Charles Esten shares his unique experience of how his rise to stardom in the hit TV show "Nashville" influenced the creation of his first album. While every artist's path is distinct, Esten's journey stands out in the world of country music and beyond.
"Isn't it true? It has been quite a journey," the singer playfully remarks during a conversation with Taste of Country, discussing his new album Love Ain't Pretty. This album, set to be released on Friday (Jan. 26), comes over thirty years after Esten first started his career.
Starting from his initial venture into the entertainment industry in 1988, which involved participating in a game show titled "Sale of the Century" and securing prizes worth over $32,000, to his successful portrayal of the main character Deacon Claybourne on the popular country-themed television series Nashville, and even achieving a Guinness World Record by releasing 54 singles in 54 consecutive weeks, Esten has dedicated a significant amount of time and effort, equivalent to approximately 10,000 hours repeated about 30 times.
There are certainly some drawbacks to releasing a first album at a later stage in life, as is the case for Esten who is 58 years old. He doesn't anticipate Love Ain't Pretty to have a significant impact on the radio, for instance. However, he recognizes the significance of having a unique backstory and identity that no one else could possibly possess. Who else can claim to have integrated a character like Deacon Claybourne into their own musical persona? Who else has experienced the fictional rise to country music fame and then achieved it again in their real life, off-screen?
Esten states that he gained more knowledge from Deacon's fans than he did from Deacon himself. Throughout the show, viewers reached out to Esten to express how much solace they found in the character of Deacon, who was known for his challenging lifestyle, personal struggles, and unwavering resilience.
"The individuals, whether due to their own challenging experiences or the difficult lives their fathers or mothers had, expressed their desire to convey to me the therapeutic aspect of embarking on a journey with them," he elaborates. "Upon understanding this, I began to perceive a similar quality in my own music. I realized that it must possess significance, foster a connection, and possess a purpose to aid and bring solace."
Esten frequently mentions the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and there's a valid reason for it: 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 giving priority to the raw emotional aspects, following the teachings of Deacon and fans of Deacon. It also involved co-writing all 13 tracks on the project and combining a solid foundation of traditional country music with his playful inclination towards rock 'n' roll, which he humorously refers to as going "full Springsteen."
Esten attributes his clear vision for his debut album to the skillful guidance of producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians enlisted by Altman for the recording sessions. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in shaping Esten's musical direction. Just before the initial lockdowns were imposed, he had begun working on an album, but had to put it on hold. Once the restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume his work and his determination to create the album he had envisioned was stronger than ever.
When asked about the purpose behind their mission, the singer expresses that COVID has emphasized the fundamental idea that life can be difficult and cruel, but it can also hold immense beauty. They believe that love plays a significant role in this concept, as it is often intertwined with the most intense forms of suffering. Losing a relationship or a loved one can be incredibly painful because it is a testament to the depth of one's love for them, but it is also a reminder of the profound beauty that love can bring.
The album gained momentum as more songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" were added, according to Esten. He considers these songs to be important in developing 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 summarize Love Ain't Pretty until he wrote the title song. Interestingly, this song was also the final addition to the tracklist.
After completing their work, just before leaving the room, Esten recalls saying, "This will be the title and the first song." He is referring to the day when he, Altman, and songwriter Jimmy Yeary wrote that particular song. The song was meant to convey the message that love may not always be attractive, but it is still something beautiful.
After completing the writing, he immediately realized that he had successfully conveyed the intended message. This level of self-assurance, which comes from years of dedicated effort, is another significant factor that makes Esten's unconventional journey towards his first album highly worthwhile.
An additional point I want to mention about waiting for a long time is a personal experience I had during my college years. At 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 that became a source of great pride for me. It contained various tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill, all of which appeared brand new and in excellent condition.
"And when I arrived at the location, I noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and aged tools, and I couldn't help but feel envious," he adds with a laugh. "My own tools appeared meticulously brand new and unused. They jokingly exclaimed, 'This guy has never held a hammer before.' The wonderful aspect of growing older is that when I look at my toolbox now, it's no longer shiny and new. I have swung that hammer countless times, if you understand what I mean?"
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