Charles Esten's path towards creating his debut album is truly unique and sets him apart from other artists in the country music genre, as well as the music industry as a whole.
"Isn't it true? It has been a long journey," the singer playfully remarks during an interview with Taste of Country. He is referring to his new album Love Ain't Pretty, which is set to be released on Friday, January 26th. This album marks a significant milestone as it comes over three decades after the start of Esten's career.
Starting from his initial appearance on a game show called Sale of the Century in 1988, where he managed to win over $32,000 worth of prizes, to his prominent role as Deacon Claybourne on the popular country-themed TV series Nashville, and even his remarkable achievement of releasing 54 singles in 54 weeks, which earned him a Guinness World Record, Esten has dedicated a significant amount of time and effort to his career, accumulating approximately 10,000 hours of experience, which is roughly equivalent to 30 times over.
Releasing a debut album later in life (at the age of 58, in Esten's case) does come with its drawbacks. Esten understands that Love Ain't Pretty might not have as much influence on radio as he hopes. However, he also acknowledges the unique advantage he possesses by incorporating the story and persona of Deacon Claybourne into his own musical identity. No one else can bring this level of authenticity and depth to their music. Additionally, Esten has experienced the fictional rise to country music stardom and now gets to relive that success in his real-life career.
Esten shares that while he learned valuable lessons from portraying Deacon, he gained even more insights from the fans of the show. Throughout the series, viewers reached out to Esten to express how much solace they found in the complex and resilient character of Deacon, despite his difficult and turbulent life.
The individual explains that many people, due to the difficulties they have faced in their own lives or the struggles their parents have gone through, feel the need to express the therapeutic nature of going through those experiences. They wanted to convey to me that there is something deeply satisfying about embarking on that journey. As a result, I began to recognize this element more in my own music. I realized that it needed to have significance, a sense of connection, and a purpose to assist and bring healing to others.
Esten frequently refers to the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and with good reason. 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, taking inspiration from Deacon and his fans. Additionally, Esten co-wrote all 13 tracks on the album and blended traditional country roots with his playful inclination towards rock 'n' roll, which he humorously describes as embracing the spirit of "full Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians brought in by Altman for their skill in focusing on his artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in this process. Just before the initial lockdowns were implemented, Esten began working on an album, but this project was put on hold. When the restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume his work, and his determination to create his debut album according to his desired vision was even stronger than before.
When asked about the purpose of their mission, the singer states that COVID has emphasized the fundamental idea that life is challenging and can be cruel, but it also has moments of incredible beauty. They believe that love, which often causes great suffering when lost, is intricately connected to this concept. The pain experienced from losing a relationship or a loved one is a testament to the deep love that was once shared, and it is this profound connection that makes it both agonizing and astonishingly beautiful.
The album gained momentum as more songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" were added, which Esten believes helped to develop the album's theme. However, even though he had a general idea of what he wanted the overall sentiment to convey, he struggled to find the perfect words to encapsulate it until he wrote the title song, which was also the final addition to the list of tracks.
After completing the song, before leaving the room, Esten exclaimed, "This is the title and the first song." He vividly recalls the day when he collaborated with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary to write this particular song. The essence of the song depicted the album's theme, which revolved around the idea that love may not always be aesthetically pleasing, but it possesses its own unique beauty.
After he had finished writing the words, he immediately realized that he had accurately conveyed the message. This unwavering confidence, developed over many years of dedication and effort, is another significant factor that makes Esten's journey to his first album so important.
I have another point to mention about the experience of waiting for a long time. During my college years, I decided to work in construction where I took on the role of a carpenter's assistant. As part of my job, I acquired a toolbox which I felt immensely proud of. This toolbox contained various tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill, which all appeared to be brand new and in impeccable condition.
"And when I arrived, I noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and battered tools, but strangely enough, I felt a sense of envy," he adds with a laugh. "My own tools appeared meticulously new and untouched. They jokingly exclaimed, 'This guy has never even held a hammer before.' However, the advantage of reaching my current age 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 is a collection of 20 country artists who achieved their highest level of success with the release of their debut album. Credit
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