Charles Esten discusses how his experience of achieving stardom on the TV show "Nashville" has 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 beyond.
"Isn't it true? It has been a very long journey," the singer playfully remarks while talking to Taste of Country about his new album Love Ain't Pretty. The album, which is set to be released on Friday (Jan. 26), comes more than thirty years after the start of Esten's career.
Since starting his career in 1988, when he appeared on a game show called "Sale of the Century" and won over $32,000 worth of prizes, Charles Esten has had a successful journey in the entertainment industry. He gained popularity through his role as Deacon Claybourne on the popular country-themed series "Nashville." Additionally, Esten achieved a remarkable feat by releasing 54 singles in just as many weeks, earning him a Guinness World Record. Through his dedication and hard work, Esten has accumulated over 10,000 hours of experience, which is equivalent to about 30 times the standard benchmark
Releasing a debut album later in life, like Esten who is 58, comes with certain drawbacks. For instance, Esten does not anticipate his album, Love Ain't Pretty, to have a significant impact on radio. Nevertheless, he recognizes the significance of having a unique backstory and identity that no one else can replicate. Esten has the advantage of incorporating the character Deacon Claybourne into his own musical persona. Additionally, he has experienced the benefits of achieving country music stardom in fiction and then pursuing it again in his real life.
Esten expresses that he gained more knowledge and understanding from the followers of Deacon than from Deacon himself. Throughout the show, viewers reached out to Esten to express how much solace they found in the complex, troubled, yet resilient character of Deacon.
People would tell him about the struggles they had faced in their own lives or the difficult experiences their parents had gone through. They shared with him that there was a therapeutic aspect to going through these challenging journeys. As he learned this, he began to see the same concept reflected in his own music. He realized that his music needed to have significance and a sense of connection. It had to serve a purpose of offering assistance and healing to others.
Esten frequently uses the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty because 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 emotional depth and substance, influenced by Deacon and Deacon's fans. It also involved co-writing all 13 songs on the album and blending a foundation of traditional country music with his playful incorporation of rock and roll, which he humorously refers to as channeling his inner Springsteen.
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians that Altman brought in to play during the recording sessions for their skillful ability to understand and enhance Esten's artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in shaping Esten's debut album. Just before the first lockdowns were implemented, Esten began working on an album, but had to halt the project. When restrictions were eventually lifted, Esten was eager to resume work and had a much clearer vision of what they wanted their debut album to be.
When asked about the purpose behind their mission, the singer expresses their belief that the COVID pandemic has emphasized the universal truth that life can be challenging and harsh, but it can also hold immense beauty. They believe that love is closely intertwined with all the hardships one may endure. Whether it is the loss of a relationship or the death of a loved one, the pain experienced is a reflection of the love that was once present. This is why such experiences can be both incredibly painful and remarkably beautiful.
The momentum of the album increased as more songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" were released. These songs, according to Esten, helped to further develop the theme of the album. However, even though he had a general idea of the sentiment he wanted to convey, he struggled to find the right words to encapsulate it until he wrote the title song. Interestingly, this song was also the final addition to the tracklist.
After completing the song, before leaving the room, Esten recalls stating, "This will be the title and the first song." He wrote this particular song with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary, expressing that it encapsulated the essence of the entire album. Esten described it as a representation of love, acknowledging that it may not always be pleasant, but it is undeniably beautiful.
After completing the writing, he immediately realized that he had conveyed the message accurately. The self-assurance and clarity in his work were influenced by years of dedication and effort, making Esten's journey towards his first album even more significant.
Another point I want to mention about waiting for a long time is a personal experience I had in college. During that time, I took up a job in construction where I worked as a carpenter's assistant. As part of my job, I acquired a toolbox which I felt really proud of. It contained various tools like a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill, all of which were in pristine condition, making me even prouder of my toolbox.
After arriving at the location, he noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out tools, and he couldn't help but feel envious. His own tools looked perfectly new and unused in comparison. The carpenters jokingly remarked that he had never held a hammer before. However, the advantage of his age now is that when he looks at his toolbox, it no longer appears new. He has swung that hammer countless times, if you catch my drift.
Here is a collection of 20 country artists who achieved great success with their debut albums. This gallery is credited to Billy D
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