Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney Headshot

Singer • Songwriter

Birth Name: Kenneth Arnold Chesney

Birth Date: March 26, 1968

Age: 56 years old

Birth Place: Knoxville, Tennessee

Spouses: Renée Zellweger

Like Jimmy Buffet and other artists who sell a lifestyle to their fans, Kenny Chesney carved out a sub-culture of beach party country-rock that drew hundreds of thousands of fans. Blending country, rock and island music earned Chesney the moniker of "Hillbilly Rock Star," making him not only a country music icon but also a successful entrepreneur and one of the hardest working musicians of his era.

Born Kenneth Arnold Chesney on March 26, 1968 in Knoxville, Chesney was raised in the small town of Luttrell, Tennessee. As a sports star in high school, Chesney spent much of his adolescence on the field playing football and baseball. It wasn't until he attended college at East Tennessee State that he got into music and taught himself to play the guitar, eventually performing in the school's Bluegrass program and playing cover songs in the bars around campus.

Having earned a degree in advertising, Chesney was business-savvy and knew how to market himself at a stage when few artists do. He self-financed his own album to sell at local gigs before setting his sights on Nashville. Upon graduating in 1990, he moved to the county music capital and quickly landed a songwriting deal with BMI and Opryland Music Group in 1992. His debut album, In My Wildest Dreams" came out in two years later on the recently-revived southern rock label Capricorn Records, featuring his smooth baritone vocals on more traditional country ballads then his later releases. The album bore two country singles, but shortly after, the label closed down its country division, leaving him without a home. Luckily, he had caught attention of RCA subsidiary BNA Records, and went on to release his breakthrough second album, All I Need to Know, which yielded Top Ten country hits "All I Need To know" and "Fall In Love." 1997 was a year of miletones, with Chesney taking home his first major award by winning the Top New Male Vocalist trophy from the Academy of Country Music and scoring a number one hit with "She's Got It All," which would be the first of many over the next ten years.

After jumping to a major label and racking up radio hits with a more polished sound, Chesney was primed to become a bona fide star. After touring as an opening act on a George Strait festival tour in 1998, he proved his potential to entertain stadium-sized crowds. Chesney's streak of success continued when he took a chance on the novelty song "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy," off his first multi-platinum album, Everywhere We Go, in 1999. Chesney kicked off the new decade with a greatest hits album already in hand and continued his momentum with successive platinum and multi-platinum Number One country albums throughout the 2000s. As his sound continued to shift away from pure country, his 2002 album No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems solidified his heartland rock sound and crossover appeal. At this time he was at the height of critical and commercial success, winning numerous awards including Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist of the Year (2002) and Entertainer of the Year (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008); Country Music Association nods for Album of the Year (When the Sun Goes Down, 2004) and Entertainer of the Year (2004, 2006, 2007). While he was a household name in country circles, it wasn't until 2005 that Chesney briefly became mainstream tabloid fodder after his quickie marriage to actress Renee Zellweger was annulled just four months after they wed in the Virgin Islands. After his brush with Hollywood, Chesney took the split in stride and continued his musical domination on the charts. Chesney spent the next decade building up his empire-starting with his merchandise business, rum company and touring production. A passionate football fan, he also went on to write and co-direct the ESPN movie "The Boys of Fall" (2010), followed by the ESPN documentary "The Color Orange: The Condredge Holloway Story" (2011). Despite his rigorous touring schedule, Chesney managed to record his 16th studio album, titled The Big Revival, for 2014 release alongside another ESPN project, partnering again with renowned video director Shaun Silva for a documentary about famed college and NFL coach Steve Spurrier titled "The Believer" (2014).

Credits

Grand Ole Opry: Kenny Chesney, John Berry, Johnny Paycheck, Johnny Russell

Music Performer
Show
2024

Country: Best of 2024 (So Far)

Music Performer
Show
2024

The 57th Annual CMA Awards

Music Performer
Show
2023

Kenny Chesney: Take Her Home

Music Performer
Show
2023

Country: 20 Years of Hits

Music Performer
Show
2022

57th ACM Awards: Nominees to Watch

Music Performer
Show
2022

Kenny Chesney: Everyone She Knows

Music Performer
Show
2022

Country: Home For The Holidays

Music Performer
Show
2022

CBS Mornings

Guest
News
2021

56th Academy of Country Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2021

Kenny Chesney: Knowing You

Music Performer
Show
2021

Country Legends

Music Performer
Show
2021

Country: Cool Dad BBQ, Vol. II

Music Performer
Show
2021

Country: Top Songs of the '90s

Music Performer
Show
2021

Country: Home For the Holidays

Music Performer
Show
2021

Country's Best Fema

Music Performer
Show
2021

Country Christmas

Music Performer
Show
2021

Country: My Country Valentine

Music Performer
Show
2021

Perfect Together: Greatest Duets

Music Performer
Show
2021

CMA Best of Fest

Music Performer
Show
2020

Country Beachin'

Music Performer
Show
2020

Kenny Chesney: Here and Now

Music Performer
Show
2020

No.1 Hot Country

Music Performer
Show
2020

Cool Dad Country BBQ

Music Performer
Show
2020

Country: Throwback Essentials

Music Performer
Show
2020

Cozy Country Christmas

Music Performer
Show
2020

The Kelly Clarkson Show

Guest
Talk
2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

Guest
Show
2019

1 Country

Music Performer
Show
2019

Caroline Jones & The Pelicanaires Feat. Kenney Chesney, Jummy Buffett, Lukas Nelson: Gulf Coast Girl

Music Performer
Show
2019

Country: Spring Break Kick Off

Music Performer
Show
2019

The 52nd Annual CMA Awards

Music Performer
Show
2018

Kenny Chesney: Song for the Saints

Music Performer
Show
2018

53rd Academy of Country Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2018

Kenny Chesney: Get Along (Visualizer)

Music Performer
Show
2018

Guys of the ACM

Music Performer
Show
2018

Kenny Chesney: Get Along

Music Performer
Show
2018

Hot Country

Music Performer
Show
2018

Kenny Chesney: Trip Around the Sun

Music Performer
Show
2018

Best Concerts 2018

Music Performer
Show
2018

NEW! Country

Music Performer
Show
2018

CMA Awards: Entertainer of the Year

Music Performer
Show
2018

Christmas Classics by the Fireplace Vol. II

Music Performer
Show
2018

2018 Biggest Tour

Music Performer
Show
2018

Kenny Chesney: Boston

Music Performer
Show
2017

Kenny Chesney: Dust on the Bottle (Live with David Lee Murphy)

Music Performer
Show
2017

Kenny Chesney: Dust on the Bottle

Music Performer
Show
2017

Kenny Chesney: Rich and Miserable

Music Performer
Show
2017

Kenny Chesney: All The Pretty Girls

Music Performer
Show
2017

Kenny Chesney Feat. Old Dominion: Save It for a Rainy Day (Live)

Music Performer
Show
2017

Kenny Chesney: Hemingway's Whiskey (Live)

Music Performer
Show
2017

Kenny Chesney: Pirate Flag (Live)

Music Performer
Show
2017

Tennessee Whiskey: The Dean Dillon Story

Self
Movie
2017

Kenny Chesney: Bar at the End of the World

Music Performer
Show
2016

Nashville Insider

Guest
Reality
2016

Today's Take

Guest
Show
2016

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular

Music Performer
Show
2016

51st Academy of Country Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2016

Kenny Chesney: Noise

Music Performer
Show
2016

Kenny Chesney Feat. P!nk: Setting the World on Fire

Music Performer
Show
2016

Kenny Chesney: She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy

Music Performer
Show
2016

Kenny Chesney: Rich & Miserable

Music Performer
Show
2016

The iHeartradio Music Festival - Night 1

Music Performer
Show
2015

CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock

Music Performer
Show
2015

ACM Presents: Superstar Duets

Music Performer
Show
2015

The 50th Academy of Country Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2015

The Late Late Show With James Corden

Music Performer
Talk
2015

The 48th Annual CMA Awards

Music Performer
Show
2014

The Rich Eisen Show

Guest
Show
2014

The Meredith Vieira Show

Guest
Talk
2014

Late Night With Seth MeyersStream

Music Performer
Talk
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Music Performer
Talk
2014

A MusiCares Tribute to Bruce Springsteen

Music Performer
Show
2014

Kenny Chesney Feat. Grace Potter: Wild Child

Music Performer
Show
2014

Kenny Chesney: Flora-Bama

Music Performer
Show
2014

Kenny Chesney: Til It's Gone

Music Performer
Show
2014

Kenny Chesney: American Kids

Music Performer
Show
2014

Kenny Chesney: Christmas In Blue Chair Bay

Music Performer
Show
2014

Kenny Chesney: Save It for a Rainy Day

Music Performer
Show
2014

Kenny Chesney: Til It's Gone (CMT Instant Jam)

Music Performer
Show
2014

The 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2013

Hot 20 Countdown

Guest
Show
2013

Kenny Chesney: When I See This Bar

Music Performer
Show
2013

Kenny Chesney: Pirate Flag

Music Performer
Show
2013

Kenny Chesney: Silver Bells (Yule Log Edition)

Music Performer
Show
2013

Kenny Chesney: The Angel at the Top of My Tree (Yule Log Edition)

Music Performer
Show
2013

Kenny Chesney: When the Sun Goes Down (Duet With Uncle Kracker)

Music Performer
Show
2013

Kenny Chesney Feat. the Wailers with Elan: Spread the Love

Music Performer
Show
2013

The 46th Annual CMA Awards

Music Performer
Show
2012

Katie

Music Performer
Talk
2012

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular

Music Performer
Show
2012

ACM Awards 2012

Guest Star
Show
2012

ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends -- In Concert

Music Performer
Show
2012

The 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2012

Kenny Chesney: Come Over

Music Performer
Show
2012

Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw: Feel Like a Rock Star

Music Performer
Show
2012

Kenny Chesney: El Cerrito Place

Music Performer
Show
2012

The 45th Annual CMA Awards

Music Performer
Show
2011

In the Spotlight With Robin Roberts: All Access Nashville

Guest
Show
2011

Brooks & Dunn: The Last Rodeo

Music Performer
Show
2011

Kenny Chesney: Somewhere With You (Pseudo Video)

Music Performer
Show
2011

Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D

Host
Show
2011

Kenny Chesney: Reality

Music Performer
Show
2011

The 44th Annual CMA Awards

Music Performer
Show
2010

ConanStream

Music Performer
Talk
2010

The Making Of...

Host
Show
2010

The Talk

Music Performer
Talk
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

Dolly Celebrates 25 Years of Dollywood

Guest
Show
2010

ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn -- The Last Rodeo

Music Performer
Show
2010

The 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards

Music Performer
Show
2010

Kenny Chesney: Ain't Back Yet (From the Motion Picture Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3-D)

Music Performer
Show
2010

Kenny Chesney: Live Those Songs

Music Performer
Show
2010

Kenny Chesney: The Boys of Fall

Music Performer
Show
2010

Boys of Fall

Executive Producer
Movie
2010

Boys of Fall

Screenwriter
Movie
2010

The 43rd Annual CMA Awards

Music Performer
Show
2009

CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock

Music Performer
Show
2009

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular

Music Performer
Show
2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Music Performer
Talk
2009

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards

Music Performer
Show
2009

Kenny Chesney: Ain't Back Yet

Music Performer
Show
2009

Kenny Chesney: Out Last Night

Music Performer
Show
2009

The 42nd Annual CMA Awards

Music Performer
Show
2008

Reba McEntire Feat. Kenny Chesney: Every Other Weekend

Music Performer
Show
2008

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular

Guest
Show
2008

The 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards

Guest
Show
2008

Kenny Chesney - Live at Soundstage

Actor
Show
2008

Kenny Chesney with The Wailers: Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven

Music Performer
Show
2008

Kenny Chesney: I'm Alive

Music Performer
Show
2008

Kenny Chesney Feat. Dave Matthews: I'm Alive

Music Performer
Show
2008

George Strait & Kenny Chesney: Shiftwork

Music Performer
Show
2008

The 41st Annual CMA Awards

Music Performer
Show
2007

Kenny Chesney: Don't Blink

Music Performer
Show
2007

Kenny Chesney: Living In Fast Forward

Music Performer
Show
2005

Kenny Chesney: You Save Me

Music Performer
Show
2005

Kenny Chesney: Summertime

Music Performer
Show
2005

Kenny Chesney: Who You'd Be Today

Music Performer
Show
2005

George Jones - 50 Years Of Hits

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: Me And You (2-Channel Stereo Mix)

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: She's Got It All (2-Channel Stereo Mix)

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy (2-Channel Stereo Mix)

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: I Lost It (2-Channel Stereo Mix)

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: Me And You

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: Don't Happen Twice (2-Channel Stereo Mix)

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: How Forever Feels (2-Channel Stereo Mix)

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: When The Sun Goes Down

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: There Goes My Life

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: Anything But Mine

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: Big Star

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: Fall in Love

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: How Forever Feels

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: I Go Back

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: I Lost It

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: Old Blue Chair

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: She's Got It All

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: That's Why I'm Here

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: The Good Stuff

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: Young

Music Performer
Show
2004

Kenny Chesney: No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems

Music Performer
Show
2004

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Music Performer
Talk
2003

Soundstage

Music Performer
Show
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Music Performer
Talk
2003

CMT CrossroadsStream

Self
Reality
2001

Kenny Chesney: Don't Happen Twice

Music Performer
Show
2000

The Early Show

Music Performer
Show
1999

Kenny Chesney: A Chance

Music Performer
Show
1997

Access Hollywood

Guest
News
1996

Kenny Chesney: All I Need to Know

Music Performer
Show
1995

Late Night With Conan O'Brien

Guest
Talk
1993

Late Show With David Letterman

Music Performer
Talk
1993

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Guest
Talk
1992

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Music Performer
Talk
1992

The Oprah Winfrey ShowStream

Music Performer
Talk
1986

Entertainment Tonight

Guest
News
1981

CBS News Sunday Morning

Guest
News
1979

Austin City Limits

Music Performer
Series
1976

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

Good Morning America

Music Performer
News
1975

Today

Actor
News
1952

Today

Guest
News
1952

Today

Music Performer
News
1952