Charles Esten discusses how his experience as a star on the television show 'Nashville' influenced the creation of his first album. While every artist has a unique path, Esten's journey is particularly distinct in the world of country music, and even in music as a whole.
"Isn't it true? It has been a long journey," the singer playfully remarks in an interview with Taste of Country, discussing his latest 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 opportunity in the entertainment industry in 1988, which involved participating in a game show called Sale of the Century and earning over $32,000 worth of prizes, to his successful portrayal of the main character Deacon Claybourne in the popular country-themed TV series Nashville, and even to achieving a remarkable feat of releasing 54 singles in 54 weeks, which earned him a Guinness World Record, Esten has dedicated a significant amount of time honing his craft, equivalent to about 10,000 hours, repeated approximately 30 times.
Certainly, there are a few drawbacks to releasing a first album at a later stage in life (Esten is 58 years old). For instance, he doesn't anticipate Love Ain't Pretty to have a significant impact on radio. However, he recognizes the importance of having a unique backstory and identity that no one else can possibly possess. Who else can claim to have a character like Deacon Claybourne integrated 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, outside of the screen?
Esten expresses that while he did learn valuable lessons from his experience portraying Deacon, he gained even more insights from the fans of the show who reached out to him. Throughout the series, viewers shared with Esten how much solace they found in Deacon's character, who lived a challenging life but remained strong and determined.
The speaker acknowledges that people who have faced difficult circumstances in their own lives or in the lives of their parents often feel the need to express the cathartic experience of going through those challenges. This realization has influenced the speaker's own music, as they have come to understand the importance of creating music that carries meaning, connection, and the intention to provide help and healing.
Esten frequently uses the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and this is because he made a conscious effort to create a unified artistic statement that truly represents his identity from beginning to end. He began this process by placing a strong emphasis on heartfelt emotions, following the guidance of Deacon and his fans. Additionally, he co-wrote all 13 tracks on the project and combined the traditional elements of country music with his own rock 'n' roll influences, which he humorously refers to as embracing the spirit of Springsteen.
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians he brought in for the recording sessions, for skillfully understanding and refining Esten's creative vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in shaping Esten's musical direction. Just before the initial lockdowns were implemented, Esten embarked on an album project which had to be put on hold. However, once restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume work and had a stronger sense of purpose regarding the direction he wanted his first album to take.
When asked about the purpose of their mission, the singer expressed their belief that COVID has emphasized the general idea that life is challenging and can be cruel, yet it also has moments of great beauty. They explained that love is a significant aspect of this concept, as it is often intertwined with our most painful experiences. Losing a relationship or a loved one can cause immense pain because it is a reflection of the deep love we had for them, which is also what makes it so profoundly beautiful.
The momentum of the album increased with the success of songs such as "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now," according to Esten. He believes that these songs helped to develop the overall theme of the album. However, even though he had a general idea of what he wanted the album's sentiment to be, he couldn't find the right words to capture it until he wrote the title song, which was the final addition to the tracklist.
After completing the song, before leaving the room, Esten expressed his thoughts, stating, "This will be the title of the song and it will be the first one on the album." He recalls the day when he collaborated with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary to create this song and described it as a representation of the album's theme. Esten summarized it as "Love may not always be pleasant, but it possesses its own kind of beauty."
Once he had finished writing the words, he immediately realized that he had successfully conveyed the intended message. This sense of self-assurance, developed through years of dedicated effort, is another significant factor that makes Esten's unique journey towards his first album extremely important.
Another point I want to mention about the long wait is a personal memory from my college days. During that time, I took on a job in construction where I worked as a carpenter's assistant. As part of my role, I acquired a toolbox which I was extremely proud of. It consisted of various tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill, all of which appeared to be in pristine condition. This made me feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride.
"And when I arrived, I noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and battered tools, and I couldn't help but feel envious," he says with a laugh. "My tools, on the other hand, looked pristine and untouched. They joked, saying, 'This guy has never even held a hammer before.' The advantage of being my age now is that when I look at my toolbox, it's no longer brand new. I've swung that hammer countless times, if you catch my drift."
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Gallery credit goes to Billy Dukes
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