Charles Esten's path towards creating his debut album is unlike any other artist in country music, or even in music as a whole.
"Isn't it true? It has been a long journey," the singer humorously mentions in an interview with Taste of Country, discussing his latest album Love Ain't Pretty. This album, scheduled to be released on Friday, January 26th, comes more than thirty years after the beginning of Esten's career.
Since his initial job in the entertainment industry in 1988, which involved participating in a game show called Sale of the Century and winning over $32,000 worth of prizes, Charles Esten has had a successful career. He gained popularity for his role as Deacon Claybourne in the popular country-themed TV series Nashville and also holds a Guinness World Record for releasing 54 singles in 54 consecutive weeks. Esten has dedicated a significant amount of time and effort to his craft, accumulating around 10,000 hours of experience, which is equivalent to approximately 30 times the recommended amount for mastery.
Releasing a debut album later in life, like Esten at 58 years old, does come with certain disadvantages. Esten understands that his album, Love Ain't Pretty, may not have the same impact on radio as it would have if he were younger. However, he recognizes the value of having a unique backstory and an identity that no one else can replicate. He is the only one who can incorporate the character of Deacon Claybourne into his musical identity. Additionally, he has the advantage of experiencing country music stardom fictionally and then achieving it again in his real life, which is a rare opportunity.
According to Esten, he gained more knowledge 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 character of Deacon, who faced numerous challenges and never gave up.
People would often tell him how their difficult life experiences, or the hardships their parents had faced, had influenced them. They wanted to express how therapeutic it felt to go through those challenges alongside someone else. This revelation made him realize the importance of infusing his own music with meaning, connection, and the intention to provide support and healing.
Esten frequently refers to the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and there's a valid reason for it: he dedicated a lot of effort to ensure that the project is a unified artistic expression that truly represents him. This process began by placing emphasis on emotionally rich and substantial content, which he learned from Deacon and Deacon's fans. Additionally, it involved collaborating on all 13 tracks of the project and combining a base of authentic country music with his playful inclination towards rock and roll, which he humorously describes as going "full Springsteen."
Esten gives credit to producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians recruited by Altman for their exceptional ability to understand and execute his artistic vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in shaping Esten's debut album. Just before the initial lockdowns were implemented, he had started working on an album, but it had to be put on hold. When restrictions were lifted, Esten was eager to resume his work, and his clarity on the direction he wanted his debut album to take had only become stronger.
When asked about the message behind their music, the singer expresses that COVID has emphasized the idea that life can be challenging and cruel, but also incredibly beautiful. They believe that love is a significant aspect of this concept, as it is often the source of our greatest suffering. Losing a relationship or a loved one causes immense pain because of the deep love we had for them, but it also highlights the profound beauty of love.
The album gained popularity as more songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now" were released, which Esten believes helped develop the overall theme of the album. However, even though he had an idea of what he wanted the album to convey, he didn't have the precise words to capture the essence of Love Ain't Pretty until he wrote the title song, which was also the final addition to the list of tracks.
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 with Altman and songwriter Jimmy Yeary, and how it represented the essence of the entire album. The message conveyed was that love may not always be pleasant, but it holds its own unique beauty.
After writing the words, he immediately realized that he had captured the message perfectly. This clear and confident attitude, which comes from years of dedication and effort, adds even more significance to Esten's journey towards releasing his first album.
There is another aspect I want to mention about waiting for a long time. During my college days, I took up a job in the construction field as a helper for a carpenter. As a part of this job, I acquired my own toolbox which I was extremely proud of. It contained various tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill, all of which were in pristine condition. This made me feel a great sense of pride and satisfaction.
"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 adds with a laugh. "My own tools appeared so meticulously clean and unused. They joked, saying that I had never 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 have swung that hammer countless times, if you understand what I mean."
20 Country musicians who achieved their highest level of success with their debut album. Gallery credit goes to Billy Dukes.
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