Charles Esten discusses how his experience of becoming a star 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 world of country music and beyond.
"Isn't it true? It has been a long journey," the singer amusingly remarks during a conversation with Taste of Country, referring to his new album Love Ain't Pretty. This album, which is set to be released on Friday (Jan. 26), comes more than thirty years after the start of Esten's career.
Starting in 1988 with his debut on a game show called Sale of the Century, where he managed to win an impressive amount of over $32,000 worth of prizes, Charles Esten has had a remarkable journey in the entertainment industry. From his notable role as Deacon Claybourne on the popular country-themed TV series Nashville, to his incredible achievement of releasing 54 singles in 54 consecutive weeks, which earned him a Guinness World Record, Esten has dedicated a significant amount of time and effort to his craft, accumulating approximately 10,000 hours of experience, which is equivalent to around 30 times the standard benchmark
There are certainly drawbacks to releasing a first album later 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 radio success. However, he also recognizes the significance of having a unique backstory and identity that no one else can replicate. Having a character like Deacon Claybourne integrated into his own musical persona gives him an advantage that others don't have. Additionally, he has the benefit of experiencing country music stardom both fictionally and in his real life outside of the screen.
Esten expresses that he gained more knowledge and understanding from the supporters of Deacon rather than from Deacon himself. Throughout the show, fans reached out to Esten to share how much solace they found in the complex and resilient character of Deacon, who faced numerous challenges in his life.
The person mentioned in the text shares that many people, either because of their difficult life experiences or the hardships their parents faced, feel the need to express something meaningful and healing through their art. This realization has also influenced the person's own music, making them understand the importance of creating music that has a purpose, connects with others, and has the intention to provide support and healing.
Esten frequently refers to the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and it's not without reason. He dedicated significant effort to ensure that the project is a unified artistic expression that truly represents his identity from beginning to end. This involved placing a strong emphasis on emotionally-driven and substantial content, influenced by Deacon and Deacon's fans. Additionally, Esten co-wrote all 13 tracks on the album, combining a solid foundation of traditional country music with his own playful inclination towards rock and roll, which he amusingly refers to as "going full Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians chosen by Altman to participate in the recording sessions for their skill in understanding and refining Esten's 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 the project had to be put on hold. When the restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume work and had a clearer understanding of the direction he wanted his first album to take.
The singer believes that the COVID pandemic has highlighted the idea that life is challenging and sometimes difficult to endure, but it also has moments of immense beauty. They explain that love plays a significant role in this concept, as the pain experienced from losing a relationship or a loved one is a result of the deep love that was once shared. Despite the hurt, the singer emphasizes that it is the same love that makes such experiences incredibly beautiful.
The album gained more popularity as it featured songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now," which Esten believes contributed to the overall theme of the album. However, even though he had an idea of what he wanted the album's message to be, he struggled to find the right words to capture it until he wrote the title track, which was added to the album as the final song.
After completing the song, before leaving the room, Esten recalls saying, "This will be the title and the first song of the album." He wrote this song with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary, and it represented the overall theme of the album – that love may not always be attractive, but it is still magnificent.
After he finished writing the words, he was certain that he had conveyed the message effectively. This level of confidence, gained through years of dedication and effort, is one of the reasons why Esten's challenging journey towards releasing his first album holds great worth.
There is another aspect that I want to mention about the experience of waiting for a long time. During my time in college, I decided to work in construction and specifically as a carpenter's helper. As part of my job, I acquired a toolbox which I was extremely proud of. Inside the toolbox, I had a brand new hammer, screwdrivers, a drill, and various other tools. The fact that they were all in pristine condition made me even more proud of my toolbox.
When he arrived, he noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and battered tools, and he couldn't help but feel envious. His own tools were so immaculately new and unused that the carpenters jokingly remarked, "This guy has never even held a hammer before." However, as he reflects on his age now, he realizes that his toolbox is no longer brand new. He has used that hammer countless times, and it holds a significant amount of sentimental value to him.
Here are 20 country artists who achieved great success with their debut albums. This list acknowledges their talent and accomplishments. The credit
Additional content from Taste of Country
Details
Stay connected with us