Charles Esten discusses how his experience of becoming a star on the television show "Nashville" has influenced the creation of his first album. While every artist has their own unique path, Esten's journey stands out in the world of country music and beyond.
"Isn't it true? The singer playfully remarks during a conversation with Taste of Country, discussing his new album Love Ain't Pretty. The album, which is set to be released on Friday, January 26th, comes over thirty years after Esten began his career."
Starting with his debut on a television game show called Sale of the Century in 1988, where he managed to win over $32,000 worth of prizes, Esten's career has been filled with notable achievements. One of his most memorable roles was playing the main character Deacon Claybourne on the popular country-themed show Nashville. Additionally, he holds the Guinness World Record for releasing 54 singles in 54 consecutive weeks, demonstrating his dedication to his craft. In total, Esten has accumulated around 10,000 hours of experience, which is equivalent to approximately 30 times the standard requirement for mastery.
There are certainly drawbacks to releasing your first album at a later stage in life, as is the case for Esten who is 58 years old. He understands that Love Ain't Pretty may not have the same level of success on the radio, for instance. However, he also recognizes the significance of having a unique backstory and personal identity that no one else can replicate. Who else can claim to have a character like Deacon Claybourne integrated into their own musical persona? Who else has had the advantage of experiencing fictional country music fame and then achieving it once again in their real life, away from the screen?
According to Esten, he gained more knowledge from fans of Deacon than from Deacon himself. Throughout the show, viewers reached out to Esten to express how much solace they found in the complex and enduring character of Deacon, who led a challenging and tumultuous life.
The people who shared their experiences with me had faced various hardships in life, including their own or their parents'. They explained that there was a therapeutic aspect in joining them on their journey. This realization made me understand the importance of incorporating meaning, connection, and the intention to assist and heal in my own music.
Esten frequently refers to the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and this is because he made a conscious effort to create a unified artistic statement that truly represents his identity from beginning to end. To achieve this, he placed great importance on incorporating heartfelt and genuine emotions, a lesson he learned from Deacon and his fans. Additionally, Esten co-wrote all 13 songs on the project and combined a traditional country foundation with his own 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 selected by Altman for their exceptional ability to understand and refine his artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in this process. Just before the initial lockdowns were imposed, Esten had begun working on an album, but had to put it on hold. When restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume his work and had a stronger sense than ever of what he wanted his first album to represent.
When asked about the mission behind COVID, the singer expresses the belief that the pandemic has emphasized the difficult and harsh aspects of life, while also highlighting its beauty. The singer believes that love is intricately connected to the hardships people face. Losing a relationship or a loved one is painful because of the love that was present, but it is also beautiful for the same reason.
The momentum of the album increased as popular songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" were released, which Esten believes helped to develop the overall theme of the album. However, even though he had an idea of what he wanted the message of the album to be, he didn't have the precise words to capture it until he wrote the title song, which was added to the tracklist as the final piece.
After completing the song, before leaving the room, Esten recalls saying, "This will be the title and the first song." He remembers writing this song with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary, and it represented the overall theme of the album. The message conveyed was that love may not always be pleasant, but it possesses its own unique beauty.
After he had finished writing the words, he immediately realized that he had successfully conveyed the intended message. This self-assuredness, which comes from years of dedication and effort, is one of the reasons why Esten's journey to releasing his first album holds such significance.
Another point I'd like to mention about waiting for a long time is a personal memory from my college years. During that time, I took up a job in the construction industry as a carpenter's assistant. As part of my role, I acquired a toolbox which I cherished greatly. It contained essential tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill, all of which were in pristine condition, giving me a sense of pride and satisfaction.
When he arrived at the location, he noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and battered tools. He found himself feeling envious of their tools, which showed signs of being well-used. They jokingly remarked that he had never held a hammer before because his tools looked brand new and untouched. However, now that he is older, he appreciates the fact that his toolbox no longer appears new. He has swung that hammer countless times throughout the years, and it holds significance for him.
These 20 country artists achieved the height of their success with their debut albums. The credit for the gallery goes to Billy D
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