Kenny Chesney Says The Best Part Of His New Country Music Hall Of Fame Exhibit Is Remembering ‘How Much Fun We’ve Had’
“It’s really interesting to see your life laid out like that, like this, because I lived it once, but to see it again is really strange,” he admits.
Kenny Chesney at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Kenny Chesney watched his life and career unfold before his eyes on Wednesday evening as he received a first look at his brand-new exhibit, Kenny Chesney: Living in Fast Forward, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
The moment marked yet another milestone in what has already been a monumental year for the East Tennessee native. Just a few months ago, Chesney stood in the very same building celebrating his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Now, fans can experience a career-spanning exhibit that celebrates the moments that shaped his career.
Located just down the hall from the museum’s iconic rotunda, the exhibit gives fans a front-row seat to Chesney’s journey, from his childhood in East Tennessee and college years to his early days chasing a dream in Nashville. It also highlights his record-breaking stadium tours and the unforgettable live experiences he’s created for his legion of fans who proudly call themselves No Shoes Nation.
After touring the exhibit, Chesney joined his team, family, friends, and members of the music industry for a reception celebrating its opening, where he took a moment to reflect on what the experience meant to him.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young welcomed guests before introducing Chesney to the stage, applauding the superstar’s hands-on approach to every aspect of his career.
“Kenny Chesney may be a hillbilly rockstar, but he’s always in control,” Young pointed out. “His is the kind of spirit that combines exceptional musical talent and insatiable creativity, mixes them with a tried and true work ethic and inexhaustible drive and realizes a benchmark country music career like the world has seldom seen.”
Upon taking the stage, the “Carry On” singer admitted it felt a bit “strange” to see his life and career displayed behind glass, but he also shared how proud he was of the finished exhibit and how grateful he felt to have had the opportunity to create it alongside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Like everything he takes on, Chesney approached the exhibit with the same dedication that has defined his career. He was deeply involved in the creative process, helping curate the artifacts and stories that bring his journey to life. After seeing it all come together, Chesney said what stood out most wasn’t a particular award, accomplishment, or milestone, it was remembering the incredible amount of fun he’s shared with his band and crew since they first hit the road together in November 1993.
“It’s really interesting to see your life laid out like that, like this, because I lived it once, but to see it again is really strange. But I’m very proud of it. The thing that I saw when I first walked in, and I see a lot of my band and crew here tonight, is the amount of fun that we’ve had. I went on the road, I can’t even believe I’m saying this. I went on the road the first time in November of 1993. It’s crazy to think about. And we are having just as much fun today as we did then. Just ask my band,” he said with a laugh.
“We all went to Maui last week for a video shoot and that was a lot of fun being had. So I’m really proud of that because music is supposed to be fun. And I truly believe that to go out there on stage every night and give energy and get that energy back is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. And the fact that we get to do that at the level that we’re doing it is one of, I think I speak for all my band and crew here. It’s one of the highlights. It is the highlight of my life. And to stand here in front of you guys tonight and to see all that displayed, all the color, all the energy, all the love that you’re going to see in this exhibit is everything that we have lived for 30 something years. And I’m very proud of it.”
Chesney thanked the people in the room who have supported him since the beginning. Before wrapping up his remarks, he once again reflected on the joy of life on the road and expressed his gratitude for everyone who has been part of the ride.
“I keep going back to it, but you get to see exactly how much fun we have had over the years on the road. And that is a lot of fun. Back before phones, it was great,’ He laughed. “But we’ve still found a way to have an absolute blast out there and to take what God has given us, which is the gift of music and creativity and spread that and share that with the world. And that has been one of the biggest gifts of my life. And the fact that you guys are here to see it and be a part of it, I really appreciate it.”
Kenny Chesney: Living in Fast Forward is now open at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The career-spanning exhibit is included with regular museum admission and will remain on display through June 2027, giving fans nearly a year to explore Chesney’s journey.
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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