Charles Esten's path towards creating his debut album is truly unique and unlike any other artist in country music or any genre for that matter.
"Isn't it true?! The singer amusingly mentions in an interview with Taste of Country, discussing his new album Love Ain't Pretty. The album is finally being released on Friday (Jan. 26), more than thirty years after Esten first started his career."
Starting in 1988, with his initial performance on a game show called Sale of the Century, where he earned over $32,000 worth of prizes, Esten has consistently showcased his talent. He later gained recognition for his portrayal of Deacon Claybourne, the main character on the popular country-themed television series Nashville. Additionally, he achieved a remarkable feat by releasing a new single every week for 54 consecutive weeks, earning him a Guinness World Record. Overall, Esten has dedicated an extensive amount of time, equivalent to 10,000 hours, which is approximately 30 times the recommended amount, to his craft.
There are indeed some drawbacks to releasing a first album at a later stage in life, as in the case of Esten who is 58 years old. He doesn't anticipate Love Ain't Pretty to have a significant impact on radio, for instance. However, he also recognizes the worth of having a unique backstory and identity that no one else could possibly possess. Who else can claim to have a character like Deacon Claybourne integrated into their own musical persona? Who else has experienced the fictional rise to country music fame and then accomplished it again in their real life, off-screen?
Esten shares that while he learned valuable lessons from portraying the character of Deacon, he found that he gained even more insights from the fans of the show who reached out to him. Throughout the duration of the series, viewers reached out to Esten to express how much solace they found in the complex and enduring character of Deacon, who led a tumultuous life.
People wanted to tell me that going through difficult experiences, either their own or their parents', had a therapeutic effect. They wanted me to know that sharing the journey with someone can be cathartic. This made me realize the importance of infusing meaning, connection, and a purpose to help and heal into my own music.
Esten frequently uses the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and there is a valid reason for this: he put in a lot of effort to ensure that the project is a unified artistic expression that truly represents who he is. This process began by placing a strong emphasis on the emotional core, learning 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 own playful inclination towards rock 'n' roll, which he humorously refers to as channeling his inner "Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians recruited by Altman for their ability to skillfully 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, the project had to be put on hold. However, once the restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume work, and his determination for what he desired his first album to represent became even more defined.
When asked about the purpose behind her mission, the singer expresses that COVID has emphasized a fundamental truth: life is challenging and can be harsh, but it also holds immense beauty. The singer believes that love is intricately connected to all the hardships one endures. Whether it be losing a relationship or a loved one, the pain is felt deeply because of the love that was present. This is also why such experiences are deemed incredibly beautiful.
The momentum of the album increased with the popularity of songs such as "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now," which Esten highlights as songs that expanded on the album's theme. While he had a general idea of what he wanted the overall sentiment to be, he struggled to 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 tracklist.
After completing our work on it, just before leaving the room, I exclaimed, "This will be the title and the first song," Esten recalls, reflecting on the day he co-wrote that song with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary. The song was titled "Love Ain't Pretty, But It's Beautiful," and it perfectly captured the essence of the album, encapsulating its theme.
After completing the writing, he immediately realized that he had successfully conveyed the intended message. The fact that he has developed a strong sense of self-assurance through years of dedicated effort is another significant factor that makes Esten's journey towards releasing his first album so meaningful.
I want to mention another aspect of waiting for a long time. Back when I was in college, I took up a job in the construction field. Specifically, I worked as a helper to a carpenter. As part of my work, I acquired a toolbox which I was extremely proud of. This toolbox contained various tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill. What made me particularly proud was that all these tools appeared to be brand new.
"And when I arrived, I noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out tools, and I couldn't help but feel envious," he says with a laugh. "My tools looked so immaculately 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's no longer shiny and new. I have swung that hammer countless times, if you catch my drift."
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