Kenny Chesney has always believed in investing the time to get things right, whether his 2025 history-making Sphere residency, No. 1 New York Times best-seller Heart Life Music or creating an internet radio station for No Shoes Nation that’s now a stronghold at SiriusXM. With all of that, Chesney never stopped writing, seeking and recording music, knowing he was on the verge of creating something very special.

“Carry On,” his first new music in two years, hit radio hard. Beyond closing the panel of 158 reporting radio stations in its first week – only the third time in history, and the first time for an independent record label, the shuck-what-weighs-you-down anthem of empowerment and joy jumped to No. 30 with a bullet in its second week.

That kind of response requires some real attention, something the East Tennessee songwriter-superstar is good at providing. Beyond dropping the charming, locals-only peek at Key West clip, featuring the iconic David Wegman, for “Carry On” today, the man the Los Angeles Times called “the People’s Superstar” has become very serious about finalizing mixes for his 21st studio project.

“A lot has happened over the last year, but the truth is I’ve been collecting some of these songs for over a decade,” Chesney says of his upcoming project. “I knew when we decided to do the next album, I wanted a record that leaned into being an album, not a concept, but a collection of songs that took you somewhere emotionally or mentally.

“I never stop listening, or writing, or recording. But a few of these songs started pulling towards each other – and this album started to take shape. When you’re competing with yourself, what you’ve already recorded, it sets a pretty high bar. I don’t think I realized how really strong this collection was until I stepped back and looked at everything we’ve got.”

For Chesney, who was just named the Los Angeles Press Club’s Public Service Award honoree, “Carry On” eliciting such a powerful reaction meant locking down what his next record will be. His 100th entry on both Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, “Carry On” speaks to the momentum inherent to living – and making albums.

“Unlike Heart Life Music, there was no hard deadline,” Chesney mused. “Now I feel like there is some real hunger for this music. The world is in such a divided place, I think music that brings people together, that reminds them of their actual feelings is what they’re looking for – and that’s always been what holds my music together.

“For anyone who’s looking to fill their days with light and joy, without pretending tough stuff doesn’t exist, this record’s gonna be for you! We’ve got all songs – I think – picked, and now it’s just a matter of making them sound as good as we can. It’s a lot of great guitars, different rhythms and pretty amazing songs from some of my friends, some emerging writers and a few of Nashville’s most iconic writers ever.”

As the song says, “If it feels good, do it…,” and Kenny Chesney is. Just wait. 

Photo Credit: Allister Ann

 

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  https://youtu.be/3im-HOZNMIM?si=peLU2Ph9Jr7it2Ov Kenny Chesney has always believed in investing the time to get things right, whether his 2025 history-making Sphere residency, No. 1 New York Times best-seller Heart Life Music or creating an internet radio station for No Shoes Nation that’s now a stronghold at SiriusXM. With all of that, Chesney never stopped writing, seeking...