Kenny Chesney Ties George Strait’s Billboard Chart Record With 61st Top 10 Hit
The news comes as “Take Her Home” clinched a spot in the Top 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
Kenny Chesney, George Strait; Photos by Jill Trunnell
Just one day before the kick-off of his highly anticipated summer tour, Kenny Chesney has matched the Billboard chart record of one of his musical idols, George Strait.
Making Chart History
According to U.S. Radio Updater, Chesney’s latest single, “Take Her Home,” climbed two spots on the Billboard Country Airplay chart this week, reaching a near peak of No.9. “Take Her Home” is officially his 61st career Top 10 on the chart.
With this feat, the East Tennessee native has tied Strait for the all-time most Top 10 singles in the Billboard Country Airport Chart history.
The artists have a history together as Chesney looked up to him when he was starting his career. Before he became the stadium headliner he is today, Chesney started his career by playing for tips. When he started covering George Strait’s “The Fireman” during his shows, he noticed quite a difference in his tips.
“That’s when the tips started coming in the tip jar,’’ Chesney explained during a conversation with Bobby Bones. “So I learned pretty quickly what to do and what not to do, and George has taught me a lot of lessons that way.”
He continued, “I’m so grateful for his friendship and I’m grateful for so many things that George Strait has given to country music and given to me. I think about that night a lot, just started playing music with a guitar in my hand a tip jar in front of me.”
Chesney Has Previously Collaborated With Strait
The artists have shared the stage on a number of occasions, including for a performance of “The Fireman” when Strait performed at AT&T Stadium. Additionally, they recorded a duet, “Shiftwork,” for Chesney’s Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates album in 2007.
Chesney’s “Take Her Home” is featured on his new album, BORN, which dropped last month. This project is the superstar’s first taste of new music since 2020’s Here and Now and includes 15 tracks.
BORN Vinyl Release
Earlier this week, Chesney announced plans to release the album on vinyl.
“I’m lucky. I have fans who still believe in the actual listening experience, starting an album at the beginning and taking the journey the songs are creating,” he explained. “Experiencing and asking ‘how does this music define a moment or a state of life? How does it color or reflect my mind?’
“So much of my own life’s been defined by what I was listening to over the years, and still is. That’s a whole different way of consuming music than just a hit. Knowing that, I decided to go ahead and do vinyl. It’s a limited run, but it’s there for all the people who put on albums and make that kind of listening a destination. For anyone who sinks into the songs, this is for you.”
On Saturday, April 20, the eight-time Entertainer of the Year will kick off his Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The tour, which features Zac Brown Band, Megan Moroney, and Uncle Kracker, runs through August where it’s set to wrap up with three nights at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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