Charles Esten's path towards creating his debut album is unlike any other artist's. His journey in country music, and even in the music industry as a whole, is unique and stands out.
"Isn't it true?! It's been quite a journey," 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 the start of Esten's career, the album is finally set to be released on Friday, January 26th.
Starting with his initial appearance on a game show called Sale of the Century in 1988, where he managed to secure over $32,000 worth of prizes, to his successful stint as the main character Deacon Claybourne on the popular country-themed TV series Nashville, and even his remarkable achievement of releasing 54 singles in as many weeks, Esten has dedicated an extensive amount of time and effort, equivalent to approximately 10,000 hours, which is roughly 30 times over.
Releasing a debut album later in life, like at the age of 58, may have some drawbacks. It is unlikely that Esten expects his album, 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, who else has the advantage of embodying a character like Deacon Claybourne in their own musical identity? Who else has experienced the fictional rise to country music stardom and then achieved it again in their real-life career?
Esten acknowledges that while he learned valuable lessons from playing Deacon, he gained even more insights from the fans of the show who reached out to him. Throughout the show's run, viewers expressed how much solace they found in the complex, troubled, yet resilient character of Deacon.
The people he spoke to had experienced difficult lives, perhaps due to their own hardships or their parents'. They wanted to tell him that there was something therapeutic about going through those struggles alongside someone else. This realization made him see the importance of incorporating meaning, connection, and the intention to assist and heal in his own music.
Esten frequently mentions the term "through line" when discussing Love Ain't Pretty, and with good reason: he put a lot of effort into creating a cohesive artistic statement that truly represents him from start to finish. This process began by focusing on the emotional core of the project, taking inspiration from Deacon and his fans. It also involved co-writing all 13 tracks on the album and blending a foundation of authentic country music with his playful, rock 'n' roll leaning tendencies that he humorously refers to as "going full Springsteen."
Esten acknowledges producer Marshall Altman and the talented musicians chosen by Altman for their exceptional ability to understand and refine his vision. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in this process. Just before the initial lockdowns were implemented, Esten had begun working on an album, but unfortunately, it had to be put on hold. As soon as restrictions eased, Esten was eager to resume work and had a clearer than ever mission for what he wanted his first album to represent.
When asked about the purpose of their mission, the singer expresses that COVID has emphasized the fundamental idea that life is filled with challenges and can be incredibly difficult, but it also has the potential to be extraordinarily beautiful. The singer believes that love is intricately connected to the most intense forms of suffering. When you experience the loss of a relationship or a loved one, it is because you deeply cared for them. This is why these losses can cause such immense pain, but it is also what makes love so incredibly meaningful and awe-inspiring.
The momentum of the album increased with popular songs like "Down the Road" and "A Little Right Now," according to Esten. He believes that these songs helped 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 struggled to find the precise words to capture it. Eventually, he was able to do so when he wrote the title song, which was also the final addition to the list of tracks.
After completing their work on it, just before leaving the room, Esten recalls saying, "Here's the title and here's the first song." He is referring to the day when he, Altman, and songwriter Jimmy Yeary wrote that particular song. The song encapsulated the essence of the album, conveying the idea that love may not always be pleasant, but it is still something beautiful.
Once he had finished writing the words, he immediately recognized that he had successfully conveyed the intended message. This sense of self-assurance, which comes from years of dedicated effort, is an additional factor that makes Esten's unconventional journey towards releasing his first album so significant.
"I have another observation to make about the experience of waiting for a long time. During my college years, I took up a job in the construction field where I worked as a helper to a carpenter," shares the vocalist. "As part of my job, I acquired a toolbox which I felt incredibly proud of. It was filled with tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill, all of which appeared to be in pristine condition."
"And when I arrived at the location, I noticed a group of carpenters with worn-out and battered tools. I couldn't help but feel envious of their tools, as mine appeared brand new and unused. They jokingly exclaimed, '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 no longer looks new. I have used that hammer countless times, you understand what I'm saying?"
These are 20 country artists who achieved their highest level of success with their debut album. Credit for the gallery goes to Billy
Additional content can be found on the Taste of Country website. For more details and