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 country music industry and beyond.
"Isn't it crazy how long it's taken?" the singer playfully remarks in an interview with Taste of Country, discussing his latest album Love Ain't Pretty. After more than thirty years since Esten first started his career, the album is finally set to be released on Friday, January 26th.
Starting with his initial opportunity in the entertainment industry in 1988, which involved participating in a game show called Sale of the Century, and managing to secure winnings of over $32,000 in various prizes, Charles Esten's career has flourished. His notable achievements include his lead role as Deacon Claybourne in the popular country-themed television series Nashville, as well as setting a Guinness World Record by releasing 54 singles within a span of 54 weeks. In total, Esten has dedicated a significant amount of time, equivalent to approximately 10,000 hours, which is roughly 30 times the recommended amount for mastery
Releasing a debut album later in life, like at the age of 58, does come with some disadvantages. For instance, Esten doesn't anticipate Love Ain't Pretty to have a significant impact on radio. However, he understands the importance of having a unique backstory and identity that sets him apart from others. After all, how many musicians can claim to have a character like Deacon Claybourne ingrained into their own musical persona? And on top of that, who else can say they have experienced fictional country music stardom and then achieved it again in their real-life endeavors?
According to Esten, he gained more knowledge and insight from the fans of Deacon than he did from Deacon himself. Throughout the duration of the show, Esten received messages from viewers expressing how much solace they found in the complex and resilient character of Deacon, who had a tumultuous and challenging life.
The speaker shares that many individuals, possibly due to the difficulties they faced in their own lives or the hardships their parents experienced, wanted to express to the speaker the therapeutic aspect of going through a journey alongside someone. This realization influenced the speaker's own music, as they recognized the importance of infusing meaning, connection, and a desire to assist and bring healing into their work.
Esten frequently mentions the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and for a valid reason: he dedicated substantial effort to ensure that the project represents his true artistic vision from beginning to end. This began by placing a strong emphasis on heartfelt and relatable emotions, which he learned from Deacon and his fans. It also involved collaborating with others to write all 13 tracks on the album, and combining traditional country music with the rock and roll influences that he humorously refers to as "full Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians assembled by Altman for their skillful focus on the artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in this process. Just before the initial lockdowns were imposed, Esten began working on an album, but the project had to be put on hold. When restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume his work, and his determination to create the exact debut album he envisioned was stronger than ever.
When asked about the purpose behind their mission, the singer expresses that COVID has served as a reminder that life can be challenging and harsh, but also incredibly wonderful. They believe that love is deeply intertwined with this concept, as the pain of losing a relationship or a loved one is a reflection of the love that was present. This is what makes it hurt so deeply, yet also so remarkably beautiful.
The album gained more popularity as songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" were released, and Esten believes that these songs helped develop the overall theme of the album. However, even though he had an idea of what he wanted the album to convey, he struggled to find the right words to encapsulate the sentiment until he wrote the title song, which was added as the final track.
After completing the song, before leaving the room, Esten recalls saying, "This will be the title and the first song." He remembers the day he wrote this song together with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary, and how it represented the essence of the album. The song conveyed the message that love may not always be pleasant, but it is still remarkable and captivating.
After crafting the words, he immediately realized that he had successfully conveyed the intended message. This unwavering assurance, derived from years of dedicated effort, is an additional factor that highlights the significance of Esten's unconventional journey towards his first album.
The individual shares another point about the experience of waiting for a long time. They recall a time during their college years when they took up a job in the construction industry as a carpenter's assistant. As part of their role, they acquired a toolbox that they were extremely proud of. The toolbox contained various tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill, all of which appeared brand new, adding to their sense of pride.
After arriving at the destination, the person noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and old tools. Despite the condition of their tools, the person couldn't help but feel envious. In contrast, their own tools appeared brand new and unused, leading others to mock their lack of experience with a hammer. However, the person reflects on their age and appreciates that their toolbox no longer looks new. They have used their hammer countless times, gaining valuable experience along the way.
Billy Dukes gives credit to the gallery featuring 20 country artists who achieved their highest level of success with their debut album.
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