Charles Esten discusses how his fame from the TV show "Nashville" influenced the creation of his first album. While every artist has a unique path, Esten's journey stands out in the country music genre and the music industry as a whole.
"Isn't it true? It's been a really long journey," the singer playfully comments while speaking 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, more than thirty years after Esten began his career.
Starting in 1988, Esten began his career in the entertainment industry with an appearance on a game show called Sale of the Century. This opportunity allowed him to win an impressive amount of over $32,000 worth of prizes. He then went on to play the lead role of Deacon Claybourne on the popular country-themed TV series Nashville. Additionally, Esten achieved a remarkable feat by releasing 54 singles in just 54 weeks, earning himself a Guinness World Record. Throughout his career, Esten has dedicated a significant amount of time, estimated to be around 10,000 hours, which is equivalent to approximately
Releasing a debut album later in life, like Esten who is 58, does come with some disadvantages. Esten doesn't anticipate Love Ain't Pretty to have a significant impact on radio, for instance. However, he recognizes the importance of having a unique backstory and identity that nobody else could possibly possess. Not many individuals have the advantage of embodying a character like Deacon Claybourne in their own musical journey. Additionally, very few have experienced the fictional rise to country music stardom and then achieved it again in their actual life outside of the screen.
Esten expresses that he gained a greater understanding from the fans of Deacon rather than from Deacon himself. Throughout the duration of the show, Esten received messages from viewers expressing how much solace they found in the complex and resilient character of Deacon, despite his tumultuous lifestyle.
The individuals, who had experienced a difficult life themselves or had parents with challenging experiences, expressed to me their desire to share the cathartic aspect of going through those struggles. This realization made me see the importance of incorporating meaning, connection, and the intention to provide assistance and healing into my own music.
Esten frequently emphasizes the concept of a "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and there's a valid reason for it: he dedicated significant effort to creating a unified artistic expression that truly represents his identity from beginning to end. This endeavor began by placing emphasis on the emotional core of the music, inspired by Deacon and his fans. Additionally, Esten co-wrote all 13 songs on the project and blended a traditional country foundation with his own playful inclination towards rock 'n' roll, which he amusingly refers to as going "full Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians he brought in to play on the recordings for skillfully understanding and refining his artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in shaping this vision. Just before the initial lockdowns were implemented, Esten had begun working on an album, but it had to be put on hold. However, once the restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume work and had a stronger sense than ever of what he wanted his first album to embody.
When asked about the purpose of their mission, the singer expresses that COVID has emphasized the general idea that life is challenging and can be harsh, but it also has the potential to be incredibly beautiful. They believe that love is closely connected to the most painful experiences in life. When you lose a relationship or a person, it is because you cared deeply for them. That is why the pain is so intense, but it is also what makes love so remarkable.
The momentum of the album increased with the popularity of songs such as "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now," which Esten considers to be songs that fully developed the album's theme. However, even though he had a general idea of the sentiment he wanted to convey, 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 list of tracks.
After completing the song, Esten recalls that before leaving the room, he proudly declared, "This will be the title and the first track of the album." He wrote this song alongside Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary, and it encapsulated the album's theme: love may not always be pleasant, but it possesses a unique beauty.
Once he finished writing the words, he immediately realized that he had successfully captured the intended message. The fact that Esten has developed a strong sense of self-assurance through years of dedicated effort is another significant factor that adds value to his unique journey towards releasing his first album.
There is another aspect I want to mention regarding the long wait. During my college years, I had the opportunity to work in construction as a carpenter's assistant. It was during this time that I acquired a toolbox, which I was immensely proud of. Inside the toolbox, I had a hammer, screwdrivers, a drill, and various other tools, all of which were in pristine condition and appeared brand new to me.
When he arrived, he noticed that all the carpenters had worn-out and battered tools, which he found admirable. In contrast, his tools appeared brand new and unused. The carpenters joked, claiming that he had never even held a hammer before. However, the advantage of being older now is that when he looks at his toolbox, it no longer seems so new. He has swung that hammer countless times, if you catch my drift.
Here are twenty country artists who achieved their highest level of success with their debut album. This gallery is credited to Billy Dukes
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