the love we had for them. This is why the pain can feel so intense, but it also highlights the sheer beauty of love.
The album gained more popularity as it included songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now," which Esten considers as songs that fully expressed the album's theme. However, even though he had a general idea of what he wanted the overall message to be, 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 last song added to the tracklist.
After completing the song, before leaving the room, Esten recalls saying, "This will be the title and the opening track." He remembers how he, Altman, and songwriter Jimmy Yeary wrote the song together. The song reflected the essence of the album, conveying the idea that love may not always be attractive, but it is still something beautiful.
After he had finished writing the words, he was certain that he had conveyed the message accurately. This sense of unwavering self-assurance, developed through years of dedication and effort, adds significance to Esten's long and unconventional journey towards releasing his first album.
I want to mention another aspect of waiting for a long time: during my college years, I took up a job in construction. Specifically, I worked as an assistant to a carpenter. As a result, 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 appeared shiny and new. I felt a great sense of pride owning these tools.
"After arriving at the location, I noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and battered tools. Surprisingly, I felt a sense of admiration for their tools, which looked well-used and aged. Their comments about my pristine and unused tools were evident as they exclaimed, 'This guy has never even held a hammer before.' However, the advantage of my age now is that when I look at my toolbox, it no longer appears brand new. I have swung that hammer countless times, if you catch my drift."
Here are 20 country artists who experienced their greatest success with their debut album. Gallery credit goes to Billy Dukes.
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