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.
"Can you believe it? It has been a really long journey," the musician playfully remarks in an interview with Taste of Country, discussing his latest album Love Ain't Pretty. The album is finally being released on Friday, January 26th, after over thirty years since Esten first started his career.
Since 1988, when he made his debut on a game show called Sale of the Century and managed to win over $32,000 worth of prizes, Esten has been actively involved in the entertainment industry. He achieved significant recognition for his portrayal of Deacon Claybourne, the main character in the popular country-themed series Nashville. Additionally, Esten holds the impressive achievement of releasing 54 singles in 54 consecutive weeks, which earned him a spot in the Guinness World Records. Through his dedication and hard work, Esten has accumulated an estimated 10,000 hours of experience, surpassing this milestone approximately 30 times
Releasing a debut album later in life, like at the age of 58 as in Esten's case, does come with certain drawbacks. For instance, he is not expecting Love Ain't Pretty to have a significant impact on radio. However, he recognizes the significance of having a unique backstory and identity that sets him apart from others. There is no one else who can bring a character like Deacon Claybourne, who has become a part of his musical identity. Additionally, no one else has experienced the fictional rise to country music stardom and then achieved it again in their real life outside of the screen.
According to Esten, he gained more knowledge and understanding from Deacon's fans than from Deacon himself. Throughout the show, viewers reached out to Esten to express how much solace they found in the complex and enduring character of Deacon, who faced numerous challenges in life.
The person speaking explains that some people, whether it's because they had a difficult life themselves or because their parents did, feel a strong desire to share their experiences with others. They find it therapeutic to go through this journey together. After understanding this, the speaker started to see the importance of meaningful and connected music in their own work. They realized that their music should have a purpose of helping and healing others.
Esten frequently refers to the concept of a "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and this is because he put a lot of effort into creating a unified artistic statement that truly represents his identity from beginning to end. This process began by giving priority to the raw, emotional elements that Deacon and his fans have taught him to value. It also involved collaborating with others to write all 13 tracks on the project and blending traditional country roots with his own playful, rock 'n' roll influences that he humorously compares to the style of Bruce Springsteen.
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians he brought together for their exceptional ability to understand and refine Esten's artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in this process. Just before the lockdowns were imposed, Esten had begun working on an album, but the project had to be put on hold. Once the restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume work, and his vision for his debut album became even more defined and focused.
When asked about the purpose behind their actions, the singer expresses their belief that COVID has emphasized the general idea that life is difficult and can be harsh, but it also has the potential to be incredibly beautiful. They explain that love plays a significant role in this concept, as the pain and beauty experienced in losing a relationship or a loved one is a direct result of the love that was once shared.
The album gained more popularity as songs such as "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" were released, which Esten considers to be songs that added depth to the album's theme. However, even though he had a general idea of the sentiment he wanted to convey, he couldn't find the precise words to capture the essence of Love Ain't Pretty until he wrote the title track, which was also the final addition to the list of songs.
After completing the song, just before leaving the room, Esten recollects that he exclaimed, "This will be the title and the first song of the album." He recalls writing this song alongside Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary, and it encapsulated the essence of the album: Love may not always be pleasant, but it is undeniably exquisite."
Once he finished writing the words, he was certain that he had conveyed the message perfectly. This unwavering self-assurance, derived from years of dedicated effort, is an additional factor that makes Esten's unconventional journey to his first album so significant.
There is another point I would like to mention about waiting for a long time. During my college days, I took up a job in the construction field as a carpenter's assistant. I acquired a toolbox for this role, which made me incredibly proud. Inside the toolbox, I had a hammer, screwdrivers, a drill, and various other tools. The reason I was so proud of them was because they all appeared to be brand new.
"When I arrived, I noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and aged tools, and I couldn't help but feel envious," he adds, laughing. "In contrast, my tools appeared impeccably new and untouched. They joked, 'This guy has never even held a hammer before.' The advantage of growing older is that when I look at my toolbox now, it no longer appears brand new. I have wielded that hammer countless times, if you catch my drift."
Here are 20 country artists who achieved their greatest success with their debut album. Credit goes to Billy Dukes for curating
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