Charles Esten has a unique journey when it comes to creating his debut album, especially in the country music genre. His path is unlike any other artist in the industry.
"Isn't it true? It has been a long journey," the singer humorously remarks during an interview with Taste of Country, discussing his new album Love Ain't Pretty. This album, which will be released on Friday, January 26th, comes over thirty years after the beginning of Esten's career.
Since his debut on a game show named Sale of the Century in 1988, where he managed to win a remarkable amount of over $32,000 in prizes, Charles Esten has had a diverse career in the entertainment industry. One of his notable achievements includes portraying the main character Deacon Claybourne on the popular country-themed TV show Nashville. Additionally, he holds the impressive Guinness World Record for releasing 54 singles in just as many weeks. With his extensive experience, Esten has accumulated around 10,000 hours of practice, which is roughly equivalent to repeating the same task 30 times.
Releasing a debut album later in life, like in the case of Esten who is 58 years old, has its drawbacks. 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 no one else could possibly possess. He is fortunate to have a character like Deacon Claybourne integrated into his own musical identity. Additionally, he has experienced the fictional rise to country music stardom and is now achieving it once more in his real-life music career.
According to Esten, he gained more knowledge from the fans of the character Deacon than he did from Deacon himself. Throughout the show, Esten received messages from viewers who expressed how much solace they found in the complex and enduring character of Deacon.
The speaker explains that some individuals, perhaps due to the difficulties they faced in their own lives or because of the hardships experienced by their parents, wanted to convey to him the therapeutic nature of going through a particular journey. This realization led him to recognize the importance of imbuing his own music with purpose, significance, and a desire to contribute positively by providing solace and healing.
Esten frequently mentions the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and there's a valid reason for it: he dedicated considerable effort to ensure that the project is a unified artistic expression that authentically represents his identity from beginning to end. This endeavor began by giving utmost importance to the emotional depth and substance, inspired by Deacon and his fans. It also involved collaborating with others to write all 13 tracks on the album and combining a solid foundation of traditional country music with his playful inclination towards rock and roll, which he humorously refers to as "going full Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians he brought in for the recording sessions for their skillful focus on Esten's musical vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in shaping Esten's perspective. Just before the initial lockdowns were implemented, Esten began working on an album, but the project had to be put on hold. Once the restrictions were lifted, Esten eagerly resumed work, and the purpose and direction for their first album became even more defined.
When asked about the purpose behind his music, the singer explains that COVID has emphasized the idea that life is filled with challenges and hardships, but it can also hold moments of immense beauty. The singer believes that love is deeply intertwined with these experiences. Losing a relationship or a loved one can be incredibly painful because of the love involved, but it is also what makes it so exquisitely beautiful.
The momentum of the album increased as more songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" were added, which Esten believes helped to develop the overall theme. However, even though he had a general idea of what he wanted the album's sentiment to be, he struggled to find the right words to capture it until he wrote the title song, which was the final addition to the list of tracks.
After completing the song, Esten recalls that before leaving the room, he confidently stated, "This will be the title and the opening track." He wrote this song in collaboration with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary, and it encapsulated the overall theme of the album. Esten describes the song as conveying the message that love may not always be pleasant, but it is undeniably magnificent.
Once he finished writing the words, he immediately realized that he had successfully conveyed the intended message. The fact that Esten possesses a self-assured confidence, which has been developed through years of dedicated effort, adds even more significance to his long and unpredictable journey towards releasing his first album.
There is another thing I want to mention about waiting for a long time. During my time in college, I took up a job in the construction industry where I worked as a carpenter's assistant. As part of my role, I had my own toolbox which I was extremely proud of. It contained various tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill, all of which appeared brand new and shiny to me.
After arriving at the location, the person noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and aged tools. Despite the condition of their tools, the person found themselves envious of them. Their own tools, on the other hand, appeared brand new and unused. The carpenters mocked the person, claiming they had never wielded a hammer before. However, the person finds it gratifying to now look at their toolbox, which is no longer new. They have used their hammer countless times, and it holds a significant meaning to them now.
Here are 20 country artists who experienced the height of their success with their debut album. The credit for this gallery goes to
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