Kenny Chesney Makes Long-Awaited Return To Nashville With Record-Breaking Nissan Stadium Concert
“…Tonight really hit me in the soul,” Chesney shared following the show.
Kenny Chesney; Photo by Catherine Powell
Kenny Chesney’s name has become synonymous with summertime, so it’s only fitting that his Here And Now Tour made a stop in Nashville on Memorial Day Weekend – the unofficial kickoff to summer.
It’s been nearly four years since the superstar headlined a show in Nashville and it’s safe to say fans were ready for his return. 57,211 descended upon Nissan Stadium for Chesney’s show, setting a new attendance record for Music City’s riverside venue.
Hours before the doors opened, fans flocked to the parking lots and they poured into the stadium early to catch Carly Pearce, Old Dominion and Dan + Shay’s opening sets.
But, the real party began at 8:50 pm when the lights dimmed and the No Shoes Nation kabuki rose and unveiled Chesney’s massive production.
Entering the stage to “Beer In Mexico,” Chesney set the bar for the supercharged evening of hits, including setlist staples like “Summertime,” “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems,” and “Living In Fast Forward,” and “We Do,” his ode to No Shoes Nation.
Two-plus hours of non-stop fun ensued as Chesney made his way around every inch of the giant stage.
The eight-time Entertainer of the Year had the crowd of over 57,000 in the palm of his hand and a certain sparkle in his eye hinted that he was having just as much fun as the concertgoers, who could be seen dancing and singing along from the floor to the 300s section.
Being in his adopted hometown of Nashville, Chesney seemed to get a bit emotional as he reflected on his musical journey. Growing up in a small town in East Tennesse – about three hours from Nashville – Chesney moved to Music City to chase his dreams like so many other singer/songwriters. Despite getting doors shut in his face along the way, Chesney never stopped and went on to create one of the most successful careers in country music.
In the middle of the show, a feeling of gratitude appeared to overcome the superstar as he welcomed fellow East Tennesse native Kelsea Ballerini to the stage for a surprise performance of their chart-topping duet, “Half Of My Hometown.”
“I grew up in East Tennessee and she grew up in East Tennessee. We drove down some of the same roads together. We went to a lot of the same places to eat with our families. We listened to the same radio station, and listened to a lot of people tell us we couldn’t do certain things that have dreamed of all our life,” he shared.
Saturday night was proof, for Chesney and Ballerini, that dreams do come true as the pair joined together for a goosebumps-inducing performance of the Country Music Association Vocal Event and Video of the Year Award-winning song.
Ballerini became emotional during the performance, bursting into tears in the midst of the second verse, prompting Chesney to comfort her with a hug.
The inspirational moment was a highlight for Chesney and fans alike.
“Being here in Nashville where so many dreams came true, seeing Kelsea on the verge of making the same kind of mark, it made me realize how strong this connection is. It’s not just fun or hooks or guitar riffs, it’s one massive heart that we all share,” Chesney said after the show. “To have that is the greatest gift, greatest reason for doing this – and tonight really hit me in the soul.”
The Here And Now Tour brought out the who’s who of Nashville with artists like Sara Evans, Brian Kelley, Chase Rice, Colbie Calliat, Shelby Darrall and Alex Hall watching in awe from the sandbar.
Kelley summed up his experience at the show on social media.
“Was thinking about this all day yesterday before the concert. I saw Kenny play 20 years ago in Daytona Beach when I was in 10th grade at the Ocean Center for the first time and was blown away then,” Kelley, who originally rose to fame as one half of the award-winning duo Florida Georgia Line, shared. “Was even more blown away last night in Nashville and proof he’s still at the top of his game and elevating! Inspiring and unreal show @kennychesney 🙏🏻🤙🏼👊🏼💧🔥you put on a masterclass 💯 me and everyone at @nissanstadium needed that last night ⚓️”
That’s the thing about Kenny Chesney. Nearly 30 years into his career, he continues to put on the best live show in country music. Countless artists have come and gone in the past three decades, yet Chesney remains at the top of his game and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Simply put, Kenny Chesney is the greatest country music entertainer of our lifetime and his show in Nashville was proof.
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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