Kenny Chesney Brings Stadium-Sized Energy to $10 Nashville Underplay at The Pinnacle
Chesney treated fans to a rare, intimate performance filled with fan favorites, new music and a surprise appearance from Greylan James.
Kenny Chesney; Photo by Allister Ann
When Kenny Chesney announced a special Silver Sand Marina album release show at Nashville’s The Pinnacle, you already knew it was going to be a special night.
The superstar is fresh off two back-to-back summers at The Sphere in Las Vegas and is no stranger to selling out stadiums, so the chance to see him play a $10 underplay at The Pinnacle was pretty special.
Those lucky enough to score tickets packed into the venue, ready to see the Country Music Hall of Famer up close. As the lights went down promptly at 7:30 p.m., the energy in the room was palpable.
“We Do,” Chesney’s love letter to his beloved fan base, No Shoes Nation, began blasting through the speakers as the crowd erupted, signaling that Chesney was about to take the stage.
The East Tennessee native entered the venue with a huge smile, greeting fans with waves before launching into 2006’s “Summertime.” And for a song that is now two decades old (how is that even possible?), it still hit just as hard.
He went on to perform fan favorites like “Here and Now,” the carefree “Beer In Mexico” and “Save It For A Rainy Day” before offering up a taste of his new album.
Making his way to the front of the catwalk, Chesney delivered the slow-burning “Burn My Boat,” followed by “Goldfish,” which he described as the only breakup song he’s ever heard that somehow made him feel happy. He then picked up the pace with “Talkin’ Dirt,” a song about small-town gossip spreading like wildfire.
Between setlist staples like “Living In Fast Forward,” “Young” and “Reality,” Chesney also brought back “Ain’t Back Yet” for the first time since 2015. He celebrated his newest No. 1 single, “Carry On,” and revealed that “Remember Me That Way” would be his next single at country radio.
Amid the 95-minute set, Chesney welcomed fellow East Tennessee native and soon-to-be Original Vibe Room tour mate Greylan James to the stage to join him for “Born,” the title track of his 2024 album, Born, which James co-wrote.
Chesney explained the full-circle moment, sharing that his mom used to cut James’ hair when he was a young boy. Now, years later, the two are set to tour together next summer.
The Pinnacle transformed into a giant party for “Out Last Night,” and when we thought the energy had reached its peak, Chesney returned to the stage for a two-song encore featuring “American Kids” and “Don’t Happen Twice.”
Bringing the same level of energy he brings to an NFL stadium, Chesney was full of life and smiles and interacted with fans throughout the night. Vocally, he sounded better than ever, with each track playing out like the studio versions.
Fans around the world listened in on No Shoes Radio, while those inside The Pinnacle got a preview of the energy Chesney will bring to stadiums next summer. The wait is officially on, with his stadium tour set to kick off April 24 in Tampa, Florida.
Silver Sands Marina is out now.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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