Charles Esten shares how his experience of achieving fame 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, and even in the broader music industry.
"Isn't it true? It has definitely been a long journey," the singer humorously comments during a conversation with Taste of Country, discussing his new album Love Ain't Pretty. This album, set to be released on Friday, January 26th, comes over thirty years after Esten first started his career.
Starting with his initial job in the entertainment industry in 1988, which involved participating in a game show known as Sale of the Century and managing to secure over $32,000 worth of prizes, Esten's journey has been remarkable. He later took on the main character Deacon Claybourne in the popular country-themed television series Nashville and also achieved a Guinness World Record by releasing 54 singles in just as many weeks. Esten has undoubtedly dedicated a significant amount of time to honing his craft, accumulating approximately 10,000 hours of experience, which is equivalent to repeating the process around 30 times.
There are certainly drawbacks to releasing a first album at a later stage in life, as is the case for Esten who is 58 years old. He doesn't anticipate Love Ain't Pretty to have the same level of success on the radio, for instance. However, he also recognizes the value of bringing a unique backstory and identity that no one else could possibly have. Who else can boast having a character like Deacon Claybourne integrated into their own musical persona? Who else has had the advantage of achieving country music stardom in fiction, and then experiencing it again in their real life, off-screen?
Esten expresses that he gained more knowledge from the fans of Deacon than from Deacon himself. Throughout the show, viewers reached out to Esten to share how much solace they found in the complex and enduring character of Deacon, who faced various challenges in life.
He explains that people wanted to share with him the cathartic experience of going through a difficult life or the hardships their parents had faced. This realization made him see the importance of giving his own music meaning and a sense of connection. He understood that his music had to have a purpose to help and heal others.
Esten frequently mentions the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and it's for a valid reason: he dedicated a lot of effort to ensure that the project is a unified artistic statement that truly represents his identity from beginning to end. This process began by prioritizing the emotional core and substance, influenced by Deacon and Deacon's fans. It also involved co-writing all 13 tracks on the album and combining a solid foundation of traditional country music with his own playful inclination towards rock and roll, which he humorously refers to as going "full Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians he brought on board for their skillful focus on his artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in shaping Esten's creative direction. Just before the initial lockdowns were imposed, Esten began working on an album, but unfortunately, it had to be put on hold. As soon as restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume his work, and his determination to create the perfect debut album was stronger than ever.
When asked about their mission, the singer expresses that COVID has emphasized the fundamental idea that life can be challenging and harsh, but it can also be incredibly beautiful. They believe that love is deeply intertwined with the most intense forms of suffering. Losing a relationship or a loved one is painful because of the love that was present, but this is also what makes it so extraordinary.
The popularity of the album increased as more songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" were released. These songs helped to develop the theme of the album, according to Esten. However, even though he had an idea of what he wanted the overall message to be, he didn't have the precise words to capture the essence of Love Ain't Pretty until he wrote the title track. Interestingly, this song was also the final addition to the list of tracks on the album.
After completing the song, just before leaving the room, Esten recalls saying, "This will be the title and the opening track." He wrote this song with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary, and it represented the central theme of the album – that love may not always be pleasant, but it possesses its own unique beauty.
After completing his writing, he immediately realized that he had successfully conveyed the intended message. This sense of self-assurance, gained through years of dedicated effort, is an additional factor that highlights the significance of Esten's long and challenging journey towards releasing his first album.
I want to mention another aspect of waiting for a long time: During my college years, I had a job in the construction industry. Specifically, I worked as a helper for a carpenter. As part of my job, I acquired a toolbox which I was extremely proud of. Inside the toolbox, I had a hammer, screwdrivers, a drill, and various other tools. The reason I felt so proud was because all of these tools appeared to be brand new and in great condition.
After arriving at the location, the speaker noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and battered tools. Despite their condition, the speaker admits to feeling envious of them. On the other hand, their own tools appeared pristine and untouched. The carpenters jokingly exclaimed that the speaker had never used a hammer before. However, the speaker now appreciates the fact that their toolbox no longer looks brand new due to the numerous times they have wielded a hammer.
Here is a collection of 20 country artists who achieved their highest level of success with their debut album. Credit for the gallery
Additional content from Taste of Country can be found here. For more details and updates